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Hudson’s Bay (1940) movie poster

Timeline

Hudson’s Bay (1940) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1940 · 95 mins · English
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Directed by
Irving Pichel
Starring
Nigel Bruce, Vincent Price, Paul Muni, Ian Wolfe, Gene Tierney, Frederick Worlock

Set in a highly fictionalized version of Canada’s early days, the film follows trapper‑explorer Pierre‑Esprit Radisson as he envisions a vast empire around Hudson’s Bay. He wins the trust of Indigenous peoples, clashes with French rivals, and persuades King Charles II to fund a bold expedition of conquest, portraying a larger‑than‑life hero who saves a new world for a ruler who once ordered his death.

History Adventure Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Hudson’s Bay
  6. 6 Every angle
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12 events in order · contains spoilers

Hudson’s Bay Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Hudson’s Bay (1940) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Ambition to found a Hudson's Bay trading post

    Radisson and his friend Gooseberry set out with a bold plan to establish a trading post in the Hudson's Bay region. In 1667 they begin their designs from Montreal, aiming to expand trade with Indigenous communities. Their intent is to unite the land through commerce and create a new hub for fur exchange.

    When
    1667
    Where
    Montreal

  2. Jailed nobleman freed and funding secured

    They free Lord Edward Crewe from jail, a banished English nobleman. Edward agrees to fund the expedition, providing the capital needed to push the project forward. This act turns a speculative plan into a funded venture.

    When
    1667
    Where
    Montreal

  3. Voyage toward Hudson Bay to establish the post

    With Edward's backing, Radisson, Gooseberry, and Crewe depart Montreal to pursue trade with Indigenous allies. They move toward the Hudson Bay region to lay the groundwork for the planned post. The journey marks the transition from planning to active exploration.

    When
    late 1667
    Where
    Hudson Bay region

  4. Seeking royal endorsement in England

    The expedition travels to England to seek official royal support for the venture. They aim to secure legitimacy, resources, and a political seal of approval for the trading post. The trip shifts the project into a multinational chessboard of influence.

    When
    1667–1668
    Where
    London

  5. Prince Rupert aids Edward's rehabilitation

    Prince Rupert helps restore Edward Crewe in the king's good graces, smoothing the path for royal favor. This political maneuver boosts their prospects for obtaining backing. Edward's standing becomes a key asset of the expedition.

    When
    1668
    Where
    England

  6. King's condition: 400,000 pelts to be delivered

    Charles II signals openness to the trading post idea but demands a heavy price: 400,000 pelts must be produced and delivered. The pelts requirement anchors the venture to the realities of the fur trade. The crew must secure vast resources from Indigenous and rival networks to satisfy the king.

    When
    1668
    Where
    London

  7. Fort Charles established in Canada

    Returning to Canada, the Fort Charles trading post is established as the operational base. The fort becomes central to the fur trade network and their efforts to unite the region through commerce. Its completion marks a new frontier for Anglophone expansion.

    When
    1668–1669
    Where
    Canada (Fort Charles area)

  8. Gerald's misdeeds spark tension with Indigenous groups

    Gerald's actions incite trouble in the region and provoke violence among Indigenous communities. The unrest threatens the stability of the fort and endangers the future of the trading post. The situation heightens the stakes for all involved.

    When
    1669
    Where
    Fort Charles area

  9. Radisson and Gooseberry authorize punishment for Gerald

    Against the king's objections, Radisson and Gooseberry authorize punishment for Gerald by firing squad. The acted severity underscores frontier justice and the harsh realities of enforcing order near the frontier. Edward's partners take drastic measures to restore control.

    When
    1669
    Where
    Fort Charles

  10. Barbara learns the consequences and grows distressed

    Barbara Hall becomes horrified by her brother Gerald's actions and their repercussions. She begins to grasp the moral complexities involved in the quest for a trading post. The personal stakes begin to intertwine with political ambitions.

    When
    1669–1670
    Where
    Canada (Fort Charles)

  11. Trading post prospers; momentum builds

    With Gerald punished and the fort solidifying, the Hudson's Bay trading post starts to prosper. The venture gains traction, and Edward and his partners see tangible progress toward their goals. The success reinforces the idea of a more connected Canadian frontier.

    When
    1670
    Where
    Fort Charles

  12. Barbara forgives Edward as the venture succeeds

    Barbara forgives her love, Edward, as the enterprise proves its value and the region grows closer. Radisson and Gooseberry celebrate the milestone, signaling a hopeful, united future for their trading network. The story closes with a sense of accomplishment and continuity.

    When
    1670
    Where
    Canada (Fort Charles)

Last updated: February 24, 2026 at 09:32

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Timeline questions answered

Hudson’s Bay Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Hudson’s Bay (1940): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Radisson and Gooseberry free Lord Edward Crewe from jail?

Radisson and Gooseberry freed Lord Edward Crewe because they needed funding for their expedition to establish a trading post in the Hudson Bay region. Crewe was a banished English nobleman with financial resources who could bankroll their ambitious venture. By securing his freedom, they turned their speculative plan into an actual funded expedition.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in Montreal, Radisson and Gooseberry had already set out with a bold plan to open a trading post but lacked the capital to make it happen.

  • lord edward crewe
  • funding
  • radisson
  • gooseberry
  • trading post
  • montreal
Q2

How did Prince Rupert help the trading expedition?

Prince Rupert helped restore Lord Edward Crewe's standing with King Charles II after Edward had been banished. By rehabilitating Edward's reputation in the king's court, Prince Rupert smoothed the path for the expedition to receive royal favor and support for their trading post venture.

Foreshadowing: The expedition traveled to England specifically to seek official royal endorsement for their venture.

  • prince rupert
  • king charles ii
  • lord edward crewe
  • royal support
  • london
Q3

Why did King Charles II demand 400,000 pelts?

King Charles II demanded 400,000 pelts as a condition for supporting the Hudson's Bay trading post. This requirement tied the venture to the economic realities of the fur trade and ensured the king would benefit financially from the expedition if it succeeded. It was both a test of the venture's viability and a way to guarantee a substantial return on his potential investment.

Foreshadowing: The king had previously ordered Lord Edward Crewe's banishment, creating tension that needed to be resolved before royal support could be secured.

  • king charles ii
  • 400000 pelts
  • fur trade
  • condition
  • london
Q4

What did Gerald Hall do that caused trouble with Indigenous groups?

Gerald Hall's reckless actions incited violence among Indigenous groups and threatened the stability of the newly established Fort Charles trading post. His behavior provoked Indigenous communities to demand punishment, creating a critical situation that endangered the entire venture's future in the region.

Foreshadowing: The expedition had traveled to the Hudson Bay region to establish trade relationships with Indigenous peoples.

  • gerald hall
  • indigenous groups
  • violence
  • fort charles
  • trouble
Q5

Why did Radisson and Gooseberry authorize Gerald's execution despite the king's objections?

Radisson and Gooseberry authorized Gerald's execution by firing squad to restore order and maintain the fragile peace with Indigenous communities. Even though King Charles II objected, they believed harsh measures were necessary to appease the Indigenous groups demanding justice and to prevent the trading post from collapsing due to the conflict Gerald's actions had sparked.

Foreshadowing: The Indigenous groups had demanded punishment for Gerald's actions, making the situation untenable for the expedition.

  • gerald hall execution
  • firing squad
  • radisson
  • gooseberry
  • indigenous groups
  • king's objections
Q6

Why did Barbara Hall forgive Edward at the end?

Barbara Hall forgave Edward as the Hudson's Bay trading post proved successful and demonstrated the value of their collective efforts. With the venture achieving its goals and the region becoming more united through commerce, the moral complexities of earlier events were overshadowed by their shared success, allowing Barbara to reconcile with Edward.

Foreshadowing: Barbara had been horrified by her brother Gerald's actions and their repercussions, creating tension with Edward.

  • barbara hall
  • edward crewe
  • forgiveness
  • trading post success
  • reconciliation
Q7

How did the Hudson's Bay trading post become successful?

The Hudson's Bay trading post became successful after Radisson and Gooseberry established Fort Charles in Canada and dealt with the crisis caused by Gerald's actions. With order restored, Indigenous trade relationships stabilized, and the king's conditions met through the delivery of pelts, the venture gained momentum and prospered as a hub for fur trade.

Foreshadowing: The king had set the condition of 400,000 pelts before supporting the venture.

  • hudson's bay trading post
  • fort charles
  • success
  • fur trade
  • prosper
Q8

Why did Radisson and his companions travel to England?

Radisson and his companions traveled to England to seek royal endorsement and legitimacy for their trading post venture. They needed official approval from King Charles II to establish a legitimate operation that could compete with French rivals and secure the political and economic support necessary for success.

Foreshadowing: The expedition began in Montreal with the goal of widening trade with Indigenous peoples.

  • england
  • london
  • royal endorsement
  • king charles ii
  • trading post
Q9

What was Lord Edward Crewe's relationship with King Charles II?

Lord Edward Crewe had been banished by King Charles II, which is why he was jailed when Radisson and Gooseberry found him. After Prince Rupert intervened on his behalf, Edward was restored to the king's good graces, allowing him to become a key financial backer of the Hudson's Bay expedition.

Foreshadowing: Radisson and Gooseberry freed Edward from jail in Montreal at the start of their journey.

  • lord edward crewe
  • king charles ii
  • banishment
  • prince rupert
  • restoration

Movie threads

More Movies Like Hudson’s Bay, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Hudson’s Bay tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Historical empire building stories like Hudson’s Bay

Stories of ambitious visionaries forging new empires against political odds. Explore movies like Hudson’s Bay that follow ambitious visionaries as they build trade empires and navigate colonial politics. These films blend adventure with political strategy, perfect for fans of large-scale historical conquests.

  • ambitious
  • political
  • adventurous
  • strategic
  • patriotic
  • historical
  • Tone: hopeful, ambitious, patriotic
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a determined protagonist with a grand vision, charting their journey from a bold idea through securing resources, facing rival factions, and ultimately achieving a measure of success, often framed as a national or commercial triumph.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on ambitious ventures, political maneuvering in historical settings, and the hopeful tone of overcoming obstacles to achieve a large-scale goal, creating a satisfying arc of triumph.

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1938
Suez movie poster

Suez

1938
The Prince and the Pauper movie poster

The Prince and the Pauper

1937
The Conquerors movie poster

The Conquerors

1932

Explorer diplomat movies similar to Hudson’s Bay

Frontier adventurers who find success through diplomacy and cultural bridges. Find films like Hudson’s Bay where explorers win through diplomacy. If you enjoyed the hero gaining trust and building alliances, these movies about cultural bridge-builders are for you.

  • diplomatic
  • adventurous
  • friendship
  • cultural exchange
  • trust
  • negotiation
  • Tone: hopeful, respectful, adventurous
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story centers on a protagonist operating in a liminal space between cultures, using empathy and respect to build trust where force fails. The conflict often involves rival factions or colonial powers, with the hero's success hinging on their relationships.

Why they belong together: These films share a focus on cross-cultural relationships, the theme of building trust over conquest, and a protagonist who succeeds through diplomacy and friendship rather than pure force, resulting in a positive and hopeful resolution.

In the Footsteps of Marco Polo movie poster

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Medicine Man movie poster

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Every angle

Hudson’s Bay (1940) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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