The Ragman’s Daughter

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.

The Ragman’s Daughter (1972) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Ragman’s Daughter (1972) 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 a cramped, post‑war neighbourhood where cracked brick walls and narrow alleys hold the memories of generations, life moves to the rhythm of scarcity and the quiet yearning for something better. The streets hum with the clatter of factory whistles and the muffled conversations of families trying to stretch every pound. A muted, almost lyrical melancholy settles over the town, coloring every encounter with a blend of hope and resignation.

Tony works the night shift at a cheese‑factory, a job that offers steady pay but never enough to quiet the ache of deprivation. To fill the gaps, he turns to small, secretive thefts that give him a fleeting sense of control and a rush that the routine can’t provide. He walks a thin line between survival and transgression, his quiet confidence masking an inner turmoil that surfaces whenever the weight of his choices presses against his conscience.

Doris arrives from a more comfortable world, the daughter of a prosperous rag‑merchant whose modest wealth has bought her finer clothes, a horse, and the promise of a smoother future. Yet she feels the pull of the same restless energy that drives the neighbourhood’s youths, finding something irresistible in Tony’s daring independence. Their connection bridges the gap between two social strata, sparking a tentative romance that feels both risky and liberating.

Against this backdrop of working‑class grit and fleeting affection, the film follows Tony as he stands at a crossroads. The allure of his illicit habits battles with the possibility of a fresh start beside Doris, hinting at a struggle between the familiar pull of the streets and the uncertain promise of a different life. The story pulses with tension, inviting viewers to wonder whether love can truly rewrite the patterns set by a harsh environment.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:06

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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.

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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

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Ragman’s Daughter

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