Passport to Pimlico

Passport to Pimlico

Year: 1949

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: English

Director: Henry Cornelius

ComedyCrude humor and satireAmusing jokes and witty satireGags jokes and slapstick humorShow All…

Set in central London, an unexploded WWII bomb detonates in Pimlico, uncovering a stash of treasure and documents that show the district legally belongs to Burgundy, France, making it foreign soil. The British government responds by imposing border controls and cutting off utilities to reassert authority.

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Timeline & Setting – Passport to Pimlico (1949)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Passport to Pimlico (1949). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

late 1940s (post-World War II)

The story unfolds in the immediate aftermath of World War II, when rationing and reconstruction define daily life in Britain. London still bears the marks of war while experimenting with unusual political arrangements. The era's mix of scarcity, optimism, and bureaucratic rigidity provides the backdrop for Burgundy's temporary sovereignty.

Location

Miramont Gardens, Pimlico, London, United Kingdom

In the bomb-scarred Pimlico district, Miramont Gardens becomes the unlikely site of a buried Burgundian charter. The charter authenticates Burgundy's claim to a slice of the area, turning a quiet London street into a de facto Burgundian enclave under barbed wire. The setting blends postwar austerity with a legal oddity, as residents and officials navigate a jurisdiction born from history rather than geography.

🏛 Postwar status 🗺️ London setting 🏰 Burgundian enclave

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:04

Main Characters – Passport to Pimlico (1949)

Meet the key characters of Passport to Pimlico (1949), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Professor Hatton-Jones (Margaret Rutherford)

A meticulous historian who authenticates the Burgundian charter, lending scholarly legitimacy to Burgundy's claim. Her calm, authoritative presence helps stabilize a volatile situation where ancient law collides with postwar politics.

🎓 Scholar 🗺️ Authority

Duke of Burgundy

The noble envoy who arrives to assert the Burgundian title and oversee governance under the charter. He embodies the tension between historic privilege and practical diplomacy in a modern Britain.

👑 Nobility 🗺️ Diplomacy

Mr. Wix

Burgundian chancellor and bank manager who negotiates finance and policy, guiding the crisis toward a workable settlement. He blends bureaucratic savvy with political pragmatism.

💼 Finance 🗺️ Negotiation

Arthur Pemberton

Neighbourhood shopkeeper and key local figure in Burgundy's administration. Practical, community-minded, and quick to organize, he helps translate grand politics into daily life.

🏪 Shopkeeper 🧰 Community

Shirley Pemberton

A member of the Pemberton community who participates in the social fabric of Burgundy's presence, contributing to the district's shared resilience.

👩‍👧‍👦 Family 🧁 Daily life

P.C. Spiller

The local constable tasked with maintaining order as the Burgundian enclave tests the limits of postwar governance. He becomes entangled in negotiations that go beyond policing.

👮 Police 🗺️ Authority

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:04

Major Themes – Passport to Pimlico (1949)

Explore the central themes of Passport to Pimlico (1949), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏛️ Sovereignty

A centuries-old charter creates a legal anomaly inside Britain, forcing locals to contend with ancient Burgundian law alongside modern governance. The clash between autonomy and national authority explores identity, jurisdiction, and the practicality of law. It also questions how historical privileges translate into contemporary power.

🤝 Community

Neighbors band together to defend the enclave, turning scarcity into solidarity. They organize councils, distribute aid, and resist bureaucratic pressure through cooperation and resilience. The film favors warmth and humor to celebrate collective action.

💎 Treasure

The uncovered charter and hidden wealth become the leverage that could resolve the standoff, reframing history as economic power. Negotiations hinge on what to do with the treasure, not just who controls the land. The treasure's fate mirrors Britain's willingness to reconcile old loyalties with a modern state.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:04

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Passport to Pimlico Summary

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Passport to Pimlico Summary

Passport to Pimlico Timeline

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Passport to Pimlico Timeline

More About Passport to Pimlico

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