Based on a remarkable true story, we hear the voice of Alan Turing, who boldly asserts, > "Are you paying attention? Good. If you're not listening carefully, you will miss things. Important things."
The narrative unfolds in 1951, amidst the backdrop of Manchester, England. Following a burglary at his home, Alan Turing, now a professor at Cambridge, is interrogated by the police. His dismissive attitude raises suspicions among the officers, suggesting that he may be harboring secrets.
The film flashes back to September 1939, when war is declared and 800,000 children are evacuated from their homes. A 27-year-old Alan Turing, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, boards a train and observes a child engrossed in crossword puzzles. Upon arriving at Bletchley Park, protected by Royal Naval officers, he meets Commander Denniston. Alan’s cold demeanor during the job interview leaves the Commander perplexed as Alan admits he’s neither interested in politics nor speaks German. However, when he mentions "Enigma," the name of the top-secret program, curiosity piques.
Alan, now part of the Enigma team, joins forces with fellow code-breakers, including Peter Hilton, John Cairncross, Hugh Alexander, and others. They obtain an Enigma machine but struggle to decode messages due to encryption changes every midnight. Hugh, the chess champion, forecasts the staggering 159 million million million possibilities they must navigate. Alan's reluctance to conform to teamwork leads to tensions, but the urgency imposed by the war compels them to collaborate.
Returning to 1951, detective Robert Nock uncovers that Alan’s records are classified. His investigation leads him down a rabbit hole of secrecy. In another timeline, Alan expresses frustration to Commander Denniston about the lack of funding for his vital machine, insisting that only a machine can best another machine.
The narrative revisits Alan's childhood memories, highlighting his struggles with OCD and bullying. Young Alan forms a bond with Christopher Morcom, who inspires him with a book on codes and cryptography. In an effort to recruit new team members, Alan decides to place a complex crossword puzzle in newspapers, and among the applicants is the brilliant Joan Clarke, played by Keira Knightley. Joan impresses the group by solving a challenging puzzle, securing her place as a key contributor.
As the war escalates, Alan's worries deepen, especially regarding Joan's role. Striking a deal with Commander Menzies, he gets more funding to enhance his machine, affectionately named "Christopher." Joan promptly joins the Bletchley Park team, reinforcing their fight against the Nazis.
In 1941, as the team finally operates the first digital computer, they encounter setbacks when critical codes remain unbroken. Tensions rise as Alan grapples with personal issues regarding his sexuality, which threatens to derail his professional efforts. The danger of being exposed looms large, leading to emotional confrontation with Joan.
Ultimately, Alan faces a harrowing choice as they finally crack the Enigma code, realizing the devastating implications of their success on innocent lives. An external call to action confronts them with the reality of decisions that dictate who lives and who dies. Meanwhile, relational complexities between Alan and Joan unfold, revealing the nature of their bond amidst adversity.
By 1951, as the story culminates, Alan stands trial for his homosexuality, leading to a cruel governmental decision to subject him to hormonal therapy. The narrative closes with a poignant reunion between Alan and Joan, reflecting on their past partnerships and the monumental impact of their work during the war.
Alan’s tragic end in 1954 serves as a somber reminder of the societal injustices faced by individuals like him, who saved countless lives yet were persecuted for their identities. A posthumous pardon by Queen Elizabeth II in 2013 reminds us of the enduring legacy of his innovative genius, which shaped modern computing and preserved history.
