Number Seventeen

Number Seventeen

Year: 1932

Runtime: 63 mins

Language: English

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

ThrillerCrimeMystery

A great play. A great novel and a greater film. A gang of thieves gather at a safe house following a robbery, but a detective is on their trail.

Number Seventeen (1932) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Number Seventeen (1932) 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.

The wind‑blasted cliffs of rural England give way to a solitary, weather‑worn building known only as Number 17. Its empty rooms and creaking floors are lit by a single trembling candle, casting shadows that seem to linger long after the light has faded. The house feels both a refuge and a trap, a place where silence can be as heavy as the sea‑spray that rolls in from the shore. This atmospheric backdrop sets the stage for a tense cat‑and‑mouse game that unfolds in muted, almost theatrical whispers.

Detective Barton arrives at the house on the trail of a recent robbery, his methodical instincts clashing with the disarray he finds inside. He quickly discovers that a small gang has taken shelter within the walls, each member nursing their own secrets while trying to stay one step ahead of the law. Ben, the group’s wiry newcomer, moves with nervous grace, his motives as opaque as the candlelight that flickers across his face. The detective’s presence turns the uneasy camaraderie into a fragile stalemate, each side measuring the other’s resolve in a game of concealed intent.

Among the thieves, Rose Ackroyd clings to a personal mystery that ties her family to the house, while her father, Mr. Ackroyd, watches from a precarious perch above, adding a layer of hidden observation to the already tense atmosphere. Brant, the seasoned operative, exudes a weary authority, and Nora balances sharp wit with quiet determination, hinting at deeper loyalties. The enigmatic Henry Doyle and the unsettling Sheldrake round out the cast, each bringing a distinct edge that fuels the simmering suspicion and uneasy alliances.

The film moves with a measured, almost stage‑like cadence, letting the wind, the ticking clock, and the faint glow of the candle create a mood of looming uncertainty. Characters drift through the rooms like chess pieces, their motives hinted at but never fully revealed, inviting the audience to linger in the suspense and wonder what will finally break the fragile equilibrium of Number 17.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:19

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Claustrophobic deceptive thrillers like Number Seventeen

Stories where suspicious characters are trapped together, unsure of who is friend or foe.If you liked the suspenseful paranoia of Number Seventeen, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features thrilling stories where suspicious characters are confined together, leading to a tense game of deception and hidden motives. Find more mysteries and crime films with a similar claustrophobic, anxious vibe.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a confined setting—a house, a train, a ship—that becomes a pressure cooker for deception. Characters are forced into close quarters, often following a crime, and the plot unfolds through reveals of secret identities and shifting allegiances, where the primary threat may be inside the room.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on confinement as a source of suspense, a cast of untrustworthy characters, and a narrative built on the cerebral puzzle of uncovering deception among a trapped group, creating a consistently tense and anxious viewing experience.

Movies with frantic chase sequences like in Number Seventeen

High-stakes thrillers where a carefully planned crime unravels into a desperate, chaotic chase.For viewers who enjoyed the exciting train chase in Number Seventeen, this list compiles movies with similar high-energy pursuits. Discover thrilling crime and heist films where plans collapse into frantic, chaotic action sequences. If you like fast-paced stories with gripping chases, these recommendations are for you.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a two-act structure: a first act building tension around a criminal plan in a confined space, and a second act that erupts into a prolonged, destructive chase. The journey is defined by escalating chaos, physical peril, and the frantic energy of the pursuit itself.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific narrative rhythm that builds to a kinetic, high-stakes chase. They are united by their FAST pacing, HIGH intensity during action sequences, and a focus on the physical and chaotic consequences of a failed criminal enterprise.

Unlock the Full Story of Number Seventeen

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

Number Seventeen Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Number Seventeen, 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.

Number Seventeen Summary

Number Seventeen Timeline

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

Number Seventeen Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Number Seventeen

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Number Seventeen. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Number Seventeen

More About Number Seventeen

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