Sunday Bloody Sunday

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Year: 1971

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: English

Director: John Schlesinger

DramaMoving relationship storiesPassion and romanceCaptivating relationships and charming romanceEmotional LGBTQ relationships

Recently divorced career woman Alex Greville begins a romance with mod artist Bob Elkin, fully aware that Bob is also involved with middle‑aged doctor Daniel Hirsh. For both Alex and Daniel, Bob represents an escape from their repressive pasts, and despite the rivalry, neither is willing to give up youthful energy he brings to their lives.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971)

Trace every key event in Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) 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

Open love triangle established

In London, Daniel, Alex, and Bob maintain an open love triangle, aware of each other's involvement. They tolerate the arrangement largely to avoid losing Bob, who moves freely between them. The dynamic sets a tension-filled tone for the narrative as affection mixes with fear of change.

London
2

Sunday dinners with the Hodsons

Daniel and Alex are close friends with the Hodsons, a bohemian middle-class family. They alternate Sunday dinners and the Hodsons know about the relationships but don’t discuss them, while the Hodson children snicker. The dinners ground the characters in a social circle that both supports and unsettles them.

Hodsons' home, leafy London suburb
3

Alex and Daniel sleep together; Bob arrives

Alex and Daniel share a private night at Alex's flat, testing the limits of their arrangement. Their time together exposes deeper tensions beneath the casual surface. Bob's arrival forces them to pretend they are merely having a casual drink.

Alex's flat, London
4

Bob proclaims openness

Bob arrives and maintains an easygoing attitude toward the others, telling Alex that he has no problem with her sleeping with other men. He asserts that the trio is 'free' to pursue their desires, which unsettles Daniel and Alex in equal measure.

Alex's flat
5

Hodsons' dog accident

The Hodsons' family dog is run over by a truck, an alarming incident that also puts Lucy, the eldest daughter, at risk of harm. The event shocks the suburban circle and underscores how fragile daily life can be. It adds a layer of crisis to the comfortably bohemian setting.

Hodsons' street, leafy London suburb
6

Daniel's struggle with an old flame and theft

Daniel deals with a former lover who is a heroin addict, attempting to help by filling a prescription, but cannot prove he is a doctor at the pharmacy. The episode exposes the fragility of his professional life, and soon afterward his medical bag is stolen from his car.

Pharmacy and car, London
7

Alex's inner life deepens

Behind the casual veneer, Alex confronts a growing disillusion with her professional life, a failed marriage, and an uneasy sense of childhood. These reflections complicate her involvement with Bob and the open relationship.

London
8

Daniel's escape from Jewish upbringing

Daniel interprets the open arrangement as an escape from the repressed nature of his Jewish upbringing, seeking freedom but aware of its costs. His longing for happiness collides with the instability of the situation.

Daniel's perspective; London
9

Bob decides to move to New York

Bob receives an offer to open his own art gallery in New York and makes the decision to leave London for the United States. The move marks a turning point in the trio's dynamic and the sense that permanency is out of reach.

London; move to New York
10

Confrontation and realization of impermanence

Bob's impending departure leads to a face-to-face confrontation between Daniel and Alex, where they acknowledge the lack of lasting permanence in their situation. They agree that it is time to move on, each seeking their own path.

Across their shared social circle; London
11

Bob leaves for the United States

Bob finally leaves for New York, closing the chapter on the triangle for the time being. Daniel and Alex reflect on the experience and its emotional toll, even as their friendship persists within the broader social circle.

London
12

Final direct address to the audience

Daniel delivers an unconventional speech to the audience, sharing his thoughts on his relationship with Bob and the concerns of his friends. He admits he is happy, apart from missing him, and ends with the cough-related punchline: 'I only came about my cough.' The moment blurs the line between film and confession.

End Direct address to camera

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:40

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Sunday Bloody Sunday Summary

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Sunday Bloody Sunday Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Sunday Bloody Sunday

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