Cumberbatch, Knightley to star in Alan Turing bio-picture

LONDON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Principal photography has begun in Britain on the film "The Imitation Game," starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley, producers said.

The pair previously appeared together in "Atonement." Their new movie, which started shooting during the weekend, is about "one of Britain's most extraordinary unsung heroes, Alan Turing," a synopsis said.

Turing was a pioneer of modern-day computing, credited with cracking the German Enigma code during World War II.

"Turing, whose contributions and genius significantly shortened the war, saving thousands of lives, was the eventual victim of an unenlightened British Establishment, but his work and legacy live on," the synopsis said.

Norwegian filmmaker Morten Tyldum is directing this adaptation of the book "Alan Turing: The Enigma" by Andrew Hodges. The film will co-star Matthew Goode, Mark Strong, Rory Kinnear, Charles Dance, Allen Leech and Matthew Beard.