What Happens at the End of The Portable Phonograph?

An adaptation of the short story of the same title by Walter Van Tilburg Clark, in which four men who have survived a catastrophic war share memories of their past lives and a civilization which no longer exists. Here, a vintage recording of Debussy's Nocturne played by Walter Gieseking becomes the vehicle by which four lovers of the humanities hover together in a cold post-apocalyptic shack of sandbags to mourn weekly over lost art and loves gone by. Barnes, who must be considered among the greatest filmmakers ever to work in the educational world, forcibly illustrates, through flashback sequences and close-up shots, how the humanities --- music, painting, literature, and theatre --- are perhaps the most enriching of all human endeavors. Their ultimate and devastating loss may have never before or since been shown with such terrifying passion.

John W. Barnes's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Michael Gwynn (The Music Lover)'s journey. Here, a vintage recording of Debussy's Nocturne played by Walter Gieseking becomes the vehicle by which four lovers of the humanities hover together in a cold post-apocalyptic shack of sandbags to mourn weekly over lost art and loves gone by.

How Does Michael Gwynn (The Music Lover)'s Story End?

• Michael Gwynn: Michael Gwynn's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• William Squire (The Actor): William Squire's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Philip Locke (The Book Lover): Philip Locke's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Portable Phonograph Mean?

The ending of The Portable Phonograph brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Michael Gwynn's story may not satisfy all audiences.