Woman of Straw

Woman of Straw

Year: 1964

Runtime: 122 min

Language: English

Director: Basil Dearden

DramaThrillerCrime

A wealthy and powerful man shocks everyone by leaving his immense fortune to charity. His ambitious nephew, Tony, then devises a scheme to secure the inheritance, manipulating events to force Charles into marriage with a beautiful nurse named Maria. However, Tony's calculated plan is complicated when Maria develops real feelings for Charles, throwing his scheme into disarray and leading to unforeseen consequences.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Woman of Straw 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 – Woman of Straw (1964)

Trace every key event in Woman of Straw (1964) 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

Anthony's Scheme

Playboy Anthony Richmond devises a cunning plan to inherit his uncle Charles Richmond's £50 million fortune. He enlists the help of Maria Marcello, a new Italian nurse, convincing her to marry the tyrannical tycoon for a promise of one million pounds.

2

Charles's Abuse

Once Maria becomes Charles's nurse, she faces his verbal and emotional abuse both at his estate and during a yacht trip. Despite the harsh treatment, Maria remains sincere and committed to her role.

Yacht in Mallorca, Spain
3

The Wedding

In a significant turn of events, Maria marries Charles during the yacht trip in Mallorca, hoping to fulfill Anthony's plan. As the ceremony concludes, a humbled Charles decides to change his will, promising Maria his entire fortune.

Yacht in Mallorca, Spain
4

Will Changes

After their marriage, Charles undergoes a transformation and officially alters his will to leave most of his fortune to Maria. This act leaves his nephew, Anthony, with a mere £40,000, igniting Anthony's desperation.

Charles's Estate
5

Uncle's Death

Tragedy strikes when Charles dies early one morning on the yacht, leaving both Anthony and Maria in shock. Anthony, seeing an opportunity, proposes they pretend Charles is still alive to protect their interests.

Yacht in Mallorca, Spain
6

Concealing the Truth

Following Charles's death, Anthony and Maria hatch a plan to deceive others into believing Charles is still alive. They return to the estate and craft a facade to mislead relatives and potential investigators.

Charles's Estate
7

Maria's Confession

Maria gets entangled in a web of deceit when she confesses their scheme to detectives who are investigating the case. This admission casts suspicion on her, placing her under the spotlight as a potential murder suspect.

8

Discovery of Murder

Amid the investigation, Maria uncovers the shocking truth: Anthony had poisoned Charles with Barbiturate to secure his inheritance. The betrayal cuts deep as she realizes she has been used in his wicked game.

9

Detectives on the Case

Detective Lomer and the servant, Thomas, unveil a tape recording in which Charles reveals Anthony's heinous act of murder right before he died. This evidence becomes crucial in unraveling Anthony's manipulation.

10

Anthony's Downfall

In a desperate attempt to flee after being exposed, Anthony makes a rash move. He plummets down the grand staircase, meeting his demise as he falls under the haunting gaze of Charles' ghostly wheelchair.

Charles's Estate
11

Maria's Innocence

After the truth of Anthony's betrayal and the evidence against him emerges, Maria is exonerated in court. The judgment restores her reputation and allows her to reclaim Charles's estate and fortune.

Courtroom
12

Final Justice

Maria inherits the vast fortune once controlled by Charles, symbolizing her triumph over the cruel events that transpired. The film concludes with her newfound power and the recognition of her innocence.

Charles's Estate

Last Updated: November 25, 2024 at 19:24

Unlock the Full Story of Woman of Straw

Don't stop at just watching — explore Woman of Straw 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 Woman of Straw is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Woman of Straw Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Woman of Straw, 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.

Woman of Straw Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Woman of Straw

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Woman of Straw. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Woman of Straw

More About Woman of Straw

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Woman of Straw: 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 Woman of Straw

Similar Movies to Woman of Straw

Discover movies like Woman of Straw 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.