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.
Acting
Jacobi's Turing—awkward, brilliant, heartbreaking.
Writing
Hugh Whitemore's play adaptation, sharp as broken glass.
Director
Herbert Wise
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Derek Jacobi originated this role on stage in 1986 and won a Tony. This TV film was essentially his victory lap.
Harold Pinter plays the sinister intelligence officer—casting a playwright famous for menacing pauses to deliver bureaucratic threats was *chef's kiss*.
GB
