Mission: Impossible

Mission: Impossible

Year: 1996

Runtime: 110 min

Language: English

Director: Brian De Palma

ActionAdventureThriller

As Ethan Hunt, a rogue agent, navigates a treacherous game of cat and mouse, he must outrun government hitmen, crack seemingly impenetrable codes, and take desperate risks to clear his name and uncover the conspiracy that destroyed his team.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Mission: Impossible (1996)
Trace every key event in Mission: Impossible (1996) 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

Mission Begins

Ethan Hunt and his IMF team initiate a high-stakes mission in Prague. Their objective is to prevent a U.S. diplomat from selling the crucial NOC list, which contains identities of covert agents in Eastern Europe.

Prague
2

Chaos Unfolds

The mission descends into chaos, leading to the shocking death of all team members except Ethan. In the aftermath, he finds himself grappling with the reality that he is the sole survivor and now a prime suspect.

Prague
3

Meeting with Kittridge

Ethan encounters Eugene Kittridge, the CIA director for the IMF, who tells him there is a mole in their ranks known only as 'Job'. This revelation alters Ethan’s perspective and sets him on a path to uncover the truth.

4

Fake NOC List Revelation

Ethan discovers that the NOC list he was initially trying to recover was fake, with the real list securely stored at CIA headquarters in Virginia. This twist complicates his mission and heightens the stakes.

CIA Headquarters, Virginia
5

Regrouping with Claire

Returning to the IMF safe-house, Ethan learns that Claire Phelps, Jim Phelps' wife, has survived. Together, they start formulating a plan to recover the real NOC list and identify the mole.

IMF Safe-house
6

Dealing with Max

Ethan reaches out to arms dealer Max, offering the real NOC list in exchange for information about the mole. Their risky communication leads to a cash advance that Ethan uses to build a team of misfits.

7

Recruiting Former Agents

Ethan assembles a team including skilled hacker Luther Stickell and pilot Franz Krieger. They begin plotting a high-stakes infiltration of the CIA to obtain the genuine NOC list.

CIA Headquarters, Langley
8

The Infiltration

The team successfully breaks into CIA headquarters in Langley. They execute a well-planned operation that allows them to steal a copy of the real NOC list amidst high security.

CIA Headquarters, Langley
9

Discovering Jim's Survival

As the plot thickens, Ethan learns that Jim Phelps is alive, contradicting everything he believed about the mission's outcome. This knowledge fuels Ethan's determination to untangle the web of deception.

10

Train Confrontation

Ethan arranges a meeting with Max on the TGV train to Paris, bringing Luther and Claire for support. This meeting sets the stage for a dramatic exchange that could expose the mole.

TGV Train, Paris
11

Chaos on the Train

During a tense standoff, a struggle erupts aboard the train. As Ethan interacts with Max in the luggage compartment, a confrontation between loyalty and deceit reaches its peak.

TGV Train, Paris
12

Phelps Revealed

Ethan uncovers the shocking truth that Jim Phelps is actually Job, the mole. In a confrontation that reveals Claire’s involvement, Ethan must navigate dangers on both sides.

TGV Train, Paris
13

Final Showdown

A climactic fight unfolds between Ethan, Phelps, and Krieger on top of the train. As chaos surrounds them, Ethan fights for justice while trying to save himself from Phelps' wrath.

TGV Train, Paris
14

Confronting the Helicopter

Ethan takes a daring leap onto a helicopter, utilizing explosive gum to secure Phelps’ downfall. The explosion marks the end of the betrayal that nearly cost him everything.

15

Mission Accomplished

With the mole exposed and the NOC list secured, Kittridge clears Ethan of all suspicion. As Ethan heads home, he is approached about a new mission, hinting at further adventures to come.

Last Updated: October 31, 2024 at 15:08

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