The Black Windmill

The Black Windmill

Year: 1974

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: English

Director: Don Siegel

ActionCrimeThrillerHigh speed and special opsExciting spy thrillers with tense intrigue

A British operative’s son is abducted and a ransom of diamonds demanded. When the agent realizes that even his own contacts may betray him, he abandons reliance on others and pursues the kidnappers himself, turning the rescue into a tense, methodical hunt where every move is calculated.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Black Windmill (1974)

Trace every key event in The Black Windmill (1974) 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

Abandoned base kidnapping begins

Two schoolboys are playing with a model plane on an abandoned military base in the English countryside. They are approached by two RAF personnel who rebuke them for trespassing and take them to see their commanding officer. It soon becomes apparent that the boys are being kidnapped.

Abandoned military base, English countryside
2

Tarrant's undercover operation starts

In London, Major Tarrant, an intelligence officer, begins an undercover operation to infiltrate a gang of arms smugglers who sell weapons to terrorists in Northern Ireland. He makes an initial approach with Celia Burrows to gain their trust. He then goes to a large country house to report to MI6 head Sir Edward Julyan and his direct superior Cedric Harper.

London
3

Family crisis interrupts mission

While at MI6, Tarrant receives a phone call from his wife reporting that their son David has been taken. A threatening call follows, and Tarrant remains calm, informing his superiors that it is a family problem. He is given permission to leave to handle the situation.

Tarrant's home
4

Drabble issues ransom demand

Drabble calls again, revealing that he knows who Tarrant is and what he does. He tells Harper to arrange a ransom of uncut diamonds and set up a meeting in Paris. The next phone call is to be answered by Harper.

Wife's home
5

Harper suspects a leak

Harper concludes that someone within British intelligence is leaking information. He begins a surveillance operation on Tarrant and assigns the arms-smuggling case to another officer. This marks the start of intense internal scrutiny.

MI6 offices
6

Evidence poisons the credibility

Drabble's gang plants incriminating evidence in Tarrant's flat, implying a link to Celia Burrows. Scotland Yard finds the evidence during a search, fueling Harper's suspicions that Tarrant is involved. Tarrant is placed under closer scrutiny as a suspect.

Tarrant's flat; Scotland Yard
7

Tarrant outmaneuvers the trap

Tarrant secretly impersonates Harper on a secure telephone and arranges to have the diamonds made available. He then takes the diamonds to Paris and evades the tail Harper has placed on him. He is acting to outmaneuver the investigation and reach the kidnapper's rendezvous.

MI6 office; Paris
8

Paris rendezvous leads to betrayal

In Paris, Celia Burrows escorts him to a building where his son is allegedly held. Drabble's plan soon reveals itself as Celia is murdered, and Tarrant is left unconscious.

Paris
9

Capture and rescue attempt

Tarrant is arrested by the French police and handed over to Harper and British intelligence. The Drabble gang stages a rescue, freeing him from custody but attempting to murder him.

Paris
10

Return to England to unmask a traitor

After escaping, Tarrant returns to England to uncover the traitor inside British intelligence. He pretends to be Drabble and arranges a rendezvous at the Clayton Windmills near Brighton to draw out the culprit.

England; Clayton Windmills near Brighton
11

Confrontation at the windmills

Sir Edward Julyan arrives at the windmills to meet Drabble. Under duress he confesses that he arranged the whole scheme after being passed over for promotion. He tries to offer half the diamonds but Tarrant demands to know where his son is.

Clayton Windmills near Brighton
12

Rescue and end of the conspiracy

Tarrant enters the windmill, kills Drabble and his henchman, and rescues his son David. The rescue marks the collapse of the conspiracy and the safety of the boy is ensured.

Black Windmill
13

Final walk to safety

The film ends with Tarrant carrying David along the road away from the windmill as the familiar song plays. The image mirrors the opening and underscores the film's conclusion of family triumph over treachery.

Road near windmill

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 11:46

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