The Tunnel

The Tunnel

Year: 1935

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Maurice Elvey

Science Fiction

GB’s Eight Star Special An engineer leads the building of a trans-Atlantic tunnel linking Britain and the United States.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Tunnel (1935)

Trace every key event in The Tunnel (1935) 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

Industrials gather to hear about the undersea tunnel

A group of wealthy industrialists gathers at Mr. Lloyd's home as Lloyd introduces Richard 'Mack' McAllan, the engineer behind the Channel Tunnel. McAllan explains the concept of Allanite steel and a radium drill capable of crossing the Atlantic. The moment sets the stage for major financial and political commitments to the project.

initial meeting Lloyd's residence
2

Backers decide to invest in the project

Lloyd's backing and Mostyn persuade the group to buy shares in the project. The investors are skeptical at first, but the promise of future unity and economic prestige convinces them. The team begins shaping the financing and corporate control of the venture.

shortly after meeting Lloyd's residence (investor meeting)
3

Three years into construction; Mack becomes a celebrity

Mack's success as the lead engineer makes him a worldwide celebrity, yet his fame pulls him away from his wife Ruth and their young son Geoffrey. The project’s profile rises even as personal strains emerge, testing loyalty and focus. Public attention helps fund-raising, but the personal costs are high.

three years into construction Construction site and media events
4

Mack called to New York; public faith wanes

Mack travels to New York when summoned to reassure the public and political leaders. He learns that popular support for the tunnel is slipping and that continued celebrity backing might be necessary. Lloyd urges him to use his fame to mobilize backing and keep the project alive.

during early crisis New York
5

Varlia's press-guided companionship to boost attention

Lloyd's daughter Varlia, secretly in love with Mack, keeps him company during public appearances to heighten media interest. Her presence adds romantic intrigue and press attention to the project. This dynamic complicates Mack's personal life and the public narrative around the venture.

publicity phase
6

Ruth joins the tunnel as a nurse; loses sight

Ruth, isolated by her husband's absence, takes a job as a nurse at the tunnel site. She is exposed to an unknown gas that blinds her, a turning point that deepens the rift in Mack's life. Her loss of eyesight marks a personal tragedy within the larger project.

during Ruth's nursing work Tunnel site
7

Ruth leaves Mack with Geoffrey

Believing Mack no longer loves her and fearing pity, Ruth leaves, taking their son Geoffrey with her. The separation devastates Mack and further strains Robbins and the project. The family fracture shadows the subsequent years of construction.

shortly after Ruth's departure Their home
8

Years pass; political support grows; optimism at top levels

Despite mounting costs in lives and money, leaders in Britain and the United States press for completion, promising unity and peace. Ruth lives in the countryside with Geoffrey, who grows up and becomes involved in the tunnel project. Robbins is urged to find him a role in the enterprise.

years later Britain and tunnel site; countryside
9

Detour needed due to submarine volcano; funding contested

As the tunnel nears completion, a submarine volcano forces a detour. McAllan needs more money to continue, while Grellier the arms dealer and Mostyn resist. Lloyd grows suspicious of a stock manipulation scheme designed to seize control of the venture.

as completion nears Tunnel route / detour site
10

Varlia negotiates with Mostyn; marriage as barter

Varlia convinces Mostyn to fund the continued construction by offering him marriage, a personal pledge that would fulfill his long-held wish. The plan temporarily resurrects support for the project and steadies the financing.

during funding talks Boardroom
11

Mostyn is killed; Grellier consolidates power

Grellier murders Mostyn for backing out of the settlement, tightening his grip on the company. The power struggle intensifies as investors jockey for control, threatening the tunnel's fate. Lloyd's suspicions about the true financiers deepen.

after the pledge Boardroom/office
12

Volcanic crisis; drilling dangerous gases kill workers

Samples show the volcano cannot be circumvented, and the drill breaks through to deadly volcanic gases that kill hundreds of workers, including Geoffrey. The tragedy underscores the lethal risks of the project and threatens to derail the entire venture. McAllan's resolve is tested as the pace of progress stalls.

during crisis Undersea tunnel site
13

Ruth returns; McAllan vows to persevere

Ruth reappears at the tunnel site after Geoffrey's death, offering personal motivation to McAllan. Her return reinforces his determination to finish what they started. He vows to see the project through despite the human and financial toll.

after Geoffrey's death Tunnel site
14

Three volunteers join Mack and Robbins to finish the tunnel

With renewed determination, McAllan and Robbins recruit three volunteers to operate the radium drill under extreme conditions. They endure near-fatal temperatures as they push toward the final breakthrough. The team remains focused on bridging the Atlantic despite the odds.

final phase Tunnel site
15

Breakthrough; American side reached

The crew breaks through and reaches the American side of the tunnel, completing the England–America link. Political leaders celebrate as the long dream becomes reality. The project stands as a monument to perseverance under pressure.

final breakthrough American side

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:00

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The Tunnel Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Tunnel

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