The Inspector

The Inspector

Year: 1962

Runtime: 112 mins

Language: English

Director: Philip Dunne

RomanceDrama

Hunted across London, Amsterdam, the Casbah and the beaches of the Middle East, a Dutch police officer pursues a strange case that leads to an even stranger liaison. In the aftermath of World II, the compassionate officer helps a Jewish woman escape to British‑mandated Palestine.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Inspector 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 & Setting – The Inspector (1962)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Inspector (1962). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1946

Set in the immediate aftermath of World War II, the narrative centers on a Europe trying to heal from occupation and atrocity. It follows survivors and those implicated in the war's crimes as they navigate fragile justice and shifting loyalties. The era is defined by reconstruction, displacement, and the difficult hopes of reaching safer destinations like Palestine.

Location

Holland, London, Tangiers, Palestine

The story unfolds across several key locations in the immediate postwar landscape: Holland, London, Tangiers, and Palestine. Each setting highlights different facets of the era—reconstruction in the Netherlands, transit and pursuit in bustling cities, and the perilous routes toward safety. These places form a journey that mirrors the characters’ struggles with memory, morality, and survival.

🗺️ Postwar locales 🚢 Smuggling networks

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:57

Main Characters – The Inspector (1962)

Meet the key characters of The Inspector (1962), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Brandt (Leo McKern)

Captain Brandt is crusty but goodhearted, owner of a barge who provides a wary shelter for Lisa and Jongman. He embodies practical generosity and steadiness in a world scarred by war, acting as a moral anchor during their voyage toward safety.

⚓ Captain 🧭 Loyal

Peter Jongman (Stephen Boyd)

Dutch police inspector haunted by guilt over his Jewish fiancée's death. He seeks redemption by helping Lisa reach Palestine, balancing duty with compassion and wrestling with whether to surrender to stand trial.

🧭 Duty 💔 Guilt

Lisa Held (Dolores Hart)

A Auschwitz survivor who fears exploitation and medical experimentation. Her hope to reach Palestine is tempered by trauma and a wary, cautious love for Jongman, shaping every risky decision on their journey.

🩹 Trauma 💕 Hope

Thorens (Marius Goring)

Ex-Nazi who manipulates Lisa for profit, representing the lingering danger of war criminals seeking advantage in the postwar world. His confrontation with Jongman culminates in a deadly moment that tests both men.

💣 Oppression 🪙 Exploitation

Van der Pink (Hugh Griffith)

Dutch smuggler who arranges passage to Palestine, threading arms smuggling with dubious contracts. He embodies the gray economic morality of the era, where survival can hinge on questionable deals.

💰 Smuggling 🧭 Deception

Dickens (Robert Stephens) (Roger Dickens)

A British agent who becomes a crucial, morally complex ally and obstacle in the pursuit of Lisa’s fate. His involvement underscores the reach of wartime diplomacy and justice.

⚖️ Justice 🕵️ Information

Browne (Neil McCallum)

American agent who initially helps but then urges Lisa to testify at the war trials. His stance highlights tensions between mercy, accountability, and the politics of postwar justice.

🤝 Ally 🧭 Guidance

Anaka Jongman (Jane Jordan Rogers)

Jongman’s sister who provides family ties and practical support, illustrating the domestic links that anchor his decisions in the broader human stakes of the escape.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family 🛡️ Support

Mrs. Jongman (Jean Anderson)

Jongman’s mother, initially skeptical of Lisa but gradually supportive as the truth about trauma comes to light—reflecting generational attitudes toward outsiders and suffering.

👵 Family 🏠 Skepticism

Ayoob (Harry Andrews)

A wary figure encountered on the journey, contributing to the sense of danger and the intricate web of loyalties among travelers and authorities.

🗝️ Mystery ⚠️ Danger

Detective Inspector (Derek Francis)

A police figure representing postwar law enforcement who challenges Jongman’s actions and probes the circumstances surrounding Thorens’s death.

🧭 Law 🔎 Investigation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:57

Major Themes – The Inspector (1962)

Explore the central themes of The Inspector (1962), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Guilt and Redemption

Guilt permeates the string of choices that Peter Jongman and others face, stemming from past failures during the occupation. His attempt to atone drives him toward protecting Lisa and seeking a moral path, even at personal cost. The theme explores whether redemption is possible through acts of mercy amid a world scarred by war.

💔 Trauma and Resilience

Lisa Held carries the weight of Auschwitz and its long-term impact on her sense of self, body, and future. Her trauma shapes her fears and hopes, influencing every decision on the perilous journey to Palestine. The film highlights enduring resilience in the face of exploitation and the struggle to reclaim agency.

⚖️ Justice and Memory

The pursuit of justice—whether through trials, police investigations, or moral reckoning—frames the narrative. Memory of past crimes and the pressure of accountability collide with compassionate choices, forcing characters to weigh personal loyalty against larger truths. The story juxtaposes duty to the law with the human need for mercy.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:57

Unlock the Full Story of The Inspector

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

The Inspector Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Inspector, 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 Inspector Summary

The Inspector Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Inspector with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Inspector Timeline

More About The Inspector

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

Explore More About Movie The Inspector

The Inspector (1962) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Inspector (1962) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Inspector (1962) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow