Copenhagen (2002 film)

Copenhagen dvd

Copenhagen is a 2002 British television film adaptation of the play of the same name by Michael Frayn. The film is directed by Howard Davies and stars Daniel Craig, Stephen Rea, and Francesca Annis. It delves into the historical meeting between the physicists Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg in Copenhagen during World War II, exploring the complexities of physics, friendship, and morality. The narrative is heavily influenced by the themes of quantum mechanics and the uncertainty principle, reflecting on how these principles apply to human relationships and ethical dilemmas.

Plot

The film follows the speculative account of the meeting between Niels Bohr, a Danish Jew, and Werner Heisenberg, a German working on the Nazi atomic bomb project, in Copenhagen in 1941. The story is recounted through the interactions between Bohr, Heisenberg, and Bohr's wife Margrethe, to whom Heisenberg was like a son before the war. The dialogue explores the reasons behind Heisenberg's visit and the ethical implications of their work on nuclear weapons. The narrative structure is non-linear, with the characters revisiting past events from multiple perspectives, emphasizing the uncertainty and complexity of their memories and motivations.

Cast

• Daniel Craig as Werner Heisenberg
• Stephen Rea as Niels Bohr
• Francesca Annis as Margrethe Bohr

Production

The film was produced for television and aired on the BBC in the United Kingdom. It was directed by Howard Davies, who had a distinguished career in both theatre and television. The screenplay was adapted by Michael Frayn from his own award-winning play, which had received critical acclaim for its thought-provoking content and innovative structure.

Reception

Copenhagen received positive reviews for its intelligent script, compelling performances, and the way it handled complex scientific and moral issues. Critics praised the film for bringing a challenging theatrical work to the screen without losing the depth and nuance of the original play. The performances of Craig, Rea, and Annis were particularly highlighted for their ability to convey the emotional and intellectual intensity of their characters' dialogue.

Themes

The film explores several themes, including the moral responsibility of scientists, the impact of friendship on professional relationships, and the nature of memory and interpretation. It also delves into the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics, particularly the uncertainty principle, as a metaphor for the unpredictability and subjectivity of human actions and motivations.

See Also

• Michael Frayn
• Niels Bohr
• Werner Heisenberg
• Quantum mechanics
• World War II