Five Came Back (1939) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Vasquez, the anarchist facing extradition and a death sentence, assumes control because he believes he has nothing to lose either way, if he stays, he faces execution, and if he flies, he'll still be caught. He reasons this makes him unbiased, though his violent takeover of the decision ultimately proves otherwise.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Vasquez is established as a radical who believes in taking forceful action to achieve his goals.

• vasquez
• decision
• survival
• leadership
• anarchist

As the natives close in on those left behind, Professor Spengler realizes they would be captured and tortured. Vasquez claims there are three bullets left and offers to spare them the suffering by shooting them, then quietly waits for his own death. Whether this was mercy or cold calculation is left ambiguous.

Foreshadowing: The Spenglers had already volunteered to stay behind, accepting their fate.

• vasquez
• spenglers
• killing
• mercy
• torture
• natives

Professor Spengler and his wife Martha both recognize that they are elderly with limited years remaining, while the others, particularly the young couple, the child, and the pilots, have their entire lives ahead of them. Their sacrifice reflects their acceptance that their chances of survival in the harsh jungle are minimal regardless.

Foreshadowing: The couple had been estranged at the start of the journey but rekindled their love during the crisis, giving them emotional closure.

• spenglers
• sacrifice
• elderly couple
• staying behind
• choice

The plane's single remaining engine has a leaking oil line that can only be temporarily patched. This creates a severe weight limit, the aircraft can safely carry only four adults and one child (Tommy) across the mountains. Any additional weight would cause the engine to fail mid-flight.

Foreshadowing: The plane crash from the earlier storm left it severely damaged, with weeks of repairs needed.

• plane
• engine
• weight limit
• repair
• escape
• oil leak

When Judson attempts to bribe Vasquez with money and political influence to secure a seat on the plane, a violent struggle erupts. Vasquez shoots Judson dead, eliminating both the bribe attempt and a man who represented the wealthy, privileged class Vasquez has always opposed.

Foreshadowing: Judson's earlier descent into alcoholism and desperation made him irrational and willing to try any means to survive.

• vasquez
• judson
• murder
• bribe
• struggle
• death

The plane encounters a violent nighttime storm that causes turbulence and damage. A loose compressed gas cylinder breaks free, forcing open a door. As the crew attempts to secure it, the plane loses an engine and must make an emergency crash-landing in the dense Amazon rainforest.

Foreshadowing: The flight was already risky, traveling through storm-prone regions at night.

• plane crash
• storm
• engine failure
• amazon
• jungle
• emergency landing

During the weeks of survival, Peggy confesses her sordid past to Bill, though the specific details aren't elaborated in the summary. This confession marks a turning point in her character, as she opens up about her criminal or morally ambiguous background, allowing her to form a genuine connection with Bill.

Foreshadowing: Peggy was introduced as a woman with a 'shadowy past' among the passengers.

• peggy
• nolan
• past
• confession
• bill
• romance

Vasquez observes how the other survivors, people from vastly different backgrounds, cope with adversity, work together, and show courage. This experience challenges his ideological worldview and causes him to question the validity of his radical revolutionary beliefs.

Foreshadowing: Vasquez begins the journey as a committed anarchist facing extradition for killing a politician.

• vasquez
• anarchist
• beliefs
• transformation
• ideology
• change

When Tommy goes missing during a search, Pete, Tommy gangster father's escort, accompanies Peggy to find the boy. They discover Crimp's body, but native attackers find them. Pete sacrifices himself by shielding Peggy and Tommy from the natives, dying in the process.

Foreshadowing: Pete was introduced as Tommy's armed escort, tasked with protecting the boy.

• pete
• death
• native attack
• sacrifice
• protection
• tommy

Alice starts the journey as a naive young woman eloping against her parents' wishes. After the crash, she is forced to survive in the harsh jungle environment, which transforms her into a stronger, more resilient person. During this transformation, she is drawn to Joe, the capable co-pilot who helps keep everyone alive.

Foreshadowing: Alice was initially portrayed as sheltered and dependent on her fiancé Judson.

• alice
• joe
• attraction
• pilot
• romance
• growth

Crimp, the guard assigned to watch Vasquez, mysteriously disappears on the 23rd day. Tommy later discovers Crimp's body, killed by a poison dart. The nature of the dart suggests the native inhabitants of the jungle are responsible for his death.

Foreshadowing: The passengers were warned they were in territory inhabited by hostile native tribes.

• crimp
• death
• poison dart
• native
• killed
• murder

As a wealthy young man accustomed to privilege and comfort, Judson struggles to cope with the brutal reality of surviving in the jungle. His frustration and helplessness lead him to escape into alcohol, causing him to become irrational and desperate by the time the rescue plane becomes available.

Foreshadowing: Judson was introduced as a privileged eloping groom with no survival skills or resilience.

• judson
• alcoholism
• despair
• frustration
• wealthy
• survival