Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Family drama

A Man Called Peter (1955): Cast & Plot

A Man Called Peter (1955) movie poster

A Man Called Peter is a 1955 family drama directed by Henry Koster, starring Billy Chapin as Peter John Marshall, Richard Todd and Jean Peters. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes.

Loading streaming availability…
A Man Called Peter (1955) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Director
Henry Koster
Genres
Family , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Man Called Peter About?

The premise of A Man Called Peter without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Based on the true story of Peter Marshall, a young Scottish seafarer who receives a divine call to ministry, he emigrates to America, serves modest congregations, and ultimately becomes pastor of Washington’s Church of the Presidents and later Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, inspiring a nation with his faith.

A Man Called Peter Themes & Keywords

· 45 tags
  • georgia usa
  • politician
  • lie
  • family problems
  • scotsman
  • teaching elder
  • male protagonist
  • presbyter
  • u.s. senate
  • senate
  • chaplain
  • death
+33 more
  • seminary
  • sea
  • marriage
  • scotland
  • minister
  • washington d.c.
  • death of protagonist
  • born again christian
  • religious populism
  • world war two
  • agnes scott college
  • tuberculosis
  • coronary thrombosis
  • heart disease
  • u.s. naval academy
  • inspiration
  • reference to abraham lincoln
  • presbyterian
  • 1950s
  • 1940s
  • 1930s
  • stowaway
  • reference to god
  • glasgow scotland
  • scottish immigrant
  • husband wife relationship
  • faith
  • immigrant
  • religion
  • scottish american
  • based on true story
  • based on book
  • character name in title
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

A Man Called Peter Cast & Characters

Billy Chapin leads the cast as Peter John Marshall, with Richard Todd as The Rev. Peter Marshall and Jean Peters as Catherine Wood Marshall. Directed by Henry Koster; 24 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Man Called Peter

· 20 more
Show all 24 cast members
Plot

A Man Called Peter Plot Summary

What happens in A Man Called Peter from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As a boy growing up in Coatbridge, Scotland, Peter Marshall loves the sea and dreams of a life at sea. A fog-bound accident later in life pushes him toward the ministry, a calling that reshapes his path forever. He carries a fierce work ethic, taking on double shifts to save enough money to study in America, and then again to fund divinity school. After graduation, he is called to serve as pastor at a rural church in Covington, Georgia.

Full summary

The whole story of A Man Called Peter, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Man Called Peter?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What career does Peter choose after the fog‑bound accident that changes his life?

Details

A Man Called Peter Also Known As

5 alternative titles, including “Para Todo o Sempre” and “Au service des hommes”.

Also known as
  • Para Todo o Sempre
  • Au service des hommes
  • 名叫彼得的人
  • Ein Mann namens Peter
  • 피터라 불리는 사나이

Seen A Man Called Peter?

FAQ

A Man Called Peter FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of A Man Called Peter, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Man Called Peter?

A Man Called Peter runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was A Man Called Peter released?

A Man Called Peter was released on March 31, 1955.

Who directed A Man Called Peter?

A Man Called Peter was directed by Henry Koster.

More films by Henry Koster

Who is in the cast of A Man Called Peter?

A Man Called Peter stars Billy Chapin as Peter John Marshall, Richard Todd as The Rev. Peter Marshall and Jean Peters as Catherine Wood Marshall, among 24 credited actors.

Does A Man Called Peter have a post-credit scene?

No. A Man Called Peter has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app