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Timeline

The Exception (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 107 min · Danish
Echo score 67
JustWatch #1,892 8
Directed by
David Leveaux
Starring
Lily James, Jai Courtney, Anton Lesser, Ben Daniels, Christopher Plummer, Janet McTeer
Budget
$29.6M

During World War I, a German intelligence officer, Stefan Brandt, is sent to investigate Kaiser Wilhelm II's estate in the Netherlands. His mission is compromised when he falls for Mieke, a young Jewish maid working there. As the presence of Heinrich Himmler and other high-ranking Nazis intensifies, Brandt finds himself torn between his duty and his growing feelings, facing a dangerous conflict of loyalty and forbidden love amidst the escalating war.

Drama Romance War Cast, crew & box office
On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like The Exception
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Exception (2017)

Where can you watch The Exception? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla and Kanopy: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Exception Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Exception (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. Brandt Assigned to Protection Detail

    During the chaos of World War II, Wehrmacht Captain Brandt is assigned to oversee the protection of ex-German Emperor Wilhelm II, who resides at Huis Doorn in the Netherlands. His mission is to ensure the former Kaiser’s safety amid fears of assassination attempts by Allied spies.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  2. Forbidden Romance Begins

    Despite receiving strict orders from Colonel von Ilsemann to keep distance from the female staff, Brandt finds himself irresistibly drawn to Mieke de Jong, a maid at the residence. Their heated affair quickly develops, altering the dynamics of Brandt's duties.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  3. Mieke's Secret Revealed

    In a moment of vulnerability, Mieke reveals to Brandt that she is of Jewish heritage, which places her in grave danger during the Nazi regime. Brandt coldly advises her to keep this secret hidden, reflecting the chilling reality of their time.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  4. Warning from Gestapo Inspector

    Brandt receives a warning from Gestapo Inspector Dietrich about the presence of a British secret agent nearby. Under pressure, Brandt must uncover who among the ex-Kaiser’s staff could be a spy, leading to heightened paranoia within the household.

    Where
    Nearby Village

  5. Himmler's Visit Looms

    As the visit of Himmler, the fearsome Reichsführer-SS, approaches, tension escalates within the compound. Brandt begins to suspect that Mieke is involved in something dangerous when he catches the scent of gun oil coming from her quarters.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  6. Mieke's Dark Intentions

    Brandt overhears Mieke discussing plans to assassinate Himmler with a village pastor, driven by a personal vendetta stemming from the loss of her father and husband to the SS. This revelation complicates Brandt's feelings and obligations.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  7. Pastor Tortured for Information

    Under the brutal hands of the SS, the pastor is tortured to extract information about Mieke’s potential plans. This desperate act showcases the ruthless lengths to which the regime will go, creating an impending sense of dread for everyone involved.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  8. Wilhelm and Hermine Discover the Affair

    Wilhelm's wife, Hermine, uncovers the affair between Brandt and Mieke. Rather than condemning them, Wilhelm, reflecting on his own past, chooses to grant leniency, urging them to maintain discretion and navigate the precarious situation carefully.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  9. Escape Plan Formulated

    As Himmler prepares to visit, Brandt searches Mieke's room, uncovering the full scope of the danger she is in. Despite pleading with her to escape, Mieke, emboldened by her convictions, chooses to stay, leading Brandt to form a daring escape plan.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  10. Himmler's Invitation

    During a tense moment, Himmler delivers an invitation from Hitler to Wilhelm, allowing him a chance to reclaim his throne. Amidst the ambition swirling within the room, Wilhelm is haunted by Himmler's prior remarks about the extermination of disabled children, bringing forward moral questions of loyalty and power.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  11. Brandt's Internal Struggle

    Brandt is faced with a profound internal conflict regarding his loyalties and duty as the political climate intensifies. A conversation with von Ilsemann forces him to confront the reality of his country’s existence and his role in the unfolding events.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  12. Mieke's Desperate Offer

    Mieke presents Wilhelm with a chance at asylum, supposedly facilitated by Winston Churchill. The pressure mounts as Wilhelm grapples with accepting his dethronement, while Mieke's hope becomes a flickering lifeline amid turmoil.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  13. Daring Escape Execution

    As the Gestapo closes in, Brandt executes a risky escape plan under the guise of a heart attack. They flee in a van, but Mieke, nearly succumbing to despair, contemplates suicide, putting their escape on a precarious edge.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  14. The Heart-Wrenching Goodbye

    In a heartrending moment, Brandt proposes to Mieke just before they part ways, affirming their bond amidst chaos. Mieke, realizing the weight of their situation, accepts, marking a poignant farewell filled with unspoken promises.

    Where
    Huis Doorn, Netherlands

  15. Hope for the Future

    Time passes, and Brandt receives a Nietzsche book accompanied by a note from Mieke revealing a London address, indicating her survival. Meanwhile, in London, Mieke prepares to meet Churchill, touching her abdomen, hinting at her pregnancy with Brandt’s child, igniting a glimmer of hope.

    Where
    London

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 15:55

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Timeline questions answered

The Exception Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why does Captain Brandt help Mieke escape despite being a German officer?

Brandt's loyalty shifts from his duty to his personal conscience after falling in love with Mieke. When he discovers the Gestapo is closing in on her, he chooses to protect the woman he loves over his obligation to the Nazi regime. His conversation with von Ilsemann about deciding what his country actually is reflects this moral reckoning.

Foreshadowing: Brandt's earlier pragmatic response to Mieke's Jewish heritage ("I'm not") hints at his willingness to bend the rules for her.

  • brandt
  • mieke
  • escape
  • love
  • loyalty
  • nazi
Q2

How does Mieke get in contact with Winston Churchill?

Mieke's connection to Churchill appears to be through the British intelligence network operating in the Netherlands. As a Jewish woman planning to assassinate a high-ranking SS official, she had motivation to seek Allied contacts. The exact mechanism is not detailed, but she presents Wilhelm with what she believes is a lifeline from Churchill, offering the ex-Kaiser asylum.

  • mieke
  • churchill
  • allies
  • resistance
  • british
Q3

Why does Wilhelm II refuse the offer of asylum in London?

Wilhelm declines because he has accepted the reality of his dethronement and no longer wishes to be a political pawn. Having lived in exile for years, he understands that returning to power would only serve Nazi ambitions. Additionally, Himmler's chilling remarks about the extermination of disabled children likely reinforced his moral objections to cooperating with the regime.

Foreshadowing: Wilhelm's own past indiscretions, which he confesses to Hermine, show he is a man who has already made peace with his fallen status.

  • wilhelm
  • asylum
  • london
  • nazi
  • throne
  • dethronement
Q4

What happens to the pastor who knows about Mieke's assassination plan?

The pastor is tortured by the SS in an attempt to extract information about Mieke's assassination plot against Himmler. While the film does not show his ultimate fate, the extreme torture he endures suggests the SS would have killed him or held him indefinitely. His suffering creates additional tension as Brandt and Mieke attempt to escape.

  • pastor
  • torture
  • ss
  • assassination
  • himmler
Q5

Why does Brandt decide to stay in Germany instead of fleeing with Mieke?

Brandt remains because he feels bound by his duty as a German officer, despite his moral crisis. In his final conversation with von Ilsemann, he admits he must first decide what his country is and whether it still exists. His sense of honor and obligation prevents him from deserting, even though he loves Mieke and knows the Nazis are corrupt.

  • brandt
  • duty
  • loyalty
  • germany
  • mieke
  • farewell
Q6

What is the significance of the Nietzsche book Mieke sends Brandt?

The Nietzsche book serves as a symbolic keepsake representing Mieke's intellectual connection to Brandt. The book contains a note with a London address, confirming her survival and establishing contact. This package arrives after Brandt has returned to Berlin, serving as proof that Mieke made it to safety in Britain.

Foreshadowing: The note's London address was the destination Mieke mentioned when offering Wilhelm asylum.

  • nietzsche
  • book
  • london
  • address
  • survival
  • memento
Q7

Why does Mieke take a suicide pill during the escape?

Mieke nearly succumbs to despair during the tense escape attempt, believing they will be caught by the Gestapo. The pressure of being hunted, combined with her grief over her father and husband killed by the SS, overwhelms her. Brandt intervenes and kills Dietrich, preventing her suicide and allowing them to continue their escape.

  • suicide
  • pill
  • despair
  • escape
  • gestapo
  • dietrich
Q8

How does Mieke survive and reach London after the escape?

Mieke survives by successfully escaping with Brandt's help under the pretense of a heart attack. She reaches London through whatever contacts she had established with British intelligence. The film ends with her pregnant and waiting to meet Churchill, having successfully delivered whatever information or proposal she carried for the Allies.

  • mieke
  • london
  • survival
  • pregnant
  • churchill
  • allies
Q9

What is the meaning of Himmler's invitation from Hitler for Wilhelm?

Himmler delivers an invitation from Hitler offering Wilhelm the chance to reclaim his throne as German Emperor. This was likely a Nazi propaganda move to gain legitimacy by associating with the historical monarchy. However, Wilhelm is haunted by Himmler's earlier comments about killing disabled children, making the offer morally repulsive to him.

  • himmler
  • hitler
  • wilhelm
  • throne
  • invitation
  • nazi
Q10

Why does Wilhelm show leniency toward Brandt and Mieke's affair?

Wilhelm grants them leniency because he reflects on his own past indiscretions and understands human weakness. His wife Hermine initially expects harsh repercussions, but Wilhelm, drawing from his own experience, decides to let them continue discreetly rather than punish them.

  • wilhelm
  • hermine
  • affair
  • leniency
  • forgiveness

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Exception, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Exception tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with a Forbidden Wartime Romance like The Exception

Love stories that blossom under the deadly shadow of political conflict. Explore films that share the intense, high-stakes romance of The Exception. If you liked the dangerous affair between a German officer and a Jewish maid, you'll find similar stories of love defying political boundaries in movies like The English Patient, Atonement, and Suite Française.

  • tense romantic
  • forbidden love
  • dangerous
  • desperate
  • claustrophobic
  • melancholic
  • Tone: tense, romantic, desperate
  • Pacing: steady, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow characters from opposing sides of a conflict who are irresistibly drawn together. Their love story becomes a silent act of rebellion, unfolding against a backdrop of espionage, surveillance, and imminent violence. The central conflict is an agonizing choice between loyalty and love, often leading to profound personal sacrifice.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their core dynamic: a romance made dangerous by its historical and political context. They share a heavy emotional weight, a tense tone, and a focus on the immense personal cost of love during times of collective turmoil.

Hanover Street movie poster

Hanover Street

1979
After Tonight movie poster

After Tonight

1933
Allied movie poster

Allied

2016
Somewhere I’ll Find You movie poster

Somewhere I’ll Find You

1942
Secret Mission movie poster

Secret Mission

1942
Wish Me Luck movie poster

Wish Me Luck

2024
Days of Glory movie poster

Days of Glory

1944
Bon voyage movie poster

Bon voyage

2004

Espionage Thrillers with a Moral Awakening like The Exception

Spy missions where loyalty is tested by a conscience awakened. Discover spy movies similar to The Exception, where an agent's mission is complicated by a crisis of conscience. These films blend tense political intrigue with deep moral conflict, perfect for fans of stories about spies questioning their loyalties, such as in The Lives of Others, Bridge of Spies, and Sophie Scholl.

  • tense
  • claustrophobic
  • moral conflict
  • psychological
  • political intrigue
  • desperate
  • Tone: tense, morally complex, claustrophobic
  • Pacing: steady, psychological
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot follows an agent on a clear mission whose worldview is shattered upon confronting the human cost of their side's actions. The narrative structure is a steady progression from blind loyalty to agonizing doubt, culminating in a pivotal choice that defines their character. The setting is often claustrophobic, reflecting the character's feeling of being trapped by their circumstances.

Why they belong together: These films are united by the protagonist's journey from operative to humanist. They share a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, a steady pacing that builds psychological pressure, and a focus on the intense personal conflict that arises when duty collides with morality.

War 2 movie poster

War 2

2025
The Spy in Black movie poster

The Spy in Black

1939
Spooks: The Greater Good movie poster

Spooks: The Greater Good

2015
The Two-Headed Spy movie poster

The Two-Headed Spy

1958
An Officer and a Spy movie poster

An Officer and a Spy

2025
13 Rue Madeleine movie poster

13 Rue Madeleine

1947
Background to Danger movie poster

Background to Danger

1943
Foreign Correspondent movie poster

Foreign Correspondent

1940

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Every angle

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