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| Derek Jacobi and Julian Kerridge |
BREAKING THE CODE (1996). Director: Herbert Wise.
Brilliant mathematician Alan Turing (Derek Jacobi of
The King's Speech) knows his knowledge of cyphers and science can help the British war effort during WW2, and he's chosen to find a way to break the code of the German's Enigma machine. His genius also eventually brings about the creation of digital computers, but his work and worth are diminished in his later years simply because he is gay and apparently unapologetic about it. He pays a hard price for his indiscretion.
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| Prunella Scales and Derek Jacxobi |
Breaking the Code is based on the successful and heralded 1986 play by Hugh Whitemore, and Jacobi reprises his acclaimed stage performance in this TV adaptation. Despite Jacobi's being nearly sixty at the time (Turing died at age 42), Jacobi's performance is excellent, although some may feel his frequent deliberate stuttering (not employed by Benedict Cumberbatch, who later played the same role in
Imitation Game) is a bit of a distraction. There is also fine work from Prunella Scales [
The Wicked Lady] as Turing's concerned mother; Richard Johnson [
Zombie] as Knox, who interviews and hires him; Julian Kerridge as a man with whom Turing dallies; and Amanda Root as a colleague who falls in love with him in spite of his orientation. While Jacobi shows the feisty and slightly arrogant side to Turing's nature, he also lets his amiability and sweetness come through as well.
Verdict: Despite some technical explanations that go on a little too long, this is altogether admirable. ***.
2 comments:
Interesting— this story was told 23 years ago but did not become aware of it until the more recent film Imitation Game with Benedict Cumberbatch that introduced me to Turing. Need to check this one out.
- Chris
I is by far the best version in my opinion.
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