The Cars That Ate Paris

The Cars That Ate Paris

Year: 1974

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Peter Weir

HorrorComedyScience FictionIntense violence and sexual transgressionTwisted dark psychological thriller

In the remote Australian settlement of Paris, 148 residents are all murderers. After his brother dies in a crash, drifter Arthur Waldo is taken in by the mayor, who hopes he’ll stay. Arthur soon discovers the town engineers fatal accidents, robs victims, and sends survivors to a hospital where a doctor lobotomises them for his experiments.

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Timeline – The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)

Trace every key event in The Cars That Ate Paris (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

Opening crash reveals Paris's deadly pastime

An urban couple drives through the countryside in a scene that looks like a cinema ad but ends in a fatal crash. The town of Paris actively orchestrates accidents for visiting motorists, exposing its gruesome secret from the outset.

Opening sequence Paris, rural Australia
2

Aftermath: belongings looted and visitors lobotomized

Local townspeople strip the luggage of the dead and take survivors to the hospital. There, the survivors are subjected to lobotomies with power tools and kept as 'veggies' for medical experiments by the town surgeon.

Immediately after crash Paris hospital vicinity
3

George Waldo is killed; Arthur survives

Arthur Waldo's older brother George dies in the crash as Arthur is spared from death. The tragedy underscores the town's brutality and hints at the fates of those who remain.

During/after crash Roadside near Paris
4

Arthur meets the Mayor and is invited into the family

Arthur is taken in by Mayor Len Kelly, who offers him shelter and a place in his household. The mayor has already adopted two girls who were orphaned in motor accidents, welcoming Arthur as part of their family.

Shortly after accident Mayor Len Kelly's home, Paris
5

Arthur longs to leave but finds no safe way out

Arthur attempts to leave Paris, but a previous manslaughter incident that he was exonerated for has damaged his driving confidence. With no usable public transport, he is effectively stranded in the town he cannot escape.

Early period after arrival Paris
6

Arthur becomes hospital orderly

Len Kelly gives Arthur a job as a medical orderly at the local hospital. This role ties Arthur to the town's darker underbelly and its medical experiments.

After his arrival Paris hospital
7

Tension erupts between hoons and older townsfolk

A feud between the town's recovered young men who drive modified cars and the older generation simmers beneath the surface. When a hoon damages the mayor's property and a statue is broken, the older men respond by burning the driver's car while restraining him.

Following initial incidents Paris town outskirts
8

Mayor appoints Arthur as town parking inspector

The Mayor elevates Arthur to the role of town parking inspector, complete with brassard and Army bush jacket. This appointment aggravates the young hoons and deepens the town's divisions.

Before the ball Paris
9

Pioneers Ball devolves into a town-wide assault

The annual Pioneers Ball is a fancy-dress event that was meant for celebration but becomes a violent clash. The youth's car gymkhana plan turns into an assault on the town, leaving several residents dead.

Night Pioneers Ball, Paris
10

Arthur regains driving confidence during the chaos

During the melee, Arthur renews his driving courage by repeatedly driving the Mayor's car into his former hospital supervisor, one of the hoons. The act marks a turning point and showcases his resolve amid the town's lawless onslaught.

Night Pioneers Ball venue
11

Paris is abandoned as night falls

The film closes with Arthur and the town's residents leaving Paris in the night. The sense of finality underscores how the town's curse travels with those who survive its traps.

End Paris

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:10

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The Cars That Ate Paris Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Cars That Ate Paris

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