The Glass Mountain

The Glass Mountain

Year: 1949

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Henry Cass

Drama

During World War II an aspiring composer serving with the British Air Force is shot down over Italy. He is rescued by a young Italian woman who nurses him back to health. Returning home to his wife, he is driven to compose an opera, torn by the realization that he has fallen in love with his rescuer.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Glass Mountain yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Glass Mountain (1949)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Glass Mountain (1949). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1940s

Set during the Second World War and its immediate aftermath, the narrative follows Richard’s RAF service and a years‑long arc of longing. The war ends and the couple’s personal lives redefine themselves against a backdrop of reconstruction and artistic ambition. Richard’s unfinished opera, inspired by the Glass Mountain legend, binds the present to myth.

Location

Dolomite Mountains, Venice, England

The story unfolds across the wintry Dolomite Alps where Richard is rescued and nursed back to health, before moving to the opulent, music‑driven streets of Venice’s Teatro La Fenice. It then shifts to postwar England as Richard’s life returns to domestic quiet that is haunted by the legend he is composing about. The different settings anchor the tension between survival, art, and the lure of a forbidden love.

❄️ Dolomite mountains 🏛️ Venice 🇬🇧 England

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

Main Characters – The Glass Mountain (1949)

Meet the key characters of The Glass Mountain (1949), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Richard Wilder (Michael Denison)

A struggling composer and RAF Observer whose war service disrupts his life. He becomes entangled with Alida after she rescues him, blurring the line between muse and marriage. His pursuit of inspiration drives the plot and tests his loyalty to Anne.

🎼 Composer 💔 Love vs Duty 🧭 Creative Obsession

Alida Morrosini (Valentina Cortese)

She rescues Richard and introduces him to the Dolomite legend she embodies. Alida embodies allure and mystery, yet recognizes the danger of a romance that defies social bonds. She ultimately signals the limits of their relationship and bids Richard farewell.

💖 Enigmatic 🎭 Allure

Anne Wilder (Dulcie Gray)

Richard’s devoted wife, intuitive and loving. She senses the growing pull toward another woman and faces the consequences when an accident threatens her life. Her presence anchors Richard to domestic love even as temptation rises.

💑 Wife 🧭 Intuition 💔 Strained marriage

Gino (Antonio Centa)

A local man in love with Alida, who becomes a rival to Richard for her affections. He challenges Richard’s resolve and tests the boundaries of loyalty and ownership.

💘 Rival 🧭 Jealousy

Bruce McLeod (Sebastian Shaw)

The lyricist hired to help complete Richard’s opera; he acts as a practical counterpoint to the fragile romance. He urges separation when necessary and helps navigate the festival’s ambitions.

🎭 Writer 🧭 Mediation

Tito Gobbi

A famous opera star who informs Teatro La Fenice about Richard’s unfinished work, catalyzing the festival’s interest. He embodies the world of high art and performance that frames the drama.

🎤 Star 🎭 Promoter

Charles (Sidney King)

Anne’s friend and pilot who accompanies her to the premiere; they share the perilous journey that ends in a crash near the Glass Mountain. He represents the personal risk connected to the couple’s ambitions.

✈️ Pilot 🚨 Risk

Sandro, the doctor (F. Terschack)

A physician who treats Richard after the Dolomite rescue and later provides medical updates about Anne’s condition. He serves as a clinical witness to the ensemble’s fate.

🩺 Doctor 🗺️ Fate

Manager of Teatro La Fenice (Arnold Marl)

The theatre’s administrator who guides the festival’s selection and supports the production. He is the institutional counterpart to the lovers’ personal drama.

🏛️ Opera House 🎭 Producer

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

Major Themes – The Glass Mountain (1949)

Explore the central themes of The Glass Mountain (1949), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Love

Love drives Richard toward Alida and complicates his marriage to Anne, creating a conflict between personal longing and marital duty. The legend of the Glass Mountain becomes a metaphor for irresistible temptation versus responsibility. The narrative tracks how passion can elevate creativity yet threaten the life one has built.

🎭 Art & Obsession

Richard’s creative work becomes a battlefield where inspiration clashes with loyalty. The opera La Montagna di Cristallo mirrors the lovers’ fates and serves as a mirror to Richard’s inner turmoil. The pursuit of artistic glory tests the boundaries of friendship, love, and fidelity.

🗺️ Myth & Fate

The Glass Mountain legend threads through real events, guiding decisions and echoing in the climactic mountain descent. Myth appears as a living force shaping Richard’s choices and Alida’s distance. The coupling of myth with modern life culminates in a sacrifice that questions whether fate can be escaped.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The Glass Mountain

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

The Glass Mountain Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Glass Mountain, 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.

The Glass Mountain Summary

The Glass Mountain Timeline

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

The Glass Mountain Timeline

More About The Glass Mountain

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Glass Mountain: 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 The Glass Mountain

Similar Movies to The Glass Mountain

Discover movies like The Glass Mountain that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.