The story of the code breakers of Bletchley Park during World War II has been told many times, and rightly been celebrated. But what happened to the women who worked there once the war was over? That’s the question that the fictional drama series The Bletchley Circle uses as its basis, following a group of women who were instrumental in the war effort, as the head back to civilian life.
The Bletchley Circle is keen to make the most of these brilliant women, and it weaves … mehrthem into a plot that sees them looking to solve a tricky murder case. After all, the murders have some pattern that appears to be linking them, and the women in question certainly have form in cracking such codes. Sure, there’s quite a lot of fictional licence being taken in using them as the setting for what’s effectively a crime show, but by the time the first episode ends, that’ll easily be forgiven.
Dripping in period detail--the programme is set in the early 1950s--The Bletchley Circle certainly makes good use of its intriguing premise. There’s really good writing underpinning the three-part drama, and while occasionally things slow down just a little too much, it’s worth sticking with. There’s a lot to enjoy here.
The DVD release brings the episodes together, and there’s also some welcome behind the scenes material looking at how the period drama came together. It’s a nice package of features, for a really good drama series. weniger