The Great Impostor

The Great Impostor

Year: 1961

Runtime: 113 min

Language: English

Director: Robert Mulligan

DramaComedy

The story follows Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr., a man who repeatedly assumed false identities throughout his life. As the U.S. Coast Guard investigates his elaborate deceptions, flashbacks reveal a series of astonishing impersonations. He convincingly posed as an Army soldier, a monk, a sailor, a prison warden, a teacher, and even a doctor. This true story explores the life of a complex and charismatic individual, portrayed by Tony Curtis, and examines the motivations behind his extraordinary odyssey of identity theft.

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Timeline – The Great Impostor (1961)

Trace every key event in The Great Impostor (1961) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Enlistment in the Army

Ferdinand Waldo Demara, eager to serve his country, enlisted in the U.S. Army after dropping out of high school. However, his lack of a high school diploma severely hindered his ambitions to become an officer.

New England
2

Deceptive Marine Recruitment

In a desperate bid to fulfill his military aspirations, Demara fabricated credentials to enlist as a U.S. Marine. This audacious act, however, did not go unnoticed and his deception was quickly discovered.

New England
3

Military Imprisonment

Following the revelation of his deceit, Demara faced the harsh consequences of military imprisonment. In a moment of desperation, he concocted a plan to fake his own suicide, allowing him to escape from the clutches of the military.

Military Prison
4

Life in a Monastery

Demara sought solace in a monastery, where he attempted to live as a Trappist monk. Despite his initial hopes for a quiet life, the reality of his past soon compelled him to leave the monastery and return to society.

Monastery
5

Return to Society

Upon returning to civilian life, Demara was recognized as a wanted Marine. This recognition landed him back in a military prison just before his scheduled early release due to good behavior.

Military Prison
6

Impersonating the Warden

After his release, Demara executed another identity fraud by stealing the warden’s identity. His new position as an aide to the warden of a Texas prison gave him a taste of power, but this came with new challenges.

Texas Prison
7

Romantic Pursuits

While working at the prison, Demara caught the attention of the warden’s daughter, Eulalie. Their romantic entanglement added complexity to Demara's already precarious situation, especially when one of his past inmates recognized him.

Texas Prison
8

Threat of Blackmail

The recognition from the inmate posed a serious threat to Demara, leading to attempts at blackmail. Faced with another potential exposure, he was forced to flee his current life once again.

Texas
9

Identity as a Doctor

Demara took yet another identity, this time as a doctor, and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy. This new chapter would not only see him navigating military waters but also engaging in the Korean War.

Royal Canadian Navy
10

Heroism at Sea

During his deployment, Demara faced a critical situation when he was tasked with performing a tooth extraction on the ship’s captain. His ability to handle this pressure led him to treat numerous South Korean battle casualties, ultimately saving lives.

Korean War
11

Praise and Recognition

Demara's actions during the war made him a celebrated figure, even leading to the establishment of a hospital for local Koreans. However, his fame brought scrutiny as the real doctor he impersonated became aware of his activities.

Korea
12

Court-Martial Proceedings

As court-martial proceedings loomed, Demara found allies in Nurse Catherine Lacey and others who recognized his contributions. Their support greatly complicated the Navy's decision on how to handle the situation.

Navy Headquarters
13

Quiet Discharge

Rather than face punishment, the inquiry board evaluated Demara's service and quietly discharged him. This remarkable outcome allowed him to avoid the consequences of his numerous deceptions once again.

Navy Headquarters
14

Teaching in New England

After leaving the military, Demara took on a teaching position in a quiet New England town. However, his past was never far behind, and trouble soon followed him yet again.

New England Town
15

Final Request to the FBI

In a twist of fate, Demara arrived at FBI headquarters disguised as a federal agent. His mission was not to escape capture, but to confront the one person he could never truly evade—himself.

FBI Headquarters

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:21

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Great Impostor

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