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 – Night of the Fox (1990)

Trace every key event in Night of the Fox (1990) 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

Stacy arrives in Jersey for Harry Martineau's biography

Professor Alan Stacy travels to Jersey to finish his biography of his late friend and former associate Harry Martineau. He attends Harry's funeral, where only Dr. Sarah Drayton mourns. Sarah reveals that she and Harry worked for the SOE during the war and shows Stacy a photo of them with Erwin Rommel, beginning to recount the past.

Present day Jersey
2

Kelso's rescue triggers a secret operation

In the World War II flashback, after the Slapton Sands disaster, US Army Colonel Hugh Kelso washes ashore on Jersey and is rescued by Hélène de Ville, who contacts London. Brigadier Dougal Munro of the SOE realizes Kelso knows critical details of the planned D-Day landings and resolves to either rescue or eliminate him. The mission to safeguard Kelso thus launches the operation.

World War II era (aftermath of Slapton Sands) Jersey
3

Harry and Sarah recruited; new identities

Munro persuades Harry Martineau and Sarah Drayton to undertake one last operation. Harry becomes SD Standartenführer Max Vogel, while Sarah assumes the cover identity of Anne-Marie de la Tour, a wealthy French mistress. Their recruitment marks the transformation from academic roles to covert operatives.

World War II era Jersey
4

Infiltration begins: smuggling to France and back

Harry and Sarah are smuggled to France and then travel to occupied Jersey as part of the mission. Harry sails on a naval vessel, while Sarah travels on a cargo boat commanded by Captain Guido Orsini. Kelso is wary of their arrival, adding tension to the operation.

World War II era France and Jersey
5

Rommel arrives; the double is in play

A small airplane is awaiting the weekly mail flight, and Rommel’s arrival on a surprise tour of inspection triggers a tense contingency. Most participants do not know that the ‘Rommel’ they meet is actually Corporal Erich Berger, a double who serves the general. The deception holds significance for the mission’s viability.

World War II era Jersey
6

Berger’s secret revealed: Heini Baum

Harry unmasks the ‘Rommel’ as Berger and learns the truth: Berger is actually Heini Baum, a German Jew who has assumed the identity of the dead officer and survived as a soldier. Berger agrees to cooperate and reveals his hidden background to the team.

World War II era Jersey
7

German MP threat and dramatic escape

The operation is nearly derailed by a German military policeman who holds the group at gunpoint. They overpower him, place him in a car, set it alight, and push it over a cliff to avoid capture. Baum urges the team to persevere and complete the mission despite the danger.

World War II era Jersey
8

Plane hijack and flight toward England

Sarah, Harry, Baum, and Orsini seize the aircraft and fly toward France, hoping to evade discovery. The crew is overcome and ordered to fly to England, with a Luftwaffe night fighter closing in. A crew member is killed, and Harry orders a low-altitude pass to draw the fighter away, causing it to crash.

World War II era Over the English Channel
9

Arrival in England and Baum’s death

The survivors reach England and establish radio contact with the RAF. Upon landing, they are surrounded by armed soldiers, and Baum is shot by a guard—likely on Munro’s orders—before he dies, begging Harry to say Kaddish for him.

World War II era England
10

Present day: Sarah's Florence life

The narrative returns to the present as Sarah reveals that she later married Orsini and lived in Florence as Contessa Orsini. She continues her friendship with Stacy while recounting the past, intertwining personal history with wartime memory.

Present day Florence, Italy
11

Harry’s postwar fate and belated burial

Sarah tells Stacy that Harry continued to work for the SOE after the war but was shot down by friendly fire a few months later. His body was buried in the Essex marshes and was not found until recently, leading to a belated burial that finally honors his sacrifice.

Post-war period; burial discovered recently Essex marshes, England

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:22

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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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Night of the Fox

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Night of the Fox

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