The Woman in White

The Woman in White

Year: 1948

Runtime: 109 mins

Language: English

Director: Peter Godfrey

MysteryThrillerThrillers and murder mysteriesIntriguing and suspenseful murder mysteriesNoir and dark crime dramas

A young painter hired to teach art to Laura Fairlie at an English estate meets Anne Catherick, a mysterious woman in white who is her double. He also encounters the cunning Count Fosco, who schemes to secure an inheritance by marrying Laura to Sir Percival Glyde, the nervous Mr. Fairlie, and the secretive Countess. Meanwhile, he is attracted to distant relative Marion Halcomb as dark intrigues unfold.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Woman in White (1948)

Trace every key event in The Woman in White (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

Walter meets the Woman in White

Walter Hartright walks from the train station toward Limmeridge House at night and meets a mysterious woman in white who vanishes as a carriage approaches. He glances into the carriage and hears that a woman recently escaped from a nearby asylum is being searched for, while another man inside the carriage seems to watch him. The encounter unsettles him and hints at a web of hidden motives.

Late night Road to Limmeridge House
2

Arrival at Limmeridge House

Walter arrives at Limmeridge House and is introduced to Marian Halcombe, Laura Fairlie, Mrs. Vesey, and Frederick. Fosco appears as a guest, a charismatic but ominous figure who will complicate the household dynamics. Walter learns that Laura is the central figure around whom the secrets swirl.

Morning Limmeridge House
3

Morning meeting and the letter theft

The next morning Walter is drawn to Laura, whose resemblance to the woman in white unsettles him. Laura recounts his earlier encounter, and Mrs. Vesey helps recall a visit from a similar girl named Anne. Fosco quietly steals an old letter about Anne, triggering Walter to begin suspecting Fosco's involvement in the mystery.

Morning Limmeridge House, breakfast room
4

Marian investigates; Fosco’s theft

Marian begins to investigate Anne Catherick's appearance and uncovers an old letter written by Laura's mother. After furtively discussing Anne with Frederick, Fosco steals the letter, prompting Walter to reveal his suspicions about Fosco to Marian.

Soon after breakfast Limmeridge House
5

Love and engagement tensions

Walter and Laura begin to fall in love, complicating Laura's engagement to Sir Percival Glyde. Glyde arrives with eagerness to move up the wedding in order to secure Laura's fortune. The tension between affection and ambition grows within the house.

Daytime Limmeridge House
6

Anne warns Laura; confrontation

Walter finds Anne crying in the garden and warns Laura about the danger surrounding her. Anne refuses to enter the house and soon disappears. In front of Laura and Marian, Walter confronts Fosco and Glyde with Anne's warning, but they deny everything and Marian remains skeptical.

Evening Limmeridge Garden
7

Laura’s marriage and shifting household

Despite not loving him, Laura marries Glyde. Months later Marian returns to Limmeridge House to find new servants and Fosco and Countess Fosco have moved in, signaling a dangerous shift in Laura's domestic world.

Months later Limmeridge House
8

Anne’s intrusion and the funeral twist

Anne slips back into Limmeridge House to warn Laura against Fosco and Glyde, aided by the Countess Fosco. Anne hides in a secret room and is confronted by Fosco and Glyde, dying in front of Laura and the Countess. The men announce that Laura has died, but Walter attends the funeral and realizes the body is Anne, not Laura.

Before funeral Limmeridge House / Funeral
9

Laura’s hypnotic confinement and escape

Walter suspects Fosco's influence and learns that Laura has been hypnotized to believe she is Anne and that Fosco is her father. Laura resists Fosco's control and escapes from the asylum with Walter's help, and in a confrontation with Glyde, Glyde dies in the struggle.

After funeral Asylum and escape route
10

Marian’s bargain and revelations

Marian returns to Limmeridge and bargains with Fosco: he must sign a confession and release Laura. Fosco then reveals his wider truth about Laura's circumstances and the intertwined past of the Foscos, Frederick, and Anne, unsettling the already fragile balance of power in the household.

During negotiations Limmeridge House
11

Fosco’s downfall and the necklace

Fosco offers Marian an emerald and diamond necklace as part of their arrangement, while the Countess listens. When the Countess realizes Fosco plans to leave with Marian, she retrieves a dagger and stabs him. The police arrive as Fosco dies, and the Countess claims the necklace before the scene ends.

Climax Limmeridge House
12

Epilogue: marriages and legacies

Walter eventually marries Marian and they have a daughter, settling at Limmeridge House with Laura and her son by Glyde. The Countess Fosco, Anne's mother, is living in the renovated asylum and is shown proudly displaying the emerald necklace, a reminder of the past's secrets.

Year later Limmeridge House and renovated asylum

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:18

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Woman in White

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