Day One (1989): cast, story & where to watch
1989 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1989, Day One is a drama, tv movie and history film directed by Joseph Sargent, running about 141 minutes. “This day will go down in history as a black mark against mankind.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard leaves Europe, eventually arriving in the United States. With the help of Einstein, he persuades the government to build an atomic bomb. The project is given to no-nonsense Gen. Leslie Groves who selects physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to head the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico, where the bomb is built. As World War II draws to a close, Szilard has second thoughts about atomic weapons, and policy makers debate how and when to use the bomb.
Who’s in it. Day One stars Brian Dennehy as Gen. Leslie Groves, David Strathairn as J. Robert Oppenheimer, Michael Tucker as Leo Szilard and Hume Cronyn as James F. Byrnes, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, Day One has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Day One page.
If you liked it. Fans of Day One tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Day One (1989)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Day One change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Day One worth watching?
- Day One holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, tv movie and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Day One?
- Day One stars Brian Dennehy, David Strathairn, Michael Tucker, Hume Cronyn and Richard Dysart.
- When was Day One released?
- Day One was released in 1989, with a runtime of about 141 minutes.