Petulia

Petulia

Year: 1968

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Lester

RomanceDramaHumanity and the world around usPassion and romanceEnduring stories of family and marital drama

Dr. Archie Bollen, newly divorced and confronting a midlife crisis, tries to rebuild his life. One night he meets Petulia Danner, a charismatic, free‑spirited woman whose lively exterior masks terror of her abusive husband, David, a man whose powerful father dominates society. As their attraction deepens, both must confront what they truly desire.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Petulia (1968)

Trace every key event in Petulia (1968) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Petulia meets Archie at a benefit concert

In San Francisco, six months into her marriage to David, Petulia attends a benefit for victims of traffic accidents. There she meets Dr. Archie Bollen, who is divorcing his wife Polo. She feels a growing romantic pull after Archie performs an operation on Oliver, a Mexican boy she has adopted. This encounter sets the stage for a dangerous, forbidden attraction.

early in the affair San Francisco (benefit concert for traffic accident victims)
2

One-night stand at the Hilton Hotel

That same night, Petulia and Archie go upstairs inside the Hilton Hotel for a one-night stand. The encounter is intense but Petulia reconsiders and Archie escorts her to a taxi afterward. The moment marks the start of a pattern of secrecy and longing in their relationship.

that night Hilton Hotel
3

Morning after and the tuba

The next morning, Petulia arrives at Archie's apartment carrying a tuba, catching him off guard. Archie remains nonchalant and leaves for work, while Petulia waits outside. When he returns, she is still there and boards a bus home; Archie makes a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to retrieve the unusual gift.

the next morning Archie's apartment, then bus stop
4

Polo's remarriage and Archie's reaction

The next day, Polo visits Archie's apartment to say she is remarrying, which stirs anger in Archie because he had been considering reconciliation. David is not present to corroborate, and the disagreement underscores the fragile boundaries between the characters. The relationship web tightens as loyalties and feelings become conflicted.

the next day Archie's apartment
5

Petulia stalks Archie as he meets May

During an afternoon picnic in the park, Archie is with his girlfriend May. Petulia begins stalking Archie when he arrives at May's apartment, and again when she is in his work office. The persistent pursuit demonstrates the depth of Petulia's obsession and the volatility of the situation.

afternoon; later Park; May's apartment; Archie's office
6

The affair deepens; they sleep together

Archie finally yields to Petulia's romantic pursuit and they spend the night together at Archie's apartment. The liaison breaks the balance of his life, pulling him further from Polo and his professional routine. The next day, the consequences of the night start to ripple through their social circles.

the night Archie's apartment
7

Alcatraz trip; Petulia's beating; hospital

After Archie tours Alcatraz Island with his children, he returns to find Petulia severely beaten. An ambulance takes her to the hospital, where Archie and coworker Barney watch a Polaroid slide show with Barney's wife Wilma. The juxtaposition of danger and domestic life deepens the emotional stakes of their affair.

after the Alcatraz trip Alcatraz Island; hospital
8

Discharge and social circles

While Archie and Polo's friend group continues their routines, Archie attends a roller derby with Polo and their father, as David's father visits Petulia in recovery. Petulia is discharged from the hospital, signaling a return to some semblance of normal life. The family dynamics remain tangled as everyone navigates recovery.

following recovery roller derby; hospital
9

A year later: reencounter and home changes

A year passes and Archie reencounters Petulia on an afternoon trip with his son. When he returns to his apartment, he finds it retrofitted with an artificial greenhouse, a visible sign of changes in his life. The two characters circle around each other as past choices echo in the present.

a year later Archie's apartment; on an afternoon trip
10

Petulia and David sail; Archie contemplates distance

Meanwhile, Petulia and David are on a sailboat cruise, their marriage strained and unresolved. This voyage underscores the emotional distance between them and the life Petulia leads apart from Archie. The separation deepens as Archie contemplates what remains of their affair.

the year later sailboat cruise
11

Maternity ward reunion and goodbye

Return from the cruise leads Archie to find Petulia in a maternity ward, signaling a new chapter. They reflect on their affair and Archie kisses her goodbye, acknowledging the limits of their bond. Petulia is wheeled into the delivery room and calls for Archie, signaling the final pull of their complicated past into the present.

delivery maternity ward; delivery room

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:32

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