The Beginning or the End (1947) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The film traces atomic energy from scientific discovery to wartime deployment while contrasting technological achievement with human cost.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Warnings And Discovery

The film introduces atomic energy through a future-facing newsreel and Oppenheimer's warning. American scientists, including Cochran and Fermi, split the atom and gain an advantage in the bomb race.

Key Events

• Future Atomic Time Capsule — A newsreel presents atomic energy information destined for a future time capsule. Location: California
• Oppenheimer Warns Of Danger — Oppenheimer praises atomic energy while warning that it carries serious dangers. Characters: Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer Location: Scientific presentation setting
• The Atom Is Split — Cochran works under Fermi's guidance as American scientists split the atom. Characters: Matt Cochran, Dr. Enrico Fermi Location: American scientific laboratory
• Race Against Germany — The American scientists are portrayed as gaining an advantage in the bomb race. Characters: Matt Cochran, Dr. Enrico Fermi Location: American research facilities
• Discovery Reaches Roosevelt — The scientists communicate that a monumental atomic discovery has been made. Characters: President Franklin D. Roosevelt Location: Washington, D.C.

War Funds The Atom

World War II transforms atomic research into an urgent military program. Roosevelt authorizes massive funding, allowing the project to expand from discovery into organized development.

Key Events

• Discovery Reaches Roosevelt — The scientists communicate that a monumental atomic discovery has been made. Characters: President Franklin D. Roosevelt Location: Washington, D.C.
• War Changes The Stakes — America's entry into war turns atomic research into an urgent military priority. Characters: President Franklin D. Roosevelt Location: United States
• Project Receives Funding — Roosevelt authorizes up to two billion dollars for the Manhattan Project. Characters: President Franklin D. Roosevelt Location: Washington, D.C.
• Scientists Gather In Chicago — Scientists assemble at the university to pursue a controlled nuclear chain reaction. Characters: Matt Cochran, Dr. Enrico Fermi Location: University of Chicago
• First Chain Reaction — Scientists create the first chain reaction beneath the university stadium. Characters: Matt Cochran, Dr. Enrico Fermi Location: Stadium beneath the University of Chicago

The Chain Reaction

Scientists gather at the University of Chicago and achieve the first chain reaction. This breakthrough validates the project and accelerates the effort to build a working bomb.

Key Events

• First Chain Reaction — Scientists create the first chain reaction beneath the university stadium. Characters: Matt Cochran, Dr. Enrico Fermi Location: Stadium beneath the University of Chicago
• Atomic Program Expands — Scientific, industrial, and defense efforts are brought together to build a working bomb. Characters: Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, Dr. Enrico Fermi, Matt Cochran Location: United States atomic facilities
• Leadership Continues — The atomic project continues under wartime presidential support. Characters: President Franklin D. Roosevelt Location: Washington, D.C.
• Presidential Transition — Following Roosevelt's death, the atomic project enters a new presidential phase. Characters: President Franklin D. Roosevelt Location: United States
• Project Moves West — The atomic project moves to Los Alamos as development enters an advanced stage. Characters: Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, Matt Cochran Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico

The Decision To Strike

The project moves to Los Alamos while the Pacific War remains difficult. The wartime situation leads to the decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan.

Key Events

• Project Moves West — The atomic project moves to Los Alamos as development enters an advanced stage. Characters: Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, Matt Cochran Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico
• Pacific War Resistance — Stiff resistance in the Pacific increases pressure for a decisive military action. Location: Pacific War theater
• Bomb Use Is Ordered — In July 1945, the use of the atomic bomb against Japan is ordered. Location: United States wartime command

Tinian And Hiroshima

Cochran accompanies the bomb to Tinian and is exposed to radioactive material during assembly. He dies before the bomb is dropped, and the film closes with the mission's devastating consequence reaching home.

Key Events

• Bomb Transport Begins — Cochran accompanies the crew transporting the bomb to Tinian. Characters: Matt Cochran Location: Route to Tinian
• Bomb Assembly At Tinian — The bomb is assembled at Tinian while Cochran participates in the operation. Characters: Matt Cochran Location: Tinian
• Cochran Exposed To Radiation — Cochran comes into contact with radioactive material during bomb assembly. Characters: Matt Cochran Location: Tinian assembly area
• Cochran Dies — Cochran dies after being exposed to radioactive material during the operation. Characters: Matt Cochran Location: Tinian
• Atomic Bomb Drops — On August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima. Location: Hiroshima
• News Of Death Delivered — After the mission, the news of Cochran's death is brought home. Characters: Matt Cochran Location: Cochran's home

Story Breakdown

• Atomic Warning — The opening establishes both the promise and danger of atomic energy.
  • Future Time Capsule — A newsreel frames the story as information preserved for a distant future.
  • Oppenheimer's Warning — Oppenheimer praises atomic discovery but emphasizes its dangers.
• Scientific Breakthrough — American scientists achieve the discoveries that make atomic weapon development possible.
  • Guided Research — Cochran works under Fermi's guidance in atomic research.
  • Atom Splitting — The scientists split the atom and gain an advantage in the international race.
• Political Authorization — The discovery becomes a state-backed wartime project.
  • Report To Roosevelt — The scientific breakthrough is communicated to Roosevelt.
  • Massive Funding — Roosevelt authorizes up to two billion dollars for the project.
• Chain Reaction — The Chicago experiment provides a decisive technical validation.
  • Chicago Assembly — Scientists gather beneath the university stadium for the experiment.
  • Nuclear Breakthrough — The first chain reaction is successfully created.
• Bomb Development — The project expands and moves toward an operational weapon.
  • Los Alamos Move — The atomic project moves to Los Alamos, New Mexico.
  • Pacific Pressure — Resistance in the Pacific increases pressure for a decisive attack.
• Tinian Mission — The final operation links personal sacrifice to the bombing mission.
  • Bomb Assembly — Cochran accompanies the bomb to Tinian and participates in assembly.
  • Radiation Exposure — Cochran contacts radioactive material and later dies.
• Hiroshima Aftermath — The bomb is used and the human consequences reach Cochran's home.
  • Atomic Bombing — An atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
  • Death Announced — The mission ends with news of Cochran's death being brought home.

Directed by

Norman Taurog

Key Cast

• Brian Donlevy — Maj. Gen. Leslie R. Groves
• Robert Walker — Col. Jeff Nixon
• Tom Drake — Matt Cochran
• Beverly Tyler — Anne Cochran
• Hume Cronyn — Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer