Enigma (2001)

Director:

Michael Apted

Writers (WGA):

Robert Harris (novel)
Tom Stoppard (screenplay)

Release Date:

28 September 2001 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller | War

Tagline:

10,000,000,000,000,000+ combinations - 24 hours to get it right

Plot:

A young genius frantically races against time to crack an enemy code and solve the mystery surrounding the woman he loves.

Plot Keywords:

Spy | Nazi | U Boat | Code Breaking | Enigma Machine

Awards:

3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Dougray Scott	...	Thomas Jericho
Kate Winslet	...	Hester Wallace
Saffron Burrows	...	Claire
Jeremy Northam	...	Wigram
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau	...	Puck (as Nikolaj Coster Waldau)
Tom Hollander	...	Logie
Donald Sumpter	...	Leveret
Matthew Macfadyen	...	Cave
Richard Leaf	...	Baxter
Ian Felce	...	Proudfoot
Bohdan Poraj	...	Pinker
Paul Rattray	...	Kingcome
Richard Katz	...	De Brooke
Tom Fisher	...	Upjohn
Robert Pugh	...	Skynner

Also Known As:

Enigma - Das Geheimnis (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for a sex scene and language.

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

UK | USA | Germany | Netherlands

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14 (New Brunswick/Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario/Saskatchewan) | Singapore:PG | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 (f) | Brazil:14 | Australia:M | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:7 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #37517)

Filming Locations:

Adelphi Building, John Adam Street, Strand, London, England, UK

Company:

Broadway Video

Trivia:

The scarf that Tom wears throughout the film is a King's College Cambridge scarf, which is the college Tom is a fellow of in the book.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Some modern bulbs in close-ups of Enigma machines.

Quotes:

Mermagen: D'you know, without your glasses, you don't look half bad.
Hester Wallace: Do you know, without my glasses, nor do you?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

Soundtrack:

Chorale Prelude No. 18, B W V 668, Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten Sein

I must like this or I wouldn't own a DVD copy.

I first viewed this film the way its makers would want me to - on the big screen, and with friends. It commanded my attention and concentration, which, I believe, is the way good movies should. The post-viewing dinner and analysis made me want to go back and see it again, in spite of the fact I thought my absorption was total. In the event I waited until I was able rent, then purchase, the DVD. So my opinion is based on multiple viewings, which says much about the complexity and detail ENIGMA provided.

I am not surprised to read comments from others who believe it was too complex after just one viewing. But I am surprised by the diversity of opinion of its direction, acting, scripting, design and cinematography - all of which I found to be of the highest standard.

This is one of those rare films that does not require an audience to suspend dis-belief. It is primarily fact-based, and while [like most movies] some events are concatenated, characters combined or dramatized, the presentation oozes credibility. Is it entertaining? Absolutely. Do the romantic plots and themes detract? Not at all. Is the code-breaking boring? No, but, like most who viewed it with some knowledge of the German encryption machine from which the movie takes its title, it may have left stuff out that would be nice to know about. Other reviewers have referenced web sites and publications that contain the detail and I have sourced material that has satisfied my curiosity.

It is not a documentary, in spite of the fact that director, Apted, is an eminent documentary maker. It is a human drama set amongst the surreal environment of the code-breaking complex of Bletchley Park. I can't comment on how faithful Stoppard's screenplay is to Harris' book, not having read it. And it is specious for anyone to make comparisons in any case.

Does the film downplay the Polish contribution to the Ultra activities? I don't think so. They captured an early 3-rotor Enigma machine and copied it and successfully cracked the codes then in use. What the English operatives captured was the later 3-rotor machine with the front patch panel, which was a quantum leap ahead of the pre-war machines. Turing and his associates then created the 'bombes' - reproduced in exquisite detail for the movie with assistance of the curator of the Bletchley Park Museum. Incidentally, Britain built a number of these bombes for US intelligence, which the US still have. But that's the sort of detail that is not essential to the execution of the plot or the enjoyment of its portrayal.

I have now enjoyed viewing ENIGMA so often I have lost count. And it has done nothing but whet my appetite for further, while less frequent viewings. I can add nothing to the erudite comments of the more discerning reviewers regarding the performances of Scott, Winslett, Northam, Burrows and their superb supporting cast members. They have crafted one of the finest wartime movies I have had the pleasure to experience. An absorbing and fascinating movie. I rate it 10 out of 10.