On the Night of the Fire

On the Night of the Fire

Year: 1939

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Brian Desmond Hurst

DramaCrime

A Cast of Inspired Players in Award Winning Performances! A barber gives in to temptation and steals some money, leading to blackmail and murder.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – On the Night of the Fire (1939)

Explore the full timeline and setting of On the Night of the Fire (1939). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Tyneside, England

Set in Tyneside, a gritty industrial city in northeast England, the film follows a working-class life in crowded streets, small shops, and a factory district. The atmosphere is one of economic precarity, with debt and desperation shaping daily decisions. The setting underscores a community ready to judge a man who steps outside the law to secure his family's future.

🏭 Industrial 🏙️ Urban

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:58

Main Characters – On the Night of the Fire (1939)

Meet the key characters of On the Night of the Fire (1939), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Will Kobling (Ralph Richardson)

A struggling Tyneside barber who gambles on a theft to restart his life. His decision is born from debt and the pressure of Pilleger's coercion, yet he clings to a stubborn sense of responsibility. Faced with social stigma and police pressure, he remains silent, choosing to protect his wife and child in the only way he knows.

🏭 Working-class ⚖️ Moral dilemma 🕯️ Guilt

Kit Kobling (Diana Wynyard)

Will's wife, entangled in debt and the burdens of her husband's crime. Her pressures from Pilleger and the fear for her family push her into a tense, quiet resilience as the events unfold around them.

🏠 Family 💰 Debt

Andrew Pilleger (Henry Oscar)

A local draper who exploits Kobling's desperation, using the stolen money to extort weekly payments. His manipulation and eventual confrontation heighten the stakes and push the plot toward tragedy.

🏬 Merchant ⚖️ Blackmail

Lizzie Crane (Mary Clare)

An eccentric, town-known observer who claims to have seen Kobling at Pilleger's store. Her testimony triggers suspicion and exposes how rumor can sway the investigation and public opinion.

🗣️ Gossip 👀 Eccentric

Inspector (Frederick Leister)

A police inspector who presures Kobling with psychological tactics while pursuing a formal case. He embodies the enforcement of law and the tension between evidence and confession.

👮 Authority 🧭 Investigation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:58

Major Themes – On the Night of the Fire (1939)

Explore the central themes of On the Night of the Fire (1939), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕯️ Guilt

Will Kobling's theft begins as a calculated risk but quickly becomes a heavy burden of guilt. The film explores how a single impulsive act can unravel a life as the consequences echo in every decision. The community's suspicion and the police pressure push him toward silence, showing how guilt is social as much as personal. The theme examines whether repentance can survive under scrutiny and fear.

🗣️ Public Suspicion

As Lizzie Crane's testimony circulates, the town circles the suspect with rumors. Public opinion becomes a weapon that isolates Will and his family, heightening the sense of inescapable judgment. The police rely on psychological pressure rather than clear evidence, revealing the power of collective perception. The film asks how truth can be obscured by fear and gossip.

💰 Poverty

Financial strain drives Kobling toward crime, framing the theft as a desperate bid for a fresh start. The debt to Pilleger intensifies the pressure, turning everyday life into a contest against time and cash flow. The fire and subsequent investigation amplify the gap between need and legality. The theme shows how poverty can force morally fraught choices and erode trust within a family.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:58

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On the Night of the Fire Summary

Read a complete plot summary of On the Night of the Fire, 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.

On the Night of the Fire Summary

On the Night of the Fire Timeline

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On the Night of the Fire Timeline

More About On the Night of the Fire

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