The Phantom Light

The Phantom Light

Year: 1935

Runtime: 75 mins

Language: English

Director: Michael Powell

MysteryThriller

Criminals masquerade as ghosts to frighten a lighthouse keeper on the Welsh coast, hoping to divert his attention. Jim Pearce deliberately strands himself on the rock with Alice Bright. After the light is shattered, Jim discloses that the wreckers are aiming for his brother’s ship, while Alice reveals herself as a detective sent to investigate.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Phantom Light (1935)

Trace every key event in The Phantom Light (1935) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Sam arrives at Tan-Y-Bwlch and meets Alice Bright

Sam Higgins alights at the Welsh village train station to take over the North Stack lighthouse. He meets Alice Bright, who begs to accompany him as part of a 'psychic society' investigating the phantom lighthouse. He refuses to take her along.

Tan-Y-Bwlch train station
2

Harbour Master warns of disappearances and a shipwreck

Sam reports to Harbour Master David Owen. Owen reveals that Sam's predecessor vanished, and the chief lighthouse keeper before him disappeared as well. He mentions a major shipwreck a year ago blamed on the phantom light, setting the stage for peril around the lighthouse.

Harbour Master’s office
3

Jim Pearce tries to bribe Sam to go to the lighthouse

Jim Pearce attempts to bribe Sam to take him to the lighthouse, but Sam sees through the ploy and suspects Jim is not a mere admirer or reporter. The exchange hints at hidden motives and possible espionage at the lighthouse.

Harbour/Office
4

Alice overhears Jim seeking a boat and tries to charm him

Alice overhears Jim asking about hiring a boat to reach the lighthouse and makes another attempt to charm him, but fails again. Her persistence underscores her willingness to participate in the investigation, as well as the murkiness of Jim's motives.

Harbor/Boat dock
5

Boat trip to lighthouse; Tom Evans examined and restrained

Owen, Dr. Carey and others transport Sam by boat toward the lighthouse. Dr. Carey examines Tom Evans, a mentally disturbed resident of the station. Evans tries to strangle the doctor, who concludes Tom cannot be moved in his present state, so Sam ties him up to keep him contained.

Boat to North Stack Lighthouse
6

Sam's assistants Claff Owen and Bob Peters introduced

Sam introduces his remaining assistants, Claff Owen and Bob Peters, as part of the guard at the lighthouse. They join the others in maintaining order and monitoring the crew and equipment during the tense voyage.

Lighthouse vicinity
7

Jim arrives on a petrolless boat with Alice as stowaway

Jim arrives on a boat that runs out of petrol, bringing along his stowaway Alice. The unexpected passenger raises questions about their true goals and loyalty to the mission.

Boat near lighthouse
8

Sam questions the guests; Alice reveals her cover

Sam begins interrogating his uninvited guests. Alice explains she is an actress hiding from the police after a knife fight between two admirers, adding another layer to her cover.

Bunk room
9

Fire breaks out near Tom's bed

A fire breaks out near Tom's bed, heightening the danger and suspicion around the staff. The incident increases the tension as everyone contends with the escalating crisis.

Bunk area
10

Jim plots and is suspected of saboteur activity

Sam overhears Jim plotting with Alice and learns Jim is not a reporter after all. He fears saboteurs may be at work, intensifying the peril around the lighthouse.

Bunk room
11

Radio aerial is hung; Tom untied and observes

Jim has Alice hang a radio aerial from the bunk-room window, but Tom, whom Claff has untied, sees the act and slips away to observe. The moment hints at the danger of transmission and the players' hidden moves.

Bunk room
12

Naval officer claim and Scotland Yard reveal true identities

Jim tells Sam he is a naval officer planning wreckers to sink the Mary Fern for insurance; Alice then reveals she is a detective from Scotland Yard. The confessions complicate loyalties and deepen the mystery surrounding the crew.

Lighthouse interior
13

Sabotage and attempted transmission threaten the ship

Jim begins transmitting a warning to the approaching Mary Fern, but Bob and Claff are knocked unconscious, the light is sabotaged, and a decoy light is turned on. The plan appears poised to mislead the ship and trigger disaster.

Lighthouse interior
14

Tom foils Jim and locks everyone in

After Jim sends Alice to fetch Sam, Tom knocks Jim out and disables his radio. He then locks Alice and Sam in with him, wresting temporary control of the situation from the saboteurs.

Lighthouse interior
15

Resolution: rescue, master plan exposed, tragedy avoided

Jim climbs down the lighthouse to alert the coast guard, while Claff unlocks the door and Sam proceeds to repair the light. They overhear Dr. Carey talking to Tom, revealing the doctor as the mastermind. The Mary Fern is saved just in time, but the doctor, cornered at the top, chooses to jump.

Lighthouse top

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:24

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Phantom Light

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