Directed by
Carol Reed
Made by
Universal Pictures
Irish nationalist member Johnny McQueen has been in hiding for six months after escaping from prison, living with Kathleen Sullivan—who has developed feelings for him—and her grandmother. When he receives orders to rob a mill, his prolonged seclusion leads to doubts amongst his men regarding his capability. His loyal lieutenant Dennis offers to substitute for him in the heist, but Johnny firmly declines the offer.
Together with Nolan and Murphy, Johnny embarks on the robbery. However, during the escape, he finds himself lagging behind and is caught by an armed guard, whom he kills in self-defense. In the chaos, Johnny suffers a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Although he is pulled into the getaway car, he falls out as it speeds away. The driver, Pat, refuses to turn back for him. Overcome by weakness and confusion, Johnny seeks refuge in a nearby air raid shelter.
After hearing Johnny’s predicament, Dennis, Nolan, Murphy, and Pat head to their “headquarters.” Unfortunately, the police spot them, leading to a swift pursuit. Pat and Nolan detour to Theresa O’Brien’s upscale guest house, but Murphy distrusts her and opts to leave. Their mistrust proves valid as Theresa betrays them, resulting in a gunfight with the police that claims the lives of Pat and Nolan.
Dennis manages to locate Johnny, only to be captured by the police while attempting to divert their attention. Struggling to return to Kathleen, Johnny collapses in the street, where passersby Maureen and Maudie find him, mistaking his condition for an accident caused by a passing lorry. Upon discovering his gunshot wound, they realize the identity of the man they’ve found as Kathleen’s husband arrives home, leading to a heated argument on what to do next. Hearing their conversation, Johnny decides to leave in a parked hansom cab. The driver, “Gin” Jimmy, starts his search for a fare, blissfully unaware of his passenger’s criminal status. When he does find out, he promptly abandons Johnny in a deserted lot.
Shell observes Jimmy’s actions and wants to claim a reward from Father Tom, a Catholic priest. Just then, Kathleen arrives, desperately seeking assistance. Father Tom convinces Shell to retrieve Johnny. Upon returning home, Shell must fend off another eccentric resident, painter Lukey, who insists on posing for a portrait once again. Meanwhile, Johnny manages to revive and tiptoes into a nearby pub, where the landlord recognizes him. The landlord hides Johnny in a secluded area to keep him away from prying eyes, intending to deal with him later. Shell and Lukey, having both converged on the pub, get into a scuffle, prompting Fencie to close the bar for the evening. Fencie persuades Lukey to take Johnny away as compensation for the damage from their brawl. Lukey later brings Johnny back to his studio, where failed medical student Tober tends to his injury, but Johnny manages to escape.
In the meantime, Kathleen evades Father Tom during a visit by a police inspector on the lookout for Johnny. She arranges for Johnny’s passage on a ship and begins her search for him. Shell guides Johnny towards Father Tom’s location, where he fortuitously runs into Kathleen. She leads him toward the ship but soon notices the police closing in on them. In a desperate act to fend them off, she pulls out a gun and fires twice. Tragically, the police return fire, ending both their lives.
Johnny's Hiding
Irish nationalist Johnny McQueen has been in hiding for six months after escaping from prison. Living with Kathleen Sullivan and her grandmother, Johnny reflects on his past actions and the changing political landscape around him.
The Robbery Order
Johnny receives orders to participate in a robbery of a mill. Despite his prolonged seclusion, he refuses his lieutenant Dennis's offer to take his place, expressing his determination to prove his capabilities.
The Heist
Johnny, alongside Nolan and Murphy, sets off for the robbery. The operation initially goes as planned, but during the getaway, Johnny finds himself lagging behind and encounters an armed guard whom he is forced to kill in self-defense.
Injury Sustained
During the chaotic escape, Johnny sustains a gunshot wound to the shoulder. As he is pulled into a getaway car, he falls out into the street, desperately trying to escape the chaos of the heist.
Seeking Refuge
Overcome by confusion and weakness from his injury, Johnny takes refuge in a nearby air raid shelter. This moment marks a desperate pause in his frantic attempt to evade capture.
Dennis's Search
Dennis, Nolan, Murphy, and Pat regroup at their headquarters after hearing about Johnny's situation. Unfortunately, their attempt to organize a rescue is interrupted when the police arrive and engage in a pursuit.
Betrayal at the Guest House
Pat and Nolan seek refuge at Theresa O'Brien's guest house, but Murphy's skepticism leads him to leave. Their mistrust is validated when Theresa betrays them, resulting in a deadly gunfight with the police.
Capture Amidst Chaos
In a twist of fate, Dennis finds Johnny but is swiftly captured by the police during their attempt to aid him. This escalates the tension as Johnny continues to struggle against his injuries and the pursuit.
Public Encounter
While staggering through the street, Johnny collapses and is mistaken for an accident victim by passersby Maureen and Maudie. Upon discovering his true situation, tensions rise as Kathleen's husband confronts those who found Johnny.
Hansom Cab Escape
Making a split-second decision, Johnny leaves in a hansom cab driven by 'Gin' Jimmy. Unbeknownst to the driver, Johnny's criminal status poses a great risk as they drive through the city.
Abandonment at the Lot
Once Jimmy realizes Johnny's true identity, he abandons him in a secluded lot. This act of betrayal reinforces Johnny's isolation and desperation as he continues to evade the police.
Father Tom's Assistance
Shell, who notices Jimmy's actions, is eager to claim a reward for helping find Johnny. Just then, Kathleen arrives, prompting Father Tom to convince Shell to return and help Johnny.
Hidden in the Pub
Johnny attempts to hide at a pub but is soon recognized by the landlord. To protect him from the growing attention, the landlord tries to shield Johnny from the prying eyes of the police.
Fleeing with Kathleen
In a fateful twist, Shell guides Johnny toward Father Tom, leading him to an emotional reunion with Kathleen. However, their moment of hope quickly turns into despair as the police close in on them.
Tragic Conclusion
In a desperate attempt to fend off the pursuing police, Kathleen fires a gun, only for the police to return fire. This heartbreaking moment seals the tragic fate of both Johnny and Kathleen, marking a devastating end to their struggle.
Johnny McQueen
Johnny McQueen is an Irish nationalist grappling with the weight of responsibility and the ramifications of his actions. Struggling with self-doubt as he tries to lead a robbery, his character embodies the conflict between idealism and pragmatism. Despite his determination, he becomes a symbol of sacrifice, ultimately facing dire consequences for his choices.
Kathleen Sullivan
Kathleen Sullivan is a loyal and caring figure, deeply devoted to Johnny. Her love for him leads her into dangerous situations as she seeks to ensure his safety. Kathleen's character evolves into a tragic symbol of love and sacrifice, highlighting the personal costs of political turmoil and the lengths to which one will go to protect their loved ones.
Dennis
Dennis serves as Johnny's loyal lieutenant and a voice of reason amidst chaos. His willingness to step in for Johnny reflects his deep commitment to their cause and friendship. However, Dennis also illustrates the burden of loyalty, navigating the tension between duty to his friend and the reality of their doomed situation.
Murphy
Murphy is a practical and somewhat distrustful character in the group, embodying skepticism about their plans. His instincts to leave when threatened showcase the varying degrees of trust among comrades, making him a foil to Dennis and Johnny's ideals. Murphy's actions lead to key turning points in the story.
Pat
Pat is a driver who experiences the harsh realities of their criminal endeavors. His refusal to help Johnny during an escape speaks to a complex relationship of survival over loyalty. This decision impacts the group's dynamics and highlights the moral dilemmas faced by those involved.
Time period
Mid-20th Century
The story unfolds during the mid-20th century, a period characterized by socio-political unrest in Ireland. This era saw the rise of nationalist sentiments, contributing to a climate of violence and resistance against British rule. The film captures the complexities of loyalty, identity, and the consequences of revolutionary actions.
Location
Unnamed Irish Town
The film is set in an unnamed Irish town, a backdrop that encapsulates the tension and conflict surrounding the Irish nationalist movement. Known for its juxtaposition of urban life and social struggles, the town serves as a physical representation of the characters' internal conflicts and aspirations. The streets witness both love and betrayal, challenging the ideals of loyalty and camaraderie.
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Sacrifice
Sacrifice emerges as a central theme, reflecting the characters' willingness to endure hardship for the sake of love and loyalty. Johnny's struggle for survival showcases the lengths to which he and others will go to protect their ideals and loved ones, often at great personal cost. The tragic end emphasizes the ultimate price of devotion in a turbulent world.
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Conflict
The film explores the theme of conflict, both external and internal, as Johnny grapples with his identity as a revolutionary and a man in love. The violent confrontation with the police mirrors the larger societal battle for national independence, illustrating how conflict can intertwine with personal relationships. This ongoing struggle raises questions about loyalty, trust, and the moral implications of one's actions.
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Betrayal
Betrayal is a poignant theme in the narrative, as seen through the actions of characters like Theresa O'Brien. Her treachery not only affects the immediate outcome of the heist but also illustrates the fragility of trust among companions. This theme emphasizes the dangers of misplaced faith and the harsh realities of human relationships under duress.
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