Breaking the Code (TV 1996)

A biography of the English mathematician Alan Turing, who was one of the inventors of the digital computer and one of the key figures in the breaking of the Enigma code, used by the Germans... See full summary »

Director:

Herbert Wise

Writers:

Andrew Hodges (book), Hugh Whitemore (play)

Stars:

Derek Jacobi, Alun Armstrong, Blake Ritson

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Derek Jacobi	...	Alan Turing
Alun Armstrong	...	Mick Ross
Blake Ritson	...	Christopher Morcom
William Mannering	...	Young Alan Turing
Prunella Scales	...	Sara Turing
Julian Kerridge	...	Ron Miller
Harold Pinter	...	John Smith
Richard Johnson	...	Dilwyn 'Dilly' Knox
Amanda Root	...	Patricia 'Pat' Green

Storyline

A biography of the English mathematician Alan Turing, who was one of the inventors of the digital computer and one of the key figures in the breaking of the Enigma code, used by the Germans to send secret orders to their U-boats in World War II. Turing was also a homosexual in Britain at a time when this was illegal, besides being a security risk.

---

Plot Keywords:

code | computer | homosexual | unrequited love | mathematics | 

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

A kód feltörése

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), The Drama House, WGBH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The New York production of "Breaking the Code" by Hugh Whitemore opened at the Neil Simon Theater in New York on November 15, 1987 and ran for 169 performances. Derek Jacobi was nominated for the 1988 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play and recreated his stage role in this film production.

---

Quotes

Alan Turing: It's not breaking the code that matters - it's where you go from there.

---

Connections

References Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

User Reviews

Absolutely top-quality drama

I'm not interested in mathematics. Or the history of the computer. Or indeed, homosexual politics. But I am concerned with the talents, vicissitudes, suffering, blossoming, and achievements of human beings. And this is a tale full of humanity - and drama, as that humanity, and the talents and nature of Alan Turing are beaten down. The assault and damnation of his sexual orientation amount to a pervasive crime. It's about as dramatic a dynamic as you can find. And at the centre of it all: Derek Jacobi's remarkable performance. Forget I Claudius and Hamlet, this is his finest hour. Characteristically, he effortlessly takes us into the heart of Turing and allows us to feel his cleverness and his pain. His tender, acutely-observed performance induces us to rage, rage against the moon as this heroic character is beleaguered by the mores of the era, and in doing so, the deft Jacobi has somehow made the example of Turing one to benefit, push and shame mankind, as well as to inspire it to greater aspirations. A magnificent story, a magnificent, classic production, and an insurmountable performance at its heart.