The Imitation Game (2014) tells the incredible true story of Alan Turing — the brilliant mathematician, cryptanalyst, and pioneer of modern computing who played a crucial role in cracking the German Enigma code during World War II. Directed by Morten Tyldum and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, the film explores themes of genius, secrecy, and personal tragedy.
But how much do you remember about this powerful and moving film? Put your knowledge to the test with this 10-question The Imitation Game Trivia Challenge. Only true history and cinema buffs will crack this quiz!
The Imitation Game Trivia Questions & Answers
Here are the correct answers to each question, along with detailed explanations to expand your knowledge of The Imitation Game (2014) and the remarkable true story behind it:
- Who plays the role of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game?
Correct Answer: Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Alan Turing, the brilliant but socially awkward mathematician who leads the British effort to crack the Nazi Enigma code. His portrayal earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and helped bring Turing’s story to a worldwide audience.
- What is the name of the machine Alan Turing builds to break the Enigma code?
Correct Answer: Christopher
Turing names his electromechanical machine Christopher, after his childhood friend and first love, Christopher Morcom. The machine was a real-world predecessor to modern computers and was instrumental in decoding German military communications during World War II.
- Which war is the focus of The Imitation Game?
Correct Answer: World War II
The film is set during World War II, focusing on the British government’s desperate efforts to break Germany’s encrypted communications, which, if successful, would change the course of the war. Turing’s team’s success in cracking the code is said to have shortened the war by at least two years.
- What is the profession of Alan Turing in the film?
Correct Answer: Mathematician and Cryptanalyst
Alan Turing was a mathematician and cryptanalyst recruited for his expertise in complex problem-solving. His groundbreaking work at Bletchley Park laid the foundation for modern computer science, making him one of the most important figures in technology and wartime intelligence.
- What is the name of the woman who becomes Turing’s close friend and fiancée?
Correct Answer: Joan Clarke
Joan Clarke, portrayed by Keira Knightley, is a brilliant mathematician who joins Turing’s team. Despite the era’s gender biases, she proves invaluable in the codebreaking effort. Clarke and Turing develop a deep friendship, and at one point, he proposes marriage, though their relationship remains platonic.
- Which intelligence agency recruits Turing for the codebreaking project?
Correct Answer: MI6
While Turing’s direct employer was the British Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, it is revealed in the film that MI6, the British secret intelligence service, is aware of and involved in the operation. Their efforts to keep the success of the project secret extended well beyond the war.
- What crime is Alan Turing charged with after the war?
Correct Answer: Gross indecency
Tragically, despite his contributions to the war effort, Turing was prosecuted in 1952 for gross indecency due to his homosexuality, which was illegal in the UK at the time. He was subjected to chemical castration and died two years later, widely believed to be by suicide, though this has been debated.
- What is the name of the German encryption machine Turing tries to crack?
Correct Answer: Enigma
The Enigma machine was a sophisticated encryption device used by the German military to encode secret messages. Its complexity made it nearly impossible to break — until Turing and his team developed a machine capable of deciphering its daily-changing codes.
- Where is the codebreaking team based in the film?
Correct Answer: Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park, located in Buckinghamshire, England, was the site of the British government’s top-secret codebreaking operations during World War II. The tireless work of Turing and his team there was kept classified for decades after the war.
- What is the ultimate fate of Alan Turing, as revealed at the end of the movie?
Correct Answer: He dies by suicide
The film’s conclusion reveals the heartbreaking fate of Alan Turing. After enduring chemical castration and social isolation, Turing died in 1954 from cyanide poisoning, widely considered a suicide. He was posthumously pardoned by the British government in 2013, and his story remains a poignant reminder of injustice and the hidden cost of genius.
