The Woman in White 1948

Walter meets the Woman in White

Walter Hartright walks from the train station toward Limmeridge House at night and meets a mysterious woman in white who vanishes as a carriage approaches. He glances into the carriage and hears that a woman recently escaped from a nearby asylum is being searched for, while another man inside the carriage seems to watch him. The encounter unsettles him and hints at a web of hidden motives.

Arrival at Limmeridge House

Walter arrives at Limmeridge House and is introduced to Marian Halcombe, Laura Fairlie, Mrs. Vesey, and Frederick. Fosco appears as a guest, a charismatic but ominous figure who will complicate the household dynamics. Walter learns that Laura is the central figure around whom the secrets swirl.

Morning meeting and the letter theft

The next morning Walter is drawn to Laura, whose resemblance to the woman in white unsettles him. Laura recounts his earlier encounter, and Mrs. Vesey helps recall a visit from a similar girl named Anne. Fosco quietly steals an old letter about Anne, triggering Walter to begin suspecting Fosco's involvement in the mystery.

Marian investigates; Fosco’s theft

Marian begins to investigate Anne Catherick's appearance and uncovers an old letter written by Laura's mother. After furtively discussing Anne with Frederick, Fosco steals the letter, prompting Walter to reveal his suspicions about Fosco to Marian.

Love and engagement tensions

Walter and Laura begin to fall in love, complicating Laura's engagement to Sir Percival Glyde. Glyde arrives with eagerness to move up the wedding in order to secure Laura's fortune. The tension between affection and ambition grows within the house.

Anne warns Laura; confrontation

Walter finds Anne crying in the garden and warns Laura about the danger surrounding her. Anne refuses to enter the house and soon disappears. In front of Laura and Marian, Walter confronts Fosco and Glyde with Anne's warning, but they deny everything and Marian remains skeptical.

Laura’s marriage and shifting household

Despite not loving him, Laura marries Glyde. Months later Marian returns to Limmeridge House to find new servants and Fosco and Countess Fosco have moved in, signaling a dangerous shift in Laura's domestic world.

Anne’s intrusion and the funeral twist

Anne slips back into Limmeridge House to warn Laura against Fosco and Glyde, aided by the Countess Fosco. Anne hides in a secret room and is confronted by Fosco and Glyde, dying in front of Laura and the Countess. The men announce that Laura has died, but Walter attends the funeral and realizes the body is Anne, not Laura.

Laura’s hypnotic confinement and escape

Walter suspects Fosco's influence and learns that Laura has been hypnotized to believe she is Anne and that Fosco is her father. Laura resists Fosco's control and escapes from the asylum with Walter's help, and in a confrontation with Glyde, Glyde dies in the struggle.

Marian’s bargain and revelations

Marian returns to Limmeridge and bargains with Fosco: he must sign a confession and release Laura. Fosco then reveals his wider truth about Laura's circumstances and the intertwined past of the Foscos, Frederick, and Anne, unsettling the already fragile balance of power in the household.

Fosco’s downfall and the necklace

Fosco offers Marian an emerald and diamond necklace as part of their arrangement, while the Countess listens. When the Countess realizes Fosco plans to leave with Marian, she retrieves a dagger and stabs him. The police arrive as Fosco dies, and the Countess claims the necklace before the scene ends.