6 Days (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A six-day embassy siege tests negotiation, media pressure, hostage resistance, and the final decision to use force.

Story Structure — 6 Plot Phases

The Embassy Falls

The terrorists seize the Iranian Embassy and hold hostages including PC Trevor Lock. Salim announces political demands, bringing police and media attention to the crisis.

Key Events

• Embassy Seizure — Six Iranian Arabs storm the embassy and seize hostages including PC Trevor Lock. Characters: PC Trevor Lock, Salim, Faisal Location: Iranian Embassy, 16 Princes Gate
• Emergency Response Assembled — Police, military, and broadcast personnel are summoned to the unfolding siege. Characters: Max Vernon, Kate Adie Location: London
• First Terrorist Demand — Salim demands the release of 91 Arab prisoners in Iran. Characters: Salim, Max Vernon Location: Embassy communications line
• Negotiation Begins — Max promises to help avoid violence while negotiating with Salim by phone. Characters: Max Vernon, Salim Location: Police negotiation position

Deadlines And Leverage

Max opens telephone negotiations with Salim while an assault is prepared. A hostage release and food delivery temporarily extend the deadline, but Salim adds demands for safe passage and ambassadors.

Key Events

• SAS Prepares Assault — The SAS prepares to storm the building before the first deadline expires. Characters: Max Vernon, Salim, PC Trevor Lock Location: Iranian Embassy perimeter
• Ill Hostage Released — Salim releases one hostage because of illness, and Max brings food to the terrorists. Characters: Max Vernon, Salim, PC Trevor Lock Location: Embassy entrance
• Deadline Extended — Salim extends the deadline by 48 hours and demands safe passage to Heathrow. Characters: Max Vernon, Salim Location: Embassy communications line
• Ambassador Demand — Salim demands that Arab League ambassadors accompany the terrorists to the airport. Characters: Max Vernon, Salim Location: Police negotiation position

The Siege Tightens

Faisal threatens a hostage as negotiations stall and Iranian authorities refuse involvement. Salim seeks BBC access, while Trevor considers using a hidden revolver to resist.

Key Events

• Hostage Killing Threat — Faisal takes a hostage to be killed as the authorities reject participation in negotiations. Characters: Salim, Faisal, PC Trevor Lock Location: Embassy interior
• BBC Access Requested — Salim demands to speak to the BBC, and Max reluctantly agrees. Characters: Salim, Max Vernon, Kate Adie Location: Embassy communications line
• Second Hostage Released — Salim reluctantly releases another hostage while Trevor considers taking over. Characters: Salim, Max Vernon, PC Trevor Lock Location: Embassy entrance
• Hidden Revolver Considered — Trevor contemplates a takeover using a hidden revolver. Characters: PC Trevor Lock, Faisal Location: Embassy interior
• Bus Rescue Plan — The SAS plans to rescue the hostages aboard a bus traveling to the airport. Characters: Max Vernon, PC Trevor Lock, Salim Location: Police planning position

The Failed Escape Plan

The SAS develops a plan to rescue the hostages on a bus, but the plan is vetoed. The authorities return to the dangerous option of storming the embassy.

Key Events

• Bus Rescue Plan — The SAS plans to rescue the hostages aboard a bus traveling to the airport. Characters: Max Vernon, PC Trevor Lock, Salim Location: Police planning position
• Rescue Plan Vetoed — The bus rescue plan is vetoed, forcing the SAS back to the original assault plan. Characters: Max Vernon, Salim, PC Trevor Lock Location: Government decision channel

Broadcast Before Bloodshed

The BBC broadcasts the terrorists' political statement, prompting Salim to release two hostages. The fragile relief ends when Faisal kills another hostage after the bus demand fails.

Key Events

• Terrorist Statement Broadcast — The BBC broadcasts the terrorists' explanation concerning oppression in Arabistan. Characters: Salim, Kate Adie, Max Vernon Location: BBC World Service
• Two Hostages Released — After hearing the broadcast, Salim thanks Max and releases two hostages. Characters: Salim, Max Vernon, PC Trevor Lock Location: Embassy entrance
• Final Hostage Killing — Faisal kills a hostage after the demanded bus is not provided. Characters: Faisal, Salim, PC Trevor Lock Location: Embassy interior

The Embassy Assault

The SAS attacks after the operation is authorised, killing Salim and other terrorists while suffering injuries and a hostage death. Faisal is exposed and killed, and the final terrorist is arrested.

Key Events

• Assault Authorised — The SAS operation is authorised, and Max is ordered to distract the terrorists. Characters: Max Vernon, Salim, Faisal, PC Trevor Lock Location: Embassy perimeter
• Embassy Assault — The assault kills Salim and three terrorists, while a hostage and an SAS man are badly hurt. Characters: Salim, Faisal, PC Trevor Lock, Max Vernon Location: Iranian Embassy
• Faisal Exposed — Faisal hides among departing hostages, but he is recognised and killed before using a grenade. Characters: Faisal, PC Trevor Lock Location: Embassy exit
• Final Terrorist Arrested — A search reveals the sixth terrorist hiding among the hostages, and he is arrested. Characters: PC Trevor Lock, Max Vernon Location: Outside the embassy
• Vernon Calls Home — A shaken Max telephones his wife to reassure her that he is safe. Characters: Max Vernon Location: Outside the embassy
• Return To Hereford — The SAS team rides back to Hereford while hearing praise for the operation on the radio. Characters: Max Vernon Location: Road to Hereford
• Fifteen-Year Aftermath — Later, Max advances, Kate becomes BBC chief news reporter, and Lock receives the George Medal. Characters: Max Vernon, Kate Adie, PC Trevor Lock Location: Britain

Story Breakdown

• Embassy Seizure — The armed takeover creates the hostage crisis and introduces its central political demand.
  • Armed Takeover — Six Iranian Arabs storm the embassy and seize hostages.
  • Initial Ultimatum — Salim demands the release of Arab prisoners in Iran.
• Police Negotiations — Max attempts to prevent bloodshed while Salim uses deadlines and demands to control the situation.
  • Telephone Contact — Max promises to help Salim avoid violence.
  • Deadline Extension — Food and a hostage release produce an additional forty-eight hours.
• Terrorist Leverage — The terrorists increase pressure through hostage threats while political negotiations fail to advance.
  • Faisal's Threat — Faisal takes a hostage to be killed.
  • Iranian Refusal — Iranian authorities refuse to join the negotiations.
• Media Confrontation — Salim seeks publicity, turning the BBC into a channel for the terrorists' political statement.
  • BBC Access — Salim demands to speak to the BBC through Max.
  • Political Broadcast — The BBC World Service broadcasts the terrorists' justification.
• Hostage Resistance — Trevor considers an internal takeover while the authorities examine different rescue possibilities.
  • Hidden Revolver — Trevor contemplates resisting with a concealed revolver.
  • Bus Rescue Plan — The SAS plans an intervention during transport to Heathrow.
• Plan Rejected — The proposed bus operation is vetoed, leaving the building assault as the remaining option.
  • Government Veto — The bus rescue plan is rejected by the Prime Minister.
  • Original Assault — The SAS returns to its plan to storm the embassy.
• Final Escalation — The last failed demand and hostage killing remove the remaining possibility of a negotiated outcome.
  • Bus Demand Fails — The demanded bus is not brought to the embassy.
  • Hostage Killed — Faisal kills a hostage after the failed demand.
• Assault And Aftermath — The raid ends the siege, exposes the hidden final terrorist, and leads to the characters' later outcomes.
  • Embassy Raid — The assault kills Salim and other terrorists while causing casualties.
  • Long Term Results — The final terrorist is imprisoned, while Max, Kate, and Trevor receive later outcomes.

Directed by

Toa Fraser

Key Cast

• Jamie Bell — LCpl. Rusty Firmin
• Mark Strong — Max Vernon
• Abbie Cornish — Kate Adie
• Martin Shaw — John Dellow
• Tim Pigott-Smith — William Whitelaw