The Manxman

The Manxman

Year: 1929

Runtime: 100 mins

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

RomanceDramaMoving relationship storiesPassion and romanceEnduring stories of family and marital drama

The screen’s supreme masterpiece! A fisherman and a rising lawyer who grew up together as brothers fall in love with the same woman.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Manxman (1929)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Manxman (1929). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Isle of Man, Africa, London

The primary setting is a coastal Manx village on the Isle of Man, with a small harbor, mill, and pub that anchor the community. The landscape and social bounds shape the romance and duties that drive the plot. Scenes also move to Africa and London, highlighting distance between dreams and responsibilities within the characters' lives.

🏝️ Isle of Man setting 🧭 Travel across Africa and London 🏡 Coastal village life

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:35

Main Characters – The Manxman (1929)

Meet the key characters of The Manxman (1929), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Pete Quilliam (Carl Brisson)

Pete is a handsome but poor fisherman from a coastal Manx village who loves Kate and dreams of marrying her after making his fortune. He remains loyal to Kate, resisting public pressure to abandon their relationship. His resilience is tested when he learns of Kate and Philip's affair, and he endures heartbreak while trying to keep his family together.

🎣 Fisherman 💞 Loyal lover 🛡️ Protective

Philip Christian (Malcolm Keen)

Philip is a well-educated lawyer from a middle-class background, manipulating the situation to pursue Kate while aiming for high office as Deemster. He experiences a moral falter driven by ambition and desire, which is revealed when his affair becomes public. His career and reputation crumble as the truth comes out.

🎩 Lawyer ⚖️ Moral conflict 💔 Affair

Kate Cregeen (Anny Ondra)

Kate is the lively pub owner's daughter who attracts both Pete and Philip. Torn between true love and passion, she makes choices that destabilize the village and provoke a moral reckoning. Her actions lead to pregnancy, a dramatic suicide attempt, and a courtroom confrontation.

💃 Woman of desire 💔 Love triangle ⚖️ Moral struggle

Caesar Cregeen (Randle Ayrton)

Kate's stern father and the village patriarch, initially disapproving of Pete but ultimately wrestling with the ethics of marriage and vows. He embodies old-world authority and the weight of family honor, rewarding or punishing according to propriety.

🧓 Patriarch ⛪ Moral codes 🛡️ Family

Mrs. Cregeen (Clare Greet)

Kate's mother figure in a household where tradition pressures the family to uphold appearances. She serves as a quiet witness to the unfolding drama and the strain on domestic life.

👩‍👧 Family 🏡 Domestic life

Wardress (Nellie Richards)

A minor courtroom figure who represents the formal process during Kate's trial and the societal judgment surrounding her actions.

👮 Authority ⚖️ Legal system

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:35

Major Themes – The Manxman (1929)

Explore the central themes of The Manxman (1929), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Romance

Two men compete for the same woman, Kate, creating a tense love triangle that tests loyalty and desire. Pete’s vow to wait for Kate clashes with her growing feelings for Philip, exposing how love can be hopeful and destructive. Kate’s passion collides with duty, guiding the narrative through difficult, real-world choices. The story uses romance to illuminate how affection can empower and wound a community.

⚖️ Duty vs Desire

Philip’s pursuit of professional advancement as Deemster collides with personal happiness with Kate. Pete’s loyalty and promise to Kate clash with the social pressure and the allure of a higher status. Choices are weighed not just by love, but by public reputation and the consequences that follow. The arc tests whether duty can override or coexist with true emotion.

🕊️ Reputation

The island community treats private misdeeds as public offenses, culminating in a courtroom confrontation that exposes loyalties and hypocrisy. Kate’s suicide attempt and the ensuing trial force a judgment on morality, gender, and social standing. Philip’s confession and resignation underscore how guilt can unravel careers and personal lives. The conclusion shows the high cost of preserving appearances when hearts are breaking.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:35

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Unlock the Full Story of The Manxman

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

The Manxman Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Manxman, 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 Manxman Summary

The Manxman Timeline

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

The Manxman Timeline

More About The Manxman

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

Explore More About Movie The Manxman

The Manxman (1929) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Manxman (1929) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Manxman (1929) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow