The Great Impostor 1961
Directed by
Robert Mulligan
Made by
Universal Pictures
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of The Great Impostor (1961). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
As state police apprehend a man on a New England island, he reflects on the extraordinary path that led him to this moment in life, a life of deception and multiple aliases, including his birth name, Ferdinand Waldo Demara.
Demara’s journey began when he dropped out of high school and enlisted in the U.S. Army, aspiring to become an officer. However, lacking a high school diploma thwarted his ambitions. In a bold move, he fabricated credentials and succeeded in enlisting as a U.S. Marine. Sadly, his ruse was quickly uncovered. Facing dire consequences and military imprisonment, he orchestrated an elaborate fake suicide and sought refuge in a monastery, attempting to live as a Trappist monk. Despite his efforts for solitude, he was eventually compelled to return to society.
Ultimately recognized as a wanted Marine, he found himself in a military prison. Just before an early release due to good behavior, Demara cleverly persuaded the warden to share his life story. Upon release, he executed another impersonation, this time stealing the warden’s identity to secure a position as an aide to the warden of a large Texas prison. In this new life, he caught the attention of the warden’s daughter, Eulalie, who pursued him romantically. However, when an inmate from his past recognized him, Demara faced the threat of blackmail and once again was forced to flee.
He then assumed the identity of a doctor and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy. There, he developed feelings for Nurse Catherine Lacey and was deployed to a destroyer headed for the Korean War. In a nail-biting scenario, he was tasked with performing a tooth extraction on the ship’s captain and later treated numerous South Korean battle casualties, succeeding in saving their lives. His heroics turned him into a celebrated figure, leading to the establishment of a hospital to aid local Koreans.
However, the veil of his impersonation did not last long, as the real doctor learned of the international spotlight and sought justice. As a court-martial approached, Nurse Lacey and others who appreciated Demara’s goodwill rallied to support him, complicating the Navy’s decision on how to proceed. Instead of punishment, reflecting on his service’s merits, the inquiry board quietly discharged him.
Demara then took up teaching in a quiet New England town, but he found himself in trouble again, leading to another escape. As the FBI made it their mission to locate this notorious impersonator, Demara arrived at their headquarters disguised as a federal agent, on a mission to track down the one person he could not escape—himself.
Timeline
Track the key events of The Great Impostor (1961) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Enlistment in the Army
Ferdinand Waldo Demara, eager to serve his country, enlisted in the U.S. Army after dropping out of high school. However, his lack of a high school diploma severely hindered his ambitions to become an officer.
Deceptive Marine Recruitment
In a desperate bid to fulfill his military aspirations, Demara fabricated credentials to enlist as a U.S. Marine. This audacious act, however, did not go unnoticed and his deception was quickly discovered.
Military Imprisonment
Following the revelation of his deceit, Demara faced the harsh consequences of military imprisonment. In a moment of desperation, he concocted a plan to fake his own suicide, allowing him to escape from the clutches of the military.
Life in a Monastery
Demara sought solace in a monastery, where he attempted to live as a Trappist monk. Despite his initial hopes for a quiet life, the reality of his past soon compelled him to leave the monastery and return to society.
Return to Society
Upon returning to civilian life, Demara was recognized as a wanted Marine. This recognition landed him back in a military prison just before his scheduled early release due to good behavior.
Impersonating the Warden
After his release, Demara executed another identity fraud by stealing the warden’s identity. His new position as an aide to the warden of a Texas prison gave him a taste of power, but this came with new challenges.
Romantic Pursuits
While working at the prison, Demara caught the attention of the warden’s daughter, Eulalie. Their romantic entanglement added complexity to Demara's already precarious situation, especially when one of his past inmates recognized him.
Threat of Blackmail
The recognition from the inmate posed a serious threat to Demara, leading to attempts at blackmail. Faced with another potential exposure, he was forced to flee his current life once again.
Identity as a Doctor
Demara took yet another identity, this time as a doctor, and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy. This new chapter would not only see him navigating military waters but also engaging in the Korean War.
Heroism at Sea
During his deployment, Demara faced a critical situation when he was tasked with performing a tooth extraction on the ship’s captain. His ability to handle this pressure led him to treat numerous South Korean battle casualties, ultimately saving lives.
Praise and Recognition
Demara's actions during the war made him a celebrated figure, even leading to the establishment of a hospital for local Koreans. However, his fame brought scrutiny as the real doctor he impersonated became aware of his activities.
Court-Martial Proceedings
As court-martial proceedings loomed, Demara found allies in Nurse Catherine Lacey and others who recognized his contributions. Their support greatly complicated the Navy's decision on how to handle the situation.
Quiet Discharge
Rather than face punishment, the inquiry board evaluated Demara's service and quietly discharged him. This remarkable outcome allowed him to avoid the consequences of his numerous deceptions once again.
Teaching in New England
After leaving the military, Demara took on a teaching position in a quiet New England town. However, his past was never far behind, and trouble soon followed him yet again.
Final Request to the FBI
In a twist of fate, Demara arrived at FBI headquarters disguised as a federal agent. His mission was not to escape capture, but to confront the one person he could never truly evade—himself.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring The Great Impostor (1961) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Ferdinand Waldo Demara
Ferdinand Waldo Demara is the central character whose life of deception takes him through various identities and experiences. Driven by ambition and a desire for acceptance, he embodies intelligence and charisma, yet often finds himself in precarious situations due to his lies. Demara's character reflects the struggle between aspiration and authenticity.
Eulalie
Eulalie, portrayed by Joan Blackman, is the warden’s daughter who becomes romantically interested in Demara. Her character represents innocence and hope, as she sees beyond his deceptive facade. Eulalie's affection for Demara complicates his situation, highlighting themes of love and trust.
Nurse Catherine Lacey
Nurse Catherine Lacey, played by Jeanette Nolan, is a compassionate figure who supports Demara despite his past. Her character embodies empathy and moral integrity. Lacey's dedication to helping others plays a crucial role in the narrative, illustrating the complexities of loyalty and forgiveness.
Setting
Uncover the settings of The Great Impostor (1961), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
Korean War era
The events primarily take place during the Korean War era, a time marked by global tension and conflict. This period saw a surge of military enlistment and personal sacrifices, where young men were called to serve their countries. Demara's experiences highlight the chaos and uncertainties faced by soldiers during this tumultuous time.
Location
New England, Texas, Royal Canadian Navy
The story unfolds across various places, including the picturesque and serene landscapes of New England, known for its rich history and coastal beauty. Texas plays a significant role as the backdrop for a large prison where Demara's impersonation takes root. The Royal Canadian Navy illustrates a military environment, showcasing the bravery and challenges faced during service.
Themes
Explore the core themes of The Great Impostor (1961). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
🎭
Deception
Deception is a central theme in the film, as Demara navigates life through a web of lies and false identities. His ability to impersonate others raises questions about identity and the nature of self. This theme explores the consequences of deceit, both on an individual and societal level, as Demara's actions lead him through a tumultuous and unpredictable life.
💔
Identity Crisis
Demara's journey is a profound exploration of identity crisis, where he struggles with his true self amidst various personas. His multiple aliases reflect an underlying quest for belonging and acceptance. The theme delves into the psychological impact of living a lie, ultimately leading to a confrontation with himself.
💼
Second Chances
The theme of second chances resonates throughout Demara's story as he continually reinvents himself after each failure. Despite the moral implications of his actions, he finds avenues for redemption through his heroic acts in the Navy. This theme emphasizes the idea that everyone deserves a second chance, regardless of their past.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.