Watch The First Secret City

The First Secret City is a captivating thriller that takes the audience back in time to the 1940s to explore the events that led to the development of the atomic bomb. The movie is directed by Duane Graves and Justin Meeks, and it stars John Bell, Carolyn Bower, and Conrad Bowers. The film begins in St. Louis, Missouri, during World War II. The city is a hub of classified government work, with thousands of people working in various factories and research facilities to develop new technologies for the war effort. Among these workers is James "Jim" Carver (played by John Bell), a young mathematician who is employed at a plant that produces enriched uranium.

Early on, the movie establishes a sense of tension and secrecy that permeates much of the story. Jim is frequently raided by the FBI, who suspect he is a communist sympathizer due to his leftist views and activism. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Ruth (played by Carolyn Bower), is also targeted by government agents, who try to pressure her into spying on Jim in exchange for her brother's release from prison.

As Jim and Ruth navigate this dangerous environment, they become embroiled in a larger conspiracy involving the government's top secret Manhattan Project. The project, which aims to develop the first atomic bomb, is supervised by the brilliant physicist Leo Szilard (played by Conrad Bowers), who is portrayed as a complex, morally ambiguous figure.

The First Secret City deals with weighty themes such as nuclear war, government malfeasance, and Cold War-era paranoia. However, it does so through the experiences and perspectives of its characters, which gives the movie a sense of humanity and emotional weight that is often missing from films about the atomic bomb.

John Bell delivers a standout performance as Jim, imbuing the character with a sense of vulnerability that makes the audience root for him even as he makes questionable choices. His chemistry with Carolyn Bower, who plays Ruth with a quiet intensity, is one of the highlights of the film. Conrad Bowers is also excellent as Szilard, portraying the physicist as a man who is consumed by his work and haunted by the potential consequences of his own brilliance.

Despite its serious subject matter, The First Secret City is also an engaging thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The movie has several tense sequences, including a climactic firefight that takes place in a forest near the uranium plant. The filmmakers also use creative editing and sound design to convey a sense of chaos and urgency during many of the film's more intense moments.

Another strength of The First Secret City is its attention to detail in depicting life during the 1940s. The sets and costumes are all meticulously designed to evoke the era, and the movie features several scenes set in real-life St. Louis landmarks such as the Gateway Arch and the Chase Park Plaza hotel.

Overall, The First Secret City is a well-crafted and thought-provoking thriller that provides an insightful look into one of the most consequential events of the 20th century. Its strong performances, tense atmosphere, and immersive period setting make it a must-see for fans of historical dramas and spy thrillers alike.

The First Secret City is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.