The Beginning of the End

A newsreel frames atomic energy as a cornerstone of modern science while hinting at the dangers it poses. It reveals a time capsule buried in California to be opened in 2446, linking present discoveries to a distant future. The scene sets the film's theme of knowledge vs. power.

Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer extols the achievement of splitting the atom but cautions about its potential for devastation. The scientist's dual stance foreshadows moral concerns that underpin the project. He addresses the need for responsible stewardship of such power.

Matt Cochran and colleagues push forward, under the guidance of Enrico Fermi and Marré, to harness atomic energy. The narrative frames their success as a pivotal advantage in World War II. The tension between scientific triumph and moral risk is established.

With Einstein's help, scientists inform President Roosevelt that a groundbreaking development has been achieved. The moment signals a turning point toward national mobilization for a nuclear program. It sets the stage for government support to accelerate research.

In a wartime decision, President Roosevelt approves up to two billion dollars for the Manhattan Project. The funding underwrites the collaboration of science, industry, and defense. The plan gains official support and resources to scale up development.

In December 1942, a sustained chain reaction occurs under a stadium on the University of Chicago campus, witnessed by military observers and international scientists. The event marks a practical breakthrough in harnessing atomic energy. It proves the viability of controlled fission and catalyzes further development.

Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Nixon is assigned to General Leslie Groves, who is placed in charge of the atomic project. The military leadership consolidates control over the research, production, and security aspects. This organizational step solidifies the project’s direction.

After President Roosevelt's death, Harry S. Truman supports expanding the program, which relocates to Los Alamos, New Mexico. This transfer centralizes the scientific teams and weapons design. The move signals escalating urgency in weapon development.

In July 1945, President Truman authorizes the deployment of atomic weaponry to hasten victory in the Pacific War. Military strategy shifts toward a demonstration of power and possible decisive effect. The decision triggers the final stages of production and deployment.

Cochran and Nixon join the team transporting the bomb to Tinian Island. They prepare for the assembly and delivery as the war nears its critical phase. The mission intensifies the personal risks of scientists and soldiers alike.

During bomb assembly, Cochran confronts dangerous radioactive fallout and dies as a consequence. His death highlights the hidden costs of frontier science and the human toll behind the technology. Nixon's mission continues despite the tragedy.

On August 6, 1945, the Enola Gay drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, marking the first use of nuclear weapons in war. The devastation accelerates the end of World War II in the Pacific. The event forces a swift shift in global geopolitics and ethics.

After the mission, Nixon returns to the United States to break the tragic news to Cochran's widow. The personal consequences of wartime science emerge as families absorb loss. The film closes the timeline with the human cost behind victory.