Inchon

Inchon

Year: 1981

Runtime: 140 mins

Language: English

Director: Terence Young

Budget: $46M

WarHistoryDrama

LOVE. DESTINY. HEROES. War Changes Everything. Gen. Douglas MacArthur leads a Korean War campaign, and the war tests a married couple’s relationship.

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Timeline – Inchon (1981)

Trace every key event in Inchon (1981) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Invasion begins on the 38th parallel

In June 1950, North Korean forces push across the 38th parallel, plunging the peninsula into war. Civilians scramble to flee toward safer areas, and Seoul becomes a destination of urgency. The stage is set for both battlefield operations and personal stories to unfold amid the conflict.

June 1950 38th parallel region, Korea
2

Barbara rescues children and escapes the invasion

Barbara Hallsworth is driven toward Seoul with five South Korean children, but her chauffeur is killed along the way. She takes control, guides them to safety at the Inn of the Sixth Happiness, and even shoots a North Korean soldier who threatens them. Her actions highlight civilian courage amid the early chaos of the war.

June 1950 Route to Seoul; Inn of the Sixth Happiness
3

Frank searches for Barbara as invasion starts

Frank Hallsworth, entangled in an affair with Lim, learns of the invasion and travels north to locate Barbara. Army sergeant August Henderson assists, repairing her vehicle and aiding the search. The long-delayed reunion underscores how personal relationships persist amid national catastrophe.

June 1950 Korea, northward journey
4

Journalists report from Tokyo; MacArthur's stance

David Feld, Park, and Longfellow attend a press conference with MacArthur in Tokyo, though the general does not appear as expected. He aligns with his wife by declaring he is the man who can rescue South Korea and shapes public perception of the war. The scene frames leadership and media narratives on the eve of major operations.

Date not specified Tokyo, Japan
5

Lighthouse signal sets the stage for Inchon

Hallsworth and Lim manage to turn on a lighthouse to signal 261 U.S. ships, providing a crucial navigational cue for the impending landing. The moment links civilian infrastructure to a planned amphibious operation. Place: Incheon Channel

September 1950 Incheon Channel
6

Mines are activated in the channel

Saito triggers mines in the channel, complicating the landing and heightening the danger for approaching ships and troops. The defensive move tests the planners' resolve and patience. Place: Incheon Channel

September 1950 Incheon Channel
7

Lim falls in the fighting

Lim is killed during the ensuing battle, underscoring the personal cost of the operation. Barbara and others witness the tragedy as the assault moves forward. Place: Incheon Channel

September 1950 Incheon Channel
8

UN troops land and push out North Koreans

American and allied forces land at Incheon and begin driving North Korean troops from the area. The operation marks a turning point by breaking the North Korean advance and enabling counteroffensives. Place: Incheon, Korea

September 15–19, 1950 Incheon, Korea
9

Civilians celebrate as flags fly

As combat subsides, the people cheer and wave South Korean and American flags along the harbor. The moment captures relief and renewed hope amid a long, brutal war. Place: Incheon, Korea

September 1950 Incheon, Korea
10

Inchon marks the turning point of the war

The successful landing is framed in the film as the turning point of the Korean War, shifting momentum decisively in favor of UN forces. The narrative ties strategic success to human courage and resilience. Place: Incheon, Korea

September 1950 Incheon, Korea
11

MacArthur recites the Lord's Prayer

In the aftermath of the major operation, MacArthur is shown reciting the Lord's Prayer, a moment that emphasizes leadership, faith, and resolve. The scene links personal belief to the broader war effort. Place: Not specified

September 1950
12

Newsreel of MacArthur closes the film

After the prayer, a newsreel of MacArthur is shown, reinforcing his public image and the war's narrative for audiences. The sequence caps the story with a retrospective feel. Place: Not specified

September 1950

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:58

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Inchon

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