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Britain's Greatest Codebreaker (2012)

Britain's Greatest Codebreaker (2012)

Drama History Documentary

Genius. Hero. Outcast.

Release Date: 2012, October 17
Directors: Clare Beavan, Nic Stacey
Countries: United Kingdom
Production: Story Center Films, Furnace, Channel 4 Television
Cast: Henry Goodman, Ed Stoppard, Paul McGann, Ian Stewart, Asa Briggs, Jean Valentine, Rolf Noskwith, Dermot Turing, Christopher Morcom

Overview:

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.

Keywords:

world war ii suicide genius male homosexuality cryptography mental health cryptologist cryptographic device life and career biographical documentary computer science identity struggle