Beginning or the End, The (1947)

Beginning or the End, The (1947)

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“Our country must have an atomic bomb. It’s your job — and mine — to get it.”

Synopsis:
Scientists during WWII — led by Colonel Oppenheimer (Hume Cronyn) and General Groves (Brian Donlevy) — race to develop the first atomic bomb.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Atomic Energy
  • Audrey Totter Films
  • Brian Donlevy Films
  • Hume Cronyn Films
  • Hurd Hatfield Films
  • Race-Against-Time
  • Richard Haydn Films
  • Robert Walker Films
  • Scientists
  • WWII

Review:
Though clearly dated, Norman Taurog’s The Beginning or the End remains a compelling docudrama about the Manhattan Project scientists and their work to develop an atomic bomb before the Germans and Japanese. We’re constantly reminded that bombs were considered the least noble application of atomic energy at the time; indeed, nobody involved in this collective undertaking is shown to be happy about the fact that the bombs they are developing will wreak such enormous devastation on humankind. Even the film’s very title indicates that, as early as 1947, scientists weren’t certain whether the incipient use of atomic energy signaled the beginning of a golden era, or the end of humanity.

This general attitude is most effectively characterized by Tom Drake’s character, a young physicist who harbors a constant sense of unease about the ultimate purpose of his work; on the other hand, screenwriters Robert Considine and Frank Wead make sure to include plenty of dialogue about why America ultimately felt justified in dropping the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It’s a sticky dilemma, and the film does an admirable job balancing the two perspectives.

Unfortunately, The Beginning or the End is marred by blatant sexism (women are exclusively secretaries or love interests); two distracting romantic subplots (Beverly Tyler as Cochran’s long-suffering wife is particularly annoying); stilted dialogue (the conversations between the scientists sound especially inauthentic); and some heavy-handed morality. Yet it remains a valuable first attempt at documenting the emergence of atomic power in the world, and for this reason alone, it’s worth seeking out.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • A compelling overview of the first atomic bombs, from their conception to their deadly deployment
  • A fascinating glimpse of the tension felt during initial experiments with developing plutonium
  • A welcome depiction of the trepidation and genuine sorrow experienced by most involved with the bombs
  • Tom Drake as the young physicist wracked with guilt

Must See?
Yes, simply for its historical importance.

Categories

  • Historically Relevant

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One thought on “Beginning or the End, The (1947)”

  1. First viewing. Not must-see, though (warts and all – and there are significant warts) it will certainly be of interest to those who concern themselves on any level with the subject matter.

    Much of the film does have the feel of authenticity (which is, of course, admirable considering the importance of the story) – but a check at Wikipedia and other places will give viewers needed info re: not only where liberties were taken but where ‘Hollywood’ was at odds with a considerable number of people related to the story.

    In a first viewing, the only sequence (to me) that really screams ‘far-fetched’ is the one that results in the death of Tom Drake. It seems to be there only because, at that point, there hasn’t been a ‘dramatic’ development in the film for awhile. It not only rings false but somewhat laughable (which is a shame since the rest of the film seems to go to such great lengths to avoid such melodrama).

    Overall, the effect is still one of a worthy effort. But a viewing will require supplementary study.

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