The Imitation Game - 2-Disc Collector's Edition [DVD] (2014)

First, if I may, I'd like to address all the reviewers who have criticised this film for its historical inaccuracies. In my personal opinion, it's close enough to the truth, and by virtue of its brilliance as a film it inspires further research from its audience in which they discover the full facts - after having been entertained by a tense and captivating thriller. All of the real historical details are out there, and very easy to find. Unlike atrocities like U-571, for example, this film does NOT attempt to re-write history. It merely condenses it and moves a few things round for dramatic purposes.Finally, while still addressing the critics, I'd like to point out that this film is as much about the obscene and despicable way that Turin was treated due to his homosexuality, as it is about the Enigma decryption. I would hazard a guess that none of the other brilliant minds who were involved in breaking the code, and who were not included in this film, were later forced into chemical castration. What a charming way to reward a war hero! I personally believe that the disgraceful attitudes of the time are what the film really highlights, and Turing's work during the war simply makes for an enjoyable thriller upon which to hang that story. Yes, other people were involved. And their names and contributions are a matter of historical record. Hence so many reviewers giving them their due credit here! But Alan Turing was a key player, and his work also deserved to be recognised. But more importantly, he deserved recognition for the appalling way he was treated afterwards.Rant over.As to the film, it is, as others have stated, a masterpiece. Technically and creatively it is flawless, with a magnificent cast, stunning cinematography, immaculate art direction, gorgeous music, sublime editing, and assured direction. No aspect of the film could be improved upon, and every department brought their A game.And lastly, a note on Cumberbatch's performance. He nailed it. There is some debate about whether or not Alan Turing had Asperger's Syndrome. I'm convinced that he did, as there is plenty of solid historical evidence to support a diagnosis. I have Asperger's myself, and feel that Cumberbatch very accurately portrayed someone who may have it, but who also may simply be eccentric. It was a finely balanced and nuanced interpretation that I found extremely relatable.The autistic spectrum is incredibly broad, and mostly misunderstood. I feel that any screen depiction of an autistic spectrum disorder is vital in demonstrating how vastly different each sufferer can be from one another. Each time another autistic character makes it to the screen, it helps break down the perception that we're either retarded or Rain Man. So thank you, Mr Cumberbatch, for adding another colour to the pallet.Also, while I'm being personal, I also suffered through my own life because of not being heterosexual. In my case, unlike Turin I didn't have to contend with it being illegal. But I grew up during the AIDS panic in the 80's, and school was a nightmare for me as a result. I was verbally and physically abused, and spent most of my adult life in the closet as a result of the traumas I experienced during adolescence. So it is very satisfying for me to see historical injustices and travesties against non-straight people being addressed in movies - finally - and the gradual shifts in societal attitudes that result from such exposure.The Imitation Game is so much more than a historical biopic about cracking Enigma. It is an important social commentary too.

Turing met 3 young Polish mathematicians: Rozycki, Zygalski and Rejewski on exile in Paris in 1939 and received instructions how to decode enigma.Polish decoded the 3-rotor enigma, and gave Turing clear instructions how to build the more advanced version of enigma that had additional 2 rotors, but didn't have enough money to make this machine themselves.I disagree that a movie that handles historical facts can be modified to neglect Polish input in the success. Besides, apart from Cumberbatch the rest of cast looked bleak.

This is well-made and well-acted film, with an important message. However, the danger with films like this is that the masses think they are getting a history lesson, but in this case they are most definitely not.The film takes enormous creative liberties all the way through, by adding conflicts where there none; by portraying Turing as if he were autistic when he was not; and by inserting a number of fictions about Turing's character and achievements.The most glaring fictionalised part of the movie, which will no doubt upset many historians as well as the descendents of those actually involved at Bletchley, is the lie that Turing singelhandledly invented the machine that could break Enigma's code. The machine was actually invented by Polish crytanalysts before Turing even started working at Bletchley! Turing's involvement came later, when he helped mathematician Gordon Welchman (who is not even mentioned in the movie) design a newer model that looked for likely letter combinations.I also want to mention that the conflict between Turing and Denniston (played by Charles Dance) is completely fictional, and Denniston's family have taken issue with the film's negative portrayal of him. Denniston picked out Turing and Turing never went to Winston Churchill and Denniston never tried to fire him!In real life, Turing was an approachable person with a keen sense of humour, and was well liked at Bletchley. There are many more inaccuracies. His lack of knowledge of German, his dislike of sandwiches and the scenes about his compulsions regarding carrots and peas - all fiction. I could go on... but I've pointed out the two main issues I wanted to raise.So once again, as with so many bio-pics (recent examples being Churchill and Dunkirk) an opportunity is missed and we are presented with a mixture of fact and fiction - fiction that goes well beyond what we generally call artistic licence, to the point that people living today connected to those war-time efforts are deeply offended.

An exciting film that gets across the gist of what went on at Bletchley, but is so inaccurate as to be annoying. A key protagonist, arguably more important than Turing - Gordon Welchman - has been completely omitted, with his actions being rolled into the Turing character. (even down to the fact that Welchmen recruited Joan Clarke because he knew her already, Turing's crossword wasn't involved.) Cumberbatch's Turing is clearly played as autistic, with social awkwardness etc.. which Turing wasn't. Whilst the film does get across the outrageous injustice this genius war hero suffered, it is a shame it takes the artistic licence it does in the process.