The Mark of Cain

The Mark of Cain

Year: 2007

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Marc Munden

DramaWar

The brutal aftermath of a bomb that kills their company commander in Iraq forces British soldiers Treacle and Shane to hunt down suspected combatants, resorting to torture on detainees. When the story reaches the British press, the duo is thrust into sudden, widespread infamy.

Dark
Bleak ending
Emotionally heavy
High intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Mark of Cain 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 Mark of Cain (2007)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Mark of Cain (2007). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

early 2000s

The events take place during the Iraq War era, in the years after the 2003 invasion when British forces were deployed to Basra. The period features insurgent attacks, patrol clashes, and a climate of crisis within the unit. These conditions drive the characters' decisions and the ensuing consequences.

Location

Basra, Iraq

Basra is a southern Iraqi city where the film places its military operations. The story followsBritish troops patrolling urban streets and a nearby village, highlighting the volatile mix of combat and civilian life. It serves as a backdrop for tension between soldiers, insurgents, and local residents, shaping the moral choices of the characters.

🗺 Basra 🪖 Military presence 🏙 City setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:16

Main Characters – The Mark of Cain (2007)

Meet the key characters of The Mark of Cain (2007), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Shane Gulliver (Matthew McNulty)

A Private in the Northdale Rifles who witnesses and participates in disturbing events during the Basra deployment. He documents the abuses, becomes entangled in the aftermath, and ultimately chooses to reveal the wider truth in court. His arc centers on moral conflict, peer pressure, and the cost of telling the truth.

🎖 Soldier 💭 Guilt 📷 Photographer

Mark Tate (Gerard Kearns)

A fellow Private who, under pressure from his superiors, becomes complicit in the torture of prisoners. He is bullied into aiding in the abuses and is overwhelmed by the consequences when the unit faces scrutiny. His suicide after the court-martial underscores the devastating impact of moral collapse.

🎖 Soldier 💔 Coerced 🕯️ Tragedy

Major Godber (Shaun Dingwall)

The commanding officer who initially stresses respect for civilians and the proper conduct of operations. His death in an ambush catalyzes anger and a breakdown of discipline among the troops, fueling the moral chaos that follows. He represents the fragility of leadership under pressure.

🎖 Officer 🗺️ Strategy 💀 Death

Corporal Gant (Shaun Dooley)

A corporal who pushes for brutal measures and pressures others to participate in the torture. He embodies the bearing of authority and the ease with which moral boundaries can be crossed in high-stress environments. His actions contribute to the collective guilt that the squad must confront.

🎖 Soldier 🧭 Authority 🩸 Torture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:16

Major Themes – The Mark of Cain (2007)

Explore the central themes of The Mark of Cain (2007), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💭 Guilt & Memory

The film centers on how acts of abuse and cover-ups haunt the soldiers after they return home. Gulliver’s decision to document what happened forces the audience to confront memory, regret, and the moral costs of complicity. The narrative shows how memory can both reveal truth and corrode trust within a unit.

⚖️ Justice & Accountability

Court-martial and the demand for accountability frame the story’s moral stakes. Gulliver’s choice to tell the truth—exposing others’ crimes—highlights the tension between loyalty and justice. The film probes whether truth-telling can repair damage or merely deepen it.

🩸 Violence & Abuse

The torture and coercion depicted reveal how power can corrupt under the cover of duty. The soldiers’ actions blur the lines between wartime necessity and criminal behavior. The consequences underscore how violence leave lasting scars on victims and perpetrators alike.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:16

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.

Movies about moral collapse in war like The Mark of Cain

Stories of soldiers whose ethics shatter under the extreme pressures of combat.If you were gripped by the harsh moral examination in The Mark of Cain, explore more movies like it. This section features similar war dramas where soldiers grapple with guilt, institutional failure, and the devastating personal cost of actions taken under extreme duress.

grimmorally complextenseharshanxiousunyieldingclaustrophobic

Narrative Summary

The narrative often follows a linear but harrowing descent, beginning with a traumatic event that triggers a character's moral unraveling. The focus is on the internal and external conflicts that arise from their actions, leading to a climax centered on legal, social, or psychological fallout, and culminating in an ending devoid of redemption or hope.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a bleak tone, high emotional intensity, and a steady, methodical pacing that builds a sense of impending doom. They are united by a focus on the psychological destruction of war, themes of guilt and institutional betrayal, and an unflinching look at the darkest aspects of human behavior under pressure.

Bleak downward spiral movies similar to The Mark of Cain

Character-driven dramas where a single mistake leads to an inescapable downfall.For viewers who appreciated the steady, grim pacing of The Mark of Cain, this collection features other movies with a similar feel. Find films about characters facing the severe repercussions of their actions, stories of fraternal loyalty tested, and narratives that build tension towards an unforgiving conclusion.

tensegrimanxiousmorally fraughtharshpsychologicaldownbeat

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is a focused, character-centric journey that begins with a moment of crisis. From there, the plot steadily tightens its grip, exploring the domino effect of consequences—legal, social, and psychological—that systematically dismantle the protagonist's life. The structure emphasizes cause and effect, leading to a finale that confirms the total collapse.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and steady, deliberate pacing that creates a powerful sense of dread. They resonate due to their exploration of guilt, betrayal, and the crushing weight of accountability, offering a consistently tense and emotionally draining viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of The Mark of Cain

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

The Mark of Cain Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Mark of Cain, 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 Mark of Cain Summary

The Mark of Cain Timeline

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

The Mark of Cain Timeline

The Mark of Cain Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Mark of Cain that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Mark of Cain Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Mark of Cain

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Mark of Cain: 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 Mark of Cain

Explore More About Movie The Mark of Cain

The Mark of Cain (2007) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Mark of Cain (2007) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Mark of Cain (2007) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow