DAY ONE

DAY ONE - 1989 (Made for TV)

RATED - NR but probably PG for mature themes (war, atomic bomb)

RATINGS - 9 Amazon (5/5), 120 IMBD (7.5/10)

STARRING - Brian Dennehy, David Strathaim, Michael Tucker

THEMES - War, nuclear warfare, justice.

AWARDS - Primetime Emmy

STORY - This is a fascinating story of 'The Manhattan Project', maybe the best version out there. It begin with Leo Szilard, the Hungarian physicist, leaving on the last train out of Hungary. He believes an atomic bomb is possible and wants to help the U.S. develop one. Many of the scientists who became involved in the project were Jews who were motivated to build a bomb that would end the war. So begins the incredible Manhattan Project. The movie transitions back and forth among the scientific, military and political factions involved and how they all play with AND against each other. The film does a wonderful job of making the dialogue seem real and authentic not just slick speeches by actors. A couple of interesting points. Eisenhower was passionately opposed to dropping the bomb on Japan. Along with Fleet Admiral Leahy, he believed the Japanese were ready to surrender and the bomb was unnecessary. The Jewish scientists had a different view of how the bomb should be used after Germany surrendered and Hitler was dead and tried to make their views known to the military and administration. It is still amazing that Truman was kept in the dark until Roosevelt died and he became President, especially when you consider there were 100,000 persons working on the project and two BILLION dollars had been spent. Since it was made for TV, this film hasn't received the exposure it deserves. The story of the atomic bomb may be the most important story of the 20th century - it changed our world forever - and this movie tells it well. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/1/2007.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMBD