It’s been almost a year since I saw Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, and though I loved every part of the three-hour epic, there’s one scene in particular that I still can’t get out of my head. Oppenheimer is the twelfth movie directed by Christopher Nolan, and in my opinion, is one of his greatest projects to date. It’s no coincidence that Nolan won his first two Oscars for the historical drama.
I believe Oppenheimer is a masterclass in film for many reasons. Like other Christopher Nolan movies, Oppenheimer has a star-studded cast that brings immeasurable talent to the film. Cillian Murphy’s performance, in particular, is riveting. Additionally, Nolan builds just the right amount of tension. When it comes to a movie focused on a bomb, this is imperative. There are several scenes in which Christopher Nolan grabs the audience’s attention and simply won’t let go. In fact, there is one scene near the middle of the movie that still hasn’t left my mind, even so long after watching it.
Oppenheimer’s Trinity Test Is Still One Of The Movie’s Best Sequences
My favorite scene in the entire three hours of Oppenheimer is the Trinity Test sequence. In history, the Trinity Test was the first-ever detonation of a nuclear weapon in the United States. While the Test is certainly a big moment in Oppenheimer’s career, Christopher Nolan amplifies it even more in the film.
As a viewer, I knew it would work out, but I was also aware of the tragedy that would come later.
In Oppenheimer, the Trinity Test sequence is ten minutes of pure anticipation. The scene is immediately captivating as audiences see Oppenheimer and his peers stress over the results of the test. It is both exciting and terrifying. As a viewer, I knew it would work out, but I was also aware of the tragedy that would come later. This hindsight makes the sequence even better. Additionally, the Trinity Test scene has some of the best filmmaking in the entire movie. Experiencing the sights and (lack of) sounds of the Trinity Test has stuck with me to this day.
Filming Details Make Oppenheimer’s Trinity Test More Impressive
The cast and crew of Oppenheimer obviously could not recreate the detonation of the atomic bomb, yet I think the movie’s final product is remarkably impactful. Oppenheimer’s cinematographer, Hoyte Van Hoytema, told the LA Times that he was initially unsure how to portray the Trinity Test. Van Hoytema explained that he wanted to create a small, controlled explosion that could be filmed in a way that seemed much larger and more intense. They did this by combining “a whole mixture of scopes and sizes and ways of filming that then are put together that give us the illusion.”
Van Hoytema also explained the importance of first-hand accounts and lighting when recreating the Trinity Test. Ultimately, Oppenheimer succeeded in creating an awesome and unforgettable climax, with the unique approach to filming resulting in a more visceral experience for viewers than likely would have been possible through CGI or other means. Although Oppenheimer is filled with amazing moments, the Trinity Test is by far the best. It is an impressive piece of filmmaking that has continued to impact me an entire year later. I hope that one day I can find another movie-watching experience that is as awe-inspiring as Oppenheimer.
