Alan Turing should be a household name. Not only is he the father of computer science, but he is also a true British hero. He was instrumental in decoding German ciphers in World War II, and going a long way to helping us win. He is an actual, bone fide legend. He is also a gay icon and one of the most tragic figures in our history.
And so it is with mixed feelings that Warner Bros are bringing ALAN TURING: THE ENIGMA to the big screen as THE IMITATION GAME. On one hand, it’s brilliant that his story is being told and so many people can now see and appreciate his life. On the other, he will likely be played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Now, we love Leo here at THN, he has proven his mettle time and time again. But he may be over doing it on the Biopic front. He’s already played Howard Hughes in Scorsese’s THE AVIATOR (2004) and will be, to quote Girls Aloud, jumping on his tutu as J. Edgar Hoover in Clint Eastwood’s upcoming J. EDGAR. Also, he’s… y’know, American. It’s a pity that one of the most important Englishmen in the last one hundred years may not be played by an Englishman, but as long as he does a top job, then I’m all for it.
Warner Bros. paid a seven figure sum for the rights to Andrew Hodges book and Graham Moore’s screenplay, very much with DiCaprio in mind, as he is said to be very keen to land the role. Ron Howard is also eyeing the director’s chair, so it’s set to be an Oscar contender before the ink on the contracts has dried. An inside source said ‘Think THE KING’S SPEECH, without the huge uplifting ending.’ He ain’t kidding. Turing was discovered to be a homosexual and was turned upon by the government he had served so well. He was chemically castrated and banned from working on the projects which he had instigated. Driven to despair, he apparently took his own life by eating an apple laced with cyanide, in a final tribute to one of his favourite stories, Snow White. Steve Jobs is reported to have named his company after that very incident. It gives you some idea of Turing’s impact on the world of computing that the head of Apple cites him as an inspiration.
This will not be the first time the Enigma code has received the big screen treatment. Dougray Scott (M:I-2) and Kate Winslet (TITANIC) starred in the 2001 movie ENIGMA, about the code breakers at Bletchley Park. This movie did not even feature Alan Turing, which is a bit like making a film about Microsoft without Bill Gates being in it. Hopefully, this adaptation of the life of one of my personal heroes will be as enthralling as the man himself, and I pray they won’t shy away from his homosexuality for fear of scaring away audiences.
It took the British Government fifty five years to apologise for the way Alan Turing was treated. Let’s hope Hollywood show him a little more respect.
Source: DEADLINE
Nash Sibanda
Oct 18, 2011 at 2:34 am
After The Aviator, I’d say DiCaprio probably ought to take a break from biopics World War II-era troubled genius engineers. He did a good job with Hughes; I don’t see what else he can bring to the table aside from an assumed English accent and all the appropriate jargon.
Give it to the Brits, Hollywood!
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