Morning Departure

Morning Departure

Year: 1950

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Director: Roy Ward Baker

Drama

THRILLING SEA DRAMA! The crew of a submarine is trapped on the sea floor when it sinks. How can they be rescued before they run out of air?

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Morning Departure yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Morning Departure (1950)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Morning Departure (1950). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1940s

The story unfolds during World War II, when Royal Navy submarines conduct patrols under constant threat and strict wartime discipline. The era is defined by urgent missions, limited resources, and the peril of mines and storms at sea. The crew's personal lives and futures become intertwined with the wartime duty they are sworn to perform.

Location

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:47

Main Characters – Morning Departure (1950)

Meet the key characters of Morning Departure (1950), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Stoker Snipe (Richard Attenborough)

A young, emotionally charged stoker who is deeply attached to his wife and family life. He starts off as capable and loyal but becomes increasingly overwhelmed by fear as the crisis unfolds. His restraint and ultimately renewed resolve highlight the strain between personal fears and duty to the crew.

🧭 Loyalty 😨 Fear 🚢 Shipboard life

Lt. Cmdr. Peter Armstrong (John Mills)

The ship’s decisive commander, trusted to make hard calls under pressure. He balances stern leadership with genuine concern for his men, choosing difficult paths to maximize survival chances. His sense of duty guides the salvage effort even as personal risks mount.

🧭 Leadership 🏅 Duty ⚓ Navy life

E.R.A. Marks (George Cole)

A capable, level-headed mechanic with a quiet reliability. He becomes a pivot point in the escape decisions and demonstrates practical resourcefulness under stress. Marks embodies the steady, competent sailor who keeps the operation functional.

🧭 Reliability 🧠 Cleverness 🧰 Shipboard duties

Lt. Manson (Nigel Patrick)

The first lieutenant whose health and morale are tested under prolonged danger. He presents as capable but vulnerable, requiring support from others while navigating the strain of leadership responsibilities. His resilience becomes a factor in the evolving dynamics among the crew.

🧭 Resilience 🧪 Strain 🫀 Loyalty

Sub-Lt. J. McFee (Andrew Crawford)

A junior officer whose presence contributes to the crew's collective handling of uncertainty. He represents the next rung of naval leadership facing a crisis that could define his career.

🧭 Emerging leadership 🧭 Responsibility 🧰 Submarine life

Sub-Lt. Oakley (Peter Hammond)

A resourceful officer involved in the escape sequence and salvage operations. His actions underline teamwork and the practical aspects of operating a submarine under duress.

🧭 Teamwork 🧰 Salvage operations 🛡️ Duty

Leading Seaman Kelly (Jack Stewart)

A seasoned sailor whose steadiness provides ballast for others' nerves. He embodies the steadiness and perseverance required in long, perilous undersea patrols.

🧭 Experience 🛡️ Steady under pressure 👥 Sailor life

Capt. Fenton (George Thorpe)

A commanding figure who influences the strategic decisions aboard the ship. His presence adds to the hierarchical tension and the sense of institutional duty during the crisis.

🧭 Authority 🧭 Command structure 🛡️ Leadership

CPO Barlow (Michael Brennan)

A senior non-commissioned officer who contributes to the practical handling of the submarine’s crisis. His experience anchors the crew's approach to danger.

🧭 Experience 🛠️ Practical skills 👥 Crew cohesion

Leading Seaman Brough (Frank Coburn)

A capable sailor who participates in the survival efforts and illustrates the collective effort required to endure the blockade of a failed salvage.

🧭 Team effort 🧰 Practical tasks 🧑‍✈️ Sailor

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:47

Major Themes – Morning Departure (1950)

Explore the central themes of Morning Departure (1950), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Courage under pressure

The crew faces a life-and-death crisis aboard a damaged submarine. Armstrong's calm, decisive leadership guides the survivors and keeps morale from breaking. Fear is present, but duty drives action and sacrifice. The film examines how ordinary sailors rise to extraordinary moments when the situation demands it.

💔 Duty vs. life

Armstrong is offered a lucrative shore job by his wealthy father-in-law, testing the pull between staying at sea and leaving the Navy. Snipe also clings to a personal life, revealing how families and marriages weigh on service members. The narrative contrastsprofessional obligation with the yearning for stability and normalcy.

⚓ Mortality and solidarity

As the salvage operation drags on through shifting weather, crew members die and hope wanes. The four rescued men endure grim days attached to cables while the storm rages, underscoring the fragility of life at sea. The ending, framed by a naval prayer, reinforces communal resilience and shared faith in the face of futility.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:47

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Morning Departure

Don't stop at just watching — explore Morning Departure in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Morning Departure is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Morning Departure Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Morning Departure, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Morning Departure Summary

Morning Departure Timeline

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

Morning Departure Timeline

More About Morning Departure

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Morning Departure: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Morning Departure

Similar Movies to Morning Departure

Discover movies like Morning Departure that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.