Daybreak

Daybreak

Year: 1948

Runtime: 75 mins

Language: English

Director: Compton Bennett

DramaCrimeThriller

A mysterious barber hides a secret identity that eventually leads to tragedy.

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Timeline & Setting – Daybreak (1948)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Daybreak (1948). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Gravesend, Thames River

Gravesend is a historic port town on the north bank of the River Thames, serving as Eddie's base of operations with his barber shop. Much of the story unfolds along the Thames aboard barges, illustrating a working river community. The setting emphasizes a gritty, working-class atmosphere tied to river trade and pub life.

🗺️ Gravesend 🚢 Thames river life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:06

Main Characters – Daybreak (1948)

Meet the key characters of Daybreak (1948), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Eddie Mendover (Eddie Tribe)

A barber by day who moonlights as England's official hangman, Eddie sustains a dangerous secret life. His conflict between duty and love fuels the drama, pushing him toward a painful confession and personal ruin.

🧭 Dual life 🏛️ Duty vs. desire 🕯️ Moral conflict

Frances 'Frankie' Tribe

A woman with a shadowy past who becomes Eddie's wife. She wrestles with loneliness and temptation, including Olaf's advances, while her marriage is strained by Eddie's secrecy.

🎯 Romance 💔 Past secrets 🕊️ Tragedy

Ron

Eddie's assistant who knows the secret of his double life. Practical and loyal, he represents the closest confidant Eddie has within his fabricated world.

🤝 Loyalty 🧩 Hidden life 🗝️ Secrets

Olaf Tyson

A Danish seaman who flirts with Frankie, catalyzing the conflict. His arrogance and advances heighten the tension leading to violence and its consequences.

💃 Temptation 🗡️ Conflict 🩸 Consequences

Bill Shackle

An elderly bargeman who could have helped Frankie but is otherwise occupied; his absence underscores the precariousness of river life.

🪵 Community 🚶‍♂️ Local life 🛶 River work

Doris

A supporting character drawn from the surrounding cast, part of the social milieu around the barge and pub.

👥 Community 🏷️ Town life 🗺️ Locale

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:06

Major Themes – Daybreak (1948)

Explore the central themes of Daybreak (1948), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Dual Identity

The story centers on Eddie Mendover living a double life: a humble barber by day and England's official hangman by night. The narrative shifts between ordinary daily routines and the grim duties of state violence, highlighting the tension between private self and public role.

⚖️ Justice and Guilt

Eddie's clandestine existence forces him to confront the moral ambiguity of his vocation. The plot probes whether duty can absolve violence, culminating in a confession that upends his life and those around him.

💔 Love and Tragedy

Frankie and Eddie's marriage is tested by secrets and temptation, with Olaf's advances pushing their bond toward collapse. The resulting betrayal, suicide, and reveal of Eddie's true role drive a tragic arc that echoes through the characters' lives.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:06

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Unlock the Full Story of Daybreak

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Daybreak Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Daybreak, 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.

Daybreak Summary

Daybreak Timeline

Track the full timeline of Daybreak with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Daybreak Timeline

More About Daybreak

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More About Daybreak

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