Character Relationship Map: Le Tunnel

Characters

• Mac Allan (played by Jean Gabin) — protagonist

  Mac Allan is the engineer leading the audacious plan to build a railway tunnel beneath the Atlantic. With Lloyd's financial backing, he wins support and directs construction. He takes charge when floo...

• Mary (played by Madeleine Renaud) — protagonist

  Mary is Mac Allan's wife and a source of encouragement as he faces uncertainty over the tunnel project. During the flood in gallery B-9, she waits for him without knowing the danger he has entered to...

• Woolf (played by Gustaf Gründgens) — supporting

  Woolf is a member of the Syndicate who secretly buys shipping shares, hoping to profit if a tunnel disaster damages the project. Mac Allan confronts him over losses linked to falsified accounts, and s...

• Lloyd (played by André Nox) — supporting

  Lloyd is the financier who introduces Mac Allan and his ambitious plan to build a tunnel beneath the Atlantic. He backs the project financially, helping secure support and establish the Atlantic Tunne...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Lloyd → Mac Allan (Professional Financial Backer) — Lloyd helps bring Mac Allan's proposal before the meeting and backs the syndicate that undertakes the tunnel project.

  Lloyd introduces Mac Allan and his plan, and later provides financial backing for the Atlantic Tunnel Syndicate.

• Mac Allan → Mary (Family Husband And Wife) — Mary supports Mac Allan as he pursues the tunnel project, then waits for him during the underground emergency without knowing the danger he faces.

  The plot identifies Mary as Mac Allan's wife and says she encourages him through the uncertainty of the project.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Mac Allan → Woolf (Conflict Adversaries) — Their relationship turns openly hostile as Mac Allan challenges Woolf over financial losses and suspected sabotage of the tunnel.

  Mac Allan confronts Woolf over losses caused by falsified accounts, and suspicion grows that Woolf is behind efforts to undermine the project.

Story Analysis

Mac Allan's ambitious Atlantic tunnel project faces engineering danger, financial sabotage, and an unresolved bomb threat.

Plot Progression

1. A Tunnel Across the Atlantic — Lloyd introduces Mac Allan and his plan for a rail tunnel beneath the Atlantic. The proposal wins support, and Lloyd backs the newly formed syndicate.
2. The Flood in Gallery B-9 — Construction begins on Long Island, but a flood breaks into B-9. Mac Allan leads an underground effort to help the trapped workers while Mary waits unaware of the danger.
3. Suspicion Around Woolf — After B-9 is sealed, labor unrest and sabotage trouble the project. Woolf's secret investment and falsified accounts provoke Mac Allan's suspicion and confrontation.
4. The Nine O'Clock Threat — A captured intruder connects Woolf to a bomb planted in B-9 and set to explode at nine o'clock. With communications cut and the workers' escape unconfirmed, Mac Allan presses on as the deadline arrive...