Martensson-Pendrill, Ann-Marie. "The Manhattan project-a part of physics history." Physics Education [0031-9120] 41.6 (2006). 493-.

        In her article, Pendrill argues that military endeavors, such as the Manhattan Project in the 1940s, led by physicists and other scientists are important parts of physics history and should be included in physics textbooks in order to give students a fuller understanding of the intersections of science, politics, and everyday life. She discusses how the project and life at Los Alamos affected the scientists both mentally and emotionally during various stages, how the creation of extreme and potentially dangerous technologies relates to ethics and responsibility, and how all these issues are tied up in the real, everyday jobs of many scientists.

        Understanding the connections between science, the government, and real people as presented by Pendrill gives insight into Hitchcock's portrayal of the villains in Notorious in several ways. First, knowledge of the Manhattan Project and the postwar creation of the atomic bomb is crucial to understanding the importance of uranium in any film from the 1940s, not just Notorious. Here, historical context is key to the film's meaning and cultural relevance. Secondly, Pendrill's article sheds some light on how the audience is somehow strangely able to sympathize to a certain extent with Alex and some of the villains of Notorious. We recognize that, despite their secrecy and dangerous experimentation, some of these men are scientists doing their jobs, and they do not have much of a choice in the matter. We can especially sympathize with Emile when we see how the smallest slip-up, a slight human error, cost him his life in the high stakes game that results when powerful institutions come together for dangerous work.