The Moment in Time: The Manhattan Project Poster

The Moment in Time: The Manhattan Project 2000

57 min📅 2000-06-05

Narrated with gripping firsthand accounts, *The Moment in Time: The Manhattan Project* (2000) immerses viewers in the high-stakes days of early World War II, when the specter of Nazi atomic ambitions sent shockwaves through the scientific community.

Director: John Bass

Cast

Ursula Drabik
Narrator
Edward Teller
Edward Teller
Self
Philip Morrison
Self
Hans Bethe
Hans Bethe
Self
J. Robert Oppenheimer
J. Robert Oppenheimer
Self (archive footage)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Moment in Time: The Manhattan Project (2000) about?

This documentary explores the urgent and clandestine efforts to develop the first atomic bomb during World War II, driven by fears the Nazis were close to achieving the same goal. Through vivid recollections of scientists like J. Robert Oppenheimer and Hans Bethe, it examines the project's scientific breakthroughs and the ethical dilemmas that followed.

Who directed The Moment in Time: The Manhattan Project?

The film was directed by John Bass, who brings a documentary style that blends historical rigor with compelling storytelling.

Who stars in The Moment in Time: The Manhattan Project?

Key contributors to the Manhattan Project are featured, including Edward Teller, Philip Morrison, Hans Bethe, and physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, whose pivotal role is underscored throughout.

Is The Moment in Time: The Manhattan Project (2000) worth watching?

As a concise 57-minute history documentary, it offers a clear, accessible window into one of the 20th century's most consequential scientific undertakings. While not flashy, its firsthand perspectives make it a valuable watch for history and science enthusiasts alike.

How long is The Moment in Time: The Manhattan Project?

The documentary has a runtime of 57 minutes.

About The Moment in Time: The Manhattan Project (2000) — Discover the untold story behind the atomic bomb

Narrated with gripping firsthand accounts, *The Moment in Time: The Manhattan Project* (2000) immerses viewers in the high-stakes days of early World War II, when the specter of Nazi atomic ambitions sent shockwaves through the scientific community. Directed by John Bass, this thought-provoking documentary reconstructs the race against time to build the first atomic bomb—codenamed "the gadget"—through the recollections of the scientists who engineered history in secrecy. Set against the backdrop of wartime uncertainty, the film balances sober reflection with a palpable sense of urgency, revealing how brilliance and fear collided in a quest that would reshape the world.

Bass crafts a documentary that feels both intimate and monumental, weaving together the voices of key figures like Edward Teller, Philip Morrison, and J. Robert Oppenheimer to illuminate the moral and technical challenges they faced. The atmosphere is one of quiet tension, where intellectual ambition collides with the weight of potential destruction, making *The Moment in Time* more than just a historical recount—it's a meditation on innovation, responsibility, and the unpredictable legacy of human endeavor.