TIFF 2014: Benedict Cumberbatch unveils The Imitation Game
The work of brilliant minds can be 'incredibly inaccessible' the Sherlock star said
Acclaimed British actor, and TIFF fan favourite, Benedict Cumberbatch, walked the red carpet with Keira Knightley in Toronto Tuesday night for the Canadian premiere of The Imitation Game.
The Alan Turing biopic delves into life of troubled personal life, and brilliant professional life, of the British mathematician—giving the Sherlock star another astute, but aloof, character to sink his teeth into.
It's a role that Cumberbatch seems to relish, and the actor told CBC Arts reporter Deana Sumanac-Johnson he's glad the film will bring Turing's story to a broader audience.
"The work itself is incredibly inaccessible unless you're a specialist," the 38-year-old said.
"He brought about a two year early cessation to the Second World War, and that saved a rough estimate of 14 million lives."
Keira Knightley, who plays a fellow WWII code-breaker admitted she hadn't heard of Turing, until recently.
"I only found out about him about five years ago when there was a big push for him to be pardoned, and I was just
shocked that I didn't know who he was and what he'd done," said the actress.
"It was a great tragedy."
The Imitation Game hits theatres Nov. 21.
The Toronto International Film Festival wraps on Sunday.