Catch Us If You Can

Catch Us If You Can

Year: 1965

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: John Boorman

ComedyMusic

Britain’s swing‑in‑est five burst onto screen in year’s biggest dramatic surprise. Dinah, a famous model and actress, is tired of spotlight and seeks a break. While shooting a meat commercial she meets stuntman Steve; they click and, with four of his friends, flee to an island. When Dinah vanishes, a frantic search turns their getaway but not tranquil.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Catch Us If You Can (1965)

Trace every key event in Catch Us If You Can (1965) 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

Morning in the London flat

The five live together in a London flat and start their day with breakfast. They then drive into the city toward Smithfield Market, where posters for the 'Meat for Go' campaign loom over the streets.

London
2

Smithfield shoot and the escape begins

During the Meat for Go shoot at Smithfield Market, Steve's disillusionment grows as he watches the campaign's vanity. He steals an E-type Jaguar with Dinah and they speed away, kicking off their flight from the advertising machine.

Smithfield Market, London
3

Oasis Swimming Pools stop

In their flight, Steve and Dinah stop at Oasis Swimming Pools in central London, using the moment of cover to regroup. The open-air pool scene gives them a brief moment of anonymity before continuing their escape.

Oasis Swimming Pools, Central London
4

Great Conservatory at Syon House

Nearby, a scene unfolds around the Great Conservatory on the grounds of Syon House, adding a splash of elegance to their fugitive journey. The couple continues their escape from the authorities.

Great Conservatory, Syon House
5

Heading toward Burgh Island

From London they head south into wintry countryside, traveling across southern England toward Burgh Island off the Devon coast. The journey is a blend of road chatter and ongoing pursuit.

South of England toward Burgh Island
6

Dinah contemplates the island as a hideaway

Dinah considers buying Burgh Island as a refuge from celebrity pressure. Rival advertising executive Leon Zissell sees an opportunity and dispatches two henchmen to pursue them.

Burgh Island
7

Beatniks on Salisbury Plain

On the road, they encounter beatniks squatting in MOD-owned buildings on Salisbury Plain, with some scenes filmed in Imber. The encounter adds a surreal contrast to their escape.

Salisbury Plain (Imber)
8

Bath: Royal Crescent encounter

The fugitives next meet an eccentric, upper-class married couple in the Royal Crescent in Bath, a jarring shift from their fugitive journey. The moment deepens the film's satirical tone.

Royal Crescent, Bath
9

Steve plans to visit Louie in East End

Steve reveals his plan to visit his boyhood hero Louie, whose youth club in London's East End has relocated to Devon. The detour foreshadows a potential ally or obstacle in their path.

London East End
10

Roman Baths fancy-dress party and pursuit

After a fancy-dress party in the Roman Baths in Bath, they are pursued by police and Zissell's henchmen. The chase tightens as they try to slip away from their pursuers.

Roman Baths, Bath
11

Fleeing toward Devon with pursuers

Steve, Dinah, and the remnants of Steve's gang push on toward Devon, with police still in pursuit. The route becomes a winding chase through rural towns.

Devon (route from Bath)
12

Louie recognises Dinah

Louie recognises Dinah instantly due to her TV celebrity, but fails to recognise Steve and misremembers his name. The moment underscores the unevenness of fame and memory.

Devon
13

Burgh Island: low tide and arrival

Dinah's island proves disappointing; at low tide it is reachable from the mainland, and Zissell has already arrived. A crowd forms around the two, heightening the drama of the stand-off.

Burgh Island
14

Goodbye on the island

Steve says goodbye to Dinah and leaves with his friends as the crowd closes in. The escape ends on a tense, ambiguous note about what comes next for both of them.

Burgh Island

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:01

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Catch Us If You Can Summary

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Catch Us If You Can Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Catch Us If You Can

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Catch Us If You Can

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