One of the most talked about releases in 2023 was Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, a biopic about the man who invented the nuclear bomb. The film not only made nearly $1 billion at the box office, but also won seven Oscars at the 96th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, who played J. Robert Oppenheimer. did.
Biopics focused on famous scientists often have to walk a fine line between explaining the science while humanizing the faces behind the discoveries. Here, we look back at ten of the most important, influential, and accurate science biopics of the past few decades.
Read more about J. Robert Oppenheimer
1. Hidden figure
Hidden Figures, released in 2016, follows three black women who work as mathematicians at NASA during the space race. Women of note include Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan. We see each of them with their own areas of expertise fighting and addressing the systemic racism that exists in the industry in order to have a real impact on human spaceflight.
One of the best-known biopics of recent years, Hidden Figures (loosely based on the book of the same name) is an almost meta film that focuses on black women who have truly been lost to history. served its purpose correctly. The setting and story of NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, are mostly recognized as true, although some changes were made to serve the story.
This film is great for all ages, and even young children will be drawn in by the fast-paced and relatable characters. Highly recommended for all viewers.
2. Einstein and Eddington
Originally released as a BBC Two drama, Einstein and Eddington has been widely ignored despite its excellent cast and story. Starring David Tennant as Sir Arthur Eddington and Andy Serkis as Albert Einstein, the film tells the story of Einstein's introduction to the world of general relativity and Eddington's relationships there. Eddington helped support the first indirect test of general relativity during the 1919 solar eclipse. This was a particularly tumultuous period in physics, as Einstein's theories and Eddington's observations contrasted with long-accepted Newtonian laws of physics.
The film's key story focuses on Eddington's romantic feelings for his best friend from Cambridge University, but this is not confirmed in historical records. Regardless, this movie is a great recreation of a snapshot in the history of physics set against the backdrop of World War I. While it may be a bit slow for younger viewers, the excellent acting and engaging story make it a must-see for science and history fans.
3. October sky
With the theme of rocket research, October sky tells the story of four young men from West Virginia who are inspired to take up rocketry after the launch of Sputnik 1. The film, based on the memoir “Rocket Boys,'' is a classic coming-of-age story that inspires a wide range of recommendations. A beautiful and honest portrayal of life in the Appalachian coal mining region in the late 1950s.
The film is based on the true story of Homer H. Hickam Jr., a coal miner's son who defies expectations and tries to become a NASA engineer, omitting Wernher von Braun's association with the Nazis. Despite this, it remains largely faithful to the book and the life depicted in it. .
This movie was released in 1999 and is still a touching classic for families and people of all ages.
4. Agora
Dating back far into history, Agora is an English-Spanish film that tells the story of Hypatia, a late 4th century Roman Egyptian woman who challenges the heliocentric theory of the solar system. The film, starring Rachel Weisz, is not without criticism for its anachronistic depiction and misleading attribution of inventions and theories to Hypatia due to lack of historical evidence. But this intense mental drama contains themes that still resonate today, especially for women in STEM fields.
Due to some violence and strong themes, Agora may not be recommended for everyone, but its unique subject matter and depiction of ancient science make it worth a watch.
5. Imitation Game
The Imitation Game tells the famous story of the Enigma machine, which was developed to decipher Nazi communications during World War II. The film, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, depicts the life of Alan Turing, known for his work at Bletchley Park and his contribution to manufacturing machinery. In addition to mathematics and cryptography, the film pays homage to Alan Turing himself and the challenges he faced in the first half of the 20th century.
Notably, Alan Turing was charged with homosexuality, underwent chemical castration, and died by suicide in 1954. Although Turing has been granted considerable freedom regarding his personal life and personality, the film nevertheless contributed to the passage of the Police and Crime Act 2017. ('Alan Turing Act') This acts as an amnesty law for men who have been cautioned or convicted under historic laws that made homosexual acts illegal in England and Wales.
This award-winning film is generally well-received by all ages, although the themes may be intense for younger viewers.
6. Temple Grandin
Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes, is a 2010 film about the life and work of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who revolutionized the handling of livestock. The film is based on her own memoir and is a beautiful examination of autism and female bias in science. Critically acclaimed and multiple award winner, Grandin himself praised Danes' performance, calling it “like stepping back in a strange time machine.”
Grandin is currently a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and a prominent advocate for autism rights and the neurodiversity movement.
This film is rated PG with caution due to its subject matter of cruel treatment of animals, but is great for older children interested in studying and working with animals. .
7. Tesla
Chronicling the life of famous inventor Nikola Tesla, Tesla examines the ups and downs of his inventions and business. Ethan Hawke gives a great performance in a simple biopic. The film depicts the highlights of Tesla's life and career, so it lacks nuance and drama, but is well worth the viewing for those interested.
It is generally suitable for all ages, and may be an interesting watch for young inventors, but be aware that there is quite a bit of it focused on relationships. The film makes some interesting directorial choices, but overall it's a faithful adaptation of his life and won the Alfred P. Sloan Award at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
8. Gorilla in the fog
Going back several decades, the film is ripe for rediscovery despite its success at the time. Gorillas in the Mist tells the story of primatologist and conservationist Diane Master, who changes his career and travels to Africa to study rare mountain gorillas. His research, which examines gorillas' communication and social behavior, attracted the attention of National Geographic. But the attention also highlighted the crisis of gorilla poaching, and turned his mentor into an anti-poaching activist.
Much of the film's depiction of race is inappropriate, and one can imagine that it would have been approached differently if it were made in this day and age. Despite some critics considering Fosse's fairly neutral treatment and her character, the film was notable for receiving dozens of award nominations, particularly for Sigourney Weavers' performance and It highlights how gorillas have integrated both live and artificial gorillas.
Although the film is quite violent and gory, it highlights an important moment in the history of mountain gorilla research and the anti-poaching movement.
9. Ammonite
The romantic drama “Ammonite” depicts the personal life and struggles of Mary Anning, a fossil collector and paleontologist in the mid-1800s. Starring Kate Winslet as Mary Anning and Saoirse Ronan as her friend and soon-to-be lover Charlotte Murchison, the film is a romantic story set primarily in the Dorset seaside fossil collection. It depicts a relationship.
From a scientific perspective, the film reveals how fossils are discovered, examined, sold, and donated, and in many cases the work (particularly the women's) who excavated them is Ignored. Although there is no historical evidence of Anning's sexuality, it cannot be ignored since queer history is often told through a straight lens. In any case, Mary Anning was an important paleontologist who made dozens of discoveries in Jurassic marine fossil beds along the English Channel. Because she was a woman at the time, she was frequently and almost completely ignored. Her story is a fascinating one, and all of her stories that highlight her contributions to paleontology are to be admired.
The film is a beautiful, slow-paced drama in which the brutal British coast and life of the Victorian era play an important role. Not recommended for younger viewers as there is a significant amount of nudity and sex.
10. The man who knew infinity
The Man Who Knew Infinity, starring Dev Patel, depicts the life of mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan and his move from poverty in Madras, India, to Cambridge University during World War I. Under the tutelage of Professor GH Hardy, played by Jeremy Irons, Ramanujan becomes a renowned theoretical mathematician. His friendship and relationship with Professor Hardy is the key drama of the film, and his struggle to maintain a life in a new country while maintaining relationships in his home country.
Real mathematicians collaborated on the film, which has been praised for its accurate depiction of mathematics and professional mathematicians, and has often been compared to Good Will Hunting. Generally suitable for all audiences, it beautifully depicts the life of a famous mathematician.
