The Last Chance

The Last Chance

Year: 1945

Runtime: 113 mins

Language: German

Director: Leopold Lindtberg

DramaWar

After escaping a Nazi prison train in war‑torn Italy, an American and a British soldier head toward the Swiss border, only to become guides for a diverse group of refugees fleeing the Nazis. They rally the travelers into a makeshift convoy, working with the Italian underground to evade capture and reach safety.

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Timeline & Setting – The Last Chance (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Last Chance (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1943

Set during World War II in 1943, after the Allied landings in Italy and the armistice, the story follows civilians and soldiers fleeing German occupation. The period is marked by shifting loyalties, betrayals, and the collapse of fascist control. The harsh winter and mountainous terrain amplify the danger of every crossing toward neutrality and safety.

Location

Southern Italy, Swiss border, Switzerland

The action unfolds across wartime Italy, starting in the southern countryside as Allied POWs are moved north. The refugees’ journey takes them through towns, across rivers, and into the snow-covered mountains toward Switzerland. The Swiss border area becomes a fragile sanctuary where safety depends on luck, timing, and the mercy of those who aid them.

🇮🇹 Italy 🏔️ Alps 🕊️ Refugees

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:23

Main Characters – The Last Chance (1945)

Meet the key characters of The Last Chance (1945), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lieutenant Halliday (John Hoy)

British officer who teams with Braddock to navigate the refugee march. He is pragmatic, resourceful, and willing to take risks for the group’s survival. He is wounded during the crossing and ultimately returns to safety in Switzerland, with a funeral marking the end of his journey.

🪖 Soldier 🗺️ Leader 🛡️ Resilient

Sergeant James 'Jim' Braddock (Ray Reagan)

American sergeant who partners with Halliday to secure passage for the refugees. He combines caution with determination and contributes practical skills that help the group endure the perilous trek.

🪖 Soldier 🧭 Planner 🕊️ Loyal

Major Telford (Ewart G. Morrison)

British officer who plays a key role in coordinating the refugees’ route and shelter decisions. He weighs risk against the need to protect vulnerable refugees, guiding the group through tense moments.

🎖️ Leader 👫 Protector 🗺️ Strategist

The Priest (Romano Cal)

Local priest who offers shelter and guidance to the group. He makes difficult calls to balance safety with the welfare of children and the weak, serving as a moral compass in the crisis.

🙏 Faith 🛡️ Protector 🕊️ Hope

Giuseppe (Wagon Driver) (Giuseppe Galeati)

Village guide relied on to help the refugees move through danger zones. He assists with the plan to cross toward safety, showing the courage and uncertainty of civilians in wartime.

🚚 Guide 🧭 Helper 🫶 Ally

Tonina (Luisa Rossi)

A young woman among the refugees whose presence highlights the civilian cost of war. She contributes to the group’s endurance and acts as a symbol of ordinary people striving to survive.

👩‍🦳 Civilians 🧡 Resilient 🫂 Community

Bernhard (Robert Schwarz)

Frau Wittels’ son who bravely lures away pursuing soldiers to buy time for the group, sacrificing himself in the effort. His death underscores the costs of escape for innocent bystanders.

👦 Child 🛡️ Courage 💔 Sacrifice

Frau Wittels (Therese Giehse)

Mother seeking safety for her child and themselves amid the chaos. She embodies the fear and resilience of families trying to survive war’s upheaval.

👩 Parent 🕊️ Hope 🧭 Survival

Madame Monnier (Germaine Tournier)

French refugee whose presence adds an international dimension to the caravan. She contributes to the group’s morale and shared humanity in dire times.

👩‍🏫 Refugee 🗺️ Traveler 🕊️ Compassion

Wirt (Edoardo Masini)

A figure among the refugees whose role and background add texture to the mosaic of people fleeing through war-torn Italy.

👤 Refugee 🧭 Participant

Muzio (Tino Erler)

Another member of the refugee group contributing to the collective effort to reach safety, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of those on the march.

👤 Refugee 🧭 Participant

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:23

Major Themes – The Last Chance (1945)

Explore the central themes of The Last Chance (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Escape and Survival

Survival hinges on improvisation, stealth, and endurance as the group abandons comfort for danger. They navigate checkpoints, hidden paths, and the elements to stay ahead of pursuit. The journey tests physical limits and moral resolve, pushing them to rely on each other.

🤝 Courage and Companionship

Strangers become allies as leaders, medics, and guides coordinate under pressure. The bond among Halliday, Braddock, and the local helpers sustains the group through moments of despair. Faith, friendship, and shared risk bind the refugees across borders.

⚖️ Moral Dilemmas in War

The refugees confront difficult choices about whom to protect and when to trust strangers. Betrayal and betrayal-prevention tests loyalty, while acts of mercy from priests and locals reveal ethical lines drawn in chaos. The narrative probes what people owe to one another when law and order collapse.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:23

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The Last Chance Summary

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The Last Chance Summary

The Last Chance Timeline

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The Last Chance Timeline

More About The Last Chance

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