Family Plot story
Family Plot is a 1976 American black comedy thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock in his final directing role. It was based on Victor Canning's 1972 novel The Rainbird Pattern, which Ernest Lehman adapted for the screen. The film stars Karen Black, Bruce Dern, Barbara Harris and William Devane; it was screened at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival, but was not entered into the main competition.
11 total · 4 major · 7 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| con artistry | major | Blanche pretended to be a medium and sometimes kicked it up a notch by having her boyfriend, George, do detective work behind the scenes. |
| murder | major | Edward and Joe were cold blooded killers. They plotted to get Blanche and George out of the way. |
| ransom kidnapping | major | Arthur/Edward and Fran were high-rolling criminals who kidnapped rich people and demanded precious jewels in return for their safe release. |
| séance | major | Blanche pretended to communicate with a dead spirit in something that resembled a séance. |
| arson | minor | Edward and Joe had started a fire to kill Edward's (adoptive) parents. |
| hysterical woman stereotype | minor | As the car was speeding out of control, Blanch became the pantomime of an irrational and hysterical woman while George tried to save the day. |
| legal occupation | minor | George feigned to be a lawyer. |
| matricide | minor | Edward had murdered his own (adoptive) mother. |
| patricide | minor | Edward had murdered his own (adoptive) father. |
| religious occupation | minor | A Christian bishop was kidnapped. |