Quiet at Dawn

Quiet at Dawn follows the journey of Private Manning as he struggles with his role in the trial and subsequent sentencing of fellow soldier, Private Watts, during WWI. Ordered to guard Watts prior to his dawn execution for cowardice, Manning strives to distance himself from his role and nagging guilt. It is the arrival of a mortally wounded soldier that ultimately leads to Manning’s transformation. Unable to quell the agony of the wounded soldier, Manning watches as Watts offers up and administers morphine in a selfless and courageous act to stop the soldier’s suffering. It was Watts’ final escape from facing the firing squad and Manning takes notice. With the arrival of dawn, Manning admits to his part in Watts’ sentencing. It was Manning who lied – and Manning who was the coward – blaming a shell-shocked and unwitting Watts to protect himself. But it is too late for Watts. He will be executed for cowardice as an example to others. Manning, crippled with guilt, must shoulder the blame or act to stop this unjust execution in the madness of war. Produced with the assistance of the NFB’s FAP program.