Who Plays President Harry S. Truman in ‘Oppenheimer’?

The Big Picture

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• Oppenheimer features an impressive ensemble cast, including Cillian Murphy, Gary Oldman, Robert Downey Jr., and more.
• The film explores the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer in developing the atomic bomb during World War II.
• Truman’s approval of nuclear weapons and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are significant moments in the film that reflect its anti-war themes.

While Christopher Nolan’s films generally have massive, sprawling casts that include dozens of incredible actors, his twelfth film Oppenheimer may feature his single most impressive ensemble to date. The epic historical drama stars one of Nolan’s frequent stars, Cillian Murphy, as the titular J. Robert Oppenheimer, who was responsible for developing the technology that created the nuclear bomb during the final days of World War II. Oppenheimer is Nolan’s second World War II film after 2017’s Dunkirk, but unlike his masterful war film, Oppenheimer includes many real historical figures that played a part in the decision to drop atom bombs on Japan. While Oppenheimer himself may not be a name that audiences instantly recognize, they may be familiar with United States President Harry S. Truman, played in the film by Gary Oldman. Truman’s approval of nuclear weapons led to the first use of Oppenheimer’s technology in a combat scenario when two atom bombs were dropped on Japan in 1945.

Oppenheimer’s incredible cast doesn’t stop there. The film also includes Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer, Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock, and Matt Damon as Leslie Groves Jr. Additional co-stars include Rami Malek, Benny Safdie, Josh Hartnett, David Dastmalchian, Dane DeHaan, Kenneth Branagh, Michael Angarano, Jack Quaid, Josh Peck, and Tom Conti as Albert Einstein.

How Did Harry S. Truman Become President?

Harry S. Truman was a highly influential figure within the Democratic Party and a United States senator from Missouri from 1935 to January 1945. He had served as a captain in World War I in France and gained the attention of President Franklin Roosevelt. President Roosevelt served the role of Commander-In-Chief for twelve years over four consecutive terms, as the legislation limiting presidents to only two terms had not yet been enacted. During his presidency, Roosevelt had three Vice Presidents. After John Nance Garner of Texas served starting in 1933, Henry Agard Wallace of Iowa assumed the position following Roosevelt’s reelection in 1941. Harry S. Truman was chosen as Roosevelt’s third and final Vice President, and assumed the office on January 20, 1945, following Roosevelt’s subsequent re-election. Although he is not depicted on screen in Oppenheimer, Roosevelt was portrayed by Kiefer Sutherland in the Showtime drama series The First Lady.

Roosevelt is credited for leading the United States during the majority of World War II, and gained popularity with the American people for the “fireside chats” he held over the radio. However, Roosevelt’s health was fading by the end of World War II, and he passed away on April 12, 1945. Truman was immediately sworn in as President. While Truman is heralded as one of the most important leaders in American history, there have been few films about his Presidency. Crafting a compelling Presidential biopic can be a challenge, and many of the better films about American Presidents have featured them in supporting roles.

What Is Harry S. Truman’s Role in ‘Oppenheimer’?

Truman appears during only one scene in Oppenheimer, but it is one of the most important. In the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Truman congratulates Oppenheimer on the use of his weapon. It’s at this moment that Oppenheimer realizes the ramifications of his actions, as he understands that his technology may lead to a nuclear arms race. Nolan uses sharp dialogue to make smaller characters stand out, and the moment with Truman embodies the film’s anti-war themes. By the time that Oppenheimer reaches its devastating conclusion, it’s clear that Nolan is using the film to show how escalation works in the arms race.

Despite the brevity of his role in Oppenheimer, Truman was instrumental in bringing World War II to a conclusion. Truman was first made aware of the secret development of the Manhattan Project during his induction and was informed about its destructive capabilities several weeks later. While Truman was at the Potsdam Conference in Berlin to negotiate the end of the war alongside fellow Allied leaders Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Union dictator Joseph Stalin, he was informed that the first atomic bomb test (referred to as the Trinity Test) had been successful. Amidst the Potsdam Conference in August, Japan refused to surrender to a peace agreement. The Allies had planned an invasion of Japan, but Truman grew concerned that another large-scale assault would lead to more casualties on both sides. He approved the use of nuclear weapons, and the Japanese city of Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, with Nagasaki on August 9. Approximately 105,000 Japanese civilians were killed. Following the Soviet Union’s invasion of Manchuria, Japan officially surrendered on August 15. Truman argued that the Atom Bomb’s detonation had ended the war and saved the world from years dedicated to another mass invasion.

Which Other Christopher Nolan Movie Features Gary Oldman?

This isn’t the first time that Oldman has appeared in a Nolan film, as he played the role of Commissioner Jim Gordon in Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. Oldman’s version of the character stands out as one of the best live-action depictions of Gordon thus far because of the paternal role he plays in Bruce Wayne’s (Christian Bale) life. Gordon is among the first people to comfort Wayne after his parents are murdered, and offers him the guidance that he needs to begin healing. Although Gordon isn’t made aware that Wayne is actually Batman until the final moments of The Dark Knight Rises, there connection is still important.

Oppenheimer also isn’t the first time that Oldman has appeared in a World War II epic. Oldman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the 2017 biographical film Darkest Hour. Darkest Hour actually covers the same events that Nolan addressed in Dunkirk, and shows how Churchill arranged for the British soldiers to be rescued from the shores of the beach. Although Darkest Hour explores the political side of the conflict rather than the actual combat situations, it is just as valuable of a historical lesson as Dunkirk.

Oppenheimer is available to purchase on Apple TV+ in the U.S.

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