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You're talking about turning theoryinto a practical weapons systemfaster than the NazisWho have a 12 month head startEighteenHow could you possibly know thatOur fast neutron research took six
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Oppenheimer

I couldn't. But I can run the Manhattan Project

J. Robert Oppenheimer:You're talking about turning theory into a practical weapon system faster than the Nazis.Leslie Groves:Who have a twelve month head start.J. Robert Oppenheimer:Eighteen.Leslie Groves:How could you possibly know that?J. Robert Oppenheimer:Our fast-neutron research took six months, the man they've undoubtedly put in charge will have made that leap instantly.Leslie Groves:Who do you think they put in charge?J. Robert Oppenheimer:Werner Heisenberg. He has the most intuitive understanding of atomic structure I have ever seen.Leslie Groves:You know his work?J. Robert Oppenheimer:I know him. Just like I know Walther Bothe, von Weizsäcker, Diebner, in a straight race the Germans win. We've got one hope.Leslie Groves:Which is?J. Robert Oppenheimer:Antisemitism.Leslie Groves:What?J. Robert Oppenheimer:Hitler called quantum physics 'Jewish science', said it right to Einstein's face. Our one hope is that Hitler is so, so blinded by hate that he's denied Heisenberg proper resources, because it will take vast resources. Our nation's best scientists working together, right now they're scattered.Leslie Groves:Which gives us compartmentalization.J. Robert Oppenheimer:All minds have to see the whole task to contribute efficiently. Poor security may cost us the race, inefficiency will. The Germans know more than us anyway.Leslie Groves:The Russians don't.J. Robert Oppenheimer:Remind me, who are we at war with?Leslie Groves:Somebody with your past doesn't want to be seen downplaying the importance of security from our communist allies.J. Robert Oppenheimer:Point taken but, no.Leslie Groves:You don't get to say no to me.J. Robert Oppenheimer:My job is to say no to you when you're wrong.Leslie Groves:So you have the job now?J. Robert Oppenheimer:Hmm, I'm considering it.Leslie Groves: I'm starting to see where you got your reputation. My favourite response; 'Oppenheimer couldn't run a hamburger stand'.J. Robert Oppenheimer: I couldn't. But I can run the Manhattan Project

Full Transcript

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:03.702
You're talking about turning theory
00:00:03.736 --> 00:00:05.905
into a practical weapons system
00:00:05.938 --> 00:00:07.072
faster than the Nazis
00:00:07.107 --> 00:00:08.841
Who have a 12 month head start
00:00:08.874 --> 00:00:10.003
Eighteen
00:00:10.042 --> 00:00:11.041
How could you possibly know that
00:00:11.443 --> 00:00:13.479
Our fast neutron research took six months
00:00:13.512 --> 00:00:15.999
The man they've undoubtedly put in charge
00:00:15.001 --> 00:00:16.448
will have made that leap instantly
00:00:16.482 --> 00:00:17.683
Who do you think they put in charge
00:00:17.716 --> 00:00:18.818
Werner Heisenberg
00:00:18.851 --> 00:00:21.042
He has the most intuitive understanding
00:00:21.453 --> 00:00:23.123
of atomic structure I have ever seen
00:00:23.156 --> 00:00:24.857
You know his work I know him
00:00:24.089 --> 00:00:26.725
Just like I know Walther Bothe von Weizsäcker Diebner
00:00:26.759 --> 00:00:29.562
In a straight race the Germans win
00:00:29.595 --> 00:00:32.331
We've got one hope Which is
00:00:32.932 --> 00:00:34.567
Anti Semitism
00:00:35.701 --> 00:00:36.702
What
00:00:36.735 --> 00:00:39.572
Hitler called quantum physics Jewish science
00:00:39.605 --> 00:00:41.044
Said it right to Einstein's face
00:00:41.473 --> 00:00:44.071
Our one hope is that Hitler is so so blinded by hate
00:00:44.743 --> 00:00:46.545
that he's denied Heisenberg proper resources
00:00:46.579 --> 00:00:48.514
because it'll take vast resources
00:00:48.547 --> 00:00:50.001
Our nation's best scientists working together
00:00:50.116 --> 00:00:51.517
Right now they're scattered
00:00:51.055 --> 00:00:53.153
Which gives us compartmentalization
00:00:53.186 --> 00:00:55.002
All minds have to see the whole task
00:00:55.003 --> 00:00:56.455
to contribute efficiently
00:00:56.488 --> 00:00:58.724
Poor security may cost us the race
00:00:58.757 --> 00:01:00.593
Inefficiency will
00:01:00.626 --> 00:01:02.461
The Germans know more than us anyway
00:01:02.494 --> 00:01:04.999
The Russians don't
00:01:04.063 --> 00:01:08.999
Remind me who are we at war with
00:01:08.601 --> 00:01:11.001
Somebody with your past doesn't want to be seen
00:01:11.993 --> 00:01:12.001
downplaying the importance
00:01:12.705 --> 00:01:15.441
of security from our Communist allies
00:01:15.474 --> 00:01:18.001
Point taken But no
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scoffs You don't get to say no to me
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It's my job to say no to you when you're wrong
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So you have the job now
00:01:24.999 --> 00:01:26.919
Uh I'm considering it
00:01:29.622 --> 00:01:31.999
I'm starting to see where you got your reputation
00:01:33.001 --> 00:01:35.999
My favorite response
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Oppenheimer couldn't run a hamburger stand
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chuckles
00:01:39.932 --> 00:01:40.733
I couldn't
00:01:42.768 --> 00:01:44.937
But I can run the Manhattan Project
Available in 9 languages
Duration
106 seconds
Views
271
Timestamp in Movie
00:45:02
Uploaded
Feb 12, 2026
Production
Syncopy,Universal Pictures,Atlas Entertainment,Breakheart Films,Peters Creek Entertainment

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Movie Summary

The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.