Blind Flight

Blind Flight

Year: 2003

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Director: John Furse

Drama

The true story of Irishman Brian Keenan and Englishman John McCarthy’s extraordinary relationship as hostages of militias in Lebanon during the 1979-91 Civil War.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Blind Flight (2003)

Trace every key event in Blind Flight (2003) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Abduction and initial confinement in Beirut

An ordinary morning in Beirut, Brian Keenan is seized by four armed men and spirited away. He wakes in an iron-clad room, nearly naked, and immediately seeks to understand why he has been abducted before considering food. The isolation tests his resolve and sets the tone for his captivity.

Morning, mid-1980s Beirut, Lebanon
2

Transfer to a hollowed-out house and first encounter with McCarthy

Keenan is moved from solitude into a hollowed-out, deserted house where he first encounters John McCarthy, an English journalist. Facing cramped space and clashing temperaments, the two men begin negotiating trust and form a wary alliance. Over time, their relationship shifts from tension to tentative solidarity.

Soon after capture Deserted house (Beirut outskirts)
3

Keenan's defiant routine to preserve dignity

From the outset, Keenan refuses to shave or change into clean clothes, preserving a stubborn code of self-control. This small act of defiance helps him maintain his sense of self under the opaque system. McCarthy observes the stance and the two men gradually rely on each other's resilience.

Early captivity Inside confinement
4

Captors' fluctuating treatment

The guards' behavior oscillates between detached indifference, moments of quiet humanity, and blunt cruelty. The prisoners learn to read these shifts as signals for when to press forward or hold back. The fragile balance between captors and captives underscores the fragility of humanity inside captivity.

Early to mid captivity Inside confinement
5

A tiny improvised life forms in confinement

Inside the cramped space they build a tiny, improvised life: playing chess, chasing mosquitoes, and trapping a mouse. They also tell stories to imagine places beyond the gray walls, creating mental escapes. These rituals keep their minds sharp and their spirits tied to hope.

During captivity Inside confinement
6

Emerging loyalty and mutual support

As fear grows, they increasingly rely on one another for emotional steadiness. They defend each other during moments of danger and share practical support to endure. Their friendship deepens from practical companionship to genuine loyalty.

Mid captivity Inside confinement
7

Turning point: a guard's humiliation and its aftermath

A brutal incident occurs when a young guard is ordered to torment Keenan by repeatedly opening and closing a window. Keenan strikes back in a raw act of defiance and is beaten, and McCarthy steps in to defend him, earning his own punishment. The episode crystallizes the intensity of their captivity and deepens their loyalty.

Pre-transfer Inside confinement
8

Transfer to a stark white-tiled countryside house

The captors relocate the prisoners to a white-tiled countryside house that feels almost clinical and impersonal. Time stretches on as they endure more than four years of captivity in this new setting. The move heightens the monotony and sharpens their longing for escape.

After four-plus years in captivity White-tiled countryside house (Lebanon)
9

Keenan's release and separation from McCarthy

Keenan is released and returns to Ireland, experiencing relief tempered by the ache of leaving McCarthy behind. He steps back into ordinary life while holding the bond with his friend as a lifeline in memory. The farewell marks a painful, hopeful transition.

After four years in captivity Ireland
10

A quiet year in Ireland before news of McCarthy's release

Back in Ireland, a year passes before more news arrives about McCarthy's fate. Keenan waits in a pub-turned sanctuary, clinging to hope for his friend's release. The interlude underscores the personal cost of captivity and the stubborn persistence of friendship.

One year after Keenan's release Ireland
11

News arrives that McCarthy will be released

Another message arrives confirming that McCarthy will also be released. Keenan stands at the airport, sensing a possible reunion on the horizon. The news reframes their shared ordeal as a potential endgame and renews the sense of hope.

After Keenan's release; one year later Ireland
12

Awaited reunion at the airport

Keenan makes his way to the airport, waiting for the moment when he might finally embrace his friend. The film closes with quiet tension around the reunion and the question of how they will reclaim life after years of captivity. The ending leaves relief and uncertainty in equal measure.

Ending, after release Airport, Ireland

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:49

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Blind Flight Summary

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Blind Flight Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Blind Flight

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Blind Flight

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Blind Flight Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Blind Flight

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