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The Beginning of the End (2020) movie poster

Timeline

The Beginning of the End (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 7 mins · Portuguese
Starring
Joel Zito Araújo

The combination of COVID-19 and the far right in power could spell the end of human life on Earth. Short film made for the IMS Convida program.

Documentary Cast, crew & box office
On this page (4)
  1. 1 Events in order (13)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Every angle

13 events in order · contains spoilers

The Beginning of the End Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Beginning of the End (2020) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Opening Newsreel: Time capsule seeds atomic knowledge for posterity

    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.

    When
    2446
    Where
    California

  2. Oppenheimer warns of the dangers of atomic energy

    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.

  3. Scientists accelerate the war effort and beat Germany in the race

    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.

  4. Einstein and Roosevelt acknowledge the monumental discovery

    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.

    When
    1941

  5. Roosevelt authorizes Manhattan Project funding

    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.

    When
    1941
    Where
    Washington, D.C.

  6. First nuclear chain reaction achieved at the University of Chicago

    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.

    When
    December 1942
    Where
    University of Chicago, Chicago

  7. Nixon assigned to Groves and Groves is put in charge

    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.

    When
    1942
    Where
    Washington, D.C.

  8. The project moves to Los Alamos and Truman takes office

    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.

    When
    1945
    Where
    Los Alamos, New Mexico

  9. Truman orders use of the atomic bomb

    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.

    When
    July 1945
    Where
    Washington, D.C.

  10. Cochran and Nixon head to Tinian with the bomb

    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.

    When
    1945
    Where
    Tinian, Mariana Islands

  11. Cochran dies after exposure to radioactive material

    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.

    When
    August 5, 1945
    Where
    Tinian, Mariana Islands

  12. Hiroshima is bombed by the Enola Gay

    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.

    When
    August 6, 1945
    Where
    Hiroshima, Japan

  13. Nixon returns home to inform Cochran's wife of his death

    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.

    When
    August 1945
    Where
    United States

Last updated: October 14, 2025 at 04:07

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Timeline questions answered

The Beginning of the End Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Beginning of the End (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did President Truman authorize the use of the atomic bomb?

Truman authorized the atomic bomb in July 1945 to hasten victory in the Pacific War against Japan. The documentary presents this as a military strategy decision aimed at ending the war quickly and demonstrating overwhelming power. The film shows this as a pivotal moment that shifted global geopolitics and ethics.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Oppenheimer warning about the immense dangers of atomic power, setting up the moral weight of this decision.

  • truman
  • atomic bomb
  • hiroshima
  • manhattan project
  • pacific war
  • military strategy
Q2

What happened to Matt Cochran in the documentary?

Matt Cochran died on August 5, 1945, after being exposed to radioactive material during bomb assembly on Tinian Island. His death occurred just one day before the Hiroshima bombing, highlighting the hidden human costs of scientific breakthroughs. Nixon later returned home to inform Cochran's wife of his death.

Foreshadowing: The timeline builds tension by showing Cochran and Nixon heading to Tinian with the bomb, emphasizing the dangerous nature of their mission.

  • matt cochran
  • radiation
  • death
  • tinian
  • atomic bomb
  • human cost
Q3

How did the first controlled nuclear chain reaction work?

In December 1942, scientists at the University of Chicago achieved the first controlled nuclear chain reaction under a stadium. The reaction was created in a controlled setting under the watchful eyes of military observers like Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Nixon. This breakthrough proved the viability of controlled fission and validated years of theoretical work by physicists including Enrico Fermi.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Einstein informing Roosevelt about the groundbreaking discovery, establishing the scientific foundation for this achievement.

  • nuclear chain reaction
  • university of chicago
  • enrico fermi
  • fission
  • 1942
  • manhattan project
Q4

Why did the documentary include the time capsule framing?

The time capsule framing serves as a narrative device to present atomic knowledge as part of a historical package to be sealed away for the year 2446. The opening newsreel sets the film's theme of knowledge versus power, balancing awe at scientific achievement with concern about the dangers it poses. This framing connects present discoveries to a distant future perspective.

Foreshadowing: The newsreel immediately introduces the central tension between the extraordinary promise of atomic power and its immense danger.

  • time capsule
  • california
  • 2446
  • framing
  • knowledge
  • future
  • atomic energy
Q5

Why was Los Alamos significant to the Manhattan Project?

Los Alamos, New Mexico became the central location for the Manhattan Project after Roosevelt's death and Truman's continued support. The relocation centralized the scientific teams and weapons design efforts in one secure location. This move signaled the escalating urgency of weapon development as the war drew to a close.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows Nixon being assigned to Groves in 1942, establishing the military leadership structure that would oversee Los Alamos.

  • los alamos
  • new mexico
  • manhattan project
  • truman
  • weapons development
  • centralization
Q6

What role did Dr. Oppenheimer play in the atomic bomb development?

Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer served as a key scientific voice throughout the documentary, voicing both admiration for the discovery of atomic energy and strong warnings about its potential for devastation. He represented the dual stance of many scientists who celebrated the achievement while emphasizing the need for responsible stewardship of such power.

Foreshadowing: The opening newsreel establishes the theme of knowledge versus power that Oppenheimer's warnings embody throughout the film.

  • j robert oppenheimer
  • scientist
  • warning
  • atomic energy
  • responsibility
  • manhattan project
Q7

How did Einstein contribute to the development of the atomic bomb?

Einstein played a crucial role in 1941 by helping inform President Roosevelt that a groundbreaking development in atomic energy had been achieved. His input helped convey the gravity of the findings to higher authorities. This meeting set the stage for government support and the massive mobilization of resources that became the Manhattan Project.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows this as a turning point that led directly to Roosevelt authorizing funding for the project.

  • albert einstein
  • roosevelt
  • discovery
  • 1941
  • manhattan project
  • government support
Q8

Why did the documentary show Nixon informing Cochran's wife about his death?

The scene where Nixon returns home to tell Cochran's widow about his death provides a human perspective on the broader historical events. It closes the narrative with the personal cost behind the scientific and military achievement. This moment underscores the documentary's theme that scientific triumph came with tragic human consequences.

Foreshadowing: The timeline builds to this moment by showing Cochran's death on August 5th, making his widow's news a direct consequence viewers anticipate.

  • jeff nixon
  • cochran's wife
  • family
  • personal consequences
  • human cost
  • return home
Q9

How much funding did the Manhattan Project receive?

President Roosevelt authorized up to two billion dollars for the Manhattan Project in 1941. This massive wartime commitment enabled the collaboration of science, industry, and defense resources on an unprecedented scale. The funding represented the highest national priority and allowed the project to scale up from laboratory experiments to full weapons production.

Foreshadowing: This funding decision followed directly from Einstein's meeting with Roosevelt about the groundbreaking discovery.

  • manhattan project
  • funding
  • roosevelt
  • two billion dollars
  • wartime
  • resources
Q10

Why was Hiroshima chosen as the bombing target?

The documentary explains that Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, 1945, by the Enola Gay as part of the effort to end the Pacific War. The choice marked the first use of nuclear weapons in warfare and resulted in devastating consequences that accelerated Japan's surrender. The film presents this as a decisive turning point in both the war and global science policy.

Foreshadowing: The timeline builds to this moment through the preparation scenes on Tinian and the tragic death of Cochran the day before.

  • hiroshima
  • enola gay
  • bombing
  • japan
  • pacific war
  • aug 6 1945
  • nuclear weapons

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Beginning of the End, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Beginning of the End tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Sobering historical documentaries like The Beginning of the End

Documentaries that reflect on pivotal moments where progress carried a tragic cost. If you liked the reflective, journalistic approach of The Beginning of the End, explore more documentaries that delve into pivotal historical moments. These films share a sobering tone, examining the ethical weight of progress and its lasting impact, perfect for viewers interested in thoughtful historical analysis.

  • historical
  • contemplative
  • somber
  • sobering
  • informative
  • reflective
  • Tone: neutral, somber, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, chronological
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Films in this thread typically follow a linear, fact-based narrative that builds towards a moment of profound historical consequence. The journey is less about individual characters and more about tracing the chain of events and decisions that led to a morally complex or tragic outcome, emphasizing cause and effect.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared commitment to a balanced, informative tone while tackling subject matter with inherent gravity. They connect through a steady pacing that allows for reflection, a neutral presentation of facts, and an ending that underscores the somber reality of their historical focus.

The Beginning of the End movie poster

The Beginning of the End

2020
The League of Gentlemen movie poster

The League of Gentlemen

1960

Movies about the tragedy of scientific progress like The Beginning of the End

Stories where groundbreaking innovation leads to unforeseen human tragedy. Discover movies like The Beginning of the End that explore the dark side of innovation. This thread features stories, both documentary and dramatic, where scientific ambition leads to unforeseen tragedy and ethical dilemmas, perfect for viewers intrigued by the sobering cost of progress.

  • tragic
  • somber
  • ethical dilemma
  • scientific ambition
  • historical consequence
  • sobering
  • Tone: somber, tragic, thoughtful
  • Pacing: steady, building
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows the journey of a discovery or creation, often building a sense of awe or achievement, before pivoting to explore its devastating unintended consequences. The arc is fundamentally tragic, moving from ambition to a sobering realization of the fallout, often focusing on the creators' moral reckoning.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their central theme: the inherent tragedy in certain forms of progress. They share a somber mood, a medium to heavy emotional weight, and an ending that feels sad or bleak, emphasizing the irreversible impact of the scientific leap they depict.

The Beginning of the End movie poster

The Beginning of the End

2020
Shattered Glass movie poster

Shattered Glass

2003
Gallant Journey movie poster

Gallant Journey

1946
Werewolf of London movie poster

Werewolf of London

1935
The Werewolf movie poster

The Werewolf

1956
Boris: The Film movie poster

Boris: The Film

2011
The Last of Robin Hood movie poster

The Last of Robin Hood

2014
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid movie poster

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

2014

Every angle

The Beginning of the End (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Beginning of the End in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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