Alan Turing is acknowledged as one of the key figures in the development of computers. The story of his work during World War II was suppressed until decades later. Turing was part of a secret group of scientists who cracked the Nazi’s “Enigma” code. How Turing and his colleagues pulled off a feat many thought was impossible makes for a great story. But, there’s more to the story. Turing was a homosexual and after WWII was arrested for his sexual activities. The story of his “treatment” and suicide is tragic. Benedict Cumberbatch is brilliant as Turing. The Imitation Game should do well at Oscar time. Highly recommended! GRADE: A
I am really pleased that Turing is finally getting more recognition and I think Cumberbatch is very good in this. It is a shame though that this has been fictionalised so heavily – you would have thought, in the circumstances, that trying to keep the facts straight was also an important consideration. As I say, I did enjoy this, but it is only a primer on the subject – most of the detail as presented is flat out wrong, which is a shame.
Sergio, my son is resisting going to see THE IMITATION GAME because of the “inaccuracies” and fictionalizations. But the tragic end to this genius is still shocking.
Sad to think that in Russia this might be outlawed as “pro-gay propaganda” and in this country some preachers consign gay people to everlasting torment.
Dan, Turing wasn’t treated all that well in England. I found it shameful.
Thank, George, I’ll try and see this film in spite of the misrepresentation of facts, as Sergio points out.
Prashant, Alan Turing is getting the popular recognition he deserved. And the story of his persecution needs to be told, too.
Since I haven’t been out of the house in weeks, not sure if this is here yet. But I do want to see it.
Patti, seemingly a dozen movies are opening on Christmas Day. I don’t understand this strategy. A number of good movies are going to be lost in the stampede! I want to see BIG EYES, AMERICAN SNIPER, and INTO THE WOODS.
This will give us – as it always does – a list of movies to see when we go to Florida next month. It’s too much of a hassle to go into the city at this time of year (plus the weather can suck) and our local movie theater sucks. The ones in Florida are big and newer and cheaper.
Jeff, I’ll be seeing a bunch of movies in the next week or two. I tend to prefer morning movies.
We usually go to the early afternoon showings. Even in Florida those are pretty empty!
Jef, our AMC only charges $4 for a morning movie. At night, they charge $12 for the same thing!
Nice! Most of our theaters don’t have morning movies, let alone that price. We paid $6-7.50 in Florida. Obviously it is a lot more even in Brooklyn, let alone Manhattan. The small indie theater we like downtown is up to $11 ($8.50 Senior). But two of their theaters are up two flights of stairs, which is tough for Jackie. If the movie is in one of their ground floor rooms, no problem. Our local theater is $10 and $7, I think, but it’s pretty crappy.
Jeff, I love our local AMC theater with the ritzy recliners! At $4 a movie, it’s a deal!
I’d rather just have the straight, accurate story of the breaking of Enigma, instead of all he “personal story” and the drama that goes with that. As Jack Webb says in the Dragnet TV show, “Just the facts, Ma’m.” Hollywood puts way too much strum ind drang into these things! I’d like to see Unbroken and maybe Selma but not anywhere near Christmas time (too many kids in the place) and besides I have the Unbroken book on waiting list at the library.
Rick, Hollywood executives think they have to amp up the drama to attract audiences.
or rather I’m on the waiting list for the book, not the other way ’round.
I read a couple of non-fiction books about Enigma back in the 1970s when it was first declassified and it was a fascinating story, in particular Anthony Cave Brown’s BODYGUARD OF LIES.
But Hollywood has to juice things up, I guess. (It’s a co-production with The Weinstein Company.)
Jeff, “juicing things up” is the Hollywood M.O.
I just checked, and BODYGUARD OF LIES isn’t available through our library system. Rats.
Rick, it’s on AMAZON for a penny (plus shipping).