The Rock

The Rock

Year: 1996

Runtime: 136 min

Language: English

Director: Michael Bay

ActionAdventureThriller

A volatile former general seizes control of Alcatraz Island, holding it hostage and threatening San Francisco with a nerve gas. With time running out, an inexperienced FBI recruit is forced to team up with a resourceful and reluctant convict. Together, they must navigate the notorious prison fortress, overcome treacherous obstacles, and stop the general’s destructive plan before it’s too late.

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Timeline – The Rock (1996)

Trace every key event in The Rock (1996) 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

Seizing Control of Rockets

Brigadier General Francis Hummel and his Rogue Force Recon Marines take over a cache of VX gas rockets from a Naval Weapons Depot. This marks the beginning of a high-stakes hostage situation that sets the stage for their demands.

Naval Weapons Depot
2

Hostage Situation at Alcatraz

Hummel seizes Alcatraz Island, taking 81 tourists hostage and locking them in prison cells. His demand for a $100 million ransom is directed at the FBI and the Pentagon, all while threatening the city of San Francisco with VX rocket launches.

Alcatraz Island
3

Pentagon and FBI's Response

In response to Hummel's threats, the Pentagon and FBI create a plan involving an elite Navy SEAL team led by Commander Anderson. They aim to regain control of Alcatraz and neutralize the VX threat posed by Hummel's team.

Pentagon
4

Enlisting John Mason

The FBI releases John Mason, the only successful escapee from Alcatraz, to assist in the operation. Despite his initial distrust, Mason is lured by the promise of a pardon from FBI Director Womack, unaware of Womack's ulterior motives.

5

Mason's Brief Escape

After reconnecting with his estranged daughter Jade Angelou, Mason realizes he has been deceived by the FBI. He makes a daring escape, but is soon captured again when Goodspeed and the FBI track him down.

6

Entering Alcatraz

Mason and Goodspeed enter Alcatraz, where they face state-of-the-art sensors installed by Hummel's forces. Despite the dangers, they manage to navigate the prison while trying to avoid detection.

Alcatraz Island
7

Takedown of Marine Squads

Mason and Goodspeed find their rhythm, working together to tactically disable several squads of Marines guarding the island. They manage to disable twelve out of fifteen rockets by extracting their guidance chips.

Alcatraz Island
8

Mason's Revelation

Mason discloses his past to Goodspeed, explaining that he possesses microfilm with sensitive information about global leaders. This was the reason he was imprisoned for refusing to reveal its location for 33 years.

9

Hummel's Ultimatum

Hummel threatens to execute a hostage unless he receives the stolen guidance chips. In a desperate move, Mason destroys the chips, buying time for Goodspeed to continue his mission.

Alcatraz Island
10

Capture and Rescue

While attempting to disable another rocket, Goodspeed is captured by Hummel's men. Mason, realizing the urgency of the situation, comes to Goodspeed's aid just as the deadline looms near.

Alcatraz Island
11

Final Confrontation

Hummel, cornered by his own team, reveals that the threat to launch the rockets was a bluff all along. He decides to leave the island with a few hostages but is ultimately injured as his men turn against him.

Alcatraz Island
12

Goodspeed's Last Stand

As Goodspeed retrieves the VX globule, he is attacked by Hummel’s man. In a struggle, he kills the attacker by smashing the globule into his mouth before injecting himself with a vaccine for safety.

Alcatraz Island
13

Escape into the Bay

After the immediate danger passes, Goodspeed is inadvertently launched into the bay by an accidental bomb drop from a jet. Mason, despite the chaos, jumps in to save Goodspeed from drowning.

San Francisco Bay
14

False Reports and New Beginnings

In the aftermath, Goodspeed falsely reports that Mason died during the chaos at Alcatraz. The film concludes with Goodspeed rushing from a church, ready to share the secrets of JFK's assassination with his pregnant wife Carla.

Ft. Walton, Kansas

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 22:45

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Rock

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