Dance with a Stranger (1985) Plot Summary Explained

Ruth killed David after suffering a devastating series of events: she lost her job because of his drunken behavior, she became pregnant hoping it would unite them, and then she miscarried while he showed no support or commitment. When she went to find him in Hampstead, she saw him leave with another woman, which pushed her over the edge. The murder was the culmination of heartbreak, rejection, and obsessive love that had Consumed her.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes establish Ruth's vulnerability, living above the club with her son, dependent on others, and drawn to David's charm despite warning signs.

• ruth ellis murder
• motivation
• obsession
• heartbreak

Ruth lost her job because David caused a drunken outburst at the club where she worked as manager. This incident reflected poorly on her judgment and professionalism, leading to her dismissal. The loss of her job also left her homeless, forcing her to rely on Desmond Cussen for accommodation.

Foreshadowing: David's immaturity and heavy drinking are established from their first meeting, showing his inability to control himself in social settings.

• job loss
• drunken scene
• club firing

David did nothing when Ruth told him she was pregnant because he had no intention of committing to her or providing support. Without a steady job and facing his wealthy family's opposition to their relationship, David was unwilling or unable to take responsibility. His indifference, combined with the class divide between them, meant he saw no future with Ruth.

Foreshadowing: The timeline establishes early on that their relationship is 'doomed' due to money, class differences, and David's lack of ambition.

• pregnancy
• abandonment
• commitment issues

Desmond Cussen was a wealthy admirer of Ruth who provided her with a flat after she lost her job and became homeless. He offered her stability and security, allowing her and her son Andy to have a home. However, Ruth continued pursuing her destructive relationship with David despite Desmond's support.

Foreshadowing: Desmond's appearance early in the film establishes him as a potential saviour figure, making Ruth's continued pursuit of David more tragic.

• desmond cussen
• wealthy admirer
• support

Ruth went to a house in Hampstead where she believed David was attending a party. She waited outside in distress, hoping to reconcile after her recent miscarriage. When David emerged, he was with another girl and walked to a nearby pub, leaving Ruth waiting. This confrontation outside the pub is where she shot him.

Foreshadowing: Ruth's earlier decision to go to Hampstead shows her desperation to reconnect with David, demonstrating how her obsession has overtaken her judgment.

• hampstead
• pub
• confrontation location

Ruth Ellis was hanged in 1955 for the murder of David Blakely. She was convicted of murder and sentenced to death, which was the standard penalty at the time. She was the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom, and her case became a landmark in the history of capital punishment.

• execution
• hanged
• capital punishment
• 1955

Ruth miscarried after telling David about her pregnancy. The exact medical cause is not detailed in the film, but her emotional state, distraught over David's indifference and lack of support, likely contributed to the stress on her body. The miscarriage devastated her further, deepening her despair.

• miscarriage
• pregnancy loss
• despair

Ruth and David could not be together because of fundamental barriers: David had no job or money, his wealthy family would never accept a former prostitute, and he lacked the maturity to commit. Ruth's background as a nude model and prostitute created a class divide that his family would never accept, making their marriage impossible.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes from their first meeting that their romance is 'doomed from the start,' making the tragic ending inevitable.

• class differences
• marriage impossible
• family opposition

The class divide between Ruth and David was fatal to their relationship. Ruth came from a working-class background and had worked as a nude model and prostitute, while David was from a wealthy upper-class family. His family would never accept her, and without family approval or financial stability, David had no path to marry her. This class prejudice permeated every aspect of their doomed romance.

Foreshadowing: The film's description explicitly notes their 'stark class differences make the relationship untenable.'

• class divide
• social status
• family approval

After Ruth was hanged, her son Andy was left orphaned. The film establishes that Andy lived with Ruth in the flat above the club, and another child was already in the care of her estranged husband's family. Andy's fate after the execution is part of the film's tragic aftermath.

• andy
• son
• orphaned
• aftermath