‘The Current War’ – A Film Review with Lessons for Electricians 

Electricians and trainees often think of electricity in practical terms: circuits, safety, BS 7671 regulations and NVQs. But every modern system we install t races back to one of the most dramatic rivalries in engineering history. The Current War, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison and Michael Shannon as George Westinghouse, brings this battle to life on screen. With Nicholas Hoult as Nikola Tesla and Tom Holland as Edison’s loyal aide Samuel Insull, the film captures both the personal drama and the technical breakthroughs that shaped the world’s power systems. 

For anyone in the e lectrical trade, the story offers more than cinema entertainment. It provides context for why alternating current (AC) distribution powers our homes and workplaces today, and why this victory over direct current (DC) was so transformative. 

The opening sparks 

The film begins in 1879, moments after Edison has perfected his incandescent light bulb. Cinematographer Chung-Hoon Chung stages a striking sequence where dozens of bulbs b laze into life, symbolising the dawn of electric lighting. Edison, with investment from J. P. Morgan, soon lights five Manhattan blocks. 

But his system is built on direct current — reliable at close distances but limited in reach. Power plants needed to be within a mile of the end user. For electricians today learning about voltage drop and distribution limits, this challenge is instantly recognisable. 

Westinghouse and the case for AC 

George Westinghouse, a Pittsburgh industrialist, spots the weakness. By switching from gas and developing an alternating current system, he can move electricity much further. AC transmission allows voltages to be stepped up for long-distance travel and stepped down for safe use in homes. 

The one obstacle was designing motors and transformers that could handle AC effectively. It was Nikola Tesla who provided the missing piece, patenting revolutionary polyphase AC systems. Westinghouse quickly acquired Tesla’s designs, setting the stage for a direct challenge to Edison. 

For UK learners exploring how electrical systems evolved, this struggle illustrates why our own t raining courses emphasise safe distribution, circuit design, and the role of transformers. A modern Electrical NVQ walk-through reflects these same principles in practice. 

Lighting up Chicago 

The turning point arrives with the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Edison promotes his DC network, but Westinghouse and Tesla’s AC system wins the contract. For the first time, a huge international exhibition is powered by alternating current. The spectacle proves AC’s superiority on a world stage. 

The hydroelectric station at Niagara Falls soon follows. Tesla’s machines generated 50,000 horsepower, enough to light Buffalo and then New York City. By 1920, hydroelectric systems provided a quarter of America’s power. Meanwhile, Edison’s Pearl Street DC station ran quietly in the background until 2007, a relic of a battle fought more than a century earlier. 

For electricians, the message is clear: innovation changes what’s possible, and those who adapt thrive. Today that means exploring fields like energy storage. Articles such as Battery Storage Systems – EESS: Are They Worth It for UK Homes and for Your Business? show how far the legacy of AC versus DC has stretched into modern decision-making. 

How the film portrays the rivalry 

Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon balances technical detail with human drama. Cumberbatch plays Edison as p roud, ambitious and sometimes ruthless, while Shannon gives Westinghouse a calm determination. Hoult’s Tesla brings both eccentricity and brilliance, never fully fitting in but always pushing ideas forward. 

There are moments of humour, but also tragedy — particularly when Edison’s smear campaigns against AC involve dangerous public demonstrations. The film closes with Tesla’s enduring vision vindicated: a power network that could grow into the modern grids we still depend on. 

For apprentices or allied trades entering the industry, this background can make c ourses more meaningful. It’s not just about learning to wire a circuit, but understanding the ideas and rivalries that underpin why we wire things the way we do. For those starting out, the Minor Electrical Installation Works c ourse offers a practical route into the trade, while NVQ progression builds the deeper technical skills. 

Why it matters for today’s electricians 

Watching The Current War is more than history. It prompts reflection on how electricians today face similar turning points: 

• The shift from fossil fuels to renewable power. 

• The rise of smart systems and battery storage. 

• The growing demand for domestic installers who can adapt to low-carbon technologies. 

Just as Edison, Westinghouse and Tesla fought to shape the future of electricity, modern sparks are helping shape the UK’s transition to sustainable energy. Training with a provider like Electrician Courses Nottingham or Electrician Courses Burton upon Trent ensures you’re not only qualified for today but prepared for tomorrow’s changes too. 

Final word 

For anyone in the trade — whether you’re just starting your NVQ portfolio or already working on complex installs — The Current War offers both inspiration and perspective. It’s a reminder that the electrical industry has always been about more than wires and switches; it’s about innovation, rivalry, and the drive to power the world. 

If you’re considering your own training path, Elec Training provides structured routes from beginner to fully qualified electrician, complete with support on NVQ portfolios, AM2, and progression into specialist areas. Find out more at Elec Training and take the next step in your career. 

FAQ: The Current War Movie and Relevance to Electricians 

1 – What is The Current War about, and why is it relevant to electricians?

The Current War is a 2017 historical drama film (released in 2019) that dramatizes the late 19th-century “War of the Currents” — a rivalry between inventors Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and Nikola Tesla over which electrical system (DC or AC) would power America and the world. The story focuses on Edison’s promotion of direct current (DC) and Westinghouse’s (with Tesla’s help) advocacy for alternating current (AC), culminating in key events like the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. It’s relevant to electricians because it explores the origins of modern electrical systems, highlighting the foundational AC/DC debate that shaped power distribution, safety standards, and the trade’s evolution, offering insights into innovation and compliance. 

2 – Who were the main figures in the “War of Currents” — Edison, Westinghouse, and Tesla?

Thomas Edison was the primary advocate for direct current (DC) systems, believing DC was safer and more reliable for powering homes and businesses. George Westinghouse, an industrialist, partnered with Nikola Tesla to promote alternating current (AC), licensing Tesla’s patents for AC motors and transformers to build efficient power systems. Tesla, the inventor of the polyphase AC system, provided the technical breakthroughs that made AC viable for long-distance transmission, clashing with Edison’s DC model. The “war” was a business rivalry over which system would dominate, with Edison’s DC vs. Westinghouse and Tesla’s AC. 

3 – What was the difference between Edison’s DC system and Westinghouse/Tesla’s AC system?

Edison’s DC (direct current) system delivered electricity in a single, constant direction at low voltages (around 110V), making it safe for indoor use but inefficient for long-distance transmission due to high power losses without easy voltage conversion. Westinghouse and Tesla’s AC (alternating current) system reversed direction periodically (60 times per second in the US), allowing easy voltage transformation via transformers for efficient high-voltage transmission over long distances and step-down for safe use. DC required power plants every few miles; AC enabled centralized generation. 

4 – Why was AC ultimately chosen over DC for large-scale distribution?

AC was chosen over DC for large-scale distribution because it could be easily transformed to high voltages for efficient long-distance transmission with minimal power loss (using transformers), then stepped down for safe use, unlike DC, which suffered high losses over distance without simple voltage conversion. AC’s ability to use fewer power plants and transmit over vast areas made it more economical and scalable. This was proven at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and Niagara Falls project. 

5 – How does the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair feature in the story?

The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair was a pivotal event in the War of the Currents, where Westinghouse won the contract to light the fair with AC for $399,000 (underbidding Edison’s DC proposal of $554,000), showcasing AC’s efficiency and scalability to over 27 million visitors and marking a turning point for AC’s dominance. It demonstrated AC powering the “White City” with 93,000 incandescent lamps. 

6 – What role did Tesla’s polyphase AC system play in shaping modern power networks?

Tesla’s polyphase AC system revolutionized modern power networks by enabling efficient three-phase power generation, transmission, and distribution, which is the standard worldwide for grids, allowing balanced loads, reduced material costs, and self-starting motors. It provided the foundation for polyphase motors and transformers, making AC practical for industrial and residential use. 

7 – How accurately does the film portray the technical details of the rivalry?

The film takes significant liberties with technical details and historical events for dramatic effect, such as portraying Edison as more villainous in his smear campaigns and simplifying Tesla’s role, while omitting or altering timelines (e.g., meetings between figures that never happened). It accurately depicts the core AC/DC rivalry and key events like the Chicago Fair but condenses and fictionalizes for narrative flow, earning criticism for historical inaccuracies despite strong performances. 

8 – What lessons can today’s electricians take from the AC vs DC battle?

Today’s electricians can learn lessons on innovation (embracing efficient technologies like AC for distribution), safety (understanding AC/DC differences to prevent hazards), adaptability (preparing for renewables and HVDC trends), and ethical competition (avoiding misinformation, focusing on progress). The battle highlights how technical superiority and collaboration drive industry standards. 

9 – How does this history connect to modern technologies like battery storage and renewables?

The AC/DC history connects to modern tech by showing AC’s dominance in grid distribution, while DC is key for renewables (solar panels produce DC) and battery storage (batteries store DC), leading to hybrid systems with inverters for AC conversion and HVDC for efficient long-distance renewable transmission. It informs AC-coupled vs. DC-coupled storage designs for optimal efficiency. 

10 – Why might apprentices and new electricians benefit from watching the film as part of their learning journey?

Apprentices and new electricians benefit from watching The Current War as it provides historical context on the AC/DC rivalry, inspiring appreciation for innovation, ethical challenges, and the evolution of electrical systems, motivating them to understand regulations like BS 7671 and pursue renewables. It highlights persistence and collaboration in the trade.