Britain's Greatest Codebreaker backdrop

Britain's Greatest Codebreaker 2012 Directed by Clare Beavan , Nic Stacey

Genius. Hero. Outcast.

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.

Production Country United Kingdom
Language English
Spoken Language English
Release Date 17 October 2012
84 mins
Cast
Ed Stoppard Alan Turing
Henry Goodman Franz Greenbaum
Paul McGann Himself - Narrator (voice)
Asa Briggs Himself - Codebreaker, Bletchley Park
Jean Valentine Herself - WRNS and Bombe Operator, Bletchley Park
David Leavitt Himself - Alan Turing's Biographer
Rolf Noskwith Himself - Codebreaker, Bletchley Park
Dermot Turing Himself - Alan Turing's Nephew
Christopher Morcom Himself - Christopher Morcom's Nephew (as Christopher Morcom QC)
Ian Stewart Himself - University of Warwick (as Professor Ian Stewart)