Alan Turing was a brilliant Cambridge mathematician who was instrumental in shortening World War II, having been employed by the British military to crack Nazi codes. His top secret work with others at Bletchley Park has been celebrated since information about it became declassified in the 1970s, though Turing had died in 1954, after being prosecuted for indecency and having endured a cruel punishment. Following his centenary in 2012 and a posthumous pardon and apology from the British Government last year, this handsome, rousing biopic arrives when interest in Turing and his work is at a peak.

Norwegian director Morten Tyldum (Headhunters) infuses the film with the edge and suspense of a committed thriller, while the celebrated cast are quite superb. Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance as Turing has justifiably been identified as award-worthy, though Keira Knightley, playing Turing’s companion and ally Joan Clarke, is equally strong. (Notes by Michael Hayden.)

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★★★★ The Irish Times ★★★★ Movies.ie