Einstein and Eddington

I was thinking of how to start writing this article when I just now heard about two Turkish scientists who managed to produce gold in a laboratory in Istanbul. Another golden light of science. I wonder what this new invention will lead to, for science, in the hands of human beings, can be both constructive and, unfortunately, destructive.

The single TV drama Einstein and Eddington is, in a way, about these consequences of scientific developments. It is a 2008 movie produced by BBC, in association with HBO, directed by Philip Martin, starring David Tennant as Arthur Eddington and Andy Serkis as Albert Einstein.

I like following scientific developments, and I know about Einstein's theories, however, I did not know about this particular event featured in the movie which led to Einstein's fame as a scientist; some better followers of science may be familiar with the story though. The movie starts with Eddington and his colleague Frank Dyson carrying a huge telescope up to a hill in an African island of Principe in 1919, in pursuit of the total eclipse of the sun, hoping to take photos of the full eclipse. We are then taken back to 1914, when it all began. Eddington is about to finish his years in Cambridge as an heir to Sir Isaac Newton, while Einstein is a scientist with some crazy ideas, working eagerly on gravity, living in Switzerland with his first wife and two sons. Eddington is given the task to make a research about the gravity works of, then not so much known, but is promising, Einstein by Sir Oliver Lodge. In the meantime, the World War I is just starting and Germany is trying to build a military by means of more powerful weapons, developed by German scientists; and so Einstein is invited back to Berlin to go on with his studies on gravity, however, the real aim is to be able to benefit from his works on military field. As is known, Einstein is against war, and this eventually causes trouble with other scientists and university.


Eddington, on the other hand, finds a clue in Einstein's work, that can be proved by means of a physical experiment, and can lead to a new theory on gravity, filling the gaps in Newton's theory. The two exchange some information by sending each other letters, and Eddington finally gets the money from Cambridge to make the experiment during the total eclipse of the sun in 1919. The result of this experiment would lead to fame for Einstein.


Before watching this movie, I thought that it would be a short drama explaining only the development of Einstein's general theory of gravity, however, it turns out that this movie has more than that. In fact, you need not know anything about the theory and you even need not have the desire to learn more. This - real - story's main theme is about the collaboration of two scientists of two different nations, which are at the time enemies. It is very well portrayed that science goes beyond national territories or conflicts, and goes beyond wars, while in pursuit for humanity. Einstein may not have been so much known, or it may taken a longer path, had it not been for Eddington's eagerness to pursue the truth, endangering the validity of one of the most important works in science up to that day, one even produced by the great scientist from his own homeland, one the British had been so much proud of, for centuries. The two men's personal lessons about humanity and anti-war speeches and expectations, leading even to the uncomfortable confrontations with the other scientists who lost their sons or other loved ones in the battle field is extremely precious to watch. Thus, the movie is not a lesson on laws of physics, but rather a lesson on humanity and peace.


I must admit that I was moved by Eddington and Einstein's meeting, finally, at the end and I even expected a big hug but well, that could be the over-Mediterranean side of me. In any case, I do recommend this movie, to witness a very important moment in the history of science, acted perfectly by David Tennant and the brilliant Andy Serkis.