Watch The Codebreaker Who Hacked Hitler
- TV-PG
- 2015
- 46 min
-
7.2 (137)
The Codebreaker Who Hacked Hitler is a compelling biographical film that focuses on the life and work of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician and cryptanalyst who played a critical role in cracking the Nazi Enigma code during WWII. Turing's story is brought to life by an outstanding cast that includes Steven Mackintosh as Turing, Brian Deacon as his mentor Max Newman, and Rosamund Welchman as Joan Clarke, a fellow codebreaker who worked alongside Turing.
The film takes us on a journey through Turing's life, from his days as a young prodigy at Cambridge University to his groundbreaking work at Bletchley Park, where he led a team of codebreakers who were tasked with deciphering encrypted Nazi messages. The Enigma code was notoriously difficult to crack, but Turing's innovative thinking and unconventional approach helped him to make significant progress.
The film does an excellent job of showing us the extent of the challenge that Turing and his team faced. The Nazis were continually updating and improving their code, which meant that the codebreakers had to be constantly adapting and finding new ways to crack it. The pressure on Turing was immense, not only because of the importance of the task at hand but also because of the constant scrutiny that he was under from his superiors.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is the way that it explores Turing's personal life. It is well known that Turing was homosexual, and the film doesn't shy away from this fact. We see how Turing's sexuality was a source of considerable anguish for him, especially at a time when homosexuality was illegal. The film also shows us Turing's friendship with Clarke, who becomes not only a colleague but also a source of emotional support for him.
The film's attention to detail is impressive. The sets and costumes are authentic and help to transport us back to the 1940s. The actors deliver outstanding performances, with Mackintosh in particular capturing Turing's intensity and intelligence perfectly. Deacon is also excellent as Newman, providing a wise and seasoned counterpoint to Turing's more impulsive nature.
Overall, The Codebreaker Who Hacked Hitler is a fascinating and engaging biopic that sheds light on one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century. Turing's story is not only one of intellectual triumph but also one of tragedy, and the film does an excellent job of conveying both aspects of his life. Whether you are interested in WWII history, cryptography, or simply enjoy an excellent biographical drama, this film is well worth your time.
The Codebreaker Who Hacked Hitler is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.