The Butler

The Butler

Year: 2018

Runtime: 142 mins

Language: Polish

Director: Filip Bajon

RomanceHistoryWar

A young Kashubian boy, Mateusz Krol, finds himself taken in by a Prussian aristocratic family after his mother’s death. Over the years, a deep and enduring love blossoms between Mateusz and Marita von Krauss. Their story unfolds against the backdrop of Kashubia, a northern Polish region, which experiences the devastating impact of the tragedies that engulf Europe from the early 20th century through World War II.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Butler 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 Butler (2018)

Trace every key event in The Butler (2018) 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

Birth and life on a Georgia cotton plantation

Cecil Gaines is born on a cotton plantation in Macon, Georgia, during the Jim Crow era. His mother Hattie is raped by the white landowner Thomas Westfall, and Cecil's father Earl is killed when he confronts him. Cecil is taken in by Annabeth Westfall, the estate matron, who trains him to be a house servant.

1926 Macon, Georgia
2

From plantation to service in a Washington-area hotel

Desperately hungry, Cecil leaves the plantation in 1937 and breaks into a hotel pastry shop. The elderly Maynard takes pity on him and hires him, teaching him the basics of refined serving and interpersonal skills. Maynard later recommends Cecil for a position at a Washington, D.C., hotel.

1937 Macon, Georgia
3

Meets Gloria and starts a family

While rising through the hotel ranks, Cecil meets Gloria, they marry, and together they have two sons, Louis and Charlie. Their family life centers on Cecil's growing career in hospitality in Washington, D.C.

1950s Washington, D.C.
4

Hired by the White House under Eisenhower

In 1957, Cecil is hired as White House maître d'hôtel. He witnesses Eisenhower's cautious approach to enforcing desegregation and then his resolve to uphold the law by supporting school desegregation, such as at Little Rock Central High.

1957 Washington, D.C.
5

Louis Gaines goes to Fisk and joins SCLC

Louis Gaines leaves home to attend Fisk University in Nashville and becomes involved with the SCLC under James Lawson. He participates in nonviolent sit-ins at segregated venues, and is arrested during these protests. Cecil worries about the South's volatility but supports his son's activism.

late 1950s Nashville, Tennessee
6

Freedom ride and KKK violence

After Kennedy's inauguration, Louis and fellow activists take a freedom ride to Birmingham, Alabama, where they are attacked by Ku Klux Klan members. The assault underscores the dangers of continuing segregation and mobilizes further civil rights action.

1961 Birmingham, Alabama
7

Birmingham Children's Crusade and Kennedy's response

Louis participates in the 1963 Birmingham Children's Crusade, where dogs and water cannons are used against peaceful marchers. The brutal response helps galvanize public opinion and enhances momentum toward civil rights legislation under President Kennedy.

1963 Birmingham, Alabama
8

Kennedy's assassination and the Civil Rights Act momentum

Following Kennedy's assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson pushes through civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Jackie Kennedy presents Cecil with one of Kennedy's neckties as a symbolic memento of the era.

1963-1964 Washington, D.C.
9

Selma voting rights movement and tie bar

Louis takes part in the 1965 Selma Voting Rights Movement, whose bravery helps spur federal action on voting rights under Johnson. Johnson also gives Cecil a tie bar as a personal nod to the administration's progress.

1965 Selma, Alabama
10

Late 1960s: Panthers, Nixon, and family tensions

By the late 1960s, Louis openly joins the Black Panthers, prompting Cecil to reconcile with his son's activism and several confrontations within the family. Cecil becomes increasingly aware of President Nixon's plans to suppress the Panthers and disrupt the movement.

late 1960s Washington, D.C.
11

Charlie enlists and is killed in Vietnam

Charlie informs his family he plans to go to Vietnam, and he enlists. He is killed in the war and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

late 1960s Arlington, Virginia
12

Cecil's fight for equal pay at the White House; Reagan era

Cecil relentlessly fights for equal pay and career advancement for Black staff at the White House. With Ronald Reagan's support, he gains recognition and is invited to a state dinner, but ultimately resigns when Reagan refuses to support sanctions against apartheid in South Africa.

1980s Washington, D.C.
13

Gloria encourages mending with Louis; protest against apartheid

Gloria urges Cecil to mend his relationship with Louis. The two later join a protest against apartheid in South Africa and are arrested, demonstrating renewed family solidarity across generations.

1980s Washington, D.C.
14

Gloria dies; Obama is elected

In 2008, Gloria dies shortly before Barack Obama is elected as the nation's first Black president. Cecil reflects on the long arc of his family’s struggle for equality as the country prepares for a historical election.

2008
15

Cecil meets the new president at the White House

Two months, two weeks and one day after Obama's historic election, Cecil prepares to meet the president. The chief usher tells him the president is ready, and Cecil walks toward the Oval Office, certain in the path he has traveled.

2009 The White House, Washington, D.C.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:05

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Narrative Summary

The plot follows two lovers from different worlds whose bond is forged in youth and tested relentlessly by the major conflicts of their era. Their love story is not a simple escape but is intrinsically tied to the historical turmoil, forcing them to make painful choices between personal happiness and duty, survival, or the fate of their families, often resulting in a poignant, lifelong connection marked by separation and longing.

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Unlock the Full Story of The Butler

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The Butler Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Butler, 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 Butler Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Butler

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Butler

The Butler Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Butler Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Butler

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