I remember this series from the early 1980s. Sam Waterston was outstanding as Oppenheimer, and the whole series made riveting viewing. For years I have searched for it on programme schedules, but it has never been repeated. It would be particularly topical today.
Is there anyone out there who has a copy? I would pay handsomely for it.
Please respond to:
[email protected]
Many thanks,
M S Choksey
I watched that series religiously on TVO in Toronto when it aired. I even recorded some, I think, but unfortunately it's long gone now. After recently reading two books by Richard Rhodes: The Making of the Atomic Bomb, and Dark Sun, the story of the Hydrogen bomb, I could not avoid thinking of Sam Waterston throughout, and all the many other characters the film portrayed. Also excellent reading is anything by or about Richard Feynman, brilliant and funny, who was also characterized in Oppenheimer. From what I remember of the film, Teller was treated kindly. My sense after reading Dark Sun was that he was not a very pleasant man. I too would consider the value of seeing that drama again. It was inspired, and I remember it almost 25 years later.
If anyone knows where it can be screened, I'm all eyes and ears.
garrett klassen
Unlike Richard Rhodes previous book, "The Making of the Atomic Bomb," Dark Sun is an opinionated work that casts Edward Teller and Curtis LeMay as villains that would have had the U.S./U.S.S.R. in an all-out nuclear war if their desires were followed. Although not portrayed as a monster in "Oppenheimer," Teller was certainly not treated kindly. I think you either missed or forgotten a few segments.
The greatest literary license taken in "Oppenheimer" is the inaccurate portrayal of General Leslie Groves as a bully with an inferiority complex who is frequently dimwitted. Scenes, such as Groves telling a group of nuclear scientists that his education was the equivalent of two PhDs, never even occurred. Groves was a stern taskmaster and many who worked under him would call him names but bully wasn't one of them. For this docudrama to have this civil engineer as a "bumbling peasant," is absurd. However, this characterization adds drama to the story. Groves is also used to symbolize the military and present their viewpoint.
Good point about Groves. He was truly the prime mover of the Manhattan Project. The film Fat Man and Little Boy provides a much better characterization of him.
share[deleted]
I too would be interested in purchasing a copy of this series and I agree that it would be especially topical today.
Any ideas?
Please respond to:
[email protected]
Thanks,
JP
I have been looking for a copy of this series for some time and would appreciate any pointers. It would be great to have this on DVD!
It's been many years since I saw this series but it has to be one of Sam Waterson's best. I can't think of anyone better suited to play Oppenheimer.
Later,
Brian
I remember seeing this on PBS. Maybe if you write a letter to PBS they can see that there is an interest in this movie.
shareI too would love to see this series again. It made a huge impression on me when I first saw it. It seems that I saw it in cleveland o. around 1984-5. contact me if there is a copy out there?
Cris
I posted on imdb on this series recnitly, giving a snail mail address at the commercial arm of the BBD where one would write to appeal release. I just received the following reply:
From: [email protected]
Subject: Oppenheimer
Date: May 14, 2006 1:44:00 PM MDT
To: [email protected]
Dear Kate,
I work for the BBFC, the British equivalent to the MPAA, and we classify DVDs and videos as well as films in this country. Anyway, I am currently in the process of giving a certificate to the 1980 miniseries 'Oppenheimer.' While researching the work on the IMDB, I noticed your post and thought you might like to know that the work is about to be released (hence the need for a certificate).
I don't know which company is distributing it, but keep your eyes peeled!
Kind regards,
Emily
+++++++++++++++++
hooray!
I also want to contact Netflix re purchasing this.
Kate Killebrew
[email protected]
I posted on imdb on this series recently, giving a snail mail address at the commercial arm of the BBD where one would write to appeal release. I just received the following reply:
From: [email protected]
Subject: Oppenheimer
Date: May 14, 2006 1:44:00 PM MDT
To: [email protected]
Dear Kate,
I work for the BBFC, the British equivalent to the MPAA, and we classify DVDs and videos as well as films in this country. Anyway, I am currently in the process of giving a certificate to the 1980 miniseries 'Oppenheimer.' While researching the work on the IMDB, I noticed your post and thought you might like to know that the work is about to be released (hence the need for a certificate).
I don't know which company is distributing it, but keep your eyes peeled!
Kind regards,
Emily
+++++++++++++++++
hooray!
I also want to contact Netflix re purchasing this.
Kate Killebrew
[email protected]
They should release the damned thing on DVD or be blown to bits.
share[deleted]
I emailed the BBC and on their instruction send a snail mail to their commercial arm, which I published on the imdb database. I just received the following reply:
From: [email protected]
Subject: Oppenheimer
Date: May 14, 2006 1:44:00 PM MDT
To: [email protected]
Dear Kate,
I work for the BBFC, the British equivalent to the MPAA, and we classify DVDs and videos as well as films in this country. Anyway, I am currently in the process of giving a certificate to the 1980 miniseries 'Oppenheimer.' While researching the work on the IMDB, I noticed your post and thought you might like to know that the work is about to be released (hence the need for a certificate).
I don't know which company is distributing it, but keep your eyes peeled!
Kind regards,
Emily
Hooray!
Kate Killebrew
[email protected]
[deleted]
I note you offer a VHS or DVD version of the Oppenheimer series from 1980. I am interested in obtaining the series in either form, assuming the quality is at all reasonable. Please reply to this e-mail address with particulars.
And thank you.
Please clarify if you have VHD or DVD of this mini-series available that can be played on US equipment, and how I could access it.
Please respond to my e-mail.
Thanks!
Leda
I too have been trying to obtain a DVD of this miniseries. How would I obtain a copy from you?
shareYou can get the DVD from Amazon UK--it's inexpensive and arrives quickly. It won't, though, play on most DVD players in the U.S. You can, however, buy a region-free DVD player. I got mine through Amazon (US) for about $50. It's the DVP5140 NTSC/PAL. A user named H. A. Emet posted the steps you take to make the player "region free" or "region 2" in the customer review section for the product. Pretty easy. I was willing to pay a lot more to see this series again, so I am very happy that it cost so little (relatively).
share[deleted]
Popular series upon its release but little shown by the BBC now.
Its that man again!!