The Scarlet Coat

The Scarlet Coat

Year: 1955

Runtime: 101 mins

Language: English

Director: John Sturges

WarHistoryDramaAdventure

Behind the story of Benedict Arnold were secrets until recently unknown An American officer goes undercover to unmask a Revolutionary War traitor.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Scarlet Coat (1955)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Scarlet Coat (1955). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1780

Set during the American Revolutionary War in 1780, the film portrays a tense period of espionage, deception, and shifting allegiances. Military operations, spycraft, and political intrigue shape the course of the conflict. The year situates the drama amid the high-stakes struggle for control of key locations and information.

Location

West Point, Storm King Tavern, New York, Verplanck

The story is anchored at the West Point fortifications along the Hudson River, a key strategic site during the American Revolution. It moves through the Storm King Tavern and the streets of New York, where secret messages and undercover meetings drive the plot. Verplanck becomes a stage for a failed assault and a pivotal trap that tests loyalties on both sides.

🗺️ West Point 🏰 Fortifications 🧭 1780s

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:00

Main Characters – The Scarlet Coat (1955)

Meet the key characters of The Scarlet Coat (1955), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ben Potter (Bobby Driscoll)

A stable boy who becomes a pivotal local contact for Bolton, initially wary of danger but gradually entwined in the spy hunt. His streetwise observations and willingness to help illuminate the human side of wartime treachery. He embodies the everyday courage that sustains revolutionary effort.

🧭 Loyal 🕵️‍♂️ Quick-thinking

Gen. Robert Howe (John McIntire)

A cautious American general overseeing West Point who weighs Bolton's claims and orchestrates strategic moves to protect the fort. He values discipline and prudence, yet understands the necessity of bold deception to secure victory. His leadership anchors the military response to British pressure.

🎖️ Command 🧭 Strategic

Dr. Jonathan Odell (George Sanders)

A physician who serves as a British insider, suspicious of Bolton and instrumental in trapping him for deciphering the coded messages. His calm, calculating demeanor makes him a formidable intermediary between intelligence and action. He embodies the era's chilling efficiency in espionage operations.

🧠 Calculating 🧭 Cunning

Major John Andre (Michael Wilding)

A suave British officer who earns Bolton's trust and becomes a central figure in the spy trade. He demonstrates charm coupled with pragmatism, and ultimately faces a moral test as the truth about the Gustavus/Osborn scheme unfolds. His fate underscores the high cost of espionage.

🎖️ Charismatic 🗡️ Strategist

Gen. Benedict Arnold (Robert Douglas)

The notorious traitor behind the Gustavus ploy, Arnold manipulates intelligence and alliances to advance his own aims. He embodies the complexity of loyalty and deceit during wartime, orchestrating key moves that threaten American defenses. His reveal as Gustavus redefines the war's internal landscape.

🕵️‍♂️ Mastermind 🗺️ Traitor

Sally Cameron (Anne Francis)

A Tory wife who uses personal influence to navigate the spy world, attempting to sway Bolton with a safe-conduct pass and later confessing her feelings. Her presence illustrates how civilians can complicate intelligence work and blur the lines between ally and guest. Her choices impact the reliability of information.

💃 Seduction 🧭 Ambiguity

Col. Jameson (James Westerfield)

An American commander who remains skeptical of Bolton's loyalties, insisting on rigorous verification before confidence is granted. He represents the cautious guardrails of the American command structure and the pressure to avoid missteps during a fragile moment in the war. His restraint influences the fate of the mission.

🎖️ Skepticism 🗝️ Guarded

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:00

Major Themes – The Scarlet Coat (1955)

Explore the central themes of The Scarlet Coat (1955), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Espionage

Espionage drives the narrative, with coded letters, disguises, and double identities compromising trust on both sides. Characters navigate a web of informants, impostors, and secret contacts to outmaneuver the enemy. The tension rests on whether truth or deception will prevail in critical moments.

🤝 Loyalty

Loyalty is tested between duty to the nation and personal bonds, especially as allies on opposing sides collaborate or betray. Bolton's commitment to the American cause contrasts with treacherous acts by others, while André's honor blurs under pressure. The story examines who remains steadfast under fire and whose aims shift with circumstance.

💔 Betrayal

Benedict Arnold's history as a traitor looms large, highlighting the personal and political costs of betrayal. The discovery of Gustavus and Osborn exposes how treachery can masquerade as loyalty. The climactic revelations force characters to confront the consequences of their choices.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:00

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The Scarlet Coat Summary

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The Scarlet Coat Summary

The Scarlet Coat Timeline

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The Scarlet Coat Timeline

More About The Scarlet Coat

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