Daybreak (1948): Cast & Plot
Daybreak is a 1948 drama thriller directed by Compton Bennett, starring Eric Portman as Eddie Tribe, Ann Todd and Bill Owen. It runs 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 15m (75 min)
- Director
- Compton Bennett
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Sydney Box Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Daybreak About?
The premise of Daybreak without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A mysterious barber hides a secret identity that eventually leads to tragedy.
Daybreak Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- british noir
Daybreak Cast & Characters
Eric Portman leads the cast as Eddie Tribe, with Ann Todd as Frances "Frankie" Tribe and Bill Owen as Ron. Directed by Compton Bennett; 14 actors are credited in all.
- Director Compton Bennett
- Eric Portman as Eddie Tribe
- Ann Todd as Frances "Frankie" Tribe
- Bill Owen as Ron
- Maxwell Reed as Olaf Tyson
Also Starring in Daybreak
· 10 more- Edward Rigby Bill Shackle
- Maurice Denham Inspector
- Eliot Makeham Mr. Walter Bigley
- Garry Marsh Barber shop customer
- John Turnbull Superintendent
- Andrew Crawford Barber shop customer
- Lyn Evans Waterman
- Jane Hylton Doris
- Milton Rosmer Governor
- Margaret Withers Mrs.Bigley
More from Compton Bennett
More films directed by Compton Bennett: How to Undress in Public Without Undue Embarrassment, Beyond the Curtain, The Flying Scot and That Woman Opposite.
Daybreak Plot Summary
What happens in Daybreak from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with a hangman breaking down at the moment of his last scheduled execution, a man about to retire from the grim routine that defines his life. He begins to tell his story to the governor, and most of what follows unfolds as an extended flashback — a tale told from a place of weariness, with many scenes set when the supposed narrator is absent from view. This framing device sets a tense mood, as the past gradually reveals itself in layers.
Full summary
The whole story of Daybreak, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Daybreak?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Eddie Tribe's daytime occupation?
Daybreak Also Known As
Also known as “Amanhecer Fatídico”.
- Also known as
-
- Amanhecer Fatídico
Seen Daybreak?
Movies Like Daybreak
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Nightbeat, On the Night of the Fire and No Trace.
Daybreak FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Daybreak, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Daybreak?
Daybreak runs 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes).
When was Daybreak released?
Daybreak was released on May 18, 1948.
Who directed Daybreak?
Daybreak was directed by Compton Bennett.
More films by Compton Bennett Who is in the cast of Daybreak?
Daybreak stars Eric Portman as Eddie Tribe, Ann Todd as Frances "Frankie" Tribe and Bill Owen as Ron, among 14 credited actors.
Does Daybreak have a post-credit scene?
No. Daybreak has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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