Tommy
Tommy is an English soldier, the only soldier on the streets of Dunkirk to survive an attack by the Germans at the beginning of the film. A young soldier with his whole life ahead of him, Tommy becomes friends with Gibson, the French soldier, early on, and the two of them stick together and look out for one another. Tommy is among the soldiers who survives the Battle of Dunkirk and returns home safely, a loyal if impressionable soldier.
Gibson
Gibson is a French soldier who masquerades as English in the hopes of escaping from Dunkirk on an English destroyer. He remains silent throughout the film to ensure that no one learns that he is French. He is helpful to his fellow soldiers, even though he is met with skepticism by Alex. He dies when his foot gets caught in the sinking grounded trawler.
Alex
Alex is another young soldier, initially on a ship on its way back to England. After the ship gets bombed at the mole, Alex escapes by jumping into the water, where he joins Tommy and Gibson. He is brave if a little hot-headed, and is deeply suspicious of Gibson, even more so when Gibson reveals he is French.
George
George is a teenage boy who goes with Mr. Dawson to Dunkirk, tagging along with his friend Peter. Even though he was told to stay behind, George is determined to be useful, but on the journey, he is pushed down a staircase, suffers a head injury, and dies. George is unassuming and not very competent at anything, and in his final moments, he confesses to Peter that he fears he is a disappointment to his father.
Peter
Peter is Mr. Dawson’s son who accompanies him to Dunkirk. Peter is portrayed as a calm, dutiful, and kindhearted young man, helping the soldiers get into the boat, taking care of his friend George after he gets injured, and having a memorial for George published in the local paper after his death.
Mr. Dawson
Mr. Dawson is a seaman who decides to go to Dunkirk himself instead of just giving his boat to the army to use. Mr. Dawson is calm, dutiful, and determined to help the war relief efforts in whatever way he can. A major reason he wants to help is that his older son died in the war three weeks in, so he wants to honor his son's memory by helping in whatever way he can.
Collins
Collins is a British pilot who crashes his plane into the ocean and almost drowns, but is saved by Dawson and Peter just in time.
Farrier
Farrier is another pilot, who heroically shoots down a number of German fighter planes, even though he has run out of fuel. With no other options, he lands on the beach, where he is apprehended by German soldiers.
Captain Bolton
Captain Bolton is a naval officer who is presiding over the mole and making decisions about how to evacuate the beach. He is disheartened by the news that Churchill does not want to bring many soldiers back, but he remains strong and seeks ways to get his troops home. Even after they have already sent home thousands of British soldiers, he stays behind to help the French evacuate.
