The Oscars for 2024 have just concluded, and Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" has emerged as a clear winner. The movie received several awards across various categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor awards. Nolan's exceptional direction, combined with Cillian Murphy's outstanding acting skills, resulted in the film receiving numerous accolades. The movie also received the Best Supporting Actor award given to Robert Downey Jr. As a historical drama, the film features many locations that seem to have been transported from the past. Some of these locations were real-life settings where Nolan filmed his masterpiece. Let's explore the iconic filming locations of Oppenheimer.
Nolan used the actual house, which was once the residence of Robert Oppenheimer in the film. Oppenheimer, the Scientific Director of the Manhattan Project, lived in this house with his family from 1943 to 1945. During this time, he hosted many dinner parties that provided a rare social respite for the scientists working in Los Alamos. The house was originally built in 1929 for the Los Alamos Ranch School and features a unique blend of local stonemasonry and New York influence. Oppenheimer's pivotal role in selecting Los Alamos as the location for the Manhattan Project underscores his profound impact on the history of nuclear research.
One of the real locations used for filming the Manhattan Project was the Civilian Women's Dormitory, which is now part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. T-101 and T-178 were dormitories built by Willard C. Kruger for civilian staff working on the Manhattan Project. T-101 was a women's dormitory, and T-178 was a men's dormitory. According to the official website of the National Park Service—a U.S. federal government agency that oversees national parks, most national monuments, and various natural, historical, and recreational properties—these dormitories were known as "Priority Dorms." They were highly sought-after, with perpetual waitlists. The dormitories were comfortable and included shared amenities. Room rent was USD 15 per month, including maid and laundry services. The mess hall served three meals daily for an estimated USD 25 per month. Only one dormitory, T-101, remains today as a reminder of the Manhattan Project's civilian infrastructure in downtown Los Alamos.
Upon arriving in Los Alamos, New Mexico, the scientists of Project Y made their first stop at the Lamy Train Station, which is also featured in "Oppenheimer." According to the National Park Service, the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway built the Lamy Train Station in 1909. During the Manhattan Project era, it was the primary gateway for staff and their families to Los Alamos. The station's Spanish Mission-style architecture, with a red-tile roof and stucco walls, marked the newcomers' first step of the journey. From here, workers were then shuttled to their final destination. Dorothy McKibbin, located at 109 E. Palace, facilitated the distribution of top-secret clearance passes and provided directions to Los Alamos, marking the beginning of their classified mission in the secluded desert town.
Fuller Lodge, designed by architect John Gaw Meem, was built in 1928 using over 700 Ponderosa pines from the nearby forest. According to the National Park Service, it was used as a dining hall and staff quarters for the Los Alamos Ranch School. The Manhattan Project later purchased it for their top-secret efforts to develop the first atomic bomb. During this time, the lodge provided meals and accommodations for visiting scientists and hosted various events. Today, the lodge remains a vital community centre, hosting meetings, lectures, and weddings.
A scene from the film featuring Cillian Murphy and Matt Damon was filmed at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. This location was also featured in the film's trailer. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is a historic landmark that has been welcoming guests for nearly 100 years. It was established in 1923 and has been featured in iconic movies such as "Ghostbusters" and "Fight Club." It has also hosted nine US presidents and early Academy Awards ceremonies. Today, the hotel is a luxurious five-star destination with room rates starting at USD 153. Despite the passage of time, it remains a timeless and captivating destination.
Located in Princeton, East Pyne Hall is a collegiate gothic-style building that was used as a stunning filming location on the university's campus. Scenes featuring Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, and Robert Downey Jr. were shot here, with Downey Jr. portraying Lewis Strauss in the movie. Known initially as Pyne Library, the building was designed by William A. Potter in 1897 and features a charming brownstone exterior. Today, it houses offices and classrooms for the language and humanities departments of Princeton University, with glimpses of its accompanying courtyard shown briefly in the trailer.