Three soldiers attempting to survive the retreat at Dunkirk regale tales of the origins of their personal trinkets, each tied to a significant nautical disaster. The White Ship, the Sultana and the Lusitania.

SYNOPSIS:

Amongst Our Souvenirs is an intensely dramatic and incredibly faithful recreation of 3 major nautical disasters, told through a clever narrative device revolving around the British evacuation at Dunkirk. Each narrative vignette presents a different story that culminates on various historic themes with a grounded mix of factual and fictional characters.

Synopsis:

Dunkirk 1940. An American Spitfire pilot (Skip) is forced to land his damaged plane after taking heavy flak. His plane comes down hard and he injures his back. Unable to pull himself out of the cockpit, a lone French soldier (Henri) appears from the nearby corn stalks to assist. Henri fashions a makeshift stretcher and lugs Skip to the beach where they find a medic. We learn that Skip is suffering from broken ribs, but without a proper operating room the ribs cannot be set. They must wait for evacuation. To pass the time Henri reveals the first souvenir in the form of a small fabric coat-of-arms. A British soldier (Martin) recognizes the banner and joins the duo as Henri illuminates on the origins of his trinket.

Champagne, France 1120. A winemaker (Marcellus) and his stubborn son (Julien) prepare multiple wine casks for transportation in the wee hours of the morning. We get some exposition on Julien’s aspirations of studying abroad and Marcellus’ monetary woes before they shove off to Barfleur.

The White Ship arrives at the Barfleur docks as (Captain Thomas Fitzstephen) and his first mate (Hartly) disembark amidst a little fanfare. At the Barfleur Tavern and Inn resides (King Henry) protected by his entourage of knights and vassals. We are introduced to King Henry’s pride, his son (William Adelin) and William’s half-sister (Matilda). Captain Thomas arrives at the Inn with the intention of convincing King Henry to sail back to England on the White Ship. Henry reluctantly accepts.

Marcellus and Julien arrive at the Barfleur docks the next day with their wine casks. Later in the afternoon Captain Thomas and his crew escort William and his entourage to the White Ship. William enlightens Captain Thomas of King Henry’s earlier departure, to the Captain’s embarrassment and dismay. With little regard for his human cargo, Captain Thomas allows Hartly to purchase some wine for his thirsty crew on William’s stipend. Hartly purchases 3 barrels from Marcellus, which Julien assists load onto the White Ship. William’s entourage and Captain Thomas’ crew partake in drinking and merriment making. The White Ship swells to 300 occupants.

When the wine runs out Hartly returns to Marcellus and purchases his entire stock, a hefty sum. Hartly peer pressures Julien into drinking a cup of wine while loading the casks. Before he can exit, Julien is cornered by the royal heir William and his entourage. Sensing an opportunity to shine Julien bows his head and offers his winemaking services to William’s approval. Julien is given the fabric coat-of-arms as a spot of gratitude by one of William’s relatives. Julien attempts to float the story to his father Marcellus who at first disapproves, but later comes to realize his son’s potential. Marcellus and Julien say their goodbyes and part ways, with Julien heading onto the White Ship bound for England.

The White Ship departs along the French coast with 300 drunken crew and occupants. Bound for the pointe, the vessel sticks relatively close to the coastline avoiding jagged rocks. William and his drunken entourage coax the captain into making faster headway. Captain Thomas forces his men to row faster. With a combination of alcohol and the spirit of competition the oarsmen overcompensate and the vessel slams into an enormous rock. Quilleboeuf. The White Ship takes on water and many people are thrown overboard. Julien manages to escape on William’s lifeboat, but in a moment of panic William decides to return to the wreck for his half-sister. Amidst the chaos William’s lifeboat is overturned. William and Julien drown. Both of the families are notified.

A fisherman catches an Atlantic cod and returns to his village to gut it. He allows his son to gut the fish and when the boy reaches for the innards, he instead pulls out the fabric coat-of-arms.

Back on the beaches of Dunkirk things are getting more chaotic. German Stukas begin to bomb the coastline. Henri and Martin are forced to lug Skip over to cover under a small wooden pier. An R.A.F Spitfire manages to take down one of the German Stukas providing Henri and Martin some leeway. They carry Skip to a British naval vessel moored off another pier, but the naval officer won’t allow French soldiers to board. Skip declines passage. Henri and Martin carry him further north to a supposed embarkation area. From a spot near the sea wall, the three soldiers watch the treacherous channel as Skip reveals his souvenir. A union flag and a dog collar.

Vicksburg, Mississippi 1865. Malnourished and injured Union parolees (Vern) and (Percy) are heralded down a long shady dirt road. Vern carries his faithful companion and pet bulldog (Skip). The parolees are given time to acclimate to Camp Fisk. We are given some exposition on Vern, Skip and Percy’s stay at Cahaba POW camp. Despite an unruly, one-armed Union parolee (Weylan) making anti-semetic remarks to Percy, they manage to accrue a tent and are introduced to a parolee named (Thorn).

Cairo, Illinois. A young boy delivers the morning news at the Cairo town square to an air of sadness. President Lincoln has been assassinated. (Captain James Cass Mason) of the Sultana snatches up as many papers as he can muster and returns to his vessel. Captain Mason illuminates his crew of the assassination. Chief engineer (Wintringer) warns the captain of the damaged boiler, but reluctantly agrees to patch it up on behest of the anxious crew to get downriver.

Memphis, Tennessee. The Sultana arrives at the Memphis docks. Captain Mason’s noble intentions suddenly shift to opportunistic as he learns of the pretty price for ferrying parolees back upriver.

Later that night at Camp Fisk Thorn is restless. Terrified of a rodent. He is rescued by Skip who manages to catch and eat the small mouse. Thorn gets some sleep. The following morning the parolees learn of President Lincoln’s assassination.

The Sultana arrives at Vicksburg. Captain Mason is pointed in the direction of a tavern where he meets (Colonel Hatch) who agrees to attain the captain men to ferry upriver. Captain Mason takes a day to resupply in New Orleans as Colonel Hatch attains transfer for the Camp Fisk parolees.

On their return to Vicksburg the Sultana’s boiler ruptures. With the Camp Fisk parolee’s only miles away, Captain Mason decides yet again to patch the rupture instead of replacing the boiler. Thousands of Union parolee’s pile into every nook and cranny of the steamboat. Despite Skip’s whining and Thorn’s reluctance to board, Vern, Percy, Skip and Thorn have no other alternatives. Captain Mason is paid and the Sultana departs the Vicksburg docks. 2,400 passengers are onboard.

One fateful night while the crew and passengers are asleep the ruptured boiler suddenly explodes. Percy is thrown overboard while Vern and Thorn are knocked unconscious. Vern manages to awaken with enough time for he and Skip to rescue Thorn. Others aren’t so fortunate. Hundreds escape the flames by plunging into the water only to weigh each other down. Vern drags Thorn and Skip off the boat and into the water where they try to paddle to safety. Percy rescues one-armed Weylan from drowning, despite their differences. Amidst the chaos Skip’s neck slips from his collar and he and Vern are separated.

Survivors are plucked from the waters and brought to the Memphis docks. Vern and Thorn find Weylan crying over their deceased friend Percy. A sister of mercy wraps a worn Union flag around Vern’s injured head. All that remains of Skip is his collar.

Five years pass. A Sultana veterans memorial is being held at a church in Vicksburg with Vern in attendance. As if by chance, an old veteran and his son carry a box of bulldog puppies in the same image of Skip. Alluding to Skip’s survival.

As Skip’s story concludes hundreds of private British vessels appear on the horizon, headed for the embarkation area. What follows is a hectic and chaotic evacuation. Henri and Martin carry Skip over to one of the private vessels and place him aboard. Martin outstretches his hand for Henri, but Henri decides to stay and fight. The private vessel departs, leaving Henri to his fate. Skip’s condition worsens. He finds a rosary around Martin’s neck and inquiries into its history. In an attempt to comfort his friend, Martin reveals the origin of his souvenir.

Little Italy, New York City 1915. A much younger Martin and his father (Flynn) acquire vials of antibiotics from an Italian pediatrician. The antibiotics are for Martin’s younger brother back in Liverpool who suffers from scarlet fever. As Flynn and Martin make their way to the New York harbor we get a taste of Flynn’s disillusionment with religion and preference of science.

At Pier 54 the enormous Cunard line vessel Lusitania takes on passengers from every class and hierarchy including the famous (Alfred Vanderbilt) and his valet (Ronald), producer (Charles Frohman) of Peter Pan fame, actress (Rita Jolivet) and a poor Italian boxer (Santino). Flynn and Martin eventually arrive and board second class. (Captain William Thomas Turner) voices his distaste with his first mate (Langham) over their transportation of munitions in direct violation of German maritime policy. Despite Captain Turner’s disfavor the Lusitania departs with 2,000 souls aboard.

A German submersible U-20 ascends off the coast of Ireland. (Captain Walther Schweiger) and his first mate (Hans) spots a British cargo schooner in the distance and they agree to pursue.

Things are relatively calm on the luxurious cruise liner. Martian and Flynn recline on the second-class deck before Flynn spots a famous doctor speaking with Alfred on the first-class deck. Flynn and his son sneak up to the first-class deck in search of the doctor but are caught by a crewmember. A chase ensues into the first-class lounge where Flynn accidentally trips over the leg of a chair. He falls onto his stomach and shatters the antibiotics meant for his youngest. Before Flynn and Martin are brought to steerage, Charles bribes the crewmember into releasing them. Charles generously contacts the famous doctor to consult with Flynn while he babysits Martin. We get a little more exposition on Charles and his loneliness. Flynn fortunately manages to acquire two vials of antibiotics from the doctor but is convinced of the futility unless he move his son to a dryer climate.

Flynn and Martin return to their bunks where Flynn meticulously wraps and stashes the vials of antibiotics in a handkerchief. In the dead of night Martin sneaks out to the stern to contemplate his brother’s fate, overwhelmed by the gravity. He and Santino have a heartfelt talk about faith and hope before Santino relinquishes his rosary to Martin.

Throughout the next couple of days U-20 launches multiple torpedoes into 3 British cargo vessels. The Lusitania finally comes into view of U-20. Captain Walther gives his crew the greenlight to fire on the cruise ship despite Han’s warning of civilians aboard.

Santino watches from the midship deck as the torpedo hits the Lusitania and punctures through its hull to the cargo hold. The crates of ammunition mixed with the explosive force of the torpedo punches a bigger hole in the side. The Lusitania takes on water fast. Captain Turner prepares his crew to evacuate the civilians. The gradual list renders the lifeboats on the starboard side unusable. Alfred and Ronald gallantly affix life vests around abandoned infants in nursery baskets as Charles, Rita and the first-class passengers escape to the stern. Flynn and Martin are escorted to the stern where they catch up to Charles and Rita. As the ship sinks Martin loses grip of the railing and is accidentally yanked out of his life vest by his father. Flynn dives in the water for his son. Martin looks for his father, but he is nowhere to be seen. The Lusitania finally slips below the waterline. Martin kicks and struggles to stay afloat but loses strength. He sinks below the waterline on the cusp of drowning before he is miraculously saved by Rita.

The survivors are pulled out of the water by Irish fishermen, including Martin and Rita. Rita manages to pluck a couple of Alfred’s nursery infants from the water as Martin ruminates over Santino’s rosary and the two intact vials of antibiotics.

Far from the beaches of Dunkirk Martin finishes telling Skip his story. One of the British officers aboard the private vessel notes Martin’s strange behavior. The officer signals over a medic who checks Martin and Skip to reveal Skip has succumbed to his injuries. Martin has been speaking to a dead man. The medic brings the mentally scarred Martin below deck as the British officer collects Skip’s dog tags. Just another souvenir.