BBC Studios Science Unit produces Einstein and The Bomb for Netflix

BBC Studios Science Unit has produced Einstein and the Bomb, an innovative drama documentary film exploring Albert Einstein’s relationship with Hitler, Germany and the atom bomb which launches Friday 16 February.

It’s 1933 and Albert Einstein, the most famous scientist in the world, has no choice but to abandon his German homeland and find somewhere to hide from the very real threat of Nazi assassins due to the persecution of the Jews.

But where does a global celebrity disappear from view? The answer leads to a wooden hut in a field in Norfolk and the little-known story of Einstein’s English hideaway. A time and place that will be a turning point in his life, between Europe and the USA, between pacifism and aggression and a moment that will ultimately define his attitude to the most powerful of all inventions – the atom bomb.

Using Einstein’s own words from speeches, letters and interviews to script his dialogue, this feature length film fuses vivid dramatic scenes with archive footage of Einstein’s life and times as it unfolds across both world wars, the rise and fall of fascism and the advent of the atomic age. The result is a uniquely insightful and moving portrait of one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th Century and beyond .

Einstein and the Bomb is produced by the same team as the critically acclaimed The Anthrax Attacks, also for Netflix and it cements BBC Studios Science Unit’s reputation for producing high-quality documentary drama combined with industry-leading journalism and expertise. Other titles produced for Netflix include Our Universe, and the Emmy, BAFTA and RTS winning series The Surgeon’s Cut.

Speaking about the programme Executive Producer Andrew Cohen said: ‘It’s a film that carries many powerful themes but perhaps most powerful of all is the theme of antisemitism and the effect this had on Einstein’s life. The film is being released at a time when antisemitism is exponentially on the rise once again, which makes the echo of history feel even more profound and an important reminder that racial hatred spares no one.’

Script writer Philip Ralph said: ‘Drawing from a lifetime of Einstein’s quotes, ideas and musings, combined with the wealth of incredible archive footage, alongside the fantastic production design and brilliant performances, Einstein and the Bomb tells the story of how the greatest mind in history gave humanity the power to destroy itself. It was an absolute privilege to work on. ‘

Playing Einstein is actor Aidan McArdle, who also portrayed Einstein for the film E=mc2 and for Nova’s Einstein’s Big Idea. The cast also includes Andrew Havill playing the real-life Commander Locker Lampson, Rachel Barry and Helena Westerman . The film also lovingly recreates a pre-war England that is unprepared for the horror to come.

Einstein and The Bomb is written by Philip Ralph and the Director is Anthony Philipson. The Executive Producers are Andrew Cohen and James Van der Pool.