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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Sebastian Summary

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Sebastian Summary

Sebastian Timeline

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Sebastian Timeline

More About Sebastian

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