American Experience › The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer

Often remembered as the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer was hailed as a genius during the height of World War II. In the years that followed, however, the scientist was suspected of treason, and was forced to prove his innocence in a series of prolonged, possibly unethical hearings. This entry in the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE series chronicles Oppenheimer's incredible career and troubled life, featuring expert analysis from author Richard Rhodes and historical re-creations by actor David Strathairn.

J. Robert Oppenheimer's life and legacy are inextricably linked to America's most famous top-secret initiative - the Manhattan Project. But after World War II, this brilliant and intense scientist fell from the innermost circles of American science, and at the height of the Red Scare, the veil of suspicion fell over Oppenheimer. This biography presents a complex and revealing portrait of one of America's most influential scientists.

American History | Documentary | Made-For-Network TV | Political | World War II