Annapolis Farewell Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for Annapolis Farewell.
Annapolis Farewell Ending Explained: Commodore Fitzhugh, an old retired naval officer, lives at the Annapolis Naval Academy and, unhappy with the "modern" navy, likes to talk about his days in the "old" navy, especially about his part in the Battle of Manila Bay under Adm. Directed by Alexander Hall, this 1935 drama film stars Guy Standing (Cmdr. Fitzhugh), alongside Rosalind Keith as Madeline Deming, Tom Brown as Morton 'Click' Haley, Richard Cromwell as Boyce Avery. With a 8/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of Annapolis Farewell?
Commodore Fitzhugh, an old retired naval officer, lives at the Annapolis Naval Academy and, unhappy with the "modern" navy, likes to talk about his days in the "old" navy, especially about his part in the Battle of Manila Bay under Adm. Dewey during the Spanish-American War, when he commanded the USS Congress. That ship, now decommissioned and docked in Annapolis harbor, is--unknown to Fitzhugh--about to be towed out to sea to be used for target practice. When Fitzhugh finds this out, he sets out to either save his beloved vessel or "go down with his ship".
Alexander Hall's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Guy Standing (Cmdr. Fitzhugh)'s journey. Dewey during the Spanish-American War, when he commanded the USS Congress.
How Does Guy Standing (Cmdr. Fitzhugh)'s Story End?
- Guy Standing: Guy Standing's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Alexander Hall delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 15m runtime.
- Rosalind Keith (Madeline Deming): Rosalind Keith's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Tom Brown (Morton 'Click' Haley): Tom Brown's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Annapolis Farewell Mean?
Annapolis Farewell concludes with Alexander Hall reinforcing the drama themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Guy Standing leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.