Britain's Greatest Codebreaker

Alan Turing is the genius British mathematician who was instrumental in breaking the German naval Enigma Code during World War II, arguably saving millions of lives. Turing's achievements went unrecognised during his lifetime. Instead he ended up being treated as a common criminal, for being homosexual at a time when homosexual acts were a crime. In 1952, he was convicted of 'gross indecency' with another man and was forced to undergo so-called 'organo-therapy' - chemical castration. Two years later, he killed himself with cyanide, aged just 41. Alan Turing was driven to a terrible despair and early death by the nation he'd done so much to save.

5.9

84 min

Cast

Ed Stoppard

as Alan Turing

Henry Goodman

as Franz Greenbaum

Paul McGann

as Himself - Narrator (voice)

Asa Briggs

as Himself - Codebreaker, Bletchley Park

Jean Valentine

as Herself - WRNS and Bombe Operator, Bletchley Park

David Leavitt

as Himself - Alan Turing's Biographer

Rolf Noskwith

as Himself - Codebreaker, Bletchley Park

Dermot Turing

as Himself - Alan Turing's Nephew

Christopher Morcom

as Himself - Christopher Morcom's Nephew (as Christopher Morcom QC)

Ian Stewart

as Himself - University of Warwick (as Professor Ian Stewart)

Director

Clare Beavan

Nic Stacey