What is the plot?

In 1935, the story begins at the Tallis family estate in Surrey, England. Thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis is an aspiring writer who observes her older sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner, the son of the family's cook, interacting in a way that confuses her. Cecilia, dressed in a flowing green dress, and Robbie, a university student, share a moment by the fountain, where Cecilia jumps in to retrieve a vase. Briony misinterprets their relationship, believing it to be inappropriate. Later, during a family dinner, tensions rise as Briony's mother, Emily, and her father, Jack, discuss the family's social status and the presence of Robbie, who is invited to dinner.

After dinner, Briony witnesses a series of events that further distort her understanding. She sees Robbie and Cecilia in a passionate exchange, and later, she observes a confrontation between Robbie and her cousin, Lola, who is staying with them. That night, Briony finds Lola being assaulted in the dark by a man she cannot identify. When she later sees Robbie, she mistakenly believes he is the attacker, influenced by her earlier observations and her vivid imagination. This leads her to accuse him of the crime, despite the lack of evidence.

Robbie is arrested and taken away, and the family is thrown into turmoil. Cecilia, devastated by the accusation against Robbie, stands by him, insisting on his innocence. Briony, feeling guilty yet convinced of her actions, struggles with her decision. The trial unfolds, and despite the lack of concrete evidence, Briony testifies against Robbie, leading to his conviction. He is sentenced to serve time in prison instead of attending Cambridge, which he had been looking forward to.

The narrative shifts to 1940, during World War II. Robbie is now a soldier, fighting in France. He is haunted by memories of Cecilia and the life they could have had together. The war is brutal, and Robbie experiences the horrors of combat, including the loss of friends and the chaos of battle. He is determined to survive and return to Cecilia, who has become a nurse during the war. The film captures the stark contrast between the beauty of their past and the grim reality of war.

Meanwhile, Briony, now a young woman, is working as a nurse in London. She is plagued by guilt over her actions and the impact they had on Robbie and Cecilia's lives. She attempts to atone for her past by writing a novel based on her experiences, hoping to find redemption. Briony learns that Robbie and Cecilia have been reunited, and she longs to make amends for the pain she caused.

In a pivotal moment, Briony discovers that Robbie and Cecilia have been living together in a cottage after the war. She decides to visit them, hoping to apologize. However, when she arrives, she finds that they are not there. Instead, she encounters a moment of realization about the depth of their love and the consequences of her actions. The film then shifts to a final twist, revealing that Briony's narrative has been a fictionalized account of events. In reality, Robbie and Cecilia did not have the happy ending she imagined; they were separated by the war, and both died shortly after.

The film concludes with Briony, now an elderly woman, reflecting on her life and the choices she made. She acknowledges that her attempt at atonement through writing may never truly erase the pain she caused. The story ends with a poignant sense of loss and the enduring impact of her actions on the lives of those she loved.

What is the ending?

In the ending of "Atonement," Briony Tallis, now an adult, reveals that the story we have witnessed was a fictionalized account of her attempts to atone for her past mistakes. The film concludes with the revelation that Robbie Turner and Cecilia Tallis never had the happy ending they deserved, as they both died during World War II. Briony, now a published author, reflects on her actions and the impact they had on the lives of those she loved.


As the film approaches its conclusion, we find ourselves in a sunlit, serene English countryside, where an older Briony Tallis, played by Vanessa Redgrave, is attending a book signing for her novel. The scene is imbued with a sense of nostalgia and regret, as Briony reflects on her past. She is now a successful author, but the weight of her childhood actions looms heavily over her.

The narrative shifts back to the war-torn landscape of France during World War II. We see Robbie Turner, portrayed by James McAvoy, in the midst of battle, struggling to survive amidst the chaos. The horrors of war are palpable; the sounds of gunfire and explosions echo around him. Robbie is determined to survive, not just for himself but for Cecilia, whom he loves deeply. He clings to the hope of reuniting with her, a hope that is tragically intertwined with the reality of war.

Meanwhile, Cecilia Tallis, played by Keira Knightley, is shown in a hospital, working as a nurse. She is dedicated to helping the wounded soldiers, but her heart is heavy with the absence of Robbie. The love they shared is a beacon of light in her dark world, and she longs for the day they can be together again. However, the war has taken its toll, and the uncertainty of their future weighs heavily on her.

As the narrative unfolds, we see Briony, now a young woman, grappling with the consequences of her actions from years ago. She is haunted by the false accusation she made against Robbie, which led to his imprisonment and the separation from Cecilia. In her mind, she seeks redemption, a way to make amends for the pain she has caused. This internal struggle is mirrored in the lives of Robbie and Cecilia, who are both fighting their own battles--Robbie on the front lines and Cecilia in the hospital.

The climax of the film reveals the tragic fate of both Robbie and Cecilia. In a heart-wrenching sequence, we see Robbie, exhausted and wounded, finally reach the beach where he hopes to find safety. However, the reality of war is unforgiving, and he is met with violence and chaos. In a final, devastating moment, he is shot, and the screen fades to black, leaving his fate ambiguous but heavily implied.

Simultaneously, we see Cecilia in the hospital, where she receives news of the war's progression. The tension is palpable as she clings to the hope of seeing Robbie again. However, the film cuts to a scene of her own tragic end, as she is caught in a bombing raid, leaving her fate sealed in the same tragic manner as Robbie's.

The final scenes return to Briony, who is now an elderly woman reflecting on her life and the stories she has created. She acknowledges that the love story of Robbie and Cecilia was never fulfilled, and she grapples with the reality that her attempts at atonement may never be enough. The film closes with Briony's voiceover, revealing that the story we have witnessed was her way of seeking forgiveness, a fictionalized account of the love that was lost due to her actions.

In the end, Briony is left with the knowledge that her characters, Robbie and Cecilia, never had the chance to live the life they deserved. Their tragic fates serve as a poignant reminder of the consequences of her youthful mistakes, and the film concludes with a sense of unresolved sorrow, emphasizing the themes of love, loss, and the quest for redemption.

Is there a post-credit scene?

The movie "Atonement," produced in 2007, does not have a post-credit scene. The film concludes with a poignant and reflective ending that encapsulates the themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the impact of storytelling. After the final scenes, which reveal the truth about the characters' fates and the nature of Briony's narrative, the credits roll without any additional scenes or content. The focus remains on the emotional weight of the story rather than any further developments after the main narrative concludes.

What motivates Briony Tallis to accuse Robbie Turner of a crime he didn't commit?

Briony Tallis, a thirteen-year-old girl, is motivated by a combination of jealousy, misunderstanding, and a desire for control. After witnessing a moment between Robbie and her sister Cecilia, she misinterprets their relationship and feels threatened by it. When she sees Robbie in a compromising situation with her cousin Lola, her imagination runs wild, leading her to falsely accuse him of rape. This act is fueled by her need for attention and her belief that she is protecting her family.

How does Cecilia Tallis's relationship with Robbie Turner evolve throughout the film?

Cecilia Tallis's relationship with Robbie Turner begins in the upper-class setting of her family's estate, where they share a deep, unspoken connection. Their bond is solidified when Cecilia defies her family's expectations and openly expresses her love for Robbie. However, after Briony's accusation, their relationship is torn apart. Despite the separation caused by war and imprisonment, their love remains steadfast, culminating in a poignant reunion in the final act, where they cling to the hope of a future together.

What role does the setting of World War II play in the story of Atonement?

World War II serves as a critical backdrop that shapes the characters' lives and decisions in Atonement. The war creates a stark contrast to the idyllic yet oppressive environment of the Tallis estate. It forces Robbie into the chaos of battle, where he grapples with the horrors of war and the longing for Cecilia. The war also highlights themes of loss, sacrifice, and the impact of choices, as characters are thrust into situations that test their morals and relationships.

How does Briony Tallis's perspective change throughout the film?

Briony Tallis's perspective undergoes a significant transformation throughout Atonement. Initially, she is a naive and self-centered child, whose actions stem from a lack of understanding of adult emotions and complexities. As she matures, particularly during her time as a nurse in the war, she begins to grasp the consequences of her actions and the pain they have caused. This realization drives her to seek atonement, culminating in her decision to write the story as a means of confronting her guilt and attempting to make amends.

What is the significance of the typewriter in Atonement?

The typewriter in Atonement symbolizes both the power of storytelling and the burden of guilt. It represents Briony's desire to create and control narratives, as she uses it to write her version of events. However, it also serves as a reminder of her past mistakes and the lives she has irrevocably altered. The typewriter becomes a tool for Briony to confront her actions, as she attempts to rewrite the ending of her story and seek forgiveness for the pain she has caused Robbie and Cecilia.

Is this family friendly?

"Atonement," produced in 2007, is not considered family-friendly due to several potentially objectionable or upsetting scenes. Here are some aspects that may be concerning for children or sensitive viewers:

  1. Sexual Content: There are explicit scenes depicting sexual intimacy between characters, which may be inappropriate for younger audiences.

  2. Violence and War: The film includes depictions of war, including graphic scenes of violence and the aftermath of battle, which can be distressing.

  3. Emotional Trauma: The characters experience significant emotional pain, including themes of guilt, betrayal, and loss, which may be heavy for younger viewers to process.

  4. Themes of Class and Social Struggle: The film explores complex social dynamics and class differences, which may be difficult for children to fully understand.

  5. Mature Themes: The overarching themes of regret, atonement, and the consequences of actions can be quite profound and may resonate differently with younger audiences.

These elements contribute to the film's mature rating and suggest that it may not be suitable for children or those who are sensitive to such content.