Summary
- The best quotes in Oppenheimer delve into the moral dilemmas and nationalistic justifications for the creation of the atomic bomb, highlighting its dystopian implications and dark impact.
- Oppenheimer's rich and poignant language reflects the internal and external chaos experienced by the renowned theoretical physicist during the creation of the bomb and its lasting effect on his life.
- The film emphasizes Oppenheimer's sense of remorse and anxiety through several powerful quotes, such as Truman's reminder that the victims of Hiroshima didn't care about who invented the bomb.
WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Oppenheimer.There is a multitude of outstanding quotes in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. The impressive biopic utilizes a mix of original dialogue, real-life quotations, and philosophical statements to highlight the themes, anxieties, and overall significance of the Manhattan Project and the creation of the atomic bomb. Much of the best lines in Oppenheimer center on the moral dilemmas and oftentimes nationalistic justifications for the creation of the weapon of mass destruction while also emphasizing its dystopian implications and dark impact.
Oppenheimer does so well in just about every department, from performances to the soundtrack and practical visual effects, that it comes as no surprise that Nolan's screenplay is full of rich and poignant language. The best quotes in Oppenheimer come together as a medley that depicts both the internal and external chaos of the theoretical physicist's tense reality during that crucial period in time. The most gripping statements in Oppenheimer touch on every level of his experience in Los Alamos and the resounding effect that his remarkable yet terrifying contribution to the world left on him throughout his life.
20 “Can You Hear The Music, Robert?”
In one of the earlier scenes of Oppenheimer, Danish physicist Niels Bohr questioned a young Oppenheimer on whether he could 'hear the music' in regard to his understanding and mastery of his field. It presents Oppenheimer, Bohr, and the purist of scientific knowledge at large through an artistic lens, comparable to a famous composer such as Beethoven or Mozart 'hearing the music' in their minds and pulling it down from an ethereal realm into the practical and symbolic human world.
19 “Power Stays In The Shadows.”
Late in Oppenheimer when Strauss' corruption has been revealed, he attempts to justify his shady activity as the source of his political success. He tells associate that "amateurs chase the sun and get burned. Power stays in the shadows" and is met with the stark reality that he can no longer hide in the darkness if he wants to become a U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
18 “Hiroshima Isn’t About You.”
Oppenheimer meets with President Harry S. Truman to discuss his concerns about a potential arms race over the atomic bomb with Russia. Truman loses patience with Oppenheimer's sense of remorse and anxiety and tells him bluntly "You didn't drop the bomb, I did." He reminds Oppenheimer that the victims of the bombings in Japan don't care about who invented the bomb before quietly kicking him out of the Oval Office.
17 “Oppie, You Owe Me $10!”
Moments before testing the atomic bomb at Los Alamos, the torrential rain and thunderstorms risked the success of the trial. Oppenheimer contemplated calling off the test but was reassured by his associate George Kistiakowskey's confidence that the bomb would still go off, betting a month of his salary against $10. Oppenheimer shakes on it, the bomb goes off, and Kistiakowskey runs over to celebrate with Oppie, shouting "you owe me $10!".
16 “It Won’t Be For You, It Would Be For Them.”
Albert Einstein offers a word of advice to Oppenheimer as he can relate to being mistreated and used by his own government and country despite his groundbreaking achievements. He says, "When they've punished you enough, they'll serve you salmon and potato salad, make speeches, give you a medal, and pat you on the back telling you all is forgiven. Just remember, it won't be for you... it would be for them."
15 “Batter My Heart, Three-Person'd God. Trinity.”
When Oppenheimer is tasked with coming up with a name for his atomic experiment, he lands on the Trinity Test after reciting a line from a famous poem "Holy Sonnet XIV" written by John Donne. The "Three-Person'd God" refers to the Holy Trinity in Christian belief, referring to the notion of God being the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. "Batter My Heart" is a request for God's forcible intervention in order to be remade and seek salvation. Oppenheimer drew parallels to this concept that the bomb would ultimately destroy to build anew.
14 “You Don’t Get To Commit To Sin…”
One of Kitty Oppenheimer's most memorable lines in the movie is when she tries to get her husband to pull himself together after he learns of the fate of his former lover Jean Tatlock. Oppenheimer appears to have spent all day outside in the cold when Kitty finds him and grabs him by his lapels, saying "You don't get to commit to sin and then ask all of us to feel sorry for you when there are consequences."
13 “Alfred Nobel Invented Dynamite.”
In his first exchange with the formidable General Groves, Oppenheimer is asked why he doesn't have a Nobel Prize, pointing out that the man who the prestigious award was named after was the inventor of dynamite. This alludes to how Oppenheimer could have earned a Nobel Prize for being the father of the atomic bomb, but due to controversy, he was not.
12 “They Need Us.” “Until They Don’t.”
When Oppenheimer was recruiting scientists and physicists for his Los Alamos team, he explained the desperation of the United States' political situation and the urgency of their swift action by saying "They need us." One of the physicists tried to reason with Oppenheimer, pointing out that the United States government needed them now but will likely discard them once the mission is accomplished, a foreshadowing of events to come.
11 “These Things Are Hard On Your Heart.”
Moments before the Trinity Test, Oppenheimer says to himself "These things are hard on your heart" which is a direct contrast to the concept of a hardened heart in Christian theology. In this sense, the traditional concept of 'sin' is viewed as something that makes your heart become hardened, hinting that Oppenheimer was viewing his efforts with the atomic bomb as a form of sin through the lens of an omnipresent God.
10 “Is It Possible They Talked About Something More... Important?”
One of the lines with the biggest punch in Oppenheimer arrives in the final moments of the film, in which Strauss must face the music of a swarming press after he is rejected as a member of the United States Cabinet. The Senate Aide who had supported Strauss' candidacy throughout the film explains that Einstein and Oppenheimer were likely not talking about Strauss at all during a pivotal scene that shaped Strauss' twisted sentiments about scientists and fuels his vindictiveness towards Oppenheimer.
9 “Tell Her To Bring In The Sheets!”
Following the success of the Trinity Test, Oppenheimer rejoices with his associates, telling one of them to call his wife Kitty and "tell her to bring in the sheets." This was a cryptic message to inform Kitty that the atomic test had been successful, which she realizes as soon as she receives the information at home through a phone call. Oppenheimer also cleverly tells Kitty to not take in the sheets once his security clearance is officially revoked later in the film, a juxtaposition of Oppenheimer's most triumphant and tragic moments.
8 “Robert, This Is Not Mine, It’s Yours.”
Oppenheimer seeks the professional advice of Einstein after Teller introduces the possibility that their atomic bomb could set off a chain reaction that could ignite the atmosphere and destroy the world. Einstein reviews the calculations on a piece of paper and confirms the risk, handing the note back to Oppenheimer to demonstrate that he wants no part of it and that the consequences, good or bad, will fall on Oppenheimer in the end.
7 “Prometheus Stole Fire From The Gods…”
In the first glimpse of the film, a quotation is projected reading, "Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to man. For this, he was chained to a rock and tortured for eternity." In the context of the film, Oppenheimer is essentially Prometheus, who showed the world that incredible power can be harnessed and utilized. Oppenheimer was punished for his guilt in the creation of the bomb but also by his government and country for speaking out against it.
6 “Theory Will Take You Only So Far.”
The risk involved in the Trinity Test and the creation of the atomic bomb was based on the notion that at the time it was entirely theoretical. Due to Oppenheimer's genius, he was able to construct a bomb based on theory alone, which he admits "will only take you so far." Ernest Lawrence understands this too and agrees with Oppenheimer's ambitions despite knowing the slim chance that the plan could end the world because it is based on theory instead of fact.
5 “Zero Would Be Nice!”
In the same vein as "Theory will only take you so far," is the inverse reaction to that sentiment presented by General Groves. Groves asks for clarification from Oppenheimer about the level of risk involved in the Trinity Test which Oppenheimer explains is "near zero." Groves questions the 'near' part of Oppenheimer's response, to which Oppenheimer asks "What do you want from theory alone?" Groves exclaims, "Zero would be nice!"
4 “This Isn’t A New Weapon, It’s A New World.”
Niels Bohr breaks down the impact of the creation of the bomb on Oppenheimer by explaining that building the atomic bomb won't just change the military capabilities of the United States but it will actually permanently change the world. This helps Oppenheimer realize the scope of his efforts in the midst of all the nationalistic urgency and scientific achievement and ignites his campaign to urge politicians to use the technology responsibly.
3 “They Won’t Fear It Until They Understand It…”
Oppenheimer grows to comprehend the impact of the atomic bomb on the rest of the world, specifically everyday people who don't have access to such threatening innovations, He says "They won't fear it until they understand it. And they won't understand it until they've used it", also commenting on how governments and politicians did not even grasp the power they wielded when Oppenehimer first completed his cretaion.
2 “Now I Am Become Death, The Destroyer Of Worlds.”
The most iconic line from Oppenheimer is a quotation from the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Vita that Oppenheimer recites to allude to his role as essentially Death itself. While Oppenheimer might have embodied much of the guilt for the atomic bomb's creation, he unfairly attributed all of the destruction it caused to himself individually, as evidenced by this line that suggests he was the embodiment of death and destruction.
1 “I Believe We Did.”
In the final moments of the film, Oppenheimer's conversation with Einstein by the pond is revealed, indicating that the two scientists were not, in fact, speaking about Strauss at that moment. Oppenheimer asks Einstein if he remembered their previous conversation about setting off a chain reaction that will destroy the world. When Einstein responds with a yes, Oppenheimer says "I believe we did," pointing to the chain reaction of the imminent Russian arms race and the United States' possession of the atomic bomb that would only lead to bigger bombs and more destruction. This quote signifies the immense moral plight that the renowned physicist faced after the birth of the atomic bomb in Oppenheimer.