Porridge (1979) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Fletch is pressured by Grouty, the prison's powerful inmate, into persuading the governor to approve the match. Grouty uses his influence to force Fletch's compliance, and Fletch knows that refusing would make his life difficult in prison. The match serves as a cover for Oakes' escape plan, with Grouty insisting that Oakes be included on the team.

Foreshadowing: Grouty's early insistence on including Oakes on the football team sets up the escape mechanism.

• grouty
• fletch
• football match
• prison
• escape plan

During the football match, Oakes pretends to be injured and is taken to the changing rooms. He swaps clothes with the coach driver, who is revealed to be his accomplice, then ties up the driver. Disguised as the driver, Oakes forces Fletch and Godber into the luggage compartment and drives out of the prison by claiming he needs to top up fuel. Once outside, he meets more accomplices and abandons the coach.

Foreshadowing: The arrival of the celebrity coach with only a weather presenter as the 'famous' face hints that something unusual is planned.

• oakes
• escape
• coach
• disguise
• football match

Fletch explains that they only have a short time left on their sentences, so risking a lifetime on the run makes no sense. He also realizes that being caught outside would be worse than being inside, as any policeman who finds them would claim credit for the arrest rather than help them. Additionally, Fletch knows he'll be blamed for the escape once the governor traces the idea back through Mackay and Beal, meaning he'd serve more time if he stays free.

Foreshadowing: Fletch's earlier comment about only having a short time left establishes why the escape doesn't appeal to him.

• fletch
• godber
• escape
• return
• prison
• run

After Oakes releases them, Fletch and Godber steal a sexton's bicycle and locate the abandoned coach. They sneak back into the luggage hatch just as the police return the coach to the prison. Once inside the walls, they slip out and hide in the officers' club storeroom. Fletch then drinks several bottles of alcohol to appear drunk and sell the story that they've been locked in there all day.

Foreshadowing: The police recovering the coach creates the exact opportunity Fletch needs to return undetected.

• fletch
• godber
• coach
• storeroom
• return
• disguise

Fletch has only a short time left on his sentence and doesn't want to trade that for a life on the run. He tells Oakes directly that he and Godber don't want to escape because they have just a few months left to serve. Fletch also invokes the 'Them and Us' code, prisoners don't betray each other to authorities. This convinces Oakes to let them go rather than force them to participate.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes establish Fletch's reputation as someone who keeps his head down and serves his time quietly.

• fletch
• escape
• short sentence
• them and us
• loyalty

Grouty uses the football match as a cover for facilitating Oakes' escape. By getting a celebrity coach to arrive at the prison, Oakes can swap places with the driver and get out through the main gates without suspicion. The match itself is meant to boost prisoner morale and 'put Slade on the map,' but this is primarily a distraction to execute the escape plan.

Foreshadowing: Grouty's interest in the match goes beyond morale, he specifically pushes for its approval early in the film.

• grouty
• football match
• celebrities
• escape
• cover

Oakes successfully escapes from the prison in the coach disguise. While Fletch and Godber return to serving their sentences, Oakes remains at large. Fletch suggests that Oakes will hate being on the run, implying that freedom outside prison will be difficult for him. The film doesn't show Oakes being caught, leaving his ultimate fate uncertain.

Foreshadowing: The fact that only the coach driver was an accomplice suggests Oakes had an established network outside.

• oakes
• escape
• run
• freedom
• accomplices

Mackay clearly suspects that Fletch and Godber were involved in the escape beyond what they claimed. He points out that their story doesn't explain the UFO sightings and strange happenings in the village during their absence. Though he can't prove anything because the Governor believes their cover story, Mackay warns that he'll continue watching and will eventually catch them doing something incriminating.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the film, Mackay is portrayed as more perceptive than the Governor, often catching details others miss.

• mackay
• threat
• watching
• ufo
• evidence

Fletch targets the new officer Mr Beal, who is eager to prove himself and is harsher than MacKay. Fletch subtly manipulates Beal into suggesting the football match idea to Mackay, who then presents it to the Governor. All three, Fletch, Beal, and Mackay, end up claiming the idea was theirs, while Grouty's involvement remains hidden. This clever manipulation gets the match approved without anyone realizing they're being used.

Foreshadowing: Fletch's reputation as a cunning con man is established early when he takes Rudge under his wing.

• fletch
• beal
• mackay
• manipulate
• football match
• governor

Fletch argues that any policeman who finds them would claim credit for catching escaped convicts rather than help them. Since they'd be recognized as prisoners from Slade, there's no way to explain their presence outside without revealing the entire escape. This would not only add years to their sentences but also make them look incompetent at escaping, something no prisoner wants.

Foreshadowing: Fletch's understanding of how the outside world works comes from his years of experience inside the system.

• fletch
• outside
• caught
• police
• prison
• run

Fletch and Godber successfully return to prison without any additional time added to their sentences. The Governor believes their cover story and life returns to normal. Fletch is privately rewarded by Grouty for keeping quiet, and Rudge thanks him for his help. Most importantly, Fletch reminds Godber that in a few months, Godber will walk out free and clear, just as Fletch will soon. Their friendship survives, they avoid trouble, and they maintain their good conduct.

Foreshadowing: The film's light, comedic tone from the beginning sets up this feel-good resolution.

• ending
• happy
• fletch
• godber
• free
• reward