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Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017) movie poster

Timeline

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 108 min · English
Echo score 78
JustWatch #4,847 7
Directed by
Angela Robinson
Starring
Connie Britton, Luke Evans, Chris Conroy, Oliver Platt, Acei Martin, Maggie Castle
Budget
$7M

During the 1940s, Harvard psychologist William Moulton Marston developed the iconic Wonder Woman, a creation deeply influenced by his complex relationships. His wife, Elizabeth, and his lover, Olive, played significant roles in inspiring the superheroine. As Marston balanced his career aspirations with his personal life, the feminist ideals championed by both women became integral to Wonder Woman’s character and powers. The film explores the unconventional origins of the legendary character and the extraordinary women who shaped her.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Professor Marston & the Wonder Women
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017)

Where can you watch Professor Marston & the Wonder Women? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels, Fawesome and Hoopla: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. William's Testimony

    In 1945, William Moulton Marston provides a pivotal testimony before the Child Study Association of America, a moment that unfolds the entire narrative of his life and relationships. This testimony serves as a framing device for the flashbacks that follow, revealing the complexity of his personal and professional struggles.

    When
    1945
  2. Academic Collaboration

    Flashbacks take us back to 1928, where William and his wife, Elizabeth, engage in groundbreaking academic research at Harvard and Radcliffe. It's during this time that William hires his student, Olive Byrne, as a research assistant, marking the beginning of their intense collaboration in the investigation of the lie detector and DISC theory.

    When
    1928
    Where
    Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges
  3. Developing Relationships

    As William and Olive work closely together, a deep emotional bond forms between the three of them: William, Elizabeth, and Olive. The powerful truth revealed by lie detector tests uncovers their mutual love, leading them into a complex and compelling polyamorous relationship.

  4. Dismissal from University

    As whispers of their unconventional relationship begin to spread, both William and Elizabeth face professional repercussions. They are dismissed from their respective positions at the university, altering the trajectory of their lives and forcing them to adapt to new societal challenges.

  5. Olive's Pregnancy

    Following their departures from their academic roles, Olive reveals her pregnancy, prompting her to move in with the Marstons. This marks a significant moment, as they begin to forge a unique family unit, navigating the complexities of their relationships while crafting a narrative to shield themselves from societal judgment.

    Where
    New York
  6. Settling into Suburban Life

    The Marston family establishes a quaint suburban life in New York, embracing their unconventional family dynamics. Their ability to find joy amidst societal scrutiny creates a resilient family bond that allows them to thrive despite external pressures.

    Where
    New York
  7. Birth of Children

    By 1934, the family dynamics deepen with the birth of four children, two from Olive and two from Elizabeth. They fabricate a cover story, portraying Olive as a widow being cared for by the Marstons, effectively masking the true nature of their relationships.

    When
    1934
  8. William’s Comic Book Idea

    In 1940, William discovers a lingerie shop that ignites his imagination for creating a female superheroine. Influenced by the significant women in his life, he presents the idea of Wonder Woman to publisher Max Gaines, who simplifies the name and embraces the concept wholeheartedly.

    When
    1940
    Where
    New York City
  9. Creating Wonder Woman

    Marston, driven by the need for a successful writing career, crafts the character of Wonder Woman, embodying his DISC theory ideals and the powerful influences of Elizabeth and Olive. The comic's immediate success brings financial relief to their household, marking a high point in their lives.

  10. Exposure and Bullying

    Their unconventional family life comes to light when a neighbor discovers their intimate relationship. The children face bullying at school and are expelled, prompting fear for their safety, leading Elizabeth to insist that Olive and her children leave the Marston home.

  11. William's Declining Health

    In the wake of the public scrutiny surrounding Wonder Woman, William's health deteriorates, culminating in a collapse that reveals his terminal cancer diagnosis. This devastating news prompts a desperate need for reconciliation between him, Elizabeth, and Olive.

  12. Reconciliation

    In a heartfelt moment, William urges Elizabeth to embrace a more equitable partnership and seeks Olive's forgiveness. Elizabeth, confessing her emotional dependency on Olive, ultimately consents to their reunion, underscoring the deep connections within their unique family structure.

  13. William's Death

    William Marston passes away in 1947, leaving a profound legacy that impacts both Elizabeth and Olive. They continue to live together as partners for many decades, navigating life while honoring his memory and the complexities of their relationship.

    When
    1947
  14. Feminist Revival of Wonder Woman

    In 1972, feminist icon Gloria Steinem revives the character of Wonder Woman, featuring her prominently on the cover of Ms. Magazine. This act not only restores the character's superhuman abilities but also reintroduces Wonder Woman as a symbol of female empowerment.

    When
    1972

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 16:14

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Timeline questions answered

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was William Moulton Marston dismissed from Harvard?

William and Elizabeth Marston were dismissed from their university positions after rumors about their unconventional polyamorous relationship with Olive Byrne began spreading. Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges terminated them both due to the scandal, forcing the family to leave academia and find new ways to support themselves.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish their successful academic careers, making the sudden downfall more impactful.

  • harvard
  • dismissal
  • scandal
  • olive byrne
  • academic career
Q2

How did the lie detector test reveal their love?

While researching the lie detector invention, William used the device on himself, Elizabeth, and Olive. The test revealed emotional responses that exposed the truth: all three had fallen deeply in love with each other, confirming what they had not yet openly acknowledged.

Foreshadowing: The opening research scenes establish William's work on emotion detection through physical responses.

  • lie detector
  • emotional truth
  • polyamorous relationship
  • disc theory
Q3

Why did Elizabeth ask Olive and her children to leave?

After a neighbor discovered the true nature of the Marston-Byrne relationship, their children faced severe bullying at school and were eventually expelled. Fearing for the children's safety and social standing, Elizabeth reluctantly insisted that Olive and her two sons move out, though this decision caused immense emotional pain.

  • bullying
  • expulsion
  • children safety
  • neighbor discovery
Q4

What inspired Wonder Woman's iconic costume?

In 1940, William discovered a lingerie shop owned by Charles Guyette that featured fetish art and comic-themed photographs. When Olive modeled one of the outfits during a presentation to William and Elizabeth, Elizabeth immediately saw its potential. That outfit became the prototype for Wonder Woman's costume.

  • wonder woman costume
  • lingerie shop
  • charles guyette
  • inspiration
Q5

Why was Wonder Woman criticized for sexual content?

Wonder Woman comics faced scrutiny from the Child Study Association of America for allegedly containing sexual, sadomasochistic, and lesbian subtexts. William was called to testify before this organization in 1945 to defend the comic's content, which became a pivotal moment in the film's narrative.

  • controversy
  • sexual content
  • censorship
  • comic books
  • max gaines
Q6

How did William reconcile with Olive and Elizabeth?

After collapsing and being diagnosed with terminal cancer, William realized he needed to reconcile with both women before it was too late. He urged Elizabeth to embrace a more equitable partnership and personally asked Olive for forgiveness. Elizabeth, through tears, confessed she could not thrive without Olive, leading to their reunion.

  • reconciliation
  • terminal cancer
  • emotional reunion
  • family
Q7

What happened to Wonder Woman after William Marston died?

After William's death in 1947, the sexual imagery in Wonder Woman comics diminished significantly, and she also lost her superpowers. The character became more subdued and less radical. In 1972, feminist icon Gloria Steinem revived Wonder Woman by placing her on the cover of Ms. Magazine, restoring her superhuman abilities and reestablishing her as a symbol of female empowerment.

  • gloria steinem
  • ms magazine
  • 1972 revival
  • superpowers
  • feminist icon
Q8

Why did Olive move in with the Marstons?

After William and Elizabeth lost their university positions due to the scandal surrounding their relationship, Olive became pregnant with William's child. With limited options and facing societal pressure, she moved in with the Marstons to form a unique family unit, creating a cover story that Olive was a widow taken in by the family.

  • pregnancy
  • family unit
  • cover story
  • olive byrne children
Q9

Why did Elizabeth name her daughter after Olive?

In 1934, Elizabeth gave birth to a son and daughter, choosing to name her daughter after Olive. This act symbolized the deep bond between the three adults and represented Elizabeth's love and recognition of Olive's importance in their family, despite the complexities of their situation.

  • daughter naming
  • olive
  • family bond
  • 1934
Q10

Why did William Marston create Wonder Woman?

Struggling to find consistent writing work to support his family, William needed a successful source of income. Drawing on his DISC theory of emotions and inspired by the powerful, intelligent women in his life, Elizabeth and Olive, he created Wonder Woman as a female Amazonian superheroine who embodied his ideals of strength, compassion, and equality.

  • comic creation
  • income
  • female empowerment
  • disc theory
  • inspiration

Movie threads

More Movies Like Professor Marston & the Wonder Women, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Professor Marston & the Wonder Women tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Bittersweet Biographies of Defiant Love like Professor Marston & the Wonder Women

True stories of unconventional relationships that challenge and change the world. If you liked Professor Marston & the Wonder Women, explore more movies like it. This thread features biographical dramas about real-life unconventional relationships that challenged societal norms, blending romance, intellectual passion, and a bittersweet but hopeful tone.

  • romantic
  • defiant
  • melancholic
  • passionate
  • reflective
  • hopeful
  • Tone: bittersweet, passionate, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a chronological path, showcasing how a forbidden or taboo relationship develops, faces external pressure and persecution, but ultimately endures or leaves a lasting cultural impact. The central conflict is often between personal fulfillment and societal conformity.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on real-life romantic defiance, their bittersweet emotional tone balancing love and struggle, and their thoughtful, character-driven pacing that allows the weight of societal and personal consequences to unfold.

Intellectual Dramas About Creation and Taboo like Professor Marston & the Wonder Women

Stories where brilliant minds create art while navigating forbidden desires. Find movies similar to Professor Marston & the Wonder Women. This collection features intellectual dramas where the creation of a significant work of art or idea is deeply connected to the creator's exploration of social taboos, feminism, and personal liberation.

  • intellectual
  • passionate
  • reflective
  • defiant
  • melancholic
  • creative
  • Tone: intellectual, reflective, passionate
  • Pacing: steady, thoughtful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a creator or intellectual figure whose groundbreaking work is directly inspired by their own lived experiences with taboo topics—be it sexuality, politics, or relationships. The story interweaves the development of the creation with the personal sacrifices and intellectual debates that fuel it.

Why they belong together: These films share a focus on the act of creation, a strong intellectual and philosophical undercurrent, and themes of challenging social taboos. They possess a steady, reflective pace that allows for deep exploration of ideas and their human costs.

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Every angle

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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