Los Alamos National Laboratory has recently released a new documentary titled "Oppenheimer: Science, Mission, Legacy," which is now available for public viewing online. Produced by the Lab's National Security Research Center (NSRC) and Multimedia Production Group, this documentary consists of three episodes, each lasting one and a half hours. It features expert interviews and previously unreleased materials from the NSRC's unclassified collections, providing insights into the enduring legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer and its relevance to the Lab's current mission.
One of the highlights of the documentary is an interview with Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who discusses the historic moment of signing the order to revoke J. Robert Oppenheimer's security clearance in 1954. The documentary is narrated by Alan Carr, a senior historian at the Laboratory.
The yearlong creation of the documentary was led by Dave Tietmeyer, who stated that the Lab's close connection to Oppenheimer's legacy allowed them to tell his story from his time as the Laboratory's leader to the present day. Tietmeyer emphasized the continued relevance of Oppenheimer's achievements to the Lab's mission today.
"Oppenheimer: Science, Mission, Legacy" includes interviews with prominent figures such as Lab Director Thom Mason, former Deputy Lab Director for Science, Technology & Engineering John Sarrao, and Associate Lab Director for Weapons Physics Charlie Nakhleh. The documentary also features Oppenheimer biographer Kai Bird, retired U.S. Senate staffer Tim Reiser, Laboratory historians Ellen McGehee and Roger Meade, and James Kunetka, the author of "The General and the Genius."
Brye Steeves, the director of NSRC, expressed the Lab's excitement about sharing information through the creation of this documentary. As the organization responsible for curating the Lab's history, NSRC is proud to contribute to the understanding and appreciation of Oppenheimer's legacy through this documentary.