THE code-breaking machine that may have cut World War II by two years and saved millions of lives was invented by British mathematician Alan Turing, a prickly genius and unlikely war hero unknown to most of the world.

    That might be because his work to crack Germany’s Enigma code remained classified for decades. But also, Turing met a tragic end following the war, taking his own life at 41 after he was convicted for being homosexual and sentenced to chemical castration.

    The star power of British actor Benedict Cumberbatch and his new film “The Imitation Game” could bring Turing’s triumph and tragedy to a broad audience beyond Britain, where Queen Elizabeth recently pardoned the man who inspired the modern computer with his “Turing machine.”

    “The Imitation Game” is one of the most anticipated films at the Toronto Film Festival, where it screened Monday, and has earned praise and early awards buzz after distributor The Weinstein Co. gave a sneak peek at the Telluride Film Festival.

    Cumberbatch, one of the most sought-after actors in film and television, gave an immediate “yes” to playing Turing.

    For director Morten Tyldum, Cumberbatch “has that incredible screen charisma,” adding “you can hold on to his face and you feel he has a million things going on through his eyes.”

    Keira Knightley plays mathematician Joan Clarke, who as the lone woman on the team bonds with Turing and becomes his fiance, although he later tells her he is gay.

    (SD-Agencies)