The Lost Missile

The Lost Missile

Year: 1958

Runtime: 70 mins

Language: English

Director: William Berke

A mysterious missile of unknown origin pierces a low orbit just five miles above Earth. Travelling at tremendous speed, the friction generated by its passage through the atmosphere creates an infernal fireball that incinerates everything in its immediate path, threatening to scorch the planet.

The Lost Missile (1958) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Lost Missile (1958) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

A silent, scorching ribbon burns across the sky, a missile of unknown origin skimming just five miles above the planet. Its incandescent wake turns the atmosphere into a searing blade that threatens to scorch the surface wherever it passes, casting a pall of dread over a world still trembling from the Cold War’s lingering shadows. The film opens with a stark, breath‑holding tone: a mixture of scientific awe and primal fear, as nations scramble to comprehend a threat that defies conventional defense and turns the very air into a weapon.

At the heart of the crisis lies the modest Havenbrook Atomic Laboratory, a New York suburb outpost that mirrors the real‑world Brookhaven facility. Here Dr. David Loring, a brilliant but single‑minded physicist, pours his genius into a hydrogen warhead for the ambitious “Jove” rocket, while his assistant and fiancée Joan Woods watches the line between devotion to love and devotion to science blur. Their relationship crackles with the same intensity as the fireball above, setting up a personal conflict that reflects the larger stakes—ambition, sacrifice, and the cost of placing humanity’s safety above one’s own desires.

As the fiery projectile edges ever closer, civil defense networks light up, radar stations pulse with warning, and a tense, militaristic atmosphere spreads across North America. The narrative hovers on the edge of desperation, hinting that the breakthrough solution may lie within the very weapon the scientists have been perfecting. In this crucible of imminent catastrophe, the film explores how ordinary people, driven by love, duty, and an unyielding belief in science, confront a menace that turns the sky itself into a relentless inferno.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:20

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.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Sci-Fi Race Against Time thrillers like The Lost Missile

Desperate attempts to stop a world-ending threat before time runs out.If you liked the urgent, world-saving mission of The Lost Missile, you'll find more movies like it here. This collection features science fiction stories where characters face a ticking clock to prevent planetary destruction, offering similar high-intensity and anxious viewing experiences.

urgenttenseanxiousforebodingdesperatehigh-stakesprocedural

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear, cause-and-effect structure focused on a singular, overwhelming threat. Characters, often scientists or military personnel, must utilize logic and courage in a direct confrontation with the danger, with the plot unfolding in real-time or over a compressed, urgent timeframe.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared structure of a clear, apocalyptic threat and a relentless, fast-paced countdown. They create a cohesive experience defined by high anxiety, global stakes, and a focus on procedural problem-solving under extreme pressure.

Movies with Bittersweet Sacrificial Endings like The Lost Missile

Stories where salvation comes at the ultimate personal cost.This list gathers films similar to The Lost Missile, where a hero's sacrifice defines the ending. If you appreciated the heavy emotional weight and bittersweet conclusion, you'll find other powerful stories exploring the cost of salvation and the hope born from tragedy.

sombersacrificialbittersweetheavyhopefultragicpoignant

Narrative Summary

The emotional journey builds towards a climax where a protagonist must make a conscious decision to trade their life for a greater good. The story arc culminates in a resolution that is simultaneously hopeful for the surviving world and mournful for the individual loss, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their central theme of redemption through personal sacrifice and their emotionally complex, bittersweet conclusions. They share a heavy emotional weight and a tone that balances grim necessity with a glimmer of hard-won hope.

Unlock the Full Story of The Lost Missile

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

The Lost Missile Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Lost Missile, 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 Lost Missile Summary

The Lost Missile Timeline

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

The Lost Missile Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Lost Missile

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Lost Missile. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Lost Missile

More About The Lost Missile

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Lost Missile: 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 Lost Missile

Similar Movies to The Lost Missile

Discover movies like The Lost Missile 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.