Madame Sin

Madame Sin

Year: 1972

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: David Greene

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A CIA agent is used as a pawn in an insane woman’s plan to steal a Polaris submarine.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Madame Sin (1972)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Madame Sin (1972). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1970s

The film is set in the Cold War era of the 1970s, reflecting contemporary fears of espionage and advanced technology. It centers on a world where brain-implant and sonic weapon concepts threaten global security. The plot hinges on a submarine test and a potential illicit sale, underscoring the era's geopolitical tensions. The overall mood mixes spy thriller pacing with technological intrigue.

Location

London, Scottish Highlands, Spain

The story begins in London where an ex-CIA agent is abducted. It relocates to a remote Scottish Highlands base that houses Madame Sin's Thought Factory and high-tech experiments. The plot also tracks the coastal waters near a Polaris submarine test, with the action later shifting to Spain for the final turns of the scheme.

🗺️ London 🏔️ Scottish Highlands 🌊 Nearby waters

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:40

Main Characters – Madame Sin (1972)

Meet the key characters of Madame Sin (1972), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Madame Sin (Bette Davis)

A ruthless international criminal who runs a secret organization from a remote base. She commands the Thought Factory, using cutting-edge technology to manipulate minds and exert power. Her charm masks a dangerous readiness to kill or coerce anyone to achieve her goals.

🧠 Mind Games 🎭 Villainy 🔬 Tech

Anthony Lawrence (Robert Wagner)

An ex-CIA agent drawn into Madame Sin's web. Abducted from London and forced to cooperate, he navigates conflicting loyalties while trying to outsmart Sin and protect Barbara—only to discover truths that threaten his sense of reality. His arc blends restraint with strategic risk as the plot unfolds.

🕵️ Espionage 🧠 Mind Games 💼 Ex-Agency

Barbara (Catherine Schell)

Lawrence's partner who appears as an intelligence ally but is revealed to be in Sin's thrall. She leverages manipulated evidence to turn Lawrence against his friends, showcasing a chilling blend of charm and ruthlessness. Her ultimate betrayal underlines the film's themes of trust and deception.

🗝️ Deception 🕵️ Espionage 🎭 Betrayal

Cavendish (Gordon Jackson)

A Royal Navy officer overseeing the submarine test who becomes the target of Sin's scheme. His abduction and role as the centerpiece of the plan highlight the vulnerability of even legitimate military operations to criminal manipulation. He is used to set the plan in motion and is ultimately drawn into the conflict.

🚢 Submarine 🛡️ Military 🔒 Pressure

Connors (Paul Maxwell)

Lawrence's old boss who becomes a counterweight to Sin's plot. He uncovers the ruse behind the manipulated footage and actively thwarts the plan, restoring some balance and showing that institutional authority can resist grandiose criminal schemes.

🧭 Authority ⚖️ Ethics 🔍 Investigation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:40

Major Themes – Madame Sin (1972)

Explore the central themes of Madame Sin (1972), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Mind Control

A core thread is Madame Sin's Thought Factory and brain-implant technology that can plant or manipulate thoughts. The narrative follows how these tools bend loyalties and compel actions the characters might not otherwise take. The ethics of scientific advancement are challenged as human autonomy is toyed with by those in power.

🎭 Betrayal

Barbara is revealed as a double agent who appears to be Lawrence's ally but is secretly serving Madame Sin. The fake torture footage weaponizes trust and pushes characters to act under false pretenses. The mounting deception erodes alliances and drives the tension toward a fatal confrontation.

🚢 Nuclear Threat

The plan to steal a Polaris submarine places the world on a knife-edge of nuclear proliferation. The heist is less about treasure and more about control of a weapon with potentially catastrophic consequences. The clock is the submarine test itself, turning the mission into a race against time and law enforcement.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:40

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Madame Sin Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Madame Sin, 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.

Madame Sin Summary

Madame Sin Timeline

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Madame Sin Timeline

More About Madame Sin

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