Checkpoint

Checkpoint

Year: 1957

Runtime: 86 min

Language: Arabic

Director: Ralph Thomas

DramaThrillerCrime

A tense drama follows Suleiman as he journeys with his troubled father through a devastated town searching for answers. They encounter a mysterious ritual that blurs the boundaries of reality and desperation, forcing them to confront unsettling truths and the darkness within themselves. The experience tests their relationship and challenges their understanding of the world around them.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Checkpoint yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Checkpoint (1957)

Trace every key event in Checkpoint (1957) 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

O'Donovan breaks into the Florence factory

O'Donovan breaks into a factory in Florence late at night to reach a hidden safe. The burglary triggers the alarm, and he shoots the night watchman and at least one policeman. His gunfire also starts a fire that rapidly consumes the factory.

late night Florence, Italy
2

Petersen's villa hides O'Donovan

O'Donovan seeks Francesca to get in touch with her boss Petersen. Petersen hides him at his villa to keep him out of reach of the authorities. The fugitive's presence pulls Francesca and others into a dangerous web of intrigue.

shortly after the break-in Petersen's villa (Florence region)
3

In England, Ingram's plan is revealed

Warren Ingram explains his connection to the Florence fiasco to Michael. He had hired O'Donovan to lure away the Volta D'Italia designer, but the plan fails and O'Donovan turns to industrial espionage. Ingram reiterates that illegal or violent actions were not supposed to happen.

before the Italy trip England
4

Smuggling plan and Bill Fraser's introduction

Ingram decides to smuggle O'Donovan out of the country and Michael recommends driver Bill Fraser, who needs money for a race car he designed. This creates the pipeline for a risky substitution in future races.

soon after the plan to smuggle England
5

Flight to Italy with the team

The team boards a flight to Italy, followed by Ingram and Michael. This transports the scheme to the heart of the racing operation and aligns everyone with the upcoming race.

flight day On the flight to Italy
6

Fraser reconciles with Francesca

In Italy, Fraser mends his strained romantic relationship with Francesca, signaling shifting loyalties as the race approaches. The rekindled bond adds personal stakes to the professional tensions.

upon arrival Italy (Florence/Locarno corridor)
7

O'Donovan learns of Bombay plan and sells fuel-intake plans

While hiding at Petersen's villa, O'Donovan is told that Ingram intends to send him to Bombay via Switzerland. He instructs Petersen to tell Ingram that he will sell the fuel intake plans to him in exchange.

while hiding Petersen's villa
8

Team garage: driver pairing for the Florence–Locarno race

At the team's garage, Ingram orders Thornhill to pair Johnny Carpenter with Fraser as co-drivers for the crucial Florence to Locarno race. The plan hinges on disrupting Johnny's participation to favor Fraser.

before the race Team garage
9

Milan refueling stop and plan purchase

Thornhill is sent to the refueling stop at Milan, where Ingram meets O'Donovan and reluctantly buys the fuel intake plans. The transactional move formalizes the espionage angle of the plot.

before the race Milan, Italy
10

Petersen and Gabriela drug Johnny

Petersen and his girlfriend Gabriela drug Johnny's drinks, enabling the substitution to proceed without alerting the team. The scheme relies on unobserved tampering and misdirection.

the night before the race Johnny's quarters
11

Ingram coercion: Bill becomes co-driver

The next day, Ingram calls Bill to Johnny's room where Johnny is unconscious beside a whisky bottle. Ingram offers Bill financial backing for his own race car in exchange for taking the risk of substituting another co-driver for Johnny.

the day before the race Johnny's room
12

Race day begins: false Johnny and a warning

On the day of the race, Francesca goes to Johnny's room to fetch him but encounters O'Donovan and Petersen. Petersen holds Francesca captive while O'Donovan masquerades as Johnny, and Ingram warns Francesca that she could face prison if she tells authorities.

race-day morning Florence – race-day area
13

Francesca warns Bill at the Milan stop

At the race-stop in Milan, Francesca warns Bill about the danger. O'Donovan points his pistol at him, forcing Bill to resume the race despite the tension and risk.

race-day morning Milan, race-stop
14

Thornhill helps with a mountain shortcut

Francesca asks Thornhill for help, and he drives her along a shortcut through the mountains to intercept Bill and O'Donovan without involving the police. The maneuver heightens the stakes and speeds up events.

race-day Mountain pass between Italy and Switzerland
15

Final crash and confession

Bill, attempting to evade O'Donovan's threat, takes a dangerous turn and the car goes off the road, teetering by a cliff. The two men fight as the vehicle plunges into a lake, while Ingram arrives to confess to a frontier guard, taking responsibility for the scheme.

final stretch Mountain road near the Switzerland–Italy border

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:58

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Checkpoint

Don't stop at just watching — explore Checkpoint in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Checkpoint is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Checkpoint Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Checkpoint, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Checkpoint Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Checkpoint

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Checkpoint. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Checkpoint

More About Checkpoint

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Checkpoint: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Checkpoint

Similar Movies to Checkpoint

Discover movies like Checkpoint that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.