The Killing of Sister George

The Killing of Sister George

Year: 1968

Runtime: 138 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Aldrich

DramaComedy

June Buckridge returns to her London flat terrified that someone will kill her, forcing lover and flat‑mate Alice “Childie” McNaught to brace for change. June fears the death of her TV role, the beloved nurse Sister George, on a daytime serial. Meanwhile BBC executive Mercy Croft—who ordered the character’s removal—pursues Childie relentlessly.

The Killing of Sister George (1968) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Killing of Sister George (1968) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the humming heart of London’s television world, a long‑running daytime serial provides both a sanctuary and a cage for its cast. The series, set in the fictional hospital of Applehurst, has become a cultural touchstone, and its star—June Buckridge—has been inextricably linked to the beloved, fiery nurse she portrays. As the cameras roll, the line between actress and character blurs, and the looming possibility that the role might one day disappear casts a nervous shadow over everything she does.

At home, June shares a cramped flat with her younger partner, Alice “Childie” McNaught, a tender‑hearted poet and seamstress whose creative aspirations lean heavily on June’s support. Their relationship is a delicate balance of devotion and tension: June’s brash, cigar‑smoking bravado clashes with Alice’s quieter, more vulnerable sensibility, creating a rhythm of affection punctuated by moments of control and rebellion. The flat becomes a micro‑cosm of the larger world—filled with laughter, arguments, and the ever‑present undercurrent of uncertainty.

Outside the apartment, the BBC’s executive suite watches the drama unfold with a mixture of admiration and strategic calculation. Mercy Croft, the network’s formidable producer, sees both the value of the serial’s popularity and the need to steer it in new directions. Her interest in Alice’s hidden talents adds another layer of intrigue, suggesting that professional ambitions may soon intersect with personal loyalties.

The film moves through these intertwined spheres—studio corridors, a bustling London flat, and the shadowed corners of a lesbian nightclub—painting a portrait of a woman whose identity is as much performance as it is survival. With wry humor and unsettling tension, it asks what happens when a person’s public persona is threatened, and how love and ambition navigate the thin line between applause and oblivion.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:17

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The Killing of Sister George Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Killing of Sister George

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Killing of Sister George

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