The Parole Officer

The Parole Officer

Year: 2001

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: John Duigan

ComedyCrimeCrude humor and satireGags jokes and slapstick humorFunny jokes and crude humor

He tackles crime the only way he knows—poorly. After a corrupt police chief frames a bumbling parole officer for murder, he must clear his name. He drags his former clients out of the respectable lives they've built, hunting down the crucial evidence that could exonerate him.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Parole Officer 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 Parole Officer (2001)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Parole Officer (2001). 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 in contemporary Manchester, characteristic of the early 2000s. Technology and policing reflect the period’s urban reality, with CCTV and public protests shaping the chase. The tone relies on present-day social dynamics and everyday city life rather than past eras.

Location

Manchester

Manchester, a major city in the northwest of England, provides a gritty urban backdrop with a mix of industrial districts, modern offices and nightlife. The story unfolds across city streets, clubs, banks and police stations, giving a distinctly metropolitan feel. Its dense, working-class atmosphere complements the film’s caper tone and the characters’ schemes.

🏙️ Urban 🏭 Industrial 🗺️ City

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:33

Main Characters – The Parole Officer (2001)

Meet the key characters of The Parole Officer (2001), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Simon Garden (Steve Coogan)

A well-meaning but ineffectual probation officer who battles hypoglycemia and ineptitude. He becomes entangled in a web of crime, reluctantly taking bold risks to expose Burton and protect those around him. His mix of shy charm and stubborn determination drives the film’s action and humor.

🧭 Protagonist 🧠 Intelligent 💪 Determined

Emma (Lena Headey)

A WPC and Simon’s love interest who ultimately helps him uncover Burton’s corruption. She balances professionalism with personal connection, and she plays an active role in solving the case and confronting danger.

🧭 Loyal 🕵️‍♀️ Officer 💖 Love interest

Detective Inspector Burton (Steven Dillane)

A corrupt inspector who murders an accountant and tries to frame Simon. He wields power and manipulation to protect his illicit drug operation, making him the film’s central antagonist.

🕴️ Corrupt official 💰 Power-hungry ⚖️ Manipulator

Kirsty (Emma Williams)

A young juvenile delinquent rescued early on who becomes part of the crew. She adds street-smart energy to the group and gradually helps with the heist.

👧 Juvenile delinquent 🌀 Impulsive 🤝 Team player

Jeff (Steven Waddington)

A former case success who becomes a fishmonger and a trusted ally in the plan. His practical skills and dry humor contribute to the troupe’s dynamic.

🐟 Fishmonger 🤝 Loyal 🧭 Reliable

George (Om Puri)

A former safety inspector who joins the crew, bringing technical know-how and a level-headed approach. His practical mind helps the team navigate the bank’s security.

🧰 Safety inspector 🧠 Tech-savvy 🤝 Loyal

Colin (Ben Miller)

A computer salesman whose technical expertise with systems and networks helps trigger alarms and access the vault. His information-sharing calmness balances the group’s risk-taking.

💻 Computer salesman 🧠 Tech-savvy 🗣️ Quick thinker

Victor (Omar Sharif)

A mysterious figure who fakes his own death and secretly holds the tape revealing Burton’s crime. He remains elusive, adding a twist to the crew’s plan and its aftermath.

🎭 Mastermind 🗝️ Secretive 🕵️‍♂️ Cunning

Victor in Disguise (Nayef Rashed)

A covert ally who double-crosses or reveals the truth through disguise. His true motives and loyalties are kept in suspense until the climax.

🎭 Disguised ally 🧩 Mysterious 🧭 Unpredictable

Bill (David J. Nicholls)

An accountant who threatens to expose Burton’s drug involvement, only to become a key victim whose severed head signals the danger around Burton and his associates.

💼 Accountant ⚠️ Target 🩸 Trigger

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:33

Major Themes – The Parole Officer (2001)

Explore the central themes of The Parole Officer (2001), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Corruption

A corrupt police inspector runs a drug scam, framing others and murdering for leverage. The investigation unravels as the evidence appears and disappears, highlighting moral decay in authority figures. The plot turns on the tension between truth and cover-ups, exposing how power can be abused to protect criminal networks.

🤝 Friendship

A disparate group of former cases—Simon, George, Jeff, and Colin—forms an unlikely team. Their growing trust and camaraderie enable them to pull off a dangerous plan. The shared goal and mutual loyalty give the caper its emotional core, despite the odds against them.

🎥 Surveillance

CCTV footage, bank security and public protests are pivotal to the plot. The tape from the nightclub becomes the turning point that exposes Burton. The film plays with observation and secrecy, using surveillance as both obstacle and tool for justice.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:33

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.

Unlock the Full Story of The Parole Officer

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

The Parole Officer Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Parole Officer, 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 Parole Officer Summary

The Parole Officer Timeline

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

The Parole Officer Timeline

The Parole Officer Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Parole Officer 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 Parole Officer Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Parole Officer

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Parole Officer: 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 Parole Officer