Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Year: 1969

Runtime: 155 min

Language: English

Director: Herbert Ross

DramaRomanceMusical

A devoted teacher reflects on a long and fulfilling career at a traditional British boys' school. Through a nostalgic look back, he remembers the impact he had on his students and cherishes the memory of his beloved wife. The film explores themes of duty, loss, and the enduring power of human connection within the familiar and comforting setting of the school.

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Timeline & Setting – Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1924-1949

The narrative spans the interwar years and the Second World War. It begins in 1924, follows the late 1930s tensions, and moves through WWII. The postwar years show Chips's long-awaited promotion and Katherine's death during a V-1 attack.

Location

Brookfield School (near London), Savoy Hotel (London), Paestum, Italy

Brookfield School sits just outside London as a traditional public boarding school where Chips teaches Latin and Greek. The Savoy Hotel in London provides the social backdrop where Chips first meets Katherine. Paestum in Italy serves as the scene where the couple reconnects during a Mediterranean cruise, foreshadowing their romance.

🎒 Public School 🏨 Luxury Hotel 🗺️ Historic Site

Last Updated: December 13, 2025 at 08:20

Main Characters – Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)

Meet the key characters of Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Arthur Chipping (Mr Chips) - played by Peter O'Toole

A traditional Latin and Greek master at Brookfield who is initially seen as dull and distant. His marriage to Katherine softens him and earns greater warmth from his pupils. He resigns in a moment of principle before WWII, and his life afterwards centers on memory, retirement, and ongoing ties to Brookfield.

🎓 Teacher 🏫 School 💫 Transformation

Katherine Bridges

A music hall soubrette who questions her career and social circle. She recognizes a lonely, sensitive side in Chips and helps him reconnect with life and his pupils. Her influence softens the school’s boundaries, though her own life is intertwined with social risk.

🎭 Performer 💕 Romance

Ursula Mossbank

A stage actress and friend of Katherine whose past with Lord Sutterwick becomes a tool to confront the patron. She uses information strategically, contributing to the political and social pressure surrounding Brookfield.

🎬 Trickster 🎭 Drama

Lord Sutterwick

A wealthy, influential patron whose desires to control Brookfield's endowment threaten the school. His vindictiveness is checked by Katherine and Ursula’s interventions, revealing the tension between money and integrity.

💼 Aristocrat 🧭 Power

Last Updated: December 13, 2025 at 08:20

Major Themes – Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)

Explore the central themes of Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💞 Love & Transformation

A reserved teacher's rigidity is softened by love when Chips marries Katherine, changing his relationship with students and the school. The romance reshapes both personal identity and social expectations, highlighting the power of affection to reform tradition.

🏛️ Wealth & Influence

Wealthy patronage and social status shape Brookfield's fate, with Lord Sutterwick attempting to withdraw funding due to Katherine's background. Ursula Mossbank's leverage shows how personal history and class privilege influence educational institutions.

⚔️ War & Loss

World War II interrupts life at Brookfield and changes the characters' paths. Katherine's death from a V-1 attack underscores the era's fragility and the lasting memory of loved ones. Yet the postwar period still offers loyalty, memory, and the sense of continuity through former pupils.

Last Updated: December 13, 2025 at 08:20

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heartwarminginspirationalsentimentalcomfortinghopefulnostalgic

Narrative Summary

The plot follows a mentor figure over a significant period as they encounter and influence various students. External challenges like changing times or personal tragedy test their dedication, but the core of the story remains the quiet, cumulative impact of their unwavering commitment and kindness.

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Unlock the Full Story of Goodbye, Mr. Chips

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Goodbye, Mr. Chips Summary

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Goodbye, Mr. Chips Summary

Goodbye, Mr. Chips Timeline

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

Goodbye, Mr. Chips Timeline

Goodbye, Mr. Chips Spoiler-Free Summary

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Goodbye, Mr. Chips Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Goodbye, Mr. Chips

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