Oppenheimer, a biopic about the man who invented the nuclear bomb directed by Christopher Nolan, is one of the most talked-about summer releases this year.
It will be intriguing to watch this director’s take on a historical character and create an entry in the annals of science biopics, as he is known for delivering unusual, non-linear science fiction stories.
Oppenheimer will be released on July 21, but if you can’t make it down for opening weekend and still want to watch a good science biopic, check out the films listed below.
Biopics on great scientists must often walk a tight line between describing the science and humanizing the people behind the findings. We look back at ten of the most significant, influential, and/or accurate science biopics from the last few decades.
1. HIDDEN FIGURES
Hidden Figures, a 2016 film, depicts three Black women who work as mathematicians at NASA during the space race. Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan are among the ladies shown. We witness them fight and push through the industry’s systemic prejudice to have real influence on human spaceflight, each with their unique specialties.
Hidden Figures (loosely based on a book of the same name), one of the most well-known biopics in recent years, appropriately served the nearly meta objective of exposing Black women who had genuinely been lost to history. The backdrop and stories at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia are essentially real, with a few adjustments made to fit the story.
This is a terrific film for people of all ages, and even little children will be lured in by the tempo and realistic characters. All viewers should watch this.
2. EINSTEIN AND EDDINGTON
Despite its great cast and storytelling, Einstein and Eddington was completely forgotten when it was aired on BBC Two. This film, starring David Tennant as Sir Arthur Eddington and Andy Serkis as Albert Einstein, explores the tale of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and Eddington’s relationship with it. During a solar eclipse in 1919, Eddington was important in assisting with the first indirect test of General Relativity. This was a stormy period in physics since Einstein’s theories and Eddington’s discoveries contradicted long-accepted Newtonian physics norms.
The film’s central plot is around Eddington’s romantic feelings for his best friend at Cambridge, which have never been substantiated by historical sources. Regardless, this film is a brilliant account of a pivotal moment in physics history set against the backdrop of World War I. While movie may be a little slow for younger audiences, the outstanding acting and compelling tale make this a must-see for science and history buffs.
3. OCTOBER SKY
October Sky, a film about rocket development, depicts the story of four young men from West Virginia who are inspired to pursue rocketry after the launch of Sputnik 1. This film is based on the memoir “Rocket Boys” and is a classic coming-of-age story that inspires across recommendations. It depicts life in the Appalachian coal mining districts in the late 1950s in a lovely and honest way.
The film is based on the true story of Homer H. Hickam Jr., the son of a coal miner who defied expectations to become an engineer at NASA, and is essentially authentic to the book and life shown within, despite the omission of Wernher von Braun’s Nazi connections.
Despite the fact that it was released in 1999, this video remains an inspirational classic for families and people of all ages.
4. AGORA
Agora is an English-language Spanish film set in late 4th century Roman Egypt that depicts the narrative of Hypatia, a woman who challenges the heliocentric concept of our solar system. The film, which stars Rachel Weisz, has received criticism for outdated depictions and inaccurate attributions of inventions and beliefs to Hypatia due to a lack of historical proof. This very cerebral play, however, has issues that are still relevant today, particularly to women in STEM disciplines.
Agora is not for everyone due to its violence and serious topics, but its unusual subject and portrayal of science in ancient times makes it worthwhile viewing.
5. THE IMITATION GAME
The Imitation Game tells the classic story of the Enigma Machine, which was created during WWII to decrypt Nazi communications. The film, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, covers the life of Alan Turing, who is known for his work at Bletchley Park and contributions to the machines that were constructed. Aside from mathematics and cryptography, the video honors Alan Turing and the hurdles he overcame in the first half of the twentieth century.
Notably, Alan Turing was charged with homosexuality and subjected to chemical castration before committing suicide in 1954. While the film takes significant liberties with Turing’s personal life and personality, it did contribute to the passing of the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (the “Alan Turing law”), which serves as an amnesty law for men who were cautioned or convicted under historical legislation that outlawed homosexual acts in England and Wales.
This award-winning film is suitable for audiences of all ages, while the subjects may be too serious for younger viewers.
6. TEMPLE GRANDIN
Temple Grandin is a 2010 film starring Claire Daines that chronicles the life and work of Temple Grandin, a lady with autism who revolutionized livestock treatment. This film, based on her memoirs, beautifully examines the stigma of autism and women in scientific professions. Grandin hailed Danes’ performance as if she were “going back in a weird time machine” after it was critically acclaimed and won several accolades.
Grandin is a professor of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University and a vocal supporter of the autism and neurodiversity causes.
This film, rated PG, would be a wonderful movie for older youngsters interested in studying and dealing with animals, while caution is advised because the subject matter includes cruelty to animals.
Read More: 10 Best Movies of Kirsten Dunst
7. TESLA
Tesla covers the ups and downs of inventions and commerce, chronicling the life of legendary inventor Nikola Tesla. In an otherwise easy biographical film, Ethan Hawke gives a terrific performance. The film, which covers the highlights of Tesla’s life and career, lacks nuance and drama but is a good watch for those who are interested.
It’s generally appropriate for all ages and could be an intriguing movie for young inventors, though keep in mind that there’s a lot of emphasis on relationships. The film makes some odd directorial decisions, but ultimately it is a realistic representation of his life, winning the Alfred P. Sloan award at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
8. GORILLAS IN THE MIST
Despite its success at the time, this film from a few decades ago is ready for rediscovery. Gorillas in the Mist follows primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey as she changes careers and moves to Africa to study rare mountain gorillas. Fossey’s research on gorilla communication and social behavior drew the attention of National Geographic. However, the focus also draws attention to the gorilla poaching situation, transforming Fossey into an anti-poaching crusader.
A significant portion of the racist imagery in the film is inappropriate, and one imagines that if done now, a different approach would be used. Despite some critics questioning the film’s very impartial presentation of Fossey and her personality, it is famous for its scores of award nominations, particularly for Sigourney Weavers’ performance and how it combined both live and artificial gorillas.
The film is fairly violent and unpleasant, but it covers a crucial period in mountain gorilla research and anti-poaching campaigns.
9. AMMONITE
The love drama Ammonite looks at Mary Anning’s personal life and tribulations as a fossil collector and paleontologist in the mid-1800s. The film, which stars Kate Winslet as Mary Anning and Saoirse Ronan as her companion and eventual girlfriend Charlotte Murchison, focuses on their romantic relationship against the backdrop of coastal fossil collecting in Dorset.
From a scientific standpoint, the film illuminates how fossils were discovered, analyzed, sold, and donated, sometimes ignoring the work of those who unearthed them (especially women). While there is no historical evidence of Anning’s sexuality, it cannot be discounted because gay history has frequently been recounted through the prism of heterosexuality. Mary Anning, on the other hand, was a crucial paleontologist who discovered dozens of Jurassic marine fossil beds throughout the English Channel. Because she was a woman at the time, she was routinely and almost completely neglected. Her tale is intriguing, and any stories that highlight her contribution to paleontology should be celebrated.
This is a gorgeous, leisurely movie about the rugged English shoreline and life in the Victorian era. It is not suitable for younger viewers due to the level of nudity and sex.
Read Also: 8 Best Movies to Expand your Mind
10. THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY
The Man Who Knew Infinity, starring Dev Patel, follows mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan as he moves from poverty in Madras, India to Cambridge University during World War I. Ramanujan rose to prominence as a theoretical mathematician under the guidance of Professor G. H. Hardy, played by Jeremy Irons. The film’s main drama is his friendship and relationship with Professor Hardy, as well as the difficulty of maintaining a life in a new nation while keeping relationships back home.
With the help of real-life mathematicians, the film has been acclaimed for its accurate portrayal of mathematics and professional mathematicians, bringing similarities to Good Will Hunting. It is generally suitable for all audiences and is a lovely depiction of the lives of prominent mathematicians.
