It! (1967) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The statue survives because it is the legendary Golem of Judah Loew, a supernatural creature that cannot be destroyed by fire or any other conventional means. The inscription on the statue reads 'for neither by fire, nor water, nor force, nor anything by man created,' explaining its immunity to damage.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, investigators note the statue's inexplicable survival amid total destruction, foreshadowing its supernatural nature.

• golem
• statue
• fire
• survival
• indestructible

Pimm discovers a hidden compartment at the top of the Golem's right foot containing a small scroll with the Hebrew word 'emeth' (truth). When he places the scroll in the statue and activates it, the Golem stirs to life and becomes bound to Pimm's will.

Foreshadowing: The statue is labeled as a 'Mid-European Primitive,' hinting at its ancient origins before its true nature is revealed.

• arthur pimm
• golem
• emeth
• scroll
• ritual

The Golem was originally created by Rabbi Loew in the 16th century to defend its community, but Pimm's ritual using the 'emeth' scroll binds the creature to his will. This perverts the Golem's original purpose, turning it from a protector into a weapon that carries out Pimm's murders.

Foreshadowing: Pimm is established as a psychologically unstable character who keeps his mother's corpse, suggesting his capacity to corrupt the Golem's intended purpose.

• golem
• rabbi loew
• protection
• command
• pimm

Pimm is portrayed as a Norman Bates-like figure with severe psychological issues. He keeps his dead mother's body in his apartment and even steals jewelry to adorn her corpse, indicating deep emotional instability and an unhealthy attachment to his mother.

Foreshadowing: This disturbing detail establishes Pimm's psychological state from the beginning, explaining why he would misuse the Golem for murder.

• arthur pimm
• mother
• corpse
• psychological
• obsession

The Golem is suspected and implied to be responsible for the destruction of Hammersmith Bridge. This catastrophic event occurs as the Golem becomes more active under Pimm's control, demonstrating its immense destructive power and escalating the film's threat level.

Foreshadowing: The bridge destruction follows the pattern of mysterious deaths and accidents that begin after the Golem awakens.

• golem
• hamnersmith bridge
• destruction
• mayhem

The inscription reads 'for neither by fire, nor water, nor force, nor anything by man created.' This ancient Hebrew warning explains that the Golem is immune to all conventional methods of destruction, making it an unstoppable force once awakened.

Foreshadowing: This inscription is introduced after the bridge destruction, when Pimm attempts to destroy the Golem and fails.

• golem
• inscription
• indestructible
• hebrew
• protection

After being exposed by Jim Perkins and committed to an insane asylum, Pimm stages a breakout and kidnaps Ellen Grove, using the Golem's assistance. His motive appears to be both romantic obsession and using her as a pawn in his continued control over the Golem.

Foreshadowing: Ellen is established as a romantic interest for both Pimm and Perkins, creating a love triangle that escalates into violence.

• arthur pimm
• ellen grove
• kidnap
• golem
• asylum

The Golem survives the nuclear detonation because, as established by the ancient inscription, it cannot be destroyed by any human-created force, including nuclear weapons. The inscription explicitly states the creature is immune to 'anything by man created,' which includes nuclear technology.

Foreshadowing: The inscription's promise of invincibility foreshadows the Golem's survival of even the most extreme attempt at destruction.

• golem
• nuclear
• explosion
• survival
• indestructible

After the nuclear explosion vaporizes Pimm and destroys the Cloisters, the Golem remains untouched and retreats into the sea. The film ends with the creature slipping from view, leaving its ultimate fate ambiguous and its threat unresolved.

Foreshadowing: The inscription's promise of invincibility and the Golem's survival of every attempt to destroy it foreshadow this final retreat.

• golem
• sea
• ending
• fate
• ambiguous

Mr. Grove, the museum curator, is killed during a late-night inspection of the Golem statue. While his assistant Arthur Pimm is sent to fetch a flashlight, Grove is murdered in what appears to be the first of the mysterious deaths linked to the Golem's awakening.

Foreshadowing: The fire that revealed the undamaged statue immediately precedes Grove's death, establishing the pattern of danger surrounding the artifact.

• mr grove
• curator
• death
• museum
• killed

Jim Perkins is a curator from the New York Museum who arrives in London, identifies the Golem, and tries to acquire it for his institution. He becomes a counterforce to Pimm, ultimately exposing Pimm's crimes to the authorities and rescuing Ellen from the final confrontation.

Foreshadowing: Perkins's interest in acquiring the Golem creates conflict with Pimm and drives much of the plot's second half.

• jim perkins
• new york museum
• curator
• ellen grove