Night of the Fox

Night of the Fox

Year: 1990

Runtime: 188 mins

Language: English

Director: Charles Jarrott

DramaAdventure

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.

Night of the Fox (1990) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Night of the Fox (1990) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the shadowed weeks before the Allied invasion of Normandy, a lone American officer finds himself stranded on a hostile shore, clutching the kind of intelligence that could alter the fate of the entire operation. The starkness of the Channel islands becomes a pressure‑cooked backdrop for a mission that pivots between rescue and sacrifice, underscoring the razor‑thin line between heroism and catastrophe in wartime espionage.

The delicate task is entrusted to two seasoned members of the Special Operations Executive. Harry Martineau, a once‑academic turned ruthless operative, brings a cold, methodical edge to the undertaking, while Sara Drayron—working under the guise of a cultured French socialite—offers sharp intuition and an unwavering moral compass. Their partnership crackles with a mix of professional respect and lingering personal history, setting the tone for a collaboration that is as much about trust as it is about strategy.

Adding layers of complexity to the operation are two unlikely allies. Guido Orsini, an officer of the Italian navy, provides maritime expertise and a pragmatic sense of loyalty that balances the pair’s intensity. Alongside him is Heini Baum, a Jewish actor who has assumed the uniform of a German paratrooper, his presence a quiet testament to the strange, often contradictory identities forged in the crucible of war. Their disparate backgrounds converge in a shared purpose, creating a tableau of multicultural camaraderie against the bleak canvas of occupied Europe.

The film moves with a tense, atmospheric rhythm, blending the gritty realism of 1940s covert warfare with moments of quiet humanity. Its color palette of muted grays and coastal mists mirrors the moral ambiguities the characters navigate, while a persistent undercurrent of urgency keeps the audience perched on the edge of every decision. In “Night of the Fox,” the stakes are as vast as the ocean, and the true danger lies not only in enemy fire but in the fragile hope that vital knowledge can be protected long enough to alter history.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:37

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Bittersweet Wartime Missions like in Night of the Fox

Covert operations that succeed at a high personal cost to the heroes.If you liked the covert rescue mission in Night of the Fox that ended with a sense of loss, explore more movies like it. These stories feature successful wartime or espionage operations with a bittersweet emotional core, where the mission's cost is deeply felt by the characters.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives follow a clear mission objective—rescue, sabotage, or intelligence gathering—driven by urgency and danger. The plot is linear and action-oriented, but the emotional journey culminates in a victory that is tempered by the death of allies or a sobering reflection on the human cost of conflict.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared combination of a tense, fast-paced mission structure and a poignant, bittersweet conclusion. They balance action and suspense with a sobering emotional weight, creating a specific viewing experience where triumph is never pure.

Race Against Time Thrillers like Night of the Fox

High-stakes stories where a ticking clock drives every tense decision.Fans of the urgent D-Day rescue plot in Night of the Fox will enjoy these similar high-tension thrillers. Discover movies with fast-paced narratives, looming deadlines, and constant danger, where every second counts and failure is not an option.

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Narrative Summary

The core pattern is a clear, critical objective that must be achieved before a specific, impending event. The plot is a series of escalating obstacles and narrow escapes, with pacing that rarely lets up. This structure creates sustained tension and a feeling of anxious immediacy for the viewer.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their fast pacing, high intensity, and a narrative engine powered by a deadline. They share a tense, anxious mood that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, regardless of the specific setting or genre.

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Night of the Fox Summary

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Night of the Fox Summary

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Night of the Fox Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Night of the Fox

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Night of the Fox

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