Edge of Darkness

Edge of Darkness

Year: 1943

Runtime: 119 mins

Language: English

Director: Lewis Milestone

DramaWar

Resistance fighters clash with Nazis in occupied Norway, centered on Dr. Martin Stensgard and his family. His wife (Ruth Gordon) clings to a façade of normalcy while he hesitates between neutrality and duty. His brother‑in‑law runs a fish cannery that cooperates with the occupiers. Daughter Karen (Ann Sheridan) aids the resistance with its leader Gunnar Brogge (Errol Flynn). Their son, newly returned from university, is swayed by his pro‑Nazi uncle. German commandant Capt. Koenig (Helmut Dantine) enforces strict rule yet fears a local uprising.

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Timeline & Setting – Edge of Darkness (1943)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Edge of Darkness (1943). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1942

The story unfolds in 1942 during World War II, when Norway was under German control. Curfews, raids, and the threat of arrest loom over the town as resistance activities simmer. A tight-knit group plots to smuggle arms and strike back when the moment is right.

Location

Trollness, Norway

Trollness is a small Norwegian fishing village under Nazi occupation. Its economy centers on a local cannery and daily life is shadowed by German presence. The community maintains a polite exterior while tension and fear permeate their routines.

❄️ Fishing village 🪖 Nazi-occupied town ⚓️ Coastal harbor

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:20

Main Characters – Edge of Darkness (1943)

Meet the key characters of Edge of Darkness (1943), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dr. Martin Stensgard (Walter Huston)

A physician who clings to neutrality and a refined lifestyle despite the occupation. Torn between detachment and moral duty, he is drawn deeper into the conflict as threats to his family mount. His choices become a microcosm of the town’s moral struggle.

🗡️ Courage 💼 Dilemma

Karen Stensgard (Ann Sheridan)

A determined member of the resistance and central organizer. Her relationship with Gunnar adds personal stakes to the fight, and she pushes the town toward defiance while balancing danger.

💪 Courage 🕊️ Loyalty

Gunnar Brogge (Errol Flynn)

Charismatic leader of the resistance, driving plans to undermine the occupiers and mobilize the town. His resolve is tested by the severity of Nazi reprisals and the costs of rebellion.

🎯 Strategy 🔥 Charisma

Johann Stensgard (John Beal)

The son who returns from Oslo under his uncle’s Nazi-leaning influence, wrestling with conflicting loyalties. He ultimately warns the rebels, only to meet a tragic end, marking a turning point for the community.

⚔️ Conflict 💔 Tragic

Kaspar Torgerson (Charles Dingle)

A wealthy cannery owner who collaborates with the Nazis, illustrating the economic incentives behind occupation in a small town. His stance tests community trust and fuels the debate over collaboration.

💼 Collaborator 💰 Opportunistic

Captain Koenig (Helmut Dantine)

The Nazi commandant enforcing the occupation, whose orders heighten tension and threaten civilians. His rigid authority intensifies the townspeople’s resolve to resist.

🛡️ Authority ⚔️ Oppression

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:20

Major Themes – Edge of Darkness (1943)

Explore the central themes of Edge of Darkness (1943), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪖 Resistance

A central struggle pits occupation forces against a local underground. The townspeople, led by Gunnar and Karen, organize, plan, and endure personal risk to protect their neighbors. The theme explores courage, sacrifice, and the price of defiance.

🗝️ Secrecy

Secrecy drives the plot as hidden weapons and covert meetings shape the resistance. Trust becomes as vital as action, with families and neighbors weighing loyalty against safety. The tension between concealment and revelation keeps the town on edge.

💔 Betrayal and Loss

Family loyalties collide with political loyalties as the occupation strains relationships. Johann's shifting stance and ultimate fate highlight the personal costs of conflict. The story underscores how betrayal and tragedy alter a community's resolve.

🛡️ Defense

The town bands together to defend itself, from the church tower to the hotel frontline. The improvised defense showcases collective resilience under imminent threat. Victory comes at a high price, but endures in the survivors' resolve.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:20

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Stories of Wartime Family Conflict like Edge of Darkness

A family's loyalties fracture under the immense pressure of war and occupation.If you liked the family drama at the heart of Edge of Darkness, explore more movies where a family is torn apart by war, occupation, or invasion. These films focus on the intimate costs of conflict, exploring themes of betrayal, collaboration, and finding unexpected strength in the face of oppression.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a household, often in an occupied or war-torn setting, where members take opposing sides of a conflict. The central drama revolves around the tension between survival and principle, exploring how political ideologies can poison familial bonds and force characters to choose between blood and their conscience.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the domestic sphere as the primary site of conflict. They blend heavy emotional weight with tense, oppressive atmospheres, using the family unit to explore larger themes of resistance, collaboration, and the human cost of war in a deeply personal way.

Movies about Costly Wartime Resistance like Edge of Darkness

Stories of defiant rebellion where victory comes at a heavy, personal price.For viewers who appreciated the defiant yet bittersweet ending of Edge of Darkness, this section gathers movies about local uprisings and resistance movements. These stories feature tense buildups, brave acts of defiance, and endings that are hopeful yet shadowed by sacrifice, capturing the complex reality of fighting back.

tensedefiantsomberresolutebittersweetuprisingsacrificepatriotic

Narrative Summary

The plot follows a group or community under oppressive rule, building from quiet discontent to organized rebellion. The story emphasizes the high stakes, the planning and secrecy involved, and the inevitable violence of confrontation. The journey culminates in a symbolic or tactical victory that is meaningful but underscores the ongoing nature of the struggle and the steep price paid for freedom.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects films with a specific emotional and narrative arc: a steady pacing that builds tension towards a defiant climax, a consistently high intensity driven by life-or-death stakes, and a bittersweet ending that mixes hope with profound loss. They share a mood of resolute anxiety and somber defiance.

Unlock the Full Story of Edge of Darkness

Don't stop at just watching — explore Edge of Darkness 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 Edge of Darkness is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Edge of Darkness Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Edge of Darkness, 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.

Edge of Darkness Summary

Edge of Darkness Timeline

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

Edge of Darkness Timeline

Edge of Darkness Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Edge of Darkness that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Edge of Darkness Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Edge of Darkness

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

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