Until They Sail

The film starts in a Christchurch courtroom as testimony unfolds. Barbara Leslie's mind drifts back to the events that led to the trial, framing the story in terms of love, loss, and wartime choices. The flashback anchors the audience in the sisters' intertwined lives during the war.

Barbara, Anne, Evelyn, and Delia live together as men prepare for World War II service. Delia's engagement to Shiner brings some joy, but Kit's death casts a pall over the celebration. Anne disapproves of the upcoming nuptials, while Barbara defends her sister.

Within weeks of the wedding, the sisters come to resent Shiner's abusive behavior. His departure for active duty brings a brittle calm to the household, but the tension lingers. The family life fractured by violence foreshadows the dangers of wartime loneliness.

Delia relocates to Wellington to work for the New Zealand Navy, seeking independence away from Shiner. Her move redefines the sisters' relationships and introduces new dynamics in the wartime environment. The distance also opens doors for new friendships and affairs.

Following the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, several hundred U.S. Marines are shipped to Christchurch, and the locals are flattered by the attention. The presence of American servicemen heightens the town's romantic and social tension. Evelyn invites Captain Richard 'Dick' Bates to dinner; he declines but catches Anne's eye.

Anne sends Barbara to Wellington in concern for Delia, where Barbara discovers Delia is registered at the St. George Hotel under her maiden name. The discovery exposes Delia's secret past and complicates family loyalties. Barbara's loyalty is tested as she weighs truth against protection.

Shiner is now a prisoner of war, and Delia has begun an affair with American lieutenant Andy. She plans to divorce Shiner and emigrate to the United States, reshaping her future and that of the Leslie family. The sisters' fears about loyalty and survival intensify as the war continues.

Andy introduces Barbara to Jack Harding, a Marine who reviews possible New Zealand brides. Barbara intends to remain faithful to her husband, yet she finds herself drawn to Jack. A quiet, complicated attraction begins to blossom between them.

Back in Christchurch, Anne is outraged by lewd comments from American servicemen and writes a letter to the local paper. Dick is sent to the Leslie home to deliver a formal apology on behalf of the Marine Corps, arriving with perfumes for the sisters. Anne accuses him of trying to seduce them, deepening the rift between them.

Soon after, news arrives of Mark's death in North Africa and Dick's departure for active duty. He later returns to New Zealand to recuperate from an injury, and a romance with Anne blossoms. He proposes, but offshore duty prevents a quick marriage, leaving Anne pregnant and uncertain about the future.

Jack arrives to conduct his investigation of Anne, arguing that wartime romances stem from loneliness rather than love. Barbara challenges his harsh view, and a deep friendship begins to form between them amidst mutual understanding and growing attraction. The personal stakes are rising as the war continues.

Jack celebrates Christmas Eve with the Leslie family, now including Anne's newborn son. He announces his imminent departure, and Barbara and Jack share an amorous embrace, signaling a potential future together beyond the war. The couple's bond stands in contrast to Barbara's lingering loyalty to Dick.

Months later, Evelyn's sweetheart Tommy returns from the war and proposes. Barbara learns of money from Dick's mother to finance Anne and her baby's move to Oklahoma, linking the family to a possible new life away from New Zealand. The theme of migration and new beginnings remains central.

The day of Anne's departure coincides with news of the end of hostilities, but Delia's fate takes a darker turn. Shiner murders Delia with a Japanese sword he brought back from the war. In the murder trial, Jack reveals Delia's seven affairs, prompting Barbara to reconsider leaving New Zealand. She ultimately packs her belongings and decides to embark on a new life with Jack.