Station X: The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park

Synopsis

Series examining the work of the code-breakers at Bletchley Park, near Milton Keynes, during World War 2. Uses interviews with staff and dramatic reconstructions of events. In four parts: 1) The Keys to the Reich: deciphering messages encrypted on Germany’s Enigma machine; 2) The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs: the role of Station X in the air and sea battles of 1941 and the part played by Alan Turing in cracking Germany’s naval messages; 3) The Ultra Secret: Turing’s development of the Bombe, a machine used to automate the code-breaking process and British forces time to counter the enemy’s immediate plans; 4) The War of the Machines: Enigma and Lorenz cipher machines; role of Station X in the Battle of the Atlantic and D-Day landings; the computer developed to help break codes; the lighter side of life at Bletchley Park; the future of those who left at the end of the war.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; 2 videocassettes. VHS. b&w/col. 205 min.

Year of production

1999

Availability

Sale; 1999 sale: £19.99 (inclusive)

Notes

Broadcast on C4 from 19/1/99.

Subjects

History

Keywords

ciphers; encryption; World War II

Credits

Director

Peter Bate

Producer

David Darlow; Peter Bate

Production Company

Name

Darlow/Smithson

Sponsor

Name

Channel Four Television

Phone

071-396 4444

Address

LONDON
SW1P 2TX

Distributor

Name

Channel 4 Video

Web

http://www.channel4.com External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7396 4444

Fax

020 7306 8350

Address

124 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 2TX

 

Available from retail outlets