Day of Anger

Day of Anger

Year: 1967

Runtime: 113 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Tonino Valerii

Western

Lee Van Cleef portrays the ruthless gunfighter Talby, a grimy, brutal figure whose reputation for cruelty drives him to violent action. A rag‑clad garbage boy from a nearby town apprentices under Talby, only to watch the merciless outlaw seize control of the boy’s hometown with unchecked violence and corruption, setting the stage for an inevitable showdown.

Day of Anger (1967) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Day of Anger (1967) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the sun‑scorched outskirts of Clifton, Arizona, the frontier hangs in a fragile balance between lawless ambition and the quiet resignation of its inhabitants. Dust‑laden streets echo with the footfalls of men who have learned to survive by keeping their heads down, while the town’s uneasy peace is held together more by habit than by any real sense of order. Into this world rides Talby, a weathered gunfighter whose reputation for ruthless efficiency precedes him, a lone figure whose very presence reshapes the rhythm of the settlement and suggests that power, once seized, can be both a shield and a storm.

Among the town’s overlooked souls is Scott, a rag‑clad street sweeper whose daily routine is marked by the scorn of those who see him as nothing more than background dust. Though his lineage is a whispered mystery, his yearning for respect drives him to cling to the few steady presences that have offered him a sliver of mentorship: the grizzled former gunslinger Murph and the partially blind wanderer Blind Bill. Their rough wisdom hints at a larger destiny, and when Talby’s shadow falls over Clifton, a flicker of opportunity ignites within Scott—a chance to step out from the margins and prove his worth in a world that has never given him a voice.

Talby’s arrival sets in motion a stark apprenticeship, a clash of codes that forces the young sweeper to confront the stark realities of violence, control, and the thin line between protection and oppression. Under Talby’s exacting tutelage, Scott begins to transform, adopting a harder edge that both unsettles the townspeople and reshapes the power dynamics around him. The uneasy alliance and its growing tension create a mood of brooding anticipation, suggesting that the inevitable confrontation between mentor and pupil will test not just skill with a gun, but the very notions of honor and survival that define life on the frontier.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:20

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about corrupt mentors like in Day of Anger

A young apprentice learns from a master whose teachings come with a dark price.If you liked the complex, dark mentorship in Day of Anger, this collection features movies where a young protagonist's education under a powerful but morally ambiguous figure leads to a crisis of conscience and a bitter confrontation.

morally ambiguoustransformativetensegrimyoppressivementorshipredemptive

Narrative Summary

This narrative pattern follows a character's education under a master who is both a teacher and a corrupting influence. The story charts the protagonist's rise in competence and power, paralleled by their moral decline or internal conflict, culminating in a showdown that tests their newfound skills against the very person who gave them.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their central focus on a transformative, often destructive, mentorship. They share a tone of moral ambiguity and a heavy emotional weight, exploring the psychological cost of learning from a figure who embodies both ambition and corruption.

Bleak western stories with hollow victories like Day of Anger

Achieving justice in a corrupt world leaves a hollow, weary feeling in its wake.Fans of the weary, bittersweet ending in Day of Anger will find similar movies here. These films feature protagonists who win their battles against corruption and violence but are left emotionally hollow and transformed by the experience.

hollow victorywearygrimymorally ambiguoustenseoppressivetransformative

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a classic arc of confronting injustice in a harsh world. The protagonist endures a transformative struggle, emerging victorious but scarred. The narrative emphasizes the personal cost of the conflict, suggesting that the victory has fundamentally changed the hero, often leaving them alienated and weary.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their BITTERSWEET or BLEAK endings and a HEAVY emotional weight. They share a specific mood where triumph is undercut by loss, moral compromise, or existential weariness, creating a powerful and resonant conclusion.

Unlock the Full Story of Day of Anger

Don't stop at just watching — explore Day of Anger in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Day of Anger is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Day of Anger Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Day of Anger, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Day of Anger Summary

Day of Anger Timeline

Track the full timeline of Day of Anger with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Day of Anger Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Day of Anger

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Day of Anger. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Day of Anger

More About Day of Anger

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Day of Anger: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Day of Anger

Similar Movies to Day of Anger

Discover movies like Day of Anger that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.