What Is The Man Who Could Work Miracles About?
The premise of The Man Who Could Work Miracles in 320 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a quiet corner of early‑20th‑century England, a trio of otherworldly observers watches humanity with a mixture of curiosity and doubt. Their silent wager—to see whether a single mortal might wield true power without losing the freedom that defines us—sets the stage for an extraordinary experiment. The chosen subject is an unassuming haberdasher’s apprentice, George McWhirter Fotheringay, whose everyday routine is shattered when he discovers an uncanny ability to bend the fabric of reality itself. The film opens with his skeptical banter about miracles, a conversation that quickly turns from idle debate to the dawning realization that the impossible may have slipped into his grasp.
As George grapples with his sudden gift, he finds himself surrounded by a cast of earnest and often bemused companions. The kindly vicar, Mr. Maydig, becomes both confidant and philosophical foil, urging the young man to contemplate the moral weight of his newfound influence. Meanwhile, Maggie Hooper, the woman who quietly anchors his world, represents the personal stakes that ground his soaring possibilities. The looming presence of Colonel Winstanley adds a more pragmatic, skeptical counterpoint, embodying the societal structures that might resist or harness such power. The tone balances whimsical wonder with a subtle undercurrent of existential questioning, inviting viewers to consider the allure and peril of omnipotence in a world still bound by ordinary concerns.
Through its lush period setting and a narrative voice that blends light‑hearted satire with earnest philosophical inquiry, the story poses a timeless question: what happens when an ordinary person is handed the levers of creation? The film’s atmosphere is one of gentle absurdity, where everyday locations—pubs, shops, humble homes—become stages for the extraordinary. By the end of the opening act, the audience is left with a tantalizing sense that George stands at the crossroads of divine experiment and human frailty, poised to discover just how far a single miracle‑maker can reshape, or be reshaped by, the world around him.
What Happens in The Man Who Could Work Miracles?
The complete story of The Man Who Could Work Miracles, from the first scene to the last, in 491 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In the celestial realms, three superhuman beings—gods, or perhaps angels—watch Earth with a mix of curiosity and doubt. They challenge one among them to conduct an experiment to see whether humans, these “animals,” might earn a place among the stars by wielding real power over reality, while preserving free will as decreed by a higher authority. A random subject is chosen, and the power to shape reality lands with George McWhirter Fotheringay, an English middle-class haberdasher’s apprentice.
In a pub, Fotheringay faces friends who debate miracles, and he tests his will by performing a striking demonstration: an oil lamp turns upside down and burns downward, untouched by hands. At home, the same trick unfolds with a candle, and he soon moves objects—lifting a table, raising a bed—and even conjures a playful cornucopia of fruits and rabbits from his turned bed. His growing miracles spill into the clothing store where he works, where he briefly makes freckles vanish and other minor wonders occur. But a dangerous slip of his power follows a careless curse that coats a policeman in flames, and the man is inexplicably relocated to San Francisco.
Realizing the scope of what he has unlocked, he seeks guidance from the vicar Mr. Maydig, who hatches a sweeping plan: abolish famine, plague, war, poverty, and the ruling class itself. Fotheringay’s feats draw the attention of the authorities, including Colonel Winstanley, whose skepticism soon hardens into alarm as the vicar’s grand design comes into play. The Colonel and his men attempt to shoot him, but Fotheringay discovers a startling invulnerability that turns every assault into a near-miss.
A turning point arrives when the young man decides not to let others comingle his power with their own agendas. Instead, he creates an old-fashioned realm in which he stands at the center of the universe. He dons kingly garb and crowns the woman he loves, Maggie Hooper, as queen, while summoning leaders from around the world to fashion a utopia free of greed, war, famine, jealousy, and toil. Yet this experiment teeters on catastrophe: Maydig begs him to wait, and to buy time Fotheringay halts Earth’s rotation. The consequence is catastrophic—everything and everyone not bound to him is cast into chaos, vanishing from the planet’s surface as civilization tears apart in a dizzying, airborne crash.
Overwhelmed by the destruction and guilt, Fotheringay calls upon his powers once more to restore the world to its prior state and to relinquish his miraculous abilities. He reappears in the same pub, attempting the lamp trick anew, only to find it fails. A celestial observer notes that the episode leaves humanity with “negativism, lust and vindictive indignation,” yet the power’s giver argues that humans were animals yesterday and still have a spark of indignation against wrongness in their hearts. The beings decide to give humanity power gradually, so wisdom can keep pace with growth, and they vow to return years later to see how the experiment has progressed.
The Man Who Could Work Miracles Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Celestials decide to experiment with humanity” to “A slow, years-later plan for humanity”. 14 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Celestials decide to experiment with humanity
The Celestials observe Earth from the celestial realms and debate the value of humanity. They decide to test whether lesser beings can handle real power over reality. Their experiment is bounded by a strict rule: no control over free will, as decreed by their master.
When:Before the events begin Where:Celestial realms
- 2
Power is granted to George Fotheringay
One Celestial reaches down and grants power to George Fotheringay, a humble English haberdasher's assistant. He discovers he can enact miracles through sheer will. The other Celestials watch to gauge the consequences of this untested gift.
When:Immediately after the selection Where:Celestial realms
- 3
First miracles occur in a pub
In a pub, Fotheringay tests his powers and causes an oil lamp to burn upside down without anyone touching it. He quickly realizes reality can be bent by his will, which unsettles him. This marks the first direct demonstration that miracles are now possible for him.
When:Same night as the selection Where:Pub
- 4
Domestic miracles in the home
Back at home, he repeats the candle trick and lifts objects like a table and bed. He conjures a cornucopia filled with fruits and rabbits, and a kitten appears beneath it. The domestic experiments reveal the scope and unpredictability of his gift.
When:After the pub scene Where:Fotheringay's home
- 5
Miracles at the clothing store
While working in the clothing store, his miracles extend to everyday life, such as making freckles vanish from a customer's face. The power draws attention and raises questions about responsibility and control. The line between blessing and danger begins to blur.
When:Soon after Where:Clothing store
- 6
Unintended curse on a policeman
In a moment of careless use, he curses a policeman to hell, and the man is surrounded by flames and smoke. The officer is subsequently relocated to San Francisco due to the supernatural intervention. The incident demonstrates how quickly his miracles can cause unintended harm.
When:Soon after Where:Public street
- 7
Maydig plots to use the power for all humanity
The local vicar, Mr. Maydig, schemes to have Fotheringay abolish famine, plague, war, poverty and the ruling class. Maydig’s plan reveals how others want to bend the power to their own ends. Fotheringay grows uneasy about being used as a tool for others’ schemes.
When:After the policeman incident Where:Pub and Maydig's space
- 8
Winstanley and allies threaten the power
Colonel Winstanley and his companions learn of the growing power and threaten Fotheringay with force. Fotheringay proves his invulnerability, turning their gunfire into a futile gesture. The confrontation shows that human hostility cannot easily challenge his gift.
When:Following Maydig's scheme Where:England, public space
- 9
Fotheringay creates a personal kingdom
Rejecting the vicar's utopian plan, Fotheringay conjures a private realm where he is the center of the universe. He transforms Colonel Winstanley’s house into a lavish palace and dresses as a king. He crowns the love interest as queen and rules with grandiose authority.
When:After invulnerability is revealed Where:Colonel Winstanley's house (transformed into palace)
- 10
World leaders urged to build a utopia
From his new palace, Fotheringay commands world leaders to fashion a utopia free of greed, war, plague and toil. Maydig pleads for patience, asking him to wait until the next day. The scene reveals how tempting power can be and how dangerous it is to wield without restraint.
When:Shortly after creating the personal kingdom Where:Palace
Show the other 4 events of The Man Who Could Work Miracles Hide the last 4 events
- 11
The Earth is stopped to buy time
Ignoring Maydig’s warning, Fotheringay stops the Earth's rotation to gain a day of time. Everything not him is hurled into space as objects and living beings whirl away. Civilization collapses in a single, devastating moment as the world is torn apart.
When:The following day Where:Earth
- 12
A desperate reversal and loss of power
Realizing the catastrophe, Fotheringay pleads to undo the disaster and return the world to its prior state. He relinquishes his miraculous abilities in a final act. He returns to the pub and attempts the lamp trick again, only to find himself powerless and unable to replicate the miracle.
When:After the disaster Where:Pub
- 13
Celestial reflections on the outcome
One Celestial notes that the experiment produced negativism, lust and vindictive indignation as humanity’s legacy. The Power giver defends that humans started as apes and still need time to grow up. He suggests that power will be granted gradually so wisdom can keep pace.
When:After the reversal Where:Celestial realm
- 14
A slow, years-later plan for humanity
The Celestials decide to return years later to assess whether humanity has matured enough to deserve the power again. They agree to watch the long arc of human development and growth. The ending hints that true progress comes from patience and responsible choice.
When:Years later Where:Celestial realms
Who Are the Main Characters in The Man Who Could Work Miracles?
10 characters, among them George McWhirter Fotheringay (Roland Young), Colonel Winstanley (Ralph Richardson) and Indifference - a God (George Sanders): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- GM
George McWhirter Fotheringay (Roland Young)
Played by Roland Young
An ordinary haberdasher's assistant who unexpectedly gains power. He struggles with how to use miracles, oscillating between moments of generosity and fear. His rise to self-importance leads him to attempt a personal utopia, only to realize the consequences of wielding unlimited power.
- 🧩 Protagonist
- 🧠 Intellectual
- 🔥 Flawed
- 🏰 Manipulated power
-
Colonel Winstanley (Ralph Richardson)
Played by Ralph Richardson
A military man who becomes wary of Fotheringay's power and his own authority being challenged. He attempts to confront or shoot the miracle worker but is thwarted by the latter's invulnerability. His character embodies the blunt force of state power confronting magical disruption.
- 🎖️ Military
- 🧭 Authority
- ⚔️ Conflict
-
Indifference - a God (George Sanders)
Played by George Sanders
One of the celestials who oversees Earth and the experiment. He treats humanity with a clinical detachment, reminding that the outcome is a test of maturity rather than a simple boon. His attitude frames the moral tension between power and responsibility.
- 👁️🗨️ Celestial
- 🪐 Detachment
- 🌟 Metaphysical
- MM
Mr. Maydig (Ernest Thesiger)
Played by Ernest Thesiger
A cautious local vicar who orchestrates the plan to overthrow famine, plague, and war. He sees Fotheringay's powers as a means to implement a moral order, but his scheme is exposed to risk and manipulation. He embodies religious zeal and social reformist ambition.
- 🙏 Religious
- 🕊️ Moralism
- 🧭 Planner
- SF
San Francisco Cop (Michael Rennie)
Played by Michael Rennie
The police officer who becomes a casualty of Fotheringay's misdirected miracles, relocated to San Francisco. He represents law and order encountering the chaos of magical acts. His presence in SF marks the global reach of a single man's powers.
- 🚓 Law & Order
- 🗺️ Relocation
- 🌁 City
- MH
Maggie Hooper (Sophie Stewart)
Played by Sophie Stewart
Love interest who becomes a symbol of human tenderness amid grandiose schemes. She observes the unfolding events with practical concern and compassion. Her relationship with Fotheringay anchors the emotional stakes of the story.
- ❤️ Romance
- 👩🦰 Compassion
- 👀 Observant
- E(
Effie (Joan Hickson)
Played by Joan Hickson
A member of the household or community who witnesses the disruption caused by miracles. She represents the everyday voice of the town affected by magical interference. Her reactions ground the fantastical elements in ordinary life.
- 🏠 Domestic
- 👀 Witness
- 🗣️ Local
- TB
Toddy Beamish (Mark Daly)
Played by Mark Daly
A supporting character who interacts with Fotheringay's world as miracles unfold. He is part of the social milieu surrounding the central events. He mirrors the public's curiosity and confusion.
- 👥 Supporting
- 🗨️ Social
- AP
Ada Price (Joan Gardner)
Played by Joan Gardner
Character who appears in the social circle affected by the miracles. She adds to the tapestry of everyday life disrupted by extraordinary powers. Her presence helps portray the breadth of the town's response.
- 👗 Social
- 🗨️ Interaction
- TC
The Colonel's Butler (George Zucco)
Played by George Zucco
A dignified servant who observes the shift in power dynamic around the Colonel's household. He provides a grounded perspective on the changes wrought by miracles. His presence emphasizes class and service within the setting.
- 🧑🏫 Servant
- 🏰 Household
- 🗨️ Observer
Where and When Is The Man Who Could Work Miracles Set?
The Man Who Could Work Miracles is set in England and San Francisco (1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1930s
The events unfold in the contemporary 1930s, blending ordinary urban life with extraordinary events. The era's public authority, class structures, and social mores shape reactions to miraculous power. The production style reflects 1930s cinema and uses practical effects to depict miracles.
Where
England, San Francisco
England provides the everyday backdrop—pubs, a clothing shop, and a middle-class town—where Fotheringay discovers his miracles. A consequential thread follows the results of his powers as one cop is relocated to San Francisco, showing miracles can have global reach. The celestial realm remains outside everyday geography, highlighting the contrast between mundane life and otherworldly intervention.
- 🇬🇧 England
- 🏙️ City of San Francisco
What Are the Themes of The Man Who Could Work Miracles?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power and Responsibility, Free Will and Hubris.
-
01
Power and Responsibility
A man gains godlike powers and must confront the responsibilities that come with it. His decisions demonstrate how power amplifies intent, yet also amplifies harm when misused. The film explores whether power should be wielded for utopia or stabilized by restraint. The consequences of his actions reveal how fragile human ethics can be when authority is unleashed.
-
02
Free Will
The Celestials grant power but deny control over free will, forcing a test of humanity. Fotheringay's attempted benevolence collides with unintended choices and suffering. The story suggests that true moral growth requires the acceptance of choice, even when it leads to mistakes. The narrative probes whether power can coexist with genuine freedom.
-
03
Hubris
Fotheringay's arrogance grows as he conjures a personal utopia, dressing like a king and commanding world leaders. The dream of perfection proves brittle and self-defeating when reality intrudes. The characters' manipulations reveal how ego can corrupt visions of a better world. The downfall culminates in the destruction caused by overreaching pride.
-
04
Utopia vs Reality
The film contrasts a fabricated, ideal realm with the imperfect real world. Attempts to erase famine, war, and poverty expose the fragility of social reform when pursued through magical means. The catastrophe dramatizes the cost of bypassing human systems and ethics. In the end, the story questions whether a perfect society can exist without compromising free will and dignity.
What Kind of Film Is The Man Who Could Work Miracles?
Whimsical in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Whimsical
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A whimsical and thought-provoking fable that explores the dramatic consequences of unlimited power on a human scale, blending playful magical moments with a cautionary, philosophical tone.
- whimsical
- thought-provoking
- dramatic
- cautionary
- playful
- philosophical
- power and responsibility
- utopia
- divine intervention
- wish fulfillment
Content notes: attempted murder.
Quiz
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