Christopher Nolan's biographical thriller Oppenheimer, the most successful World War Two film ever made, will be broadcast on BBC Two tonight at 9pm. The film, which won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, has been hailed by fans as a 'masterpiece' with 'not a single dull moment'.
Starring Murphy as theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the film follows his pivotal role in developing the first nuclear weapons during the Manhattan Project. The ensemble cast includes Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Kenneth Branagh, and Rami Malek.
Based on the 2005 biography American Prometheus, the film explores Oppenheimer's moral struggles as he leads the development of the atomic bomb, which was later used against Japan, killing thousands of civilians. It also delves into his communist connections and the subsequent hearing that questioned his loyalty.
Upon its 2023 release, Oppenheimer received critical acclaim and became the third highest-grossing film of the year. It also won five Golden Globes and seven BAFTAs. Fans on Rotten Tomatoes, where it holds a 93% score, praised its 'breathtaking visuals' and 'haunting score', calling it 'an unforgettable experience'.
