Stardust

Stardust

Year: 1973

Runtime: 142 mins

Language: Italian

MusicComedy

When a troupe of American soldiers passes through a small town, they seek a Broadway‑style entertainment, prompting two local professional dancers to showcase their talent. The dancers meet the soldiers’ expectations, delivering a dazzling performance, but as the troops must march northward, the fleeting triumph ends abruptly and sorrowfully.

Dark
Sad ending
Emotionally heavy
High intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Stardust (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Stardust (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1963–1965

Set in the early to mid-1960s, the plot begins with the Kennedy assassination in 1963 and follows through a few years of touring, personal upheaval, and a late-1960s-based televised moment that ends in tragedy. The era's rapid changes in music, media, and celebrity culture frame the characters' ambitions and how they cope with pressure. The timeline culminates in Jim's solitary life in Spain and his eventual death, marking a swift arc from rise to fall.

Location

Dallas, Texas, United States, England, Spain

The story unfolds across multiple locales: a Dallas funfair on the night of the Kennedy assassination, a United States tour that drives the Stray Cats to fame, a funeral in England, and a secluded castle in Spain where Jim seeks refuge. Each place highlights a different facet of the rock world—from the dizzying pace of live fame to intimate, personal spaces where relationships fray. The shifting settings underscore how fame propels the characters into public life while exposing their private struggles.

🎭 Showbiz 🗺️ Travel 🎵 Musical Setting

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:29

Main Characters – Stardust (1973)

Meet the key characters of Stardust (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jim MacLaine

A gifted but unstable rock star who becomes the focal point of fame; his ambition and relationships are shaped by managers and lovers, pulling him between artistic goals and public adulation. The narrative follows his gradual withdrawal into isolation and his ultimate death.

🎵 Musician 🎭 Fame 💔 Tragic Arc

Mike Menary

Jim's shrewd handler and strategist, orchestrating band decisions and career moves. His loyalty blurs with ambition, and the drive for success tests his friendship with Jim.

💼 Manager 🎭 Manipulator 🤝 Loyalty

Johnny

An arrogant lead singer who resents Jim's ascent; his ego and exit from the band underscore the internal rivalry that reshapes the group.

🎤 Lead Singer 💔 Rivalry

Porter Lee Austin

Wealthy Texan investor and manager who treats the band as a commodity, pushing for profit and global exposure at the cost of artistic balance.

💼 Manager 💸 Exploitation

Danielle

Jim's girlfriend and companion during the early rise; she clashes with power figures and becomes embroiled in the personal turmoil surrounding Jim's life.

💞 Partner 💔 Relationship Drama

J.D.

The drummer of the Stray Cats who feels sidelined as Jim's star rises; his frustrations mirror the band's shifting dynamics.

🥁 Drummer 🎵 Band Member

Jim's Mother

Jim's mother, whose death anchors the emotional stakes and motivates Jim to pursue a meaningful tribute through music.

👩‍👦‍👦 Mother 💔 Loss

Jeanette

Jim's wife who appears in England; her return and her new life outside Jim's orbit highlight the complexities of Jim's personal relationships.

👩 Wife 💔 Estrangement

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:29

Major Themes – Stardust (1973)

Explore the central themes of Stardust (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Fame vs Integrity

The Stray Cats rise is driven by fans, media attention, and commercial interests, often at the expense of artistic concerns. Porter Lee and Mike push Jim into a center-stage role, turning his image into a product. The tension between artistic integrity and showbiz demands drives the film's emotional core.

🤝 Friendship & Betrayal

Jim's friendships are tested as loyalty clashes with ambition and control. Mike's managing turns protective but also manipulative, creating rifts within the group. The fraying bonds contribute to the eventual dissolution of trust and the tragedy that follows.

💊 Addiction & Mortality

Mental fragility and substance use threaten Jim's judgment and health as the pressures mount. The pursuit of fame accelerates self-destructive behavior, culminating in an overdose during a high-profile moment. The film treats addiction as a societal and personal breakdown rather than a simple plot device.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:29

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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.

Rise and Fall Dramas with a Tragic End like Stardust

Stories of rapid ascents followed by the heavy burden of fame and self-destruction.Explore movies like Stardust that delve into the dark side of fame and artistic ambition. If you were drawn to the story of a character's swift ascent and self-destructive downfall, you'll find similar tragic chronicles of ambition, addiction, and the crushing weight of success in these films.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a linear but methodical path, tracing a protagonist's journey from hopeful ambition to the peak of their career, then steadily downward through personal betrayals, addiction, and isolation, culminating in a definitive, tragic ending.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a bleak, cynical tone and a heavy emotional weight, focusing on the inevitability of a downfall. They are united by their high intensity, steady pacing that builds dread, and a profound sadness that defines the viewing experience.

Movies About the Dark Side of the Music Industry like Stardust

Cynical tales exploring the exploitation and emotional toll of the creative industry.Discover films similar to Stardust that offer a gritty, unflinching look at the music business or other creative industries. If you appreciated the themes of exploitation, lost artistic integrity, and the emotional manipulation faced by the protagonist, this collection features other powerful stories with a dark, heavy tone.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives often center on an artist or performer whose genuine talent is commodified by a cynical industry. The conflict arises from the tension between personal artistic vision and commercial pressures, leading to a loss of self, fraught relationships, and a sense of profound betrayal.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the theme of exploitation within a system, a dark and gritty mood, and the presence of disturbing themes like addiction and emotional manipulation. They create a cohesive experience of a world that consumes its artists.

Unlock the Full Story of Stardust

Don't stop at just watching — explore Stardust 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 Stardust is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Stardust Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Stardust, 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.

Stardust Summary

Stardust Timeline

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Stardust Timeline

Stardust Spoiler-Free Summary

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Stardust Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Stardust

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Stardust (1973) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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