The Brothers Karamazov

Year: 1958

Runtime: 145 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Brooks

DramaHistory

Set in 1870 Russia, the Karamazov saga follows patriarch Fyodor, a wealthy libertine, and his four adult sons: Dmitri, a broke officer engaged to the rich Katya; an aesthetic brother; a bastard half‑brother; and a pious monk. When Dmitri falls for his father’s mistress Grushenka, jealousy and greed spark violence, leading to a courtroom drama that probes honor, conscience, forgiveness and redemption.

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The Brothers Karamazov (1958) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Brothers Karamazov (1958), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 11:11

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Philosophical family sagas like The Brothers Karamazov

Complex families unravel under the weight of moral and spiritual crises.Explore movies like The Brothers Karamazov that delve into intense family conflicts with deep philosophical undertones. If you enjoyed the complex relationships and moral debates of this Russian epic, you'll find similar heavy, brooding dramas in this collection of tragic family sagas.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a multi-character ensemble, often siblings or generations, whose deeply ingrained conflicts are sparked by a central catalyst like an inheritance, a romantic rivalry, or a crime. The plot builds steadily toward a climactic tragedy, followed by a reflective aftermath that probes themes of guilt, redemption, and the legacy of familial sin.

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Moral courtroom dramas like The Brothers Karamazov

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern begins with a build-up of interpersonal tension within a closed group (like a family), culminating in a violent act. The second half shifts to a courtroom or legal proceeding, where the facts of the crime are debated, but the true drama lies in the revelation of character motives and the struggle for some form of truth or absolution, often leading to an ambiguous conclusion.

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Movies are grouped here based on the shared structure of a crime-driven plot that transitions into a morally complex courtroom drama. They combine the high tension of a legal thriller with the heavy emotional weight of a familial or relational tragedy, resulting in a steady-paced, intense viewing experience.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Brothers Karamazov

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More About The Brothers Karamazov

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