It was fortuitous that I visited Bletchley Park at the same time as The Imitation Game is in theaters, because parts of the movie were actually shot there. The production crew meticulously recreated several sets, and even better, left them up after the shoot. I’m not sure if they will be a permanent fixture, but I thought you might want to see them, as well as some of the costumes and props that were used.
Before we go to them, though, it’s interesting to note that while The Imitation Game may be the best of the lot, it is not the only film made about Bletchley Park. Enigma, which was released in 2001, stars Kate Winslet and Dougray Scott. Curiously, it was funded, in part, by none other than Mick Jagger, who has his very own Enigma machine, which was used in the film. Who knew? You can rent it on Amazon (the film, not the machine).
There’s also a short film, Decoding Alan Turing, on Amazon. As well as two other documentaries, Triumph of the Codebreakers, and Rise of the Enigma. And, of course, the PBS/BBC series The Bletchley Circle, which really isn’t about Bletchley, but is quite good. And there are even more films and TV shows which you can find here.
Now on to The Imitation Game
Costumes and props used for the film
The bar, which was totally reconstructed for the film
One of the offices that was constructed for Turing’s boss (I forget his name)
The library, which was also totally reconstructed… with books….
The Bombe — the fantastic machine/computer that Turing and Welchman designed to crack the Enigma was meticulously recreated as well. Front and back.
And finally, back to one of the huts, which wasn’t really in the film, but I wanted to pretend…