Atomic Expert Explains 'Oppenheimer' Bomb Scenes | WIRED

Today Alex Wellerstein, an historian of nuclear weaponry, breaks down the science behind Christopher Nolan’s 2023 film “Oppenheimer.” Which historical moments were drawn from as inspiration for what became the film—and how accurate are the depictions? Hear directly from an atomic expert how the science of "Oppenheimer" was translated onto the screen.

Director: Lisandro Perez-Rey
Director of Photography: Francis Bernal
Editor: Richard Trammell
Expert: Alex Wellerstein
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Paul Gulyas, Kameryn Hamilton
Production Manager: Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Camera Operator: Rahil Ashruff
Sound Mixer: Gabe Quiroga
Production Assistant: Noah Bierbrier
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Additional Editor: Paul Tael
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell


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[applehead]

Wired’s guests have been killin it recently

[codycurnutte]

The mix of science and history is the perfect combo for any movie

[Michael-Hammerschmidt]

The person he's talking about at 6:13 who looked on purpose was, in fact, Richard Feynman who is the one in the movie who says that the cars windshield will block the UV rays. This actually happened and according to Feynman's autobiography, he immediately regretted, quickly dropping to the floor of the car and dazed by an afterimage immensely visible even with his eyes closed.

[makatron]

This video was criminally short for how entertaining he was. Bring him back please Wired.

[Tentakulus.]

The movie was amazing, although everyone knew it was gonna go "well" the tension was horrible I got goosebumps. The psychological horror Oppenheimer must have experienced was also portrayed beautifully

[MrsPandapanic]

I loooove how informative the guest is! He is funny, witty and nerdy and so freaking smart and definitely love what he do 😊

[jbbeats]

I could totally see this guest teaching a class about nuclear physics and cinema.

[sonicobsessions]

The quirky thing ive noticed while watching the movie is that (spoiler alert) the detonation was delayed because of the rain, u see cillian and matt's character are talking about how loud the explosion will be while on the control shed. Cillian line was "we will hear it at exactly one hour and 58 mins". In the run time of the movie, the explosion was heard at the 1 hour 58 minute of the film.

[livshanahan]

I took multiple classes with Dr. Wellerstein during college and you should know he is as fun and knowledgeable as he seems in this video! Plus, he always wants students to do well so I’m happy to see him in this spot, getting the recognition he should have.

[TheMonicaAlison]

I took two of Prof. Wellerstein’s classes in college, super knowledgeable and I’m happy to see him getting a wired interview!

[lvzane]

My dad was stationed near the atomic bomb test site in Kazakhstan in the 80s. He had skin cancer 20 years later. I don't think that the creation of atomic weapons is something the humanity must be necessary proud of..

[dannymartial]

The “atmospheric ignition” discussion was the scariest part of the movie. Just imagining it gave me chills.

[atlifreysi]

can we also get a barbie expert to explain barbie outfit scenes

[FabledGentleman]

The third core, that wasn't used, is called the demon core. It also caused casualties in a controlled test about a year after the bombing of Japan.

[adamJKpunk]

Great explainer video! I saw Oppenheimer at the event last week and let me tell you it’s a great movie but it’s frightening and nightmarish.

[effiethefey]

so great to see the technical background behind what no doubt will be an amazing movie!

[within]

Just saw this in 70mm. Incredible. One of the most beautiful films. We can only hope for many biopic imitators. Amazing performances, Cillian is almost perfect in this role. Matt Damon plays a general, he's great, but it is Matt Damon playing a general.

[bobweiss]

The Nixie tube countdown timer is NOT "period appropriate". Nixie tubes weren't introduced until 1955, a decade after the Trinity test.
The Signal Corps BC-348 receiver it was shown sitting on top of was spot on, however

[Bmxbandit]

The ending of Oppenheimer was great. When they finally showed what He n Einstein were talking about, how they were worried before they tested the atom bomb that if the reaction didn't stop and it burned the atmosphere destroying the world, and then Oppenheimer said I'm afraid we did destroy the world referencing the fact that creating the bombs in the first place gave man the means to destroy themselves and the world!!!

[ericaltenburg]

Man I was waiting for his take on this. I took one of his classes back in college and absolutely loved every moment of it.