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Short fantasy drama

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (1961): Cast & Plot

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (1961) movie poster

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is a 1961 short fantasy drama directed by Robert Enrico, starring Jean-François Zeller as Union Sergeant, Roger Jacquet and Anne Cornaly. It runs 28 minutes.

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An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (1961) movie poster
Released
Runtime
28 min
Director
Robert Enrico
Genres
Drama , Fantasy
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge About?

The premise of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the American Civil War, a Southerner is about to be hanged from a bridge for sabotage when something unexpected happens.

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge Themes & Keywords

· 19 tags
  • american civil war
  • prisoner of war
  • execution by hanging
  • return home
  • husband wife reunion
  • bridge
  • escape
  • hanging
  • execution
  • footbridge
  • centipede
  • spider
+7 more
  • valley
  • running
  • swimming
  • falling into river
  • river
  • surprise ending
  • art
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Cast & crew

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge Cast & Characters

Jean-François Zeller leads the cast as Union Sergeant, with Roger Jacquet as Peyton Farquhar and Anne Cornaly as Mrs. Farquhar. Directed by Robert Enrico; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

· 3 more
From the director

More from Robert Enrico

More films directed by Robert Enrico: East Wind, The French Revolution, Engagements of the Heart and Zone Red.

Full filmography
Plot

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge Plot Summary

What happens in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A handbill posted on a burnt tree, dated 1862, warns that anyone interfering with bridges, railroads, or tunnels will be summarily executed. Union troops escort a civilian prisoner, Peyton Farquhar, to a rural railroad bridge for execution by hanging. The moment is quiet and austere—the only sounds are birds in the air and the distant cadence of military orders. As the rope tightens, a fleeting vision of his home—his wife and children—flashes before him.

When Farquhar is dropped, the rope breaks and he plunges into the river. He frees himself from his bonds, slips out of his boots, and begins swimming downstream while gunfire crackles behind him. He is carried by the current through rapids and finally crawls ashore, exhausted, but laughing with relief.

Full summary

The whole story of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge?

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 year appears on the handbill nailed to the burnt tree?

Details

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Zwischenfall auf der Eulenfluss-Brücke” and “Un avvenimento sul ponte di Owl Creek”.

Also known as
  • Zwischenfall auf der Eulenfluss-Brücke
  • Un avvenimento sul ponte di Owl Creek
  • Un incident al pont d’Owl Creek
  • ふくろうの河
  • 鹰溪桥上
  • Совиный ручей
  • El incidente del puente del Búho

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FAQ

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, each answered in a sentence.

How long is An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge?

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge runs 28 minutes.

When was An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge released?

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge was released on December 14, 1961.

Who directed An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge?

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge was directed by Robert Enrico.

More films by Robert Enrico

Who is in the cast of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge?

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge stars Jean-François Zeller as Union Sergeant, Roger Jacquet as Peyton Farquhar and Anne Cornaly as Mrs. Farquhar, among 7 credited actors.

Does An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge have a post-credit scene?

No. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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