Col. William Edwards (played by Richard Widmark) is a protagonist in Time Limit.
An Army Colonel investigating Major Cargill's alleged collaboration. Despite pressure from his superior to pursue a court-martial, Edwards conducts a thorough inquiry, uncovers the true circumstances behind Cargill's actions, and ultimately decides to defend him in court while acknowledging his flawed judgment. Maj. Harry Cargill (played by Richard Basehart) is a protagonist in Time Limit.
A Major accused of treason for signing a confession and broadcasting anti-American speeches. He willingly admits guilt but refuses to defend himself until the truth is revealed: he submitted to enemy demands after being given an ultimatum to save his remaining soldiers from execution. Cpl. Jean Evans (played by Dolores Michaels) appears in Time Limit.
Mrs. Cargill (played by June Lockhart) appears in Time Limit.
Lt. Gen. J. Connors (played by Carl Benton Reid) appears in Time Limit.
An Army Lieutenant General and Edwards' commander. He strongly pushes for a court-martial due to his son's death and views Cargill's actions as treason. He defends military discipline by emphasizing the heavy burden commanders bear for thousands of lives, contrasting it with Cargill's limited perspective. Sgt. Baker (played by Martin Balsam) appears in Time Limit.
Lt. George Miller (played by Rip Torn) appears in Time Limit.
A Lieutenant who reveals the camp's secret. He explains that his unit executed Captain Connors for betraying a fellow officer under torture. Miller admits to strangling Connors after drawing the short straw, and details how the captor's ultimatum forced Cargill to collaborate to save the remaining men. Col. Kim (played by Khigh Dhiegh) appears in Time Limit.
A North Korean Colonel and captor of the prisoners of war. He issues a stark ultimatum to Cargill: sign a confession and broadcast anti-American speeches, or face the execution of his entire surviving unit, directly causing Cargill's forced collaboration.
Time Limit (1957) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Col. William Edwards
(played by Richard Widmark) — protagonist
An Army Colonel investigating Major Cargill's alleged collaboration. Despite pressure from his superior to pursue a court-martial, Edwards conducts a thorough inquiry, uncovers the true circumstances...
Maj. Harry Cargill
(played by Richard Basehart) — protagonist
A Major accused of treason for signing a confession and broadcasting anti-American speeches. He willingly admits guilt but refuses to defend himself until the truth is revealed: he submitted to enemy...
Cpl. Jean Evans
(played by Dolores Michaels) — supporting
Mrs. Cargill
(played by June Lockhart) — supporting
Lt. Gen. J. Connors
(played by Carl Benton Reid) — supporting
An Army Lieutenant General and Edwards' commander. He strongly pushes for a court-martial due to his son's death and views Cargill's actions as treason. He defends military discipline by emphasizing t...
Sgt. Baker
(played by Martin Balsam) — supporting
Lt. George Miller
(played by Rip Torn) — supporting
A Lieutenant who reveals the camp's secret. He explains that his unit executed Captain Connors for betraying a fellow officer under torture. Miller admits to strangling Connors after drawing the short...
Col. Kim
(played by Khigh Dhiegh) — supporting
A North Korean Colonel and captor of the prisoners of war. He issues a stark ultimatum to Cargill: sign a confession and broadcast anti-American speeches, or face the execution of his entire surviving...
Capt. Joe Connors
(played by Yale Wexler) — supporting
The son of General Connors and an officer in the captive unit. His death triggers the initial suspicion around Cargill. It is later revealed he betrayed a fellow officer under torture, leading his own...
Key Relationships
Sgt. Baker → Maj. Harry Cargill
(Alliance Soldier)
Lt. George Miller → Capt. Joe Connors
(Conflict Executioner)
Col. William Edwards → Cpl. Jean Evans
(Professional Investigator)
Maj. Harry Cargill → Capt. Joe Connors
(Conflict Victim)
Col. William Edwards → Lt. Gen. J. Connors
(Professional Subordinate)
Maj. Harry Cargill → Lt. Gen. J. Connors
(Conflict Accused)
Lt. George Miller → Sgt. Baker
(Alliance POW Comrade)
Maj. Harry Cargill → Col. Kim
(Conflict Prisoner)
Maj. Harry Cargill → Lt. George Miller
(Professional Commander)
Lt. Gen. J. Connors → Col. William Edwards
(Professional Commanding Officer)
Col. William Edwards → Maj. Harry Cargill
(Professional Investigator)
Mrs. Cargill → Maj. Harry Cargill
(Family Wife)
Lt. Gen. J. Connors → Capt. Joe Connors
(Family Father)
Maj. Harry Cargill → Mrs. Cargill
(Family Husband)
Story Analysis
A military officer faces court-martial for treason, only to reveal he sacrificed his honor to save his men from execution.
