Something For Everyone

Something For Everyone

Year: 1970

Runtime: 112 mins

Language: English

Director: Hal Prince

CrimeComedyDrama

Set in post‑war Austria, an opportunistic young man becomes a footman for a widowed countess and uses his sexual charisma to climb the social ladder. The story contrasts the ordinary MacBeths, described as plain folk, with the respectable Italian Borgias, presented as a nice family.

Something For Everyone (1970) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Something For Everyone (1970) 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 quiet hills of post‑war Austria, a once‑grand castle looms over the modest village of Ornstein, its stone walls bearing the weight of recent history and lingering whispers of old rivalries. The region is caught between the austere aftermath of conflict and the hopeful hum of a society trying to rebuild, a landscape where the ordinary lives of the MacBeths—plain folk with simple dreams—contrast sharply with the polished veneer of the Italian Borgias, whose reputation for respectability masks a tightly knit family dynamic. The ambiance is both solemn and sensuous, a place where faded aristocracy meets the restless energy of new money, and every hallway seems to promise both opportunity and hidden danger.

Enter Konrad Ludwig, a strikingly handsome and enigmatic stranger whose arrival is as much an assault on the castle’s quiet routine as it is a quiet observation. Drawn to the estate’s melancholy beauty, he secures a position as footman for the widowed Countess Herthe von Ornstein, hoping to leverage his effortless charm and keen ambition to climb the fragile social ladder that separates servants from nobility. The countess, bound by duty to a dower house that cannot open its doors to the world, finds herself both intrigued and wary of this charismatic outsider, whose aspirations hint at a larger scheme woven through whispered conversations and discreet glances.

Around them, the household is populated by a cast of compelling figures: the shy, attractive Helmuth von Ornstein, whose presence suggests a silent yearning for connection; his sister Lotte von Ornstein, a plain yet determined young woman whose interference adds a subtle undercurrent of tension; the affluent debutante Anneliese Pleschke, a symbol of new wealth eager to make her mark; the loyal footman Rudolph, who embodies steadfast tradition; and the stern majordomo Klaus, whose guarded demeanor hints at deeper, unresolved histories. As these personalities intersect within the castle’s echoing corridors, a delicate dance of desire, deception, and ambition begins, setting the stage for a story where every smile may conceal a motive and every alliance holds the promise of both advancement and peril.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:10

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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 ruthless social climbing like Something For Everyone

Stories of charming anti-heroes who manipulate their way to the top.If you enjoyed the calculated ascent of the protagonist in Something For Everyone, you'll find similar stories here. These films explore characters who use psychological manipulation and dangerous liaisons to climb the social ladder, often set against a backdrop of strict class dynamics.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a central character with significant ambition but limited means. They identify a path to power within a rigid system—be it high society, a corporation, or a criminal underworld—and meticulously exploit the weaknesses and desires of those around them. The journey is typically one of moral decay, where each successful scheme further distances the protagonist from their original self.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a specific character archetype: the ambitious social climber. They share a dark, cynical tone and a steady pacing that allows for the methodical unfolding of complex, often manipulative, plots centered on ambition and class conflict.

Dark manners dramas with psychological tension like Something For Everyone

Elegant settings conceal dangerous secrets and psychological manipulation.Fans of the opulent yet sinister atmosphere of Something For Everyone will appreciate these films. They combine the aesthetics of period dramas or high society with plots involving psychological manipulation, blackmail, and murder, all simmering beneath a surface of strict social etiquette.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative unfolds within a confined, high-stakes social world where reputation is everything. The plot often hinges on secrets, blackmail, and dangerous romantic entanglements that threaten to shatter the carefully maintained facade of respectability. The tension arises from the constant threat of exposure within this rigid, elegant world.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific atmosphere: the blend of a formal, mannered setting with dark, psychologically complex and often criminal plots. The similarity lies in the vibe—a steady-paced, medium-intensity drama that feels both opulent and deeply cynical or dangerous.

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Something For Everyone Summary

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Something For Everyone Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Something For Everyone

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Something For Everyone

More About Something For Everyone

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