The Small Voice

The Small Voice

Year: 1948

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: Fergus McDonell

Thriller

Packed With High-Voltage Tension A man and his wife take to their house some men they rescue from a road crash and then find they have picked up some dangerous criminals.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Small Voice 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 Small Voice (1948)

Trace every key event in The Small Voice (1948) 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

Escape from Dartmoor and car theft

Three ex-army men escape from Dartmoor Prison and kill a man to steal his car. This brutal theft marks the start of their dangerous escape.

night Dartmoor Prison
2

Byrnes' train ride and marital tension

Mr and Mrs Byrne bicker on a train, arguing over divorce and the state of their marriage. He bears a bitter stamp from the war, and she works as an actress, adding tension to their relationship.

during journey Train
3

Arrival in Llanbach

They arrive at Llanbach in Wales, near their home, bringing their fragile marriage into a familiar setting. The sense of strain remains as they begin to settle in.

arrival Llanbach, Wales
4

Roadblock encounter

On a country road at night, police block their route as they pursue the escaped convicts. The couple's nerves tighten as the danger closes in around them.

night Country road near Llanbach
5

Rescued man taken to the house

A man emerges from the embankment and claims there is another man in the car. The Byrnes take the injured stranger to their house to phone for medical assistance.

immediately after crash Byrnes' house
6

First convict escapes with car

While the injured man is being treated in the kitchen, the first convict disappears and steals the Byrnes' car. The sudden betrayal turns a rescue into a dangerous turn of events.

same night Byrnes' house (kitchen)
7

Crashing discovery and children taken

Back at the crash site, the first convict locates the third man; they discover they hit another car, with the chauffeur dead and two children in the back seat. The criminals bring the frightened children back to the Byrnes' house.

same night Crash site
8

Hostages inside the house

Mr and Mrs Byrne are locked in one room together, while the two children are locked in a room with Mrs Potter, the housekeeper. The missing parents are at a police station trying to locate the missing car and the children.

same night Byrnes' house
9

Newspaper revelation

The next day, the Sunday newspaper arrives and reports that the escaped convicts have killed a policeman. The revelation confirms the danger facing everyone inside the house.

the next day Llanbach
10

Children challenge the intruders

The well-educated children begin correcting the convicts on grammar, undermining their confidence. Their linguistic corrections provide a small, defiant form of resistance within the tense household.

the next day Byrnes' house
11

Escape attempt and gang background

Mrs Byrne tries to escape by an upper window but is caught by Boke, the gang leader. Boke then explains to Mr Byrne his background—born in Liverpool, raised in Chicago, and imprisoned for killing an officer—revealing the ruthlessness of the gang.

evening Byrnes' house
12

The fatal confrontation

Mr Byrne finds an unattended gun and goes to shoot Boke, but leaves the safety catch on. Boke points out the error, allowing Mr Byrne to kill him and end the immediate threat.

night Byrnes' house

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:28

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The Small Voice Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Small Voice

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