Cry 'Havoc' (1943) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A group of American women navigate war, personal rivalries, and tragic revelations while enduring the fall of Bataan.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Arrival and Adjustment

Flo Norris brings civilian refugees to the military camp. Pat struggles with camp regulations while jealousy over Holt begins to surface between her and Grace.

Key Events

• Refugees Arrive at Camp — Flo Norris returns with supplies and nine civilian refugees who are put to work. Characters: Pat, Flo Norris Location: Military Field Hospital
• Pat Rebels Against Rules — Pat rebels against oversight, admitting she's always hated taking orders from other women. Characters: Pat Location: Military Field Hospital
• Holt Jealousy Ignites — Pat becomes infatuated with Lieutenant Holt, who Norris claims is already involved with Smitty. Characters: Pat, Grace Location: Military Field Hospital
• Jealousy Escalates — The jealousy between the two women escalates when Smitty must constantly reprimand Pat. Characters: Pat, Grace Location: Military Field Hospital

Air Raid and Bonding

A devastating air raid leaves Sue traumatized, but the shared horror forces the women to bond and discuss their futures. Grace attempts to lift morale through dance but suffers a severe injury.

Key Events

• Jealousy Escalates — The jealousy between the two women escalates when Smitty must constantly reprimand Pat. Characters: Pat, Grace Location: Military Field Hospital
• Air Raid Strikes — Sue West disappears during an air raid and is found by her sister Andra four days later trapped in a shelter with six dead bodies, in a state of shock. Characters: Sue, Andra Location: Bataan Shelters
• Women Bond Over Trauma — The experience helps the women bond and they discuss their futures. Characters: Sue, Andra, Pat, Grace Location: Bataan Camp
• Grace Dances for Morale — Grace, a former burlesque performer, dances for the group to break the tension until her leg is injured during an enemy attack. Characters: Grace Location: Bataan Barracks
• Grace's Leg Injury — Grace, a former burlesque performer, dances for the group to break the tension until her leg is injured during an enemy attack. Characters: Grace Location: Bataan Barracks
• Grace Confronts Pat — Overcome by stress, she throws Pat's relationship with Holt in Smitty's face. Characters: Grace, Pat Location: Bataan Camp

Escalating War and Secrets

Japanese artillery worsens and Connie is killed during a swimming party. Flo Norris reveals Smitty's secret marriage to Holt and her terminal malaria diagnosis, shifting group dynamics.

Key Events

• Grace Confronts Pat — Overcome by stress, she throws Pat's relationship with Holt in Smitty's face. Characters: Grace, Pat Location: Bataan Camp
• Volunteers Refuse to Leave — When Smitty tells the women that the volunteers are free to leave for the safety of Corregidor, they refuse to leave and remain in Bataan with the military nurses. Characters: Pat, Flo Norris Location: Bataan Camp
• Japanese Artillery Intensifies — Six weeks later, Japanese artillery is worsening and the women learn that MacArthur has escaped for Australia. Characters: Pat, Grace, Flo Norris Location: Bataan Front
• Connie's Death — Connie is killed when a Japanese plane strafes them during a swimming party. Characters: Connie, Pat, Grace, Flo Norris Location: Bataan Swimming Area
• Flo Reveals Secret Marriage — Flo tells Pat that they were in fact married and that Smitty has malignant malaria, which will kill her. Characters: Flo Norris, Pat Location: Bataan Barracks
• Pat Learns of Holt's Death — When the Pat learns that Lt. Holt has been killed, she is miserable. Characters: Pat, Flo Norris Location: Bataan Barracks

Fall of Bataan

Pat learns of Holt's death and accepts her unrequited feelings. As Japanese forces breach the camp, the women surrender and walk out together, sharing final moments of reconciliation.

Key Events

• Pat Learns of Holt's Death — When the Pat learns that Lt. Holt has been killed, she is miserable. Characters: Pat, Flo Norris Location: Bataan Barracks
• Smitty Tries on Ring — Smitty, struggling for control, goes into his office, looks around, takes out the ring she wears around her neck on a chain and tries it on. Characters: Pat Location: Smitty's Office
• Pat Accepts Reality — Back in the barracks, Pat admits that she never had a chance with Holt. He never even made a pass at her. Characters: Pat Location: Bataan Barracks
• Malaria Confession — Flo tells Pat that they were in fact married and that Smitty has malignant malaria, which will kill her. She sacrificed herself to stay close to her husband. Characters: Flo Norris, Pat Location: Bataan Barracks
• Japanese Advance Begins — There are sounds of sniper fire, then tanks, then machine guns. Characters: Pat, Flo Norris Location: Bataan Camp
• Surrender Order — A Japanese soldier tells the women to come out with their hands over their heads. Characters: Pat, Flo Norris Location: Underground Barracks
• Quinine Handover — As they leave their underground barracks, Pat hands Smitty the nearly empty bottle of quinine. Characters: Pat, Flo Norris Location: Underground Barracks
• Final Apology — Smitty apologizes to Pat for not telling her about Holt, and Pat admits that he never gave her a tumble. Characters: Pat, Flo Norris Location: Bataan Camp
• Marching Out Together — They walk out together. Characters: Pat, Flo Norris Location: Bataan Camp

Story Breakdown

• Refugee Integration — Civilians arrive at the military camp and struggle to adapt to wartime conditions.
  • Flo's Return — Flo Norris brings supplies and refugees to the camp.
  • Pat's Resistance — Pat openly rebels against camp oversight and regulations.
• Interpersonal Tensions — Romantic jealousy and stress fracture the fragile peace among the women.
  • Holt Jealousy — Pat and Grace compete for Lieutenant Holt's attention.
  • Grace's Outburst — Grace confronts Pat about her relationship with Holt under stress.
• War's Brutal Impact — Enemy attacks cause trauma, injury, and death within the group.
  • Air Raid Trauma — Sue survives a shelter with dead bodies, shocking the camp.
  • Connie's Demise — Connie is killed by a strafing Japanese plane during a swimming party.
• Secret Revelations — Hidden truths about marriages and illnesses surface, altering relationships.
  • Marriage Confession — Flo reveals Smitty secretly married Holt to stay with him.
  • Malaria Diagnosis — Flo discloses Smitty's terminal malaria and her sacrifice.
• Enemy Advance — Japanese forces overwhelm the camp, forcing the women to surrender.
  • Artillery Barrage — Japanese artillery intensifies and MacArthur escapes to Australia.
  • Surrender Order — Japanese soldiers demand the women exit their underground barracks.
• Final March — The women process their losses and walk out together into captivity.
  • Quinine Gift — Pat hands the nearly empty quinine bottle to Smitty as a final gesture.
  • Walking Out Together — Pat and Flo Norris reconcile and exit the camp side by side.

Directed by

Richard Thorpe

Key Cast

• Margaret Sullavan — Lieutenant Smith
• Ann Sothern — Pat
• Joan Blondell — Grace
• Fay Bainter — Captain Marsh
• Ella Raines — Connie