The Beginning of the End

The Beginning of the End

Year: 2006

Runtime: 7 mins

Language: Portuguese

Director: Gustavo Spolidoro

Drama

He should flee, he should resist. But this man accepts - no - embraces the fate that comes to him in thundering Dolby Surround.

Dark
Bittersweet ending
Emotionally heavy
High intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Beginning of the End (2006)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Beginning of the End (2006). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1941-1945

Set during World War II, the film follows the U.S. wartime mobilization and the race to develop an atomic bomb. It covers Roosevelt's approval, the rapid expansion of the Manhattan Project, and the eventual use of atomic weapons in 1945. The timeline emphasizes scientific breakthroughs occurring under intense political pressure.

Location

Chicago (University of Chicago), Los Alamos, Tinian, Hiroshima, California

The story moves through major settings of the Manhattan Project: the wartime lab at the University of Chicago, the secluded research hub at Los Alamos, the Pacific staging area on Tinian, and the final bomb mission over Hiroshima. It also references a time capsule placed in California, linking the 1940s events to a future reveal. These locations anchor the film's blend of scientific development and strategic decision-making.

🏛 Wartime labs 🗺 War zones 🔬 Science history

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 03:58

Main Characters – The Beginning of the End (2006)

Meet the key characters of The Beginning of the End (2006), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

J. Robert Oppenheimer (Hume Cronyn)

A brilliant physicist whose enthusiasm for atomic energy is tempered by deep concern about its consequences. He guides, debates, and challenges peers as the project advances. His stance embodies the central tension between scientific wonder and ethical risk.

⚖️ Genius 🧭 Moral conflict 🧬 Leadership

Matt Cochran (Tom Drake)

An American scientist integral to the project who helps move the chain of discovery forward. He embodies the human costs of wartime science and ultimately dies after exposure to radioactive material. His arc underlines the personal stakes behind strategic breakthroughs.

🧪 Scientist 💔 Sacrifice 🧭 Duty

Dr. Enrico Fermi (Joseph Calleia)

A key member of the international team driving the project, bringing a wealth of experience to the Chicago and Los Alamos efforts. His involvement signals the global dimension of atomic research. He contributes to solving the technical challenges that define the era.

🧠 Physicist 🌍 Collaboration 🧪 Innovation

Dr. Marré (Victor Francen)

A scientist whose work anchors the theoretical and practical aspects of the bomb's development. He balances focus with awareness of the broader implications. His role highlights the collective effort behind a project of unprecedented scale.

🧬 Scientist ⚖️ Responsibility 🛠️ Collaboration

General Leslie Groves (Brian Donlevy)

The military leader orchestrating the Manhattan Project, merging scientific teams with industrial and defense capabilities. He drives the project forward under enormous pressure and tight control. His leadership reflects the wartime fusion of science and state power.

🎖️ Leader 🧭 Strategy 🛡️ Authority

Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Nixon (Robert Walker)

A military liaison assigned to Groves, overseeing operations and the movement of crucial assets. He becomes a conduit for information and the human element behind the project’s logistics. His presence underscores the blend of military discipline and scientific ambition.

🎯 Operator 🧩 Coordination 🧭 Duty

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 03:58

Major Themes – The Beginning of the End (2006)

Explore the central themes of The Beginning of the End (2006), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Ethics

The film juxtaposes the praise for atomic energy with warnings about its potential for mass destruction. It explores the moral responsibilities of scientists when their discoveries can end war or reshape the world order. Across Oppenheimer and his colleagues, the tension between knowledge and consequence drives the narrative.

🧭 War Drive

The Manhattan Project is presented as a national effort propelled by urgency and secrecy. Government decision-making, military logistics, and industrial collaboration push scientific work forward at a breakneck pace. The story raises questions about whether victory justifies the risks involved.

💔 Human Cost

The narrative acknowledges the personal price of wartime science, including the death of Matt Cochran from radiation exposure. Families are left to cope with the fallout of technological breakthroughs. The film emphasizes that progress can come with painful sacrifices.

🕰️ Legacy

By framing the story as part of a time capsule destined for 2446, the film asks what the atomic era will leave behind. It highlights memory, responsibility, and the long shadow cast by a single invention. The capsule serves as a reminder that today’s choices echo through generations.

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 03:58

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The Beginning of the End Summary

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More About The Beginning of the End

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