The Silent Partner

The Silent Partner

Year: 1979

Runtime: 106 min

Language: English

Director: Daryl Duke

DramaThrillerCrime

A bank teller's impulsive decision to steal $50,000 leads to a dangerous confrontation. His plans are complicated when a clever criminal, posing as Santa Claus, appears to demand the stolen money back. What begins as a daring heist quickly escalates into a tense and deadly game of cat and mouse, putting the teller's life and freedom at risk.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Silent Partner 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 – The Silent Partner (1979)

Trace every key event in The Silent Partner (1979) 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

Miles spots an imminent bank robbery

Miles Cullen, a teller at a Toronto Eaton Centre bank, discovers a discarded hold-up note on the counter and notices handwriting that matches a mall Santa nearby. He realizes a robbery is planned but keeps quiet, unsure whom to trust. The tension builds as he contemplates how to act without tipping off the thief.

before the robbery Eaton Centre bank, Toronto
2

Miles hides cash at home

Instead of depositing all the day's cash, Miles starts stashing funds in an old lunch box at home. He justifies the secrecy as a defensive move against the planned heist and the thief's reach. The practice deepens his secrecy and distance from the bank's security nets.

before the robbery Miles's residence, Toronto
3

The hold-up at the teller's window

Harry Reikle, posing as a robber, confronts Miles at the teller’s window and demands money. Miles hands over a small amount and falsely claims he has given all the day's funds. Reikle only learns the truth later when news reports show the scale of the theft.

on the day of the robbery Bank teller window, Eaton Centre, Toronto
4

Reikle tracks Miles after the theft

Upon seeing the news about the robbery, Reikle pieces together Miles’s deception and begins a relentless pursuit. He follows Miles to and from his home and starts making threatening calls, escalating the danger.

shortly after the robbery Miles's vicinity and home, Toronto
5

Miles connects with Julie Carver

Miles attracts the attention of Julie Carver, a bank colleague entangled with the married manager. After escorting Julie to a Christmas party at the Packards' house, he admits that he is attracted to her, foreshadowing complications in his personal life.

after the Christmas party Packard residence, Toronto
6

Reikle breaks into Miles's apartment

Reikle breaks into Miles's apartment and trashes it in search of the stolen money. Miles later follows Reikle and schemes to have him arrested for the theft of a delivery truck, turning the tables and shifting the leverage in their cat-and-mouse game.

shortly after the break-in Miles's apartment, Toronto
7

Miles avoids identifying Reikle in the lineup

Miles goes to the police and refuses to point out Reikle in a lineup, protecting him to prevent implicating himself in the bank robbery. The choice deepens Miles's moral compromise and keeps the pursuit ongoing.

after the break-in Police station, Toronto
8

funeral meeting with Elaine

Months later, at his father's funeral, Miles meets Elaine, who claims to be a nurse who cared for his father. In truth, she is working with the imprisoned Reikle and is meant to monitor Miles and locate the hidden money.

months later Funeral, Toronto
9

Elaine becomes entangled with Miles

Elaine reveals she has fallen for Miles, complicating her loyalty to Reikle. She eventually learns that Miles has hidden the money in a safety deposit box at his bank, a discovery that strains her ties to her original ally.

months after the funeral Miles's bank, Toronto
10

Reikle is released and confronts Elaine

Reikle is released from jail and confronts Elaine about where her loyalties lie. She admits her feelings for Miles, igniting his fury. In Miles's apartment, Reikle decapitates Elaine in a broken fishtank, removing a dangerous ally.

shortly after Elaine's involvement is exposed Miles's apartment, Toronto
11

Miles hides Elaine's body in the bank foundation

Miles discovers Elaine's death and disposes of her body in the foundation of the bank's new building under construction. Reikle watches and congratulates Miles on his gruesome cleverness, but warns that he still wants the money.

after Elaine's death Foundation of bank building, Toronto
12

A public handover plan is agreed

Reikle threatens Miles until he agrees to hand over the money in a public place. They arrange that the exchange will happen at Miles’s window inside the bank, with Miles hoping a public setting reduces the risk to him.

following Elaine's disposal Bank interior, Toronto
13

The disguise and the trap

Reikle arrives in disguise as a woman to collect the money. Miles hands him a packet and creates an alarming scene, hoping to spook him. He triggers the alarm, and Reikle shoots Miles before fleeing into the mall, where a security guard fatally shoots him.

the next day Bank window, then mall, Toronto
14

Aftermath: miles and Julie move on

Wounded, Miles is taken away by ambulance as Julie accompanies him. She tells him she has figured out everything, and they both decide to quit their jobs and start anew somewhere far away.

immediately after the shootout Hospital first, then departure

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:37

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 Silent Partner

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

The Silent Partner Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Silent Partner, 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 Silent Partner Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Silent Partner

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Silent Partner. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Silent Partner

More About The Silent Partner

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Silent Partner: 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 Silent Partner

Similar Movies to The Silent Partner

Discover movies like The Silent Partner that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.