Around the World in 80 Days (2004) Plot Summary & Timeline

A Chinese man named Lau Xing, played by Jackie Chan, finds himself in a precarious situation after robbing the Bank of England. As he looks out from a window in desperation, he witnesses two police officers in pursuit of him, prompting him to cleverly assume a new identity as “Passepartout” (pronounced Pass-par-too). He cleverly becomes the valet to the brilliant scientist Phileas Fogg, portrayed by Steve Coogan, who has an ambitious goal of breaking the elusive 50-mph speed limit.

After successfully pushing the boundaries of speed, the duo heads towards the Royal Academy of Science, where they are met with skepticism from the self-satisfied Lord Kelvin, magnificently portrayed by Jim Broadbent. Kelvin dismisses the significance of new discoveries, proclaiming that the age of innovation is over. In this heated gathering, the recent bank robbery becomes a hot topic, igniting Fogg’s rage. “I’m glad the bank was robbed!” he declares vehemently, branding it a relic of the past. He embarks on a daring wager to circumvent the globe in 80 days, with the stakes being his potential appointment as Minister of Science—should he fail, he vows to dismantle his lab and abandon his dreams of invention.

After this pivotal moment, Passepartout and Fogg make a hasty departure from London. Their journey is far from straightforward; they encounter Inspector Fix, a corrupt officer intent on thwarting their ambitious quest. Their adventure takes them to Paris where Passepartout faces off against the dangerous minions dispatched by the ruthless General Fang, who is hunting for a stolen artifact—the Jade Buddha, a symbol of prosperity that Fang had previously gifted to Lord Kelvin in exchange for military backing in her schemes to conquer Lau Xing’s village.

To divert Phileas’s attention from the peril they face, Passepartout cleverly leads him to an Art School under the false pretense of attending a convention featuring Thomas Edison. Here, Fogg meets Monique, brilliantly played by Cécile De France, a budding impressionist whose artwork captures “impossible things,” stirring the scientist’s dreams of flight. In a comedic whirlwind, Passepartout uses his surroundings—canvases and paint buckets—as defense against their pursuers while Phileas finds inspiration in Monique’s art. Their escape in a hot-air balloon leads them toward the next leg of their adventure in Turkey.

Upon arriving in Turkey, they are welcomed by the flamboyant Prince Hapi, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, the prince’s infatuation with Monique brings complications as he intends for her to become his seventh wife, which leads to a clever negotiation involving a statue that humorously mimics Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’. Despite their unorthodox tactics, they manage to escape from the prince’s clutches.

As word of the bank heist travels and with tensions rising, Lord Kelvin orchestrates a scheme to capture Fogg and his crew in India, where Passepartout learns of a bounty on his head. Through clever disguises, they slip past the authorities, only to find themselves under attack from Fang’s mercenaries. Using quick wit and makeshift weapons, the trio manages to evade capture and reaches China.

Once in China, Lau Xing’s true identity surfaces as a local warrior, transforming their quest into a deeper struggle regarding the Jade Buddha amidst the looming threat of General Fang’s militia, the Black Scorpions. After a fierce battle, they find temporary refuge in Lau Xing’s village. However, when the village comes under siege, the tides of fate change as Lau Xing takes up the challenge against Fang’s forces, leading to a triumphant yet tumultuous victory.

As Phileas grapples with disappointment in his friends’ hidden identities, he embarks alone to San Francisco, where he encounters trickery that leaves him penniless. Yet fate has other plans as he is reunited with Lau Xing and Monique. The trio continues their adventures, eventually discussing the revolutionary concept of flight with the Wright brothers, who share their unconventional designs.

Their journey culminates in New York, amidst bustling crowds and last-minute treachery as they attempt to board a ship back to London. Their final confrontation against General Fang’s minions leads to chaos, with stakes higher than ever as the clock ticks ominously. Ultimately, Phileas sacrifices his chance to board the ship to help his friends, who champion the bond of loyalty forged through shared trials.

Just when all seems lost, an old sailor offers them a vessel at sea, on which Phileas ingeniously constructs a flying machine using the remnants from the ship. With his friends, they embark on one final flight back to London, navigating through an intricate dance of fate against Lord Kelvin’s machinations.

As they near the Royal Academy of Science, time hangs in peril, with Lord Kelvin confidently claiming his victory. However, as the truth about his deceit comes to light, justice prevails. In a spectacular twist, Phileas proves to be a day early due to the international date line, leading to a heartfelt reunion with Monique and a celebratory triumph over a remarkable journey that forever changes their destinies.