Soviet spy Robert Oppenheimer gets his day in the sun in this miniseries, which has an excellent cast, including David Suchet, Edward Hardwicke and. As the man himself, the always-superb Sam Waterston.
Waterston is excellent as Oppenheimer, one of the many scientists who, overtly or inadvertently, slipped secrets to the USSR. The reason many gave was that science was not nationalistic, and scientists in a post-World War II world had to keep up with each other, including America's closely-guarded nuclear secrets. I'd like to ask them if they'd have thought the same way if the Third Reich had won. If they said no, they're hypocrites. If they said yes, they're nuts.
While all the cast (including Waterston) try as hard as they can, the whole affair has that stagy-70s look to it, undercutting some the realism. A remake is probably due. But since the USSR collapsed of it's own weight of evil and unworkable economics, it's probably not worth the effort. Whether you don't like shows that laud those who worked to support murderous and repressive dictatorships, or whether you believe anyone is innocent who is accused or who supports Communism, it's worth a peek just for the actors involved.
Waterston is excellent as Oppenheimer, one of the many scientists who, overtly or inadvertently, slipped secrets to the USSR. The reason many gave was that science was not nationalistic, and scientists in a post-World War II world had to keep up with each other, including America's closely-guarded nuclear secrets. I'd like to ask them if they'd have thought the same way if the Third Reich had won. If they said no, they're hypocrites. If they said yes, they're nuts.
While all the cast (including Waterston) try as hard as they can, the whole affair has that stagy-70s look to it, undercutting some the realism. A remake is probably due. But since the USSR collapsed of it's own weight of evil and unworkable economics, it's probably not worth the effort. Whether you don't like shows that laud those who worked to support murderous and repressive dictatorships, or whether you believe anyone is innocent who is accused or who supports Communism, it's worth a peek just for the actors involved.