Rent The Imitation Game (2014)

Little known hero - The Imitation Game review by NC

Involving film well acted, and pretty much to events as they happened.

Just seen Rain Man again, and shades of similar characteristics in both the main characters for sure.

Very different individuals are what England excels in. We produce characters of unique abilities throughout history and Turing was one who most people never heard of.

Possibly saved 14million lives by breaking enigma. Invented the computer. Nodody knows his name, because the establishment were probably embarrassed, at that time by his sexuality, and later by the way he was treated. Chemically castrtated, and driven to suicide.

Remember Gareth Williams more recently, of GCHQ, weapons of mass chocolate, died in flat. Ring a bell? Makes you wonder....

Well acted etc. but historically suspect. - The Imitation Game review by MB

I'm inclined to agree with the first reviewer insofar as the historical inaccuracies/oversimplifications known to me undermined my confidence in other aspects of the story, including the behaviour of other characters such as the character played by Charles Dance, a two dimensional character to say the least, (not the fault of Mr Dance).

I thought Benedict Cumberbatch was good although no better than others in a strong cast and Turing's treatment and ultimate fate were handled better than the enigma related episode.

p.s. can the Times crossword be done in that time? It would take me nearly 6 minutes if I had the next edition in front of me!

Extreemely Poor - The Imitation Game review by KM

Full of Historical Inaccuracies.

The idea that British military officers would talk to an employee in such a manner is just fantasy. Likewise, the portrayal of Alan as an extremely awkward mad individual is also just false. Such an individual would not be employed on a Top secret project.

Alan was not a codebreaker at Junior School.

Furthermore the Directing and Acting was Poor. Such Filmography would struggle to make it on TV never mind a Hollywood Movie. However, Kiera's Acting was professional. Two hours would be better spent watching the 2001 movie 'Enigma'. Kate Winslet's acting is just as good. The 2001 Movie is a more accurate reflection of War Time Brittan and the effort of the Code Breakers.

The Enigma was not defeated by Rotary computing machines. The British had Silicon Transistors during the War. We did not have integrated circuits but we did have individual silicon transistors. It was these silicone transistors that could switch thousands of times a second that defeated the enigma and not rotors that switch once a second.

This is one of the few inaccuracies that the 2001 movie 'Enigma' makes.

Good viewing - The Imitation Game review by BB

Not knowing the facts behind this Bletchley Enigma story, the film provided an absorbing narrative with a strong cast. The irritation of a previous, knowledgeable reviewer is understandable; the credits did say 'based on a true story' which some might feel excuses some of the liberties taken with the facts. Overall,though, it's a film worth watching.

Brilliant - best I've seen for a long time! - The Imitation Game review by PV

We loved everything about this film: good story; acting and moral lessons. I wouldn't know and don't care if it's not perfectly historically accurate - no film is - just enjoy it. A really good film - what cinema is all about! Best I've seen for a long time.

An excellent Cumberbatch & cast elevates what could have been a standard espionage film - The Imitation Game review by TB

Alan Turing was an incredible & vital part of the British war effort, cracking what was thought to be the un-crackable code, Enigma. Used by the Nazis to transmit all of their highly classified material including troop movements, ship positions & strategies, it was designed to be completely impossible to compromise. And as such, there was never any kind of censorship on it/all the details were completely accurate. The British, realising that to crack this would turn the tide of the war & enable them to defeat Germany, threw all the resources they had in terms of brainpower to solving it. One of the people who they brought on was a mathematician & genius called Alan Turing, often called the Godfather of the computer.

The Imitation Game follows the frantic attempts of the group assigned to crack this, plus the various challenges that come with this almost unbearable pressure. The film is split into 3 parts: the wartime period when Turing & the team are working on Turing’s creation, which he nicknames Christopher; the “present day” when Turing is being investigated over his sexuality & his arrest for gross indecency; then finally his school days, where he is first recognised as a child genius & develops a crush on a fellow schoolboy called Christopher. 

For me, the biggest issue I have with this film is this structure, specifically the “present day” element. I just felt that it had been added to try & shoehorn in as much exposition as possible and at times really dragged the film down. I didn’t care about the police investigation. For me, I actually wanted the section about his childhood & the young Turing element to be much more fleshed out. This is partly due to the outstanding performance by Alex Lawther, who is an incredible young actor. In just a few scenes, he communicates such happiness followed by heartbreak. His performance as Turing really sets the ground work for Cumberbatch. 

The cracking part of the film, set at Bletchley Park, is also amazing, really going into the detail of how they constructed the machine which would eventually not only help with the war but also become the basis for the technology which is now in everything from your phone to space rockets. Keira Knightly does excellent work as the woman who Turing becomes close to & proposers marriage to, despite her knowing of his sexuality. There is also the obligatory spy/espionage element, fantastically played by Mark Strong. 

Cumberbatch is excellent throughout, especially in the final scenes. The film is solidly & compassionately directed by Morten Tyldum, working from a good script. And finally & most importantly, this film rightfully shines a light on the disgusting treatment that Turing was subjected to because of his sexuality. It is a mark of profound shame on this country’s history that one of the saviours of it was treated the way he was. Thankfully he was pardoned, but the end scenes particularly are excruciating to watch. 

Thank you Alan Turing for everything you did. I and millions of others are indebted to you. 

Take your pick - The Imitation Game review by MD

There are only two possible reactions to this film: either you will find it an engrossing account of one of the great true stories of WWII, or you will find it a slick and shallow fudge that plays fast and loose with the truth.

Of course, it is actually both. The film takes tremendous liberties with the truth, and makes everything very glossy and wonderful, but it also tells a cracking story of real substance and historical importance.

Personally, I prefer to see its virtues. It is a story everyone should see, and so what if it's been "Hollywood-ized". It's informative and entertaining, full of star turns, and goes some way to redeeming the reputation of a man totally shafted by the very country he undoubtedly did more than almost anyone else to save.