If you're a spy buff, this one's a gem, for both the images and the rock-solid research involved. If you're a Charlton Heston fan, then prepare for a solid 52-minute treat as he narrates this fascinating study of the crucial role British Intelligence played during World War II.
Here's a detailed look at the world's first paramilitary organization, the Special Operations Executive (SOE), and how they kept Hitler from acquiring "heavy water" for the Huns' own nuclear program.
Also of particular note is how enemy propaganda films can be re-cut with new dialogue and become staples in U.S. military and public education. The Hitler Youth Corps segment is instantly comparable to today's Common Core educational movement in the U.S.
British Secret intelligence of WW2 (Full Documentary) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjSD99ZoBtg#ws)
Intel played a huge role in WW2, both in the ETO and the PTO. One huge aspect in both theaters was the ability the allies had - based to a high degree on Brit work - to be able to decode and read what the Germans and Japanese thought were secure military communications. The Brits were able to figure out the German's coding machine and together with a rudimentary computer were able to decipher messages almost as fast as German commanders, including U-boat captains. The Brits called it "Ultra" and had a unique organization to accomplish this while keeping their accomplishment and work secret from the Germans.
Imagine fighting an enemy most of whose plans and positioning of forces were known to you as well. Without the enemy knowing what and how much you knew! Ultra played roles in invasions, battles, routing convoys, and picking off U-boats (over time, to mask what they were doing, the allies sent radar-equipped patrol planes and hunter-killer task groups to areas where U-boats were known to be present, and their people, radar, and sonar did the rest).
The USN in the PTO had similar capability, some of it based on the British work. It played a very large role in the US victories at Midway and Philippines Sea. It also led directly to the elimination of the one senior IJN commander capable of thinking outside of the IJN's Big Decisive Battle strategy box and who had significant understanding of US culture and capabilities, Yamamoto Isoroku.
Back in the ETO and the UK, the Brits also pretty much ran what the Germans thought was their spy network. Between Ultra and this network of double agents, the Brits and Americans had the Germans convinced that the attack on France would be at Calais (rather than Normandy), even after D-Day, leading them to position their forces for an invasion that was never to be.
Benjamin Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes) stars as Alan Turing, master British codebreaker, in the new film Imitation Game.
The Imitation Game Official Trailer #1 (2014) - Benedict Cumberbatch Movie HD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuPZUUED5uk#ws)
Review from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/science/the-northerner/2014/oct/07/the-imitation-game-how-benedict-cumberbatch-brought-turing-to-life (http://www.theguardian.com/science/the-northerner/2014/oct/07/the-imitation-game-how-benedict-cumberbatch-brought-turing-to-life)
Quote from: quiller on October 30, 2014, 05:24:56 PM
Benjamin Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes) stars as Alan Turing, master British codebreaker, in the new film Imitation Game.
The Imitation Game Official Trailer #1 (2014) - Benedict Cumberbatch Movie HD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuPZUUED5uk#ws)
Review from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/science/the-northerner/2014/oct/07/the-imitation-game-how-benedict-cumberbatch-brought-turing-to-life (http://www.theguardian.com/science/the-northerner/2014/oct/07/the-imitation-game-how-benedict-cumberbatch-brought-turing-to-life)
FIFY.
Quote from: TboneAgain on October 30, 2014, 05:30:56 PM
FIFY.
:cry: I plead guilty to mental blockage on that first name (and usually omit the
t in his surname as well). Benedict it is.
Except for Knightley in the cast, this looks like it could be a terrific look at the people who literally won the war through the Enigma program. One does expect to have to wade through Turing's dreary personal issues, to appreciate his sheer brilliance. Charles Dance and Mark Strong facing off on-screen?
Wow.