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Enigma movie review

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Enigma

There's nothing quite like a British war film. The smart resourceful women, the eccentric genuises at home, the battlescarred veterans and the brave warriors.

Enigma is a film about the war at home, the struggle and intrigue behind the battle scenes

Mathematician Tom Jerico (Dougray Scott) was taken out of Cambridge to work with a group of eccentrics to crack the enemy's codes.

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As the film opens he is a broken man, plucked back into the fray when the Germans suddenly change their key(called Shark). This key is used to set the Enigma machine, a device that translates clear text into code and vice versa.

His crackup could be overwork, but the concensus is that eh couldn't cope with a "broken heart".

Harriet Wallace (Kate Winslet is one of three crossword winners assigned to Britain's Betchley Park Station X. The other two men) are not working as glorified file clerks. Harriet is the housemate of Claire (Saffron Burrows), Tom's one-time love who has disappeared.

Her disappearance, and a possible breach of security are investigated by elegant spy Jeremy Northam.

The Brits have four days to crack the code and plug the leak (sory about the cliches). This is not a new story. The end is pretty much as you would expect, but this is a well-written tale, maybe even acracking yarn: love, inrigue, amateur sleuths, betrayal and thousands of lives at stake.

Enigma doesn't drive the audience mad with suspense, its style is too reserved for that. After recent releases of hard-pumping soundtracks and quick cuts, and highly graphic cinematography it's a relief to see a film that puts the story first. The characters move the story along, logically, and alwas true to their nature.

A solid script, cast, and direction and a satisfying ending, what more could you ask for?

Add your comments by Ali Kayn
Due for Australian release October, 2001
For credits and official site details, see below
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Just the facts:

Title: Enigma (2001)
Written by: Tom Stoppard based on the novel Enigma by Robert Harris
Directed by: Michael Apted
Produced by: Mick Jgger, Lorne Michaels
Edited by:
Director of Photography:
running time:
rating: M

The Players: Kate Winslet, Dougray Scott, Jeremy Northam, Saffron Burrows
Official website: www.enigma-themovie.com
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ISSN 1328-8008
Published in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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: Published in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia : copyright © Festivale 2001 All rights reserved
Filed: 22-Oct-2001 : Last updated: : Last tested: 8-Jul-2014: Last Compiled: 08-Aug-2014
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