The Imitation Game is a movie starring Benedict Cumberbatch. It is set during WWII England and is based on a true story. It is the story of how Alan Turing defeated the impossible Enigma Code. However, I will not be discussing the story line. I will only be talking of some major points in the movie that use different styles of film technique and the sound track of the film.
The film uses underscored or composed music. The score was composed by Alexandre Desplat. The film score has an overall suspenseful and horror feel and is mostly in a minor key. The most exceptional part of the film score in my opinion is at the beginning of the movie. This section has the best cues overall. Most of the remaining music is just very typical and generic. At around 1:18, Desplat does add strings which does help with some flavor that was lacking beforehand. There are a few spots where the music becomes major, like where Alan’s business partner is being flirtatious with Joan. This helps set an overall happy, easy going feeling. The film begins with a minor soundtrack that gets you on edge. The beeping or ticking sound of what seems like Morse Code gives the feeling of a movie that is definitely set during war times and creates suspense to get the movie going. The music at 57 minutes goes back to major. This section goes to an almost ragtime feel. Overall, this section is vibrant. Then, in the next scene, Joan tells of her leaving Bletchley Park and the music again goes minor. Alan then casually asks Joan to marry him. After the proposal, the movie takes a jump cut to a dance hall of some sorts and the music becomes major once again as Alan’s business partner discusses his sexual encounters, again signaling a happier time. The movie takes a dreary turn at 1:22. It realizes a dreary soundtrack as the boy sees that his brothers will be killed by the Germans. This part of the film focuses on one camera shots, going back and forth between Alan and his younger business coworker. The writers also use a lot of quiet time or reflection to really set the mood to be sad and gloomy.
The first scene starts off with a one camera shot that is in rack focus on the main character, Alan. The scene then quickly moves to dolly motion of the camera and the scene becomes fully focused. The character, the brick wall behind the character, and even the glass that the scene is being shot through all seems to have its own focus. At 24 minutes, with the children are out in the courtyard of the school, you see dolly motion of the camera. Then, a few seconds later, we see all the boys in the cafeteria. This section uses one camera shots and even some dolly motion in the coming minute or so. We also see a tilt from the young Alan’s plate of food to his face. There is also a brief slanted or angle shot from above just before the bully dumps the peas and carrots on Alan’s head. At 25:30 we see Alan and his closeted crush, Christopher. This scene uses hand held camera technique as the two boys gingerly walk down the hallway. This creates the effect of being present during the scene. This also gives the feeling of being closer to the character. The dolly motion at 28 minutes also caught my eye. As the people are dwelling through the rubbish the use of dolly motion seems to draw you into the scene. About midway through the film at 47 minutes, we see a little dose of what appears to be handheld camera technique. The camera seems as though it is just walking around. This gives the viewer a sensation of being one of the characters in the scene. At a very sad time in the movie, at 1 hour and 22 minutes, the film once again focuses on one camera shots, going back and forth between Alan and his younger business coworker. At 1:14 we see some tactical and detrimental handheld camera technique. The camera man/woman is running with the characters and this once again draws the viewer in and creates suspense as to what will occur next. As they enter into their workspace, the use of the camera is boisterous. Ups and downs. Sides to sides. In a beautiful frenzy that really makes the scene that much more interesting. Starting around 1:15, the movie takes a turn and Christopher, the machine that Alan Turing designed becomes the main character for a moment. This is referred to as diagesis. The machine has all eyes. And finally, after millions of lives lost and countless hours, days, an months, the Enigma code is finally broken which in turn helps end WWII and saves millions of lives.
This film is a remarkable film. I would call this a documentary film based off the life and amazing finds of the genius, Alan Turing. I have watched the film 3 times to construct this paper and have found great joy in doing so. Not only is it a history lesson, it is a life lesson. Shortly after being charged with indecency for being a homosexual, Alan Turing accepted a plea bargain to start hormonal therapy, or chemical castration. He made it around one year, and eventually took his own life. It is said at the end of the film that he saved two years and fourteen million lives. Great film, sad ending…