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Spoiler-Free Summary

Intrigue (1947) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

Release, runtime and language
1947 · 90 mins · English
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Directed by
Edwin L. Marin
Starring
Jay C. Flippen, George Raft, Michael Ansara, Dan Seymour, Tom Tully, Charles Lane

After being dishonorably discharged from the Army Air Corps, Brad Dunham (George Raft) turns to Shanghai’s post‑war black market, partnering with the unscrupulous Tamara Baranoff (June Havoc). He quickly thrives, much to the annoyance of his friend, reporter Mark Andrews (Tom Tully). When Tamara arranges Andrews’ murder, Dunham sees the cost of his choices and vows to dismantle the illicit trade once and for all.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What it is about
  3. 3 Is it worth watching?
  4. 4 After you watch
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Intrigue
  7. 7 Every angle
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Spoiler-free summary · safe to read

What Is Intrigue About? (No Spoilers)

The plot of Intrigue (1947) without spoilers: what it is about, who it follows and where it takes place, told without the twists or the ending. Enough to decide whether it is your next watch, not enough to ruin it.

In the uncertain landscape of post-war Shanghai, opportunity and danger walk hand in hand through streets teeming with shadows. The city has become a crossroads for those seeking fortune outside the boundaries of the law, where the black market thrives amid the chaos of reconstruction. For some, it offers a second chance; for others, it represents a descent into a moral gray zone where loyalty is negotiable and ambition exacts a heavy toll.

Brad Dunham, a former Army Air Corps pilot, arrives in this world after his dishonorably discharge leaves him adrift and searching for purpose. His skills as a pilot make him a valuable asset in Shanghai's underground trade, and he quickly finds himself drawn into a lucrative partnership with the cunning Tamara Baranoff. Together, they navigate a business where success demands more than mere talent — it requires a willingness to embrace the unscrupulous. Brad's rise is swift, but the choices that fuel his prosperity do not go unnoticed.

Mark Andrews, an American newspaper reporter and Brad's longtime friend, watches from a distance as his companion grows entangled in a web of crime. Mark's investigation into Shanghai's illicit trade brings him uncomfortably close to the truth, creating a tension between the two men that threatens to unravel their friendship. As Brad's world expands, he must confront whether the price of his new life is one he is truly willing to pay — and whether redemption remains within reach for a man who has already lost so much.

Last updated: April 01, 2026 at 18:03

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What to expect

Is Intrigue Worth Watching? What It Feels Like

Is it dark, sad, slow, intense or confusing? The mood of Intrigue (1947) in a few tags, without a word about how it ends. Each tag opens a list of movies that feel the same.

After you watch

Seen Intrigue? Now Read the Spoilers

Once you have watched Intrigue (1947), come back for the full story: the plot summary with spoilers, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning.

Movie threads

More Movies Like Intrigue, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Intrigue tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Noirish Redemption Stories like Intrigue

Cynical characters find morality after being consumed by a corrupt world. Discover movies like Intrigue where cynical antiheroes find redemption in a corrupt underworld. These tense, morally complex crime thrillers feature protagonists who turn against their criminal pasts, leading to gritty confrontations and bittersweet endings.

  • noirish
  • cynical
  • redemption
  • tense
  • gritty
  • morally ambiguous
  • Tone: tense, cynical, morally ambiguous
  • Pacing: fast, driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories follow a straightforward arc of moral awakening. A protagonist initially thrives in a corrupt system, but a triggering event—often a personal betrayal or an act of violence against an innocent—forces a confrontation with their own complicity. The plot is driven by their subsequent quest for retribution or redemption, culminating in a final confrontation that provides a costly victory.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a tense, cynical tone and a fast-paced narrative focused on moral ambiguity. They are united by the central theme of redemption within a criminal world, featuring gritty settings, atmospheric noir stylings, and an emotional journey from moral compromise to a hard-won, bittersweet resolution.

Gritty Post-War Crime Thrillers like Intrigue

Thrillers set in the desperate, lawless aftermath of war. If you liked the setting of Intrigue, explore more movies about crime and corruption in the aftermath of war. These tense thrillers capture the desperation and moral gray areas of societies rebuilding amidst black markets and shattered ideals.

  • post-war
  • gritty
  • tense
  • crime
  • corruption
  • black market
  • Tone: tense, gritty, desperate
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread are propelled by the unique conditions of a post-war environment. Characters navigate a world where traditional authority is weak, leading to power struggles over scarce resources. Plots often involve smuggling, betrayal, and a struggle for control, reflecting the broader themes of survival and the blurred lines between right and wrong in a broken world.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their distinctive post-war setting, which fuels the central conflict and defines the mood. They share a tense, gritty tone and often a fast pace, focusing on crime, corruption, and the moral compromises characters make in a desperate landscape.

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Movies Like Intrigue

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Every angle

Intrigue (1947) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Intrigue in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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