Night of the Fox

Night of the Fox

Year: 1990

Runtime: 188 mins

Language: English

Director: Charles Jarrott

DramaAdventureTV Movie

Set on the eve of the secret D‑Day invasion, U.S. Colonel Hugh Kelso washes ashore behind enemy lines, carrying vital intelligence. Allied agents Harry Martineau and Sara Drayton must mount a covert rescue—choosing to save or kill him before the Germans obtain his knowledge. They are aided by an Italian navy officer and a Jewish actor who now serves as a German paratrooper, leading to a daring mission filled with danger, intrigue and a shocking twist.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Night of the Fox 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 – Night of the Fox (1990)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Night of the Fox (1990). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

World War II, 1944-1945

The film is set amid the closing years of World War II, when Allied deception and resistance activities intensified. It centers on SOE operations, forged documents, and secret movements behind enemy lines. The narrative threads through post-Slapton Sands events and the buildup to potential D-Day consequences, reflecting the high-stakes atmosphere of late-war Europe.

Location

Jersey (Channel Islands), Occupied France, England, Essex Marshes

The story unfolds primarily on Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, during the later years of World War II. The island is depicted as a fortress-like setting under German occupation, with coastlines and airfields shaping the covert operations. Action shifts from Jersey to occupied France and thence to Britain, using the island as a tense crossroads for espionage and escape routes. The Essex marshes become the final resting place for one of the central heroes.

🗺️ Channel Islands ⚔️ War-time 🧭 Occupation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:54

Main Characters – Night of the Fox (1990)

Meet the key characters of Night of the Fox (1990), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Brig. Dougal Munro (John Mills)

A hard-edged SOE commander who orchestrates the rescue operation and leverages his authority to push the mission forward. He evaluates risk, manipulates circumstances, and tests loyalties as the plan unfolds. His presence anchors the strategic, high-stakes nature of wartime deception in Jersey.

🗺️ Strategic 🛡️ Leadership 🗡️ Calculating

Captain Guido Orsini (Andrea Occhipinti)

An Italian naval officer who commands the cargo vessel and becomes a crucial ally in moving people and supplies. He provides a practical, maritime perspective to the operation and supports the crew’s escape to Britain. His involvement bridges military mission and civilian risk.

⚓ Naval 🤝 Ally 🌊 Sea voyage

Hélène de Ville (Andréa Ferréol)

A local contact who contacts London and supplies critical information about Jersey. She aids Kelso and facilitates connections that help the protagonists move across occupied territory. Her knowledge of the island and its networks proves essential to the mission.

🗺️ Local networks 🧭 Coordination

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel / Caporal Berger (Michael York)

Rommel is actually a double—Caporal Berger—used as part of the ruse to mislead enemy observers. His disguise and planned withdrawal from Germany are central to the deception surrounding the German command. The real Rommel’s involvement in a plot against Hitler adds a layer of complexity to the operation.

🕵️‍♂️ Identity 🛡️ Deception

Col. Harry Martineau / Max Vogel (George Peppard)

A former academic turned ruthless operative who assumes a new identity to conduct covert missions. Recruited for the operation, he embodies the fusion of scholarly detachment and lethal efficiency. His dual life tests loyalty and reveals the moral ambiguities of wartime espionage.

🧠 Intelligence 🗡️ Dual life

Alan Stacey (John Standing)

A biographer visiting Jersey who reconstructs the past and serves as the film’s framing device. He witnesses revelations about the wartime activities, tying the present to the past. His perspective anchors the story’s reflective mood and provides a window into the characters’ histories.

📚 Writer 🧭 Investigative

Sara Drayton (Deborah Raffin)

A nurse with deep local ties who adopts an undercover role to support the mission. Her cover as Anne-Marie de la Tour helps conceal the operation and build trust with others. She remains a central figure in the network of resistance and alliance.

🧬 Cover identity 🤝 Ally

Hugh Kelso (David Birney)

A US Army colonel who holds crucial knowledge about the D-Day plans. His rescue becomes a linchpin of the mission, and his survival is a measure of the operation’s success. His presence heightens the stakes for everyone involved.

🎖️ Military 🧭 Strategic

Greiser (Vincent Grass)

A German officer encountered in the occupied setting. His presence underscores the occupation’s authority and the constant tension between German control and Allied covert efforts. He represents the formal German side of the conflict surrounding the operation.

⚔️ German Officer 🧭 Occupation

Hofer (Gottfried John)

A German soldier featured in the occupation milieu. His role exemplifies the occupying forces and their interactions with resistance operatives. He contributes to the film’s atmosphere of danger and surveillance.

🪖 Occupation ⚔️ Military presence

Muller (Amadeus August)

A German-associated character within the occupied setting. He participates in the environment of occupation and military operations that frame the mission’s challenges. His role adds to the web of wartime complexity.

🪖 Occupation ⚔️ Military

Mary Vibert (Kim Weeks)

A character involved in the Jersey milieu, contributing to the social fabric around the covert operation. Her involvement helps illustrate the civilian front of wartime networks. Her presence adds texture to the island’s occupied society.

🧭 Civilian networks 🕊️ Local life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:54

Major Themes – Night of the Fox (1990)

Explore the central themes of Night of the Fox (1990), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Espionage

Clandestine operations drive the plot, with forged papers, undercover roles, and carefully staged identities. The characters rely on misdirection, improvised alliances, and covert meetings to outmaneuver a better-armed enemy. The tension stems from balancing loyalty with the ever-present risk of betrayal in a web of deception. The narrative treats information as the pivotal weapon in a landscape of occupation and counter-mission.

🎭 Identity

Multiple identities drive the drama: Harry Martineau becomes Max Vogel, while Sarah Drayton operates under the alias Anne-Marie de la Tour. Rommel’s supposed presence is exploited through a double, and allies like Orsini become essential links. The film examines how drawing on disguises and personas shapes choices under pressure and determines who can be trusted. Identity is as much a weapon as any gun or plan.

🎖️ Sacrifice

The mission hinges on risking lives, with Baum sacrificing himself to advance the plan and ensure others reach safety. The narrative acknowledges the price of clandestine warfare, where even successful evasion can yield tragic outcomes. Baum’s dying plea for Kaddish and the belated burial of Harry emphasize the human cost behind wartime heroics. Sacrifice threads through personal loyalties and professional duties alike.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:54

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 Night of the Fox

Don't stop at just watching — explore Night of the Fox 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 Night of the Fox is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Night of the Fox Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Night of the Fox, 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.

Night of the Fox Summary

Night of the Fox Timeline

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

Night of the Fox Timeline

More About Night of the Fox

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Night of the Fox: 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 Night of the Fox

Similar Movies to Night of the Fox

Discover movies like Night of the Fox 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.