Alan Turing (played in the film by Benedict Cumberbatch) is one of history’s greatest unsung heroes. While many a rousing tale has been told about those who were the leaders in historic wars and battles, the remarkable history of a man who was one of the founders of modern computing, and who arguably helped end WWII, remains largely unknown.
By Keeva Stratton
In The Imitation Game, we are provided with insight into Turing’s genius at various stages of his life. From the young schoolboy ridiculed for his lack of social graces; to the mature mathematician considered perverse; and his most celebrated achievement, when he worked alongside a host of Britain’s greatest analytical minds to discover of way of unlocking German’s encrypted top-secret communications.
During the war Turing was tasked with finding a way to decipher the messages encrypted by the Nazi regime’s Enigma machine, where the code would be changed daily. To achieve this, 159 000 000 0000 different possibilities needed to be processed in a matter of hours—an insurmountable feat for humans, but not for machines (at least, this was Turing’s theory).
Having been widely criticised for his theories on the possibility of creating a machine-based intelligence (AI), Turing had the chance to prove his theory right, and the prize could be to end the war—but would his colleagues keep faith in him for as long would be needed to complete it?
It’s great to see a film shed light and provide some well overdue focus on a man whose achievements still remain widely unknown and whose personal life (unaccepted in his era) unjustly cost him the honours and accolades he truly deserved. It is also great to see intellectual brilliance—with all its eccentric qualities—celebrated.
Alan Turing’s story will always be punctuated by tragedy. The tragic war that brought to light his brilliance, the tragic era of prejudice that saw his achievements overlooked for his sexuality, and the real tragedy of a punishment masquerading as treatment that arguably led to the depression costing his life. Who better to bring his complex and emotive story to life than Benedict Cumberbatch, ably assisted by Keira Knightly?
The Imitation Game is a well executed and finely performed war film, which as a character study gives overdue credit to one of history’s most significant and humble war heroes. The story of Alan Turing should be better known; and this film, so perfectly cast and well directed (by Morten Tyldum, who showed his skills in Headhunters), is an apt and entertaining way of becoming more familiar with Turing’s story.
One for the adults this summer—and what a way to start a new year of cinema—The Imitation Game is very much a crisply authentic retelling of a modern hero.
Directed by: Morten Tyldum
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightly, Matthew Goode
Rating: PG
Runtime: 114mins
Release Date: January 1, 2015
Reviewer rating: 4/5
