The Playbirds

The Playbirds

Year: 1978

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Willy Roe

CrimeThrillerMystery

Mary Millington joins the elite Blue Squad, only to have her cover blown. To catch a deranged killer targeting the striking centrefolds of Playbirds magazine, the alluring officer Lucy Sheridan risks her reputation by becoming involved with wealthy publisher Harry Dougan. Both the Chief Superintendent and the Police Commissioner monitor her closely as the deadline draws near.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Playbirds yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Playbirds (1978)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Playbirds (1978). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

London, England

London provides the backdrop for a string of murders targeting female models connected to a pornographic magazine. The city’s nightlife and seedy venues contrast with the formalities of Scotland Yard, highlighting media pressure and crime in the capital. The investigation unfolds across urban streets, apartments, and parlour rooms, painting a vivid portrait of a city under strain.

🏙️ Urban setting 📸 Glamour industry 🕵️ Police procedural

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:55

Main Characters – The Playbirds (1978)

Meet the key characters of The Playbirds (1978), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Chief Superintendent Holbourne (Glynn Edwards)

A seasoned Scotland Yard detective who co-leads the investigation into the Playbirds murders and steers the team through complexity and pressure.

👮 Police leadership 🧠 Analytical 🔎 Investigative

Inspector Harry Morgan (Gavin Campbell)

Holbourne's partner on the case; pragmatic and steady in pursuing leads and coordinating the undercover plan.

👮 Police cooperation 🕵️‍♂️ Detective work 🧭 Strategic thinking

Lena Cunningham (Suzy Mandel)

A Playbirds model who becomes a target; her security is prioritized as the investigation unfolds.

👗 Modeling 🚨 Target 🧩 Plot relevance

Hern

A street preacher who is considered a suspect after being observed spying on the models; his involvement hints at the moral panic surrounding the case.

🕵️‍♂️ Suspicion 🎭 Moral panic 🔎 Investigations

Harry Dougan (Alan Lake)

The publisher of Playbirds; his operations and connections to the magazine are central to the motive dynamics in the killings.

💼 Publishing 🕵️‍♀️ Suspect 🧠 Motive

Sergeant Lucy Sheridan (Mary Millington)

An undercover policewoman posing as a Playbirds model to lure out the killer; her mission demonstrates the risks involved in undercover policing within the sex industry.

🎭 Undercover 👮 Police 🗝️ Risk

Foxy the Masseuse (Erika von Jump)

A masseuse connected to the investigation; her location provides potential clues and a cover for undercover activity.

💆‍♀️ Massage parlor 🕵️‍♀️ Informant 🗝️ Clue

W.P.C. Andrews (Penny Spencer)

A police constable who supports the undercover operation and maintains liaison within the force.

👮‍♀️ Police support 🧭 Coordination 🗒️ Documentation

Dougan's Secretary (Sandra Dorne)

An auxiliary figure within Dougan's circle who could hold insider information relevant to the case.

💼 Secretary 🗝️ Insider info 🧠 Plot thread

Doreen (Pat Astley)

A minor character connected to Dougan's world; appears in the magazine's staff network.

👥 Supporting role 🧭 Context 🗺️ Industry circle

Expert 1 (Nigel Gregory)

One of the specialists enlisted to analyze the crime and provide insights.

🧠 Expert analysis 🧭 Forensic clue 🕵️‍♂️ Investigation

Expert 2 (Tom McCabe)

Second expert providing technical input to help interpret leads.

🧠 Expert analysis 📊 Data 🕵️‍♀️ Investigation

Expert 3 (Pat Gorman)

Third expert offering specialized interpretation of evidence gathered during the case.

🧠 Analysis 🧭 Forensics 🕵️‍♂️ Investigation

Dolby (Tony Kenyon)

A character named Dolby who is part of the Playbirds milieu or its surrounding figures.

🎬 Character 🧭 Plot element 🧩 Industry figure

Wilson (Ronald Flanagan)

A minor figure around the case who contributes to the investigation's social circle.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Minor character 🕵️‍♂️ Social circle 🗝️ Clue

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:55

Major Themes – The Playbirds (1978)

Explore the central themes of The Playbirds (1978), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Investigation

A methodical police operation drives the plot, with detectives Holbourne and Morgan coordinating an undercover sting to lure out the killer. The story follows clues, misdirections, and the tension between public safety and civil liberties.

🎭 Exploitation

The narrative centers on the Playbirds magazine and the exploitation of models within a glamour industry, raising questions about consent, objectification, and media sensationalism.

⚖️ Justice

As suspects are narrowed down, the pursuit of the killer becomes a matter of balancing due process with urgent action, reflecting the era’s attitudes toward crime, censorship, and morality.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:55

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The Playbirds

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Playbirds in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Playbirds is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Playbirds Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Playbirds, 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 Playbirds Summary

The Playbirds Timeline

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

The Playbirds Timeline

More About The Playbirds

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Playbirds: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Playbirds

Similar Movies to The Playbirds

Discover movies like The Playbirds 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.