Dunkirk (2017) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

The story unfolds through three interconnected narratives that span different durations: on land, covering a week; at sea, over a day; and in the air, within an hour. These segments intricately weave into a non-linear tale.

The tale begins with an introductory note, stating that in 1940, following Nazi Germany's invasion of France, countless Allied soldiers retreated to the coastal town of Dunkirk. As the Allied lines tighten and German forces advance, the soldiers find themselves in a seemingly desperate situation, waiting for evacuation.

I. The Mole:

On land, we meet Tommy, portrayed by Fionn Whitehead, a young British private who is the only survivor of his squad after an ambush by hidden German troops. He manages to reach the beach, where he encounters additional British and Allied soldiers anxiously awaiting rescue. There, he befriends Gibson, played by Aneurin Barnard, who appears to be paying homage to a fallen comrade. In the chaos of a German Stuka dive-bomber attack, they discover a wounded soldier left behind and strive to help him, bringing his stretcher to the front of the queue in hopes of being evacuated with him. Unfortunately, they are refused passage and decide to hide on the mole, attempting to sneak aboard the next departing vessel. This ship, however, is attacked as it sets sail, leading them to rescue another soldier, Alex, brought to life by Harry Styles, from being crushed during the sinking. Later, they board another ship that tragically succumbs to a U-boat torpedo, but Gibson saves both Tommy and Alex, and they are escorted back to shore by a soldier who later appears as a shell-shocked individual in the second part.

Commander Bolton, played by Kenneth Branagh (not in the original cast info), teams up with Colonel Winnant, portrayed by James D'Arcy, to assess the situation. They relay that Prime Minister Winston Churchill has committed to a mission of evacuating 30,000 troops while minimizing the loss of larger ships to protect against a probable invasion of Britain. Instead, the Navy resorts to deploying smaller civilian vessels for the evacuation.

The following day, Alex, Tommy, and Gibson join a group of Scottish soldiers who have found a grounded fishing trawler stranded outside the perimeter. They intend to use it to evacuate when the tide rises. However, a Dutch mariner, the boat’s owner, cautionarily waits for the tide but falls under fire from German troops unaware of the soldiers hiding inside. As the tide rises, bullet holes compromise the boat's stability, leading to a weighty confrontation where Alex accuses Gibson of being a German spy to lighten their load. Surprisingly, it is revealed that Gibson is actually French, having assumed the identity of the soldier he was burying earlier to achieve evacuation with the British. Their ensuing physical altercation causes the boat to tip, allowing the mariner to start the engine, but it sinks shortly after they depart. While Alex and Tommy swim towards safety, they witness a minesweeper sinking due to a bomber attack. Luckily, they are rescued from a burning oil slick by Mr. Dawson, played by Mark Rylance and his Moonstone, finding their way across the English Channel.

Upon arrival in Weymouth, the soldiers board a train. As they approach Woking, Alex and Tommy fear disapproval from the public, but to their surprise, they receive a hero's welcome. While Alex embraces the recognition, Tommy is more absorbed in reading Churchill's address in the newspaper. Back on the beach, Commander Bolton observes the final soldiers depart, confirming a stunning evacuation of 300,000 troops, which is ten times the initial estimation. He remains behind to oversee the evacuation of the French rearguard.

II. The Sea:

In Weymouth, the Royal Navy commandeers civilian vessels for the urgent evacuation. Mr. Dawson, keen to assist, decides to helm his boat himself along with his son Peter (played by Tom Glynn-Carney), and is soon joined by their friend George, portrayed by Barry Keoghan, who impulsively desires adventure to make up for his poor academic performance. Together, they head toward Dunkirk, spotting three Spitfires buzzing overhead. They encounter a shell-shocked officer on a wrecked ship—the sole survivor of a U-boat assault. As Dawson pivots toward Dunkirk risking life, the soldier descends into panic upon learning their destination.

Locking him below deck for safety, the soldier eventually breaks free and attempts to commandeer the boat. The scuffle leads to George accidentally sustaining a significant head injury. As Peter tends to him, the situation worsens, culminating in George losing his eyesight.

As they continue their mission to rescue stranded soldiers, Mr. Dawson and his crew come across a Spitfire pilot—Collins, played by Jack Lowden—in trouble after ditching his plane. They brave further danger, boarding as many soldiers as possible before narrowly escaping an igniting oil slick. Tragically, George succumbs to his injuries, while Mr. Dawson receives accolades back in Weymouth for his heroism, even as Peter struggles with the loss of his friend.

III. The Air:

Three RAF Spitfires, piloted by Farrier, portrayed by Tom Hardy, Collins, and their Squadron Leader, known as "Fortis Leader", embark towards Dunkirk to provide crucial air support, aware that their time is limited due to fuel constraints. During their encounter with enemy aircraft, "Fortis Leader" is shot down, prompting Farrier to take command. Though his fuel gauge is broken, he perseveres.

They engage in several dogfights, managing to shoot down an enemy plane, though Collins's Spitfire is gravely damaged, leading him to ditch in the Channel. Assuming Collins managed to survive thanks to a wave, Farrier continues his mission. He then spots a German bomber assaulting a minesweeper-turned-transport ship and even in his almost empty fuel tank, takes action to protect the British soldiers stranded below.

As Farrier expertly pilots his last mission at Dunkirk, he successfully takes down another dive bomber, ensuring the safety of both British ships and soldiers waiting by the beaches. The soldiers' cheers fill the air as he glides over them, providing a moment of fleeting joy in their grim reality. Subsequently, as his fuel runs out, he manages a landing before igniting his plane to ensure it doesn’t fall into enemy hands, ultimately being taken prisoner by German forces.

With its rich tapestry of personal stories, Dunkirk encapsulates the struggle, resilience, and survival instinct of men facing one of history's most perilous military retreats, leaving the audience with a remarkable and hard-hitting experience.

Dunkirk's ending leaves us with a mix of resolution and lingering questions. As the film concludes, Tommy and Alex escape from the chaos on the beach aboard Mr. Dawson’s boat, carrying with them a sense of relief but also uncertainty. They arrive in Woking, expecting failure or shame after their harrowing ordeal, but instead find themselves celebrated for their bravery. The contrast between their perception of defeat and the national narrative of victory highlights the film’s exploration of how stories are told and understood differently. The victory, as celebrated back home, is rooted in the grand speech and propaganda, while the soldiers themselves see their actions as a retreat, a loss. The film emphasizes that heroism can look different depending on perspective.

Meanwhile, the story of Mr. Dawson, the civilian boat owner, culminates in his saving a pilot and some soldiers, but at a personal cost. His heroic act leads to the death of George, a young soldier pushed down the stairs by a panicked comrade. Dawson and his son lie to the soldier about George’s fate, choosing to preserve the story of heroism rather than the harsh reality. Their decision underscores how the power of storytelling often outweighs the truth in shaping collective memory and morale.