The Ragman’s Daughter

Year: 1972

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Harold Becker

CrimeRomanceDrama

Adapted from Alan Sillitoe’s short story, the film follows Tony, a cheese‑factory employee who supplements his wages by stealing. After a series of robberies he encounters Doris, the ragman’s daughter, and gradually falls for her. He must choose between his criminal ways and a fresh start beside Doris.

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Timeline & Setting – The Ragman’s Daughter (1972)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Ragman’s Daughter (1972). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Location

Crumbling terraces neighbourhood, Fish and chip shop, Borstal, Cheese factory, Doris's upper-middle-class home

The story unfolds in a gritty, working-class neighbourhood marked by rows of crumbling terraces and a local fish and chip shop that serves as a social hub. The action shifts between Tony's scrappy environment, Doris's more affluent home, and the institutions that shape their fates, including a borstal and a cheese factory where he works as an adult. This contrast highlights class tensions and the thrill of crime as a potential escape.

🏚️ Working-class 🗺️ Urban 🏘️ Crumbling terraces

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:13

Main Characters – The Ragman’s Daughter (1972)

Meet the key characters of The Ragman’s Daughter (1972), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:13

Major Themes – The Ragman’s Daughter (1972)

Explore the central themes of The Ragman’s Daughter (1972), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:13

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Movies about doomed romance and class struggle like The Ragman’s Daughter

Stories of love that is tested and fractured by harsh economic realities.If you liked the tragic love story in The Ragman’s Daughter, explore other movies like it that feature doomed romance shaped by class differences. These films capture the melancholy of relationships tested by economic hardship and social barriers, delivering similar bittersweet emotional weight.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a character from a disadvantaged background who falls in love, offering a glimpse of escape or happiness. However, the pressures of their environment—poverty, crime, or social prejudice—create insurmountable obstacles, leading to a separation or tragic outcome that underscores the theme of fate and loss.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the emotional collision between personal romance and systemic class struggle. They deliver a specific melancholic mood, a steady, character-driven pace, and a bittersweet ending that acknowledges love's power while mourning its fragility in a harsh world.

Movies about petty crime and redemption arcs like The Ragman’s Daughter

Character studies of individuals trapped in cycles of minor crime, yearning for a way out.Find movies similar to The Ragman’s Daughter that focus on characters stuck in cycles of petty crime. These stories explore the struggle for redemption and a better life, sharing a gritty, realistic tone and a steady narrative pace that delves into the psychology of small-time criminals.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character who is deeply entrenched in a cycle of minor criminal activity, which provides a sense of identity or necessity. A catalyst, such as a new love or a close call, forces them to confront their lifestyle. The story hinges on their struggle to change, often culminating in an ambiguous or bittersweet resolution regarding their success.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their focus on a specific character arc—the small-time criminal's quest for change. They share a gritty, realistic mood, a straightforward narrative complexity that focuses on cause and effect, and a medium emotional weight derived from the character's internal battle and the stakes of their choices.

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The Ragman’s Daughter Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Ragman’s Daughter, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Ragman’s Daughter Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Ragman’s Daughter with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Ragman’s Daughter Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About The Ragman’s Daughter

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Discover movies like The Ragman’s Daughter that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.