to finish or to be over

[shatilof]

Examples:

The film finished by 7 p.m.
The film was over by 7 p.m.

Would a native English speaker see any difference in the meanings? E.g. in the first sentence it is like 'somebody' stopped showing the film and in the second one the film stopped itself?

What would be the best context to choose each of them?

Thank you in advance.

 

[bhaisahab]

Examples:

The film finished by 7 p.m.
The film was over by 7 p.m.

Would a native English speaker see any difference in the meanings? E.g. in the first sentence it is like 'somebody' stopped showing the film and in the second one the film stopped itself?

What would be the best context to choose each of them?

Thank you in advance.

There is no practical difference in meaning.

 

[shatilof]

Is there any difference at all then?

 

[bhaisahab]

Is there any difference at all then?

Not really, no.