Sebastian

Sebastian

Year: 1968

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: David Greene

DramaRomanceComedy

A brilliant but undisciplined mathematics prodigy works in the British Intelligence “cipher bureau,” where he relentlessly cracks enemy codes. Amid the high‑stakes world of espionage, he also pursues a romance with his colleague Rebecca Howard, balancing his talent for decryption with a growing love.

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Timeline & Setting – Sebastian (1968)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Sebastian (1968). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1960s

Set in the Swinging Sixties Britain, the story rides the energy of a decade marked by social change and cultural experimentation. The Cold War mood and rapid modernization shape the tensions of espionage and agency reform. Fashion, music, and urban life frame the personal and political drama.

Location

Oxford

Oxford is a historic university city in England, famed for its ancient colleges and scholarly atmosphere. The film’s events unfold around a ceremonial moment in the city as Becky and others move through its streets. The academic setting provides a backdrop of prestige that contrasts with the covert world of intelligence.

🏛️ Historic 🎓 University town

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:28

Main Characters – Sebastian (1968)

Meet the key characters of Sebastian (1968), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rebecca Howard (Susannah York)

A brilliant former Oxford mathematics student who becomes a key decoder in the all-female unit. Becky is ambitious, quick-witted, and drawn to Sebastian, navigating a precarious mix of romance and professional pressure.

🧠 Smart ❤️ Romantic 🎓 Oxford alum

Sebastian (Dirk Bogarde)

The aloof director of the decoding office, whose single‑minded devotion to work shapes his personal life. His relationship with Becky is central to the plot, but his pursuit of the job comes with moral compromises and eventual resignation.

🧭 Driven ❤️ Mysterious 🕴️ Bureaucratic

Elsa Shahn (Lilli Palmer)

Senior decoder accused of left‑wing leanings, yet valued for accuracy and insight. Elsa becomes a focal point of security debates, and Sebastian fights to retain her despite political suspicion.

🧠 Expert 🕊️ Loyal 🕵️‍♀️ Suspicious

Head of Intelligence (John Gielgud)

Senior leader who must balance security with operational needs. He oversees the decoding operation, defends valuable personnel like Shahn, and guides key pension and return decisions.

🧭 Authoritative 🗝️ Strategic 🧠 Wise

Gen. John Phillips (Nigel Davenport)

Head of security who suspects Shahn’s reliability, triggering clashes over loyalty and risk. His vigilance embodies Cold War paranoia and intensifies the stakes for Becky and Sebastian.

🛡️ Guarded 🧭 Skeptical 🗣️ Authoritarian

Carol Fancy (Janet Munro)

Sebastian’s former girlfriend, a washed-up pop singer whose life intersects with espionage and manipulation. Her presence adds emotional volatility and a catalyst for the unravelling of relationships.

❤️ Troubled 🎤 Performer 🧩 Catalyst

Toby (Ronald Fraser)

Foreign agent who lures Sebastian to a rooftop trap, embodying the espionage threat at the story’s heart. His schemes drive the thriller elements until he is arrested.

🕵️‍♂️ Threat 🔍 Manipulative 🗡️ Antagonist

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:28

Major Themes – Sebastian (1968)

Explore the central themes of Sebastian (1968), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Espionage

The decoding office sits at the heart of Cold War spy games, where secrets travel in signals and the risk of security breaches looms large. Trust, loyalty, and the politics of intelligence drive the plot as Sebastian maneuvers to protect his operation.

❤️ Romance

Becky’s pursuit of Sebastian blends desire with the danger of working inside a secretive unit. The affair tests professional boundaries and reveals the costs of love in a high-stakes environment. Personal relationships collide with organizational duty.

👩‍💼 Women in Intelligence

Becky and Elsa Shahn form part of an all-female decoding team, challenging stereotypes while contending with political distrust. Their competence forces a reevaluation of gender roles within a rigid security apparatus. The film uses their perspectives to explore sacrifice and resilience.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:28

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Movies about intellectual espionage and workplace romance like Sebastian

High-stakes code-breaking missions intertwined with a complex office romance.If you enjoyed the blend of code-breaking tension and romantic drama in Sebastian, you'll find similar stories here. These movies feature brilliant minds in high-stakes professions navigating complicated love stories, often set against a backdrop of Cold War intrigue or modern security threats.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows highly skilled experts, often in government or security agencies, as they tackle complex professional challenges. Simultaneously, they develop a romance with a colleague, forcing them to balance duty, trust, and personal feelings. The plot typically weaves together external threats with internal office dynamics and relationship strains.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a unique mix of intellectual suspense from a professional high-stakes environment and the emotional vulnerability of a developing romance. The tone is consistently tense yet romantic, with a steady pacing that allows both the mystery and the relationship to unfold credibly.

Movies about genius protagonists under pressure like Sebastian

Stories of extraordinary talent pushed to its limits by high-pressure situations.Fans of Sebastian's portrayal of a prodigy grappling with the demands of espionage will appreciate these films. This collection highlights stories where brilliant individuals—mathematicians, scientists, analysts—face extreme pressure that challenges both their intellect and their personal stability.

intellectualtensepsychologicalhigh-stakesgenius protagonistpressureenigmatic

Narrative Summary

The narrative centers on a character whose unique intellect is both their greatest asset and their biggest burden. They are placed in a high-stakes situation where their skills are essential, but the pressure creates significant personal and professional conflict. The journey explores the cost of genius and the human need for connection amidst immense responsibility.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a focus on the character arc of a prodigy operating under duress. They blend intellectual stimulation with psychological tension, creating a compelling view of brilliance strained by external forces. The experience is characterized by a medium-to-high intensity and a tone that balances admiration for the mind with concern for the person.

Unlock the Full Story of Sebastian

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

Sebastian Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Sebastian, 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.

Sebastian Summary

Sebastian Timeline

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

Sebastian Timeline

Sebastian Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Sebastian that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Sebastian Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Sebastian

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Sebastian: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Sebastian

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