The Man Who Could Work Miracles (1936) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The celestials (gods or angels) selected Fotheringay as part of an experiment to test whether humans could handle real power over reality while preserving free will. They chose him randomly from among humanity, treating him as a test subject to observe how an ordinary person would use the ability to bend reality.

Foreshadowing: The celestials debate whether humans deserve a place among the stars before selecting their subject.

• celestials
• experiment
• random selection
• power over reality
• free will

His first miracle happened in a pub when he asserted that miracles are impossible, then spontaneously made an oil lamp burn upside down without anyone touching it. The power works through sheer will, he simply thinks something should happen and it does.

Foreshadowing: His skeptical debate about miracles in the pub immediately precedes the discovery.

• oil lamp
• first miracle
• pub
• discovery
• will power

When Fotheringay carelessly cursed a policeman to hell while using his powers, the man was surrounded by flames and smoke, then mysteriously transported to San Francisco. The supernatural relocation was an unintended consequence of his careless miracle.

Foreshadowing: This incident demonstrates how his growing powers could cause unintended harm.

• policeman
• curse
• San Francisco
• accident
• flames

After being pressured by both the vicar Maydig (who wanted to use him to end all social problems) and the authorities who tried to shoot him, Fotheringay refused to let others dictate how his power should be used. He created a personal realm where he ruled as king and crowned his love interest Maggie Hooper as queen, attempting to build a utopia his way.

Foreshadowing: His growing unease with others trying to control his abilities leads directly to this decision.

• kingdom
• utopia
• Maggie Hooper
• Colonel Winstanley house
• rejection of others plans

To buy time before implementing his utopian plans, Fotheringay halted Earth's rotation. The consequence was catastrophic, everything not directly connected to him was hurled into space as the planet's momentum continued. Civilization was destroyed in moments as people and objects were whirled away into the void.

Foreshadowing: Maydig begs him to wait, warning that his grand designs need time to be implemented safely.

• Earth stopped
• rotation
• catastrophe
• destruction
• space

After witnessing the catastrophic destruction caused by stopping Earth's rotation, Fotheringay desperately wished to undo the disaster and relinquish his abilities. The celestials granted his request, he restored the world to its prior state and his powers were taken away, returning him to an ordinary life.

Foreshadowing: His guilt and horror at the destruction motivate his desperate plea to reverse everything.

• lose powers
• relinquish
• celestials
• reversal
• ordinary life

The celestials wanted to determine whether humans could wield real power over reality without it corrupting them or destroying their free will. They observed Fotheringay to see if humanity had earned the right to have such abilities, testing whether humans were ready to progress beyond their current state.

Foreshadowing: The experiment is established in the opening scene when celestials debate humanity's worth.

• celestials
• experiment
• humanity worth
• free will
• progress

The celestials concluded that humanity showed "negativism, lust and vindictive indignation" from the experiment, suggesting they are not yet ready. However, one celestial defended humans by noting they still have a spark of indignation against wrongness. They decided to grant power gradually over time so wisdom can develop alongside ability, planning to return years later to check on progress.

Foreshadowing: The entire story serves as the test whose outcome determines humanity's future.

• future
• gradual power
• humanity progress
• celestial decision
• years later

Maydig saw the miracle power as an opportunity to eliminate all of humanity's problems at once. He plotted to have Fotheringay abolish famine, plague, war, poverty, and the ruling class entirely, a radical utopian scheme that would reshape society instantly. However, this represented using Fotheringay as a tool for others' agendas rather than letting him choose his own path.

Foreshadowing: Maydig's grand design is introduced shortly after the policeman incident.

• Maydig
• vicar
• utopia
• abolish problems
• social reform

The story illustrates that absolute power without wisdom and restraint leads to catastrophe. Even with good intentions, humans cannot responsibly wield unlimited power, they need gradual growth alongside their abilities. The celestials' conclusion that power must be earned slowly reflects the film's cautionary message about human nature.

Foreshadowing: Fotheringay's well-intentioned attempts at utopia lead directly to disaster.

• human nature
• power
• wisdom
• responsibility
• cautionary tale

Colonel Winstanley represented the authorities who viewed Fotheringay's growing miracles as a threat to social order and security. Learning of the vicar's ambitious plans and seeing the potential for societal upheaval, Winstanley attempted to eliminate Fotheringay with firearms. However, Fotheringay discovered he was invulnerable, every assault became a near-miss.

Foreshadowing: Winstanley's skepticism hardens into alarm as the vicar's grand design emerges.

• Colonel Winstanley
• attack
• invulnerability
• authorities
• threat

Maggie Hooper was Fotheringay's love interest whom he crowned as queen when he created his personal kingdom. She represented the personal, romantic dimension of his power fantasy, a world where he could be king and make her his queen. Her coronation was a central part of his grand vision before everything collapsed.

Foreshadowing: Their relationship is established earlier, making her coronation a logical payoff.

• Maggie Hooper
• queen
• crown
• love interest
• kingdom