Straight On Till Morning

Straight On Till Morning

Year: 1972

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Peter Collinson

MysteryThrillerIntense violence and sexual transgressionTwisted dark psychological thrillerGraphic violence and brutal revenge

Brenda, a shy and withdrawn woman, clings to the hope that night will never end, unaware that dawn brings danger. When she meets Peter, she is convinced he is the love she has been waiting for. As their relationship deepens, she remains oblivious to the fact that Peter is a ruthless serial killer, setting the stage for a chilling revelation.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Straight On Till Morning (1972)

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

Time period

Location

Liverpool, London

Brenda's life begins in Liverpool, a working-class port city, before she travels to London seeking a home and a father for her unborn baby. The story moves from Brenda's cramped, grubby bedsit in London to the glossy boutique where she works, highlighting the contrast between poverty and urban glamour. London provides anonymity and danger, a backdrop where appearances can hide predatory intent.

🏙️ Urban Britain 🌧️ Rainy streets 🔪 Crime noir

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:36

Main Characters – Straight On Till Morning (1972)

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

Brenda Thompson — Rita Tushingham

Brenda is a naïve, hopeful young woman who longs for love and a father for her unborn child. She moves from Liverpool to London seeking opportunity, and her earnest optimism makes her susceptible to manipulation by Peter. Her attempts to fit into glamorous city life contrast with the grim reality of the predatory world she steps into.

💗 Naive 🌆 City-dweller 🔎 Curious

Peter Clive — Shane Briant

Peter is a controlling, dangerous man who masks his cruelty with charm. He alternates between affection and threat, orchestrating violence to maintain power over Brenda and to keep his darker deeds hidden. The narrative suggests a pattern of past murders, revealed through his unsettling fairy-tale storytelling.

🕷️ Predator 💬 Charmer

Caroline — Katya Wyeth

Caroline is Brenda's coworker whose casual affair and life intersect with the dangerous world Brenda enters. She becomes another victim in Peter's web of deception, meeting a violent end connected to his obsessive hunt.

💔 Victim 🪝 Collateral link

Joey — James Bolam

Joey is a coworker involved with Caroline, seen as part of the social circle Brenda enters. He represents the intimate yet unstable connections Brenda attempts to form in London, a backdrop to the unfolding danger.

👥 Acquaintance 🔗 Interpersonal tension

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:36

Major Themes – Straight On Till Morning (1972)

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

🕯️ Obsession

Peter's fixation on Brenda grows into controlling obsession. He uses charm to lure her, then isolates her with secrecy and fear. The film shows how obsession can masquerade as affection while masking a dangerous, violent nature. Brenda's vulnerability makes her prey for a predatory mind.

🎭 Appearance vs Reality

Brenda's makeover is weaponized by Peter, offering glamour while threatening danger. The fairy-tale narration and Peter's stories blur truth and fantasy, luring Brenda toward a hopeful future that hides grim consequences. The contrast between the polished exterior and the violence underneath highlights the peril of chasing idealized love. The film uses appearance as a trap that ensnares the naïve.

🌆 Urban Isolation

The city setting amplifies Brenda's loneliness and vulnerability as she searches for connection. Crowded streets and glamorous social scenes become spaces where predators thrive and victims fall through the cracks. The lack of supportive networks in a big city heightens the risk for a naïve young woman. The film suggests that anonymity in urban life can intensify danger.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:36

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Straight On Till Morning Summary

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Straight On Till Morning Summary

Straight On Till Morning Timeline

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Straight On Till Morning Timeline

More About Straight On Till Morning

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