Search Movie Plot Summaries & Endings Explained

Crime · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Melinda (1972)

A smooth‑talking, womanizing young black DJ falls hard for an enigmatic woman he’s just met, only to discover her dead in his apartment. He learns the local mob killed her and is framing him for the crime. With police closing in, he enlists old acquaintances to clear his name and avenge her death.

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Mystery · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972)

Oliviero, a disgraced, alcohol‑dependent writer, spends his days organizing decadent orgies in his sprawling country manor while cruelly belittling his wife Irina. When several women are found brutally murdered on the estate, suspicion falls squarely on Oliviero, positioning him as the chief suspect in the grisly crimes.

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Action · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Super Fly (1972)

Priest, a charismatic drug lord, plans a final, lucrative deal to leave the criminal underworld behind. However, a snitch alerts the police, forcing him into a complicated partnership with corrupt narcotics officers. Determined to dismantle his rival and reclaim his freedom, Priest executes a dangerous scheme with high stakes and uncertain outcomes.

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Crime · Bleak tone · Sad ending

The New Centurions (1972)

Written by a former LAPD officer, this nationwide bestseller follows an idealistic rookie who joins the force to fund his law‑school studies. Under the guidance of a hardened veteran, he becomes increasingly absorbed by the job, watching his ambitions and family life fade as policing consumes him.

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Action · Tense tone · Happy ending

One-Armed Boxer (1972)

A determined martial‑arts student masters the iron fist and death‑grip techniques to seek vengeance for his murdered teacher, confronting a host of rival fighters from diverse schools, including kung fu, karate, tae kwon do, judo and a legendary one‑armed boxer.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Bittersweet ending

Early Summer (1972)

In postwar Tokyo, Noriko, a 28-year-old woman, finds herself at a pivotal moment, balancing her desire for independence with the expectations of her family and society. Faced with pressure to marry, she grapples with two very different possibilities: the stability offered by a match with Takako, and the resurfacing of a childhood connection with Kenkichi, whose return stirs up buried feelings and complicates her choices.

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Western · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

Cry for Me, Billy (1972)

Drifter falls in love with Native American girl, with tragic results.

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Mystery · Tense tone · Ambiguous ending

The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972)

A True Story. A documentary-style drama based on true accounts of the Fouke Monster in Arkansas.

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Western · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

The Magnificent Seven Ride! (1972)

When marshal Chris Adams declines a friend's plea to confront a gang of Mexican bandits, tragedy strikes: his wife is slain by bank robbers and his companion dies catching the last thief. Compelled to honor his friend's mission, Chris assembles a writer and five prisoners to take down the desperadoes. This entry concludes the original Magnificent Seven quartet.

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Western · Whimsical tone · Bittersweet ending

Greaser’s Palace (1972)

A wild, off‑beat retelling of Christ’s life where the protagonist literally has “boogie on his fingers” and “hubba‑hubba in his soul.” Set in New Mexico, the film mixes biblical allegory with absurdist humor, even portraying the world’s end as caused by massive constipation. It’s a tongue‑in‑cheek parable far from any traditional Bible story.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Bittersweet ending

Fat City (1972)

In 1970s New Orleans, a group of teenagers seek escape from their surroundings, embracing a lifestyle of freedom and risky behavior. They navigate a world where the legal drinking age seems far removed, and their youthful exuberance leads them down a path of exploration and consequence. This coming-of-age story captures the atmosphere of a city on the cusp of change and the allure of rebellion for those seeking something more.

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Western · Melancholic tone · Bittersweet ending

Junior Bonner (1972)

Steve McQueen stars as Junior Bonner, a once‑renowned bronco‑busting rider whose career is winding down. He returns to his hometown to compete in the annual rodeo, hoping for a final triumph. Instead he discovers his family fractured—his brother is greedy and his father is a hard‑drinking, abusive presence—forcing Junior to confront painful memories and decide what matters most.

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Adventure · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Deliverance (1972)

A man facing declining health reluctantly undertakes a challenging mission to demonstrate his worthiness. He hopes to secure his daughter's marriage into a higher social class, but the journey forces him to confront his own mortality and the rigid societal structures he must navigate. It's a tense exploration of duty, tradition, and the struggle for acceptance.

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Western · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Joe Kidd (1972)

In dusty New Mexico, Joe Kidd, a former bounty hunter, seeks a quiet life on his ranch. However, the turmoil of Mexican rebels fighting for their land disrupts his peace. A powerful and ruthless landowner hires Kidd to track down the rebels, led by Luis Chama, but Kidd soon finds himself caught between conflicting loyalties and facing a complex moral dilemma. As Kidd’s own interests become intertwined with the conflict, he must decide where his loyalties truly lie and what justice really means.

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Western · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

The Wrath of God (1972)

Set in the 1920s, a group of foreign prisoners held by a South American military faction are given a stark choice: join the mercenary squad known as the Firing Squad, or embark on a daring mission called The Wrath of God. Accepting the latter could earn them freedom, but only if they succeed in overthrowing a deranged local military commander.

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Crime · Tense tone · Ambiguous ending

Fuzz (1972)

Here comes the fuzz Police in Boston search for a mad bomber trying to extort money from the city.

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History · Melancholic tone · Bittersweet ending

Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1972)

Adapted from the BBC2 serial The Six Wives of Henry VIII, the drama is set in 1547 as King Henry VIII confronts a bleak turn in his fortunes. Facing illness and political turmoil, he reflects on his six marriages and the three children they produced, noting that only one, his son Edward, secured the Tudor succession.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Bittersweet ending

Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1972)

Barney, a middle‑aged restaurateur, finds himself yearning for women in a way that leads to disastrous encounters. When his mother’s apartment is empty each week in the afternoon, he sees an opportunity and pursues a series of seductions, only to discover that romance is far more complicated and challenging than he expected.

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Fantasy · Whimsical tone · Happy ending

Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972)

After a lab accident, science student Dexter Riley at Medfield College creates a liquid that makes objects and people invisible. When his friends Debbie and Richard discover the formula, greedy businessman A.J. Arno plots to steal it for a bank robbery. Dexter and his pals scramble to stop Arno, sparking a series of slapstick mishaps as they race to keep the invisibility spray out of criminal hands.

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Thriller · Dark tone · Mixed ending

Seven Murders for Scotland Yard (1972)

London is plagued by a series of murders targeting prostitutes, each crime echoing Jack the Ripper’s method. Peter Dockerman, a former acrobat and the husband of one of the victims, becomes the primary suspect. Yet the killer displays cannibalistic habits, and if Scotland Yard fails to act quickly, the evidence may be consumed as time runs out.

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Mystery · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Fear in the Night (1972)

After surviving an assault in her youth, Peggy Heller spends years recovering. She marries Robert, whose love lets them live in a charming house on the school grounds where he teaches. Yet the headmaster seems menacing, and Peggy believes he intends to harm her. As her fear grows, she must decide if it is lingering trauma or a real, deadly plot.

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Mystery · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Straight On Till Morning (1972)

Brenda, a shy and withdrawn woman, clings to the hope that night will never end, unaware that dawn brings danger. When she meets Peter, she is convinced he is the love she has been waiting for. As their relationship deepens, she remains oblivious to the fact that Peter is a ruthless serial killer, setting the stage for a chilling revelation.

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Drama · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1972)

Ainu, an 18‑year‑old, is kidnapped and sold to a brothel where her striking looks and fierce spirit attract ravenous clients and the obsessive lesbian desire of madam Chun Yi. Chun trains her in sensuality and kung‑fu, shaping Ainu into a mirror of her captor, yet a burning fury over her exploitation remains.

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Comedy · Bittersweet tone · Ambiguous ending

Butterflies Are Free (1972)

Determined to live independently, blind young Don Baker leaves his overprotective mother and settles into a San Francisco apartment. There he befriends his eccentric neighbor, Jill Tanner, whose free‑spirited nature is softened by Don’s quick wit and charm. As their friendship deepens into romance, Mrs. Baker’s constant interference threatens to tear them apart.

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Action · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

Napoleon and Samantha (1972)

When two children refuse to abandon their aging pet lion—a former circus performer—the three set out on a treacherous mountain journey to the remote home of a reclusive friend. Along the way they become lost in the wild, facing danger and forging an unforgettable adventure together.

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Comedy · Light tone · Ambiguous ending

The Canterbury Tales (1972)

From the creators of “Decameron”, this lively film presents Geoffrey Chaucer’s most risqué tales of medieval England. It intersperses brief dramatized glimpses of Chaucer himself penning his famous work with vivid re‑enactments of several bawdy stories, capturing the humor and romance of the era.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

Au Pair Girls (1972)

Four attractive foreign women arrive in England to work as au pairs. While living with their host families, they quickly form close, intimate relationships not only with their employers but also with many of the people they encounter, creating a web of personal connections across the community.

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Drama · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

Hannie Caulder (1972)

In the American West, Hannie Caulder suffers a devastating attack by a ruthless gang, leaving her life irrevocably changed. Driven by a desire for vengeance, she seeks help from Thomas Luther Price, a hardened bounty hunter. He agrees to train her, teaching her the skills she needs to confront her attackers and seek justice in a lawless land, leading to a violent confrontation.

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Action · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)

In a bleak, futuristic 1990, intelligent apes, enslaved by humans, begin a violent uprising. Led by Caesar, a charismatic chimpanzee, they fight for freedom and equality. The revolt dramatically shifts the balance of power, challenging the established human order and setting the stage for a new era. The conflict's outcome will have profound consequences, ultimately influencing the events of the original "Planet of the Apes" narrative.

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Crime · Tense tone

Come Back, Charleston Blue (1972)

A spectral figure returns to Harlem, reigniting a violent gang war. The film follows detectives Gravedigger and Coffin Ed as they confront the resurrected Charleston Blue, a notorious Prohibition‑era black gangster thought dead for four decades. Blue wields his trademark blue‑edge razors, and the cops must untangle the mystery behind his comeback.

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Drama · Tense tone · Ambiguous ending

The Candidate (1972)

To land his dream job, a desperate candidate faces an unconventional and daunting final interview challenge that pushes him to his limits.

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Horror · Dark tone · Happy ending

Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972)

Back in 1970s London, teenage rebel Johnny stages a black‑magic rite in a deserted churchyard, inadvertently resurrecting Dracula from dust. As the Count’s new apprentice, Johnny lures victims to the graveyard, one of whom is Jessica Van Helsing, a descendant of the famed hunters. Her grandfather, armed with classic anti‑vampire tools, confronts Dracula in a timeless battle of good versus evil.

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Horror · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Ben (1972)

After the events of “WILLARD”, the tale follows Ben, a rat who befriends a lonely boy. Their bond is tested when Ben is revealed as the leader of a brutal pack of killer rats that stalk the town, leaving a trail of victims. The boy must confront the horror and choose where his allegiance lies.

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History · Melancholic tone · Bleak ending

Ludwig – Requiem for a Virgin King (1972)

Set in an artificial, bombastically staged illusion that fuses Wagnerian music with glossy, satirical nods to contemporary time, the film revisits 19th‑century German figures and traditions. Stripped of mythic aura, they are reinterpreted through a 1972 German lens, revealing cultural contradictions in a stylized, larger‑than‑life world.

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Western · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

The Revengers (1972)

After a ruthless gang slaughters his family and razes his ranch, peaceful farmer John Benedict bargains with six men from Hell, enlisting them as his vengeful posse. Together with a band of hardened convicts, he hunts the outlaws responsible, seeking brutal retribution for his lost loved ones.

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Comedy · Light tone · Ambiguous ending

Beware! The Blob (1972)

After a technician retrieves a frozen sample of the original Blob from the North Pole, his wife accidentally thaws it, unleashing the gelatinous menace on the town. The ever‑growing Blob devours anything in its path, forcing hippies, police officers, drunks and even a bowling league to confront the horror.

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Thriller · Tense tone

Frenzy (1972)

A killer is terrorizing London, and the investigation follows a classic Hitchcock formula, leading suspicion towards an innocent man. He must evade the police while desperately trying to clear his name by uncovering the true identity of the murderer and exposing the dark secret gripping the city.

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Comedy · Dark tone · Ambiguous ending

Portnoy’s Complaint (1972)

During a psychoanalytic session, Alexander Portnoy delivers a monologue about his childhood, his mother, his sexual fantasies and relationships with women, and his obsessive preoccupation with his Jewish identity. The film adapts Philip Roth’s novel, using therapy to expose Portnoy’s desires, guilt and the clash between freedom and cultural norms.

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Thriller · Dark tone · Sad ending

What Became of Jack and Jill? (1972)

The two protagonists travel to their grandmother’s home under the pretext of romance, but their true aim is to seize her inheritance. Rather than a simple push, they devise an intricate ruse, convincing her that a radical youth movement has seized England and intends to eliminate “old‑timers” like her, hoping fear will force her to hand over her money.

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Drama · Dark tone · Ambiguous ending

Boxcar Bertha (1972)

During the Depression, rebellious Bertha Thompson joins forces with union organizer Big Bill Shelly. Together, they struggle to survive in a lawless land, battling against powerful forces and navigating dangerous situations. Their fight for survival leads them on a thrilling adventure involving train robbery and escalating conflict, testing their courage and pushing them to their limits.

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