The Night of the Following Day Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two questionable fellows grab a girl off the street and hide out in a beach house owned by someone who definitely isn’t sober, leading to sandy feet and dubious life choices.

🍿 The Night of the Following Day: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Calculated Kidnapping in Paris

The film opens in Paris as a young, wealthy heiress arrives at Orly Airport. She is met by a seemingly ordinary chauffeur, but the situation quickly turns sinister. She is unexpectedly abducted and forced into a different vehicle by the chauffeur and his accomplice, initiating a high-stakes kidnapping plot.

Hiding Out at a Coastal Beach House

The kidnappers take their captive to an isolated beach house located on the French coast. Here, the girl is introduced to the other members of the criminal group, including the woman who was a stewardess on her flight and the stewardess’s brother. Tensions immediately begin to simmer among the diverse personalities confined in the remote location.

Rising Tensions and Internal Conflict

As the group waits for the ransom, friction grows between the kidnappers. The chauffeur becomes increasingly concerned about the instability of some members, particularly the sadistic tendencies of his accomplice and the drug addiction of the stewardess. Doubts arise about the plan’s feasibility and the safety of everyone involved, including the victim.

The Ransom Exchange Plan

The kidnappers formulate a plan to collect the ransom money, involving a trip to a local village cafe. The volatile dynamics within the group make this crucial step fraught with danger. While some members leave for the exchange, one is left behind to guard the captive, setting the stage for further complications and betrayals.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Girl (Pamela Franklin): A young heiress who is kidnapped and held for ransom by a group of criminals.
• Chauffeur (Bud) (Marlon Brando): A professional criminal involved in the kidnapping who expresses misgivings about the plan and his fellow gang members.
• Leer (Richard Boone): A sadistic and dangerous member of the kidnapping crew who escalates the violence and threatens the victim and his partners.
• Blonde (Vi) (Rita Moreno): A drug-addicted stewardess who is part of the kidnapping gang and provides the beach house hideout.
• Friendly (Wally) (Jess Hahn): The brother of Vi and one of the kidnappers, who is responsible for masterminding the flawed plan.
• Fisherman-Cop (Gérard Buhr): A local policeman who lives near the beach house and represents an external threat or connection to the outside world for the criminals.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Leer: “You know, some day, somebody is gonna invent a comfortable gun.” – Said dryly after concealing a weapon on himself, reflecting his constant readiness and detachment.
• Vi: “Je vous ai fait peur?” – Asked in French to the friendly local policeman who unexpectedly encounters her, testing his suspicion or conveying nervousness.
• Bud: “There aren’t gonna be any rainbows, man…” – Said with a sense of grim realization or pessimism about the outcome of the kidnapping plan.
• Bud: “Clark Gable.” – Said mockingly or dismissively to Leer, highlighting the tension and contempt between the two characters.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,500,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Night of the Following Day Reviews

Personal Review

Man, this movie was a trip! I went into it not knowing much, just that it had Brando, and wow, is it intense. The whole beach house setting felt so isolated and creepy, like there was no escape. I really felt for the kidnapped girl; her fear felt so real. And the dynamics between the kidnappers were fascinatingly messed up. It wasn’t a fast-paced action flick, more of a slow burn, but the tension just kept ratcheting up. There were a couple of moments that genuinely made me jump or just feel super uneasy. It’s definitely not a feel-good movie, but if you’re into dark, atmospheric thrillers with great acting, I’d say give it a watch. It stuck in my head for a while after.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers and crime dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in Marlon Brando’s less conventional roles”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven narratives”
  • “Fans of Richard Boone and Rita Moreno”
  • “Viewers who enjoy ambiguous or twist endings”
  • “Enthusiasts of 1960s European-influenced cinema”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and brutality”
  • “Kidnapping”
  • “Drug use (heroin/cocaine addiction depicted)”
  • “Psychological tension and disturbing situations”
  • “Implied sexual menace”

Professional Reviews

• The Indie Critic: “”The Night of the Following Day” leans heavily on its incredible cast, with Brando delivering a performance that’s both unsettling and magnetic. While the plot occasionally meanders, the film excels in creating a suffocating atmosphere of dread within the confines of the beach house. The tension builds slowly but effectively, punctuated by moments of unexpected brutality. A flawed but fascinating character study wrapped in a crime thriller.
• Cinema Digest: “This kidnapping drama feels less like a caper and more like a pressure cooker of psychological tension. The interactions between the captors and their victim, and the unsettling presence of the house’s owner, provide the film’s real substance. The pacing is deliberate, which might not appeal to everyone, but the performances, particularly from Richard Boone and Pamela Franklin, are compelling. It’s a gritty, uncomfortable watch that stays with you.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were captivated by the tense, claustrophobic atmosphere of the beach house setting.: Many praised the strong performances from the main cast, particularly Brando and Boone, and the film’s ability to build psychological tension.

Overall Consensus: A tense, character-driven crime drama elevated by strong performances and a palpable sense of dread, though some found the pacing slow.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Marlon Brando and director Hubert Cornfield had significant conflicts during filming, leading to Cornfield being fired with two weeks left, and co-star Richard Boone stepped in to finish directing some scenes.”
• “According to some reports, a DVD commentary attributed to Cornfield was actually Marlon Brando speaking through an electronic voice box as a joke, but this commentary has since been withdrawn.”
• “Brando allegedly refused to film some scenes, showed up intoxicated for another, and specifically demanded that Richard Boone direct his major argument scene with Jess Hahn.”
• “Al Lettieri, who later had a memorable role in ‘The Godfather’ partly due to Brando’s recommendation, served as a producer on this film and had a small role as the pilot.”
• “The controversial, ambiguous ending was reportedly influenced by Brando’s refusal to cooperate with director Hubert Cornfield’s original plans for the conclusion.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Night of the Following Day?

As an older film, ‘The Night of the Following Day’ (1969) may have limited availability on major streaming platforms. It is sometimes available for rent or purchase digitally. You can search platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and others for current availability. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray may also be available through retailers like Amazon or specialized movie sites.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Night of the Following Day, you might like these similar films:

• The Killing (1956): A classic noir heist film with a meticulous plan that unravels due to internal conflict and human error, similar to the failed kidnapping plot here.
• Odds Against Tomorrow (1959): Another noir crime film centered on a group of disparate criminals whose personality clashes and mistrust contribute to the job’s failure.
• Le Samouraï (1967): A stylish, minimalist French crime film from the same era, featuring a cool, detached protagonist and a strong sense of atmosphere, often compared for its mood.
• The Getaway (1972): A tense crime thriller involving a heist, double-crosses, and characters on the run, featuring elements of criminal relationships under pressure.
• Pressure Point (1962): Another psychological drama directed by Hubert Cornfield, focusing on intense character interactions and confined settings, exploring complex human behavior.

🛒 The Night of the Following Day Related Products

• The Night of the Following Day (Blu-ray): Experience this gritty crime thriller in high definition. Features restored picture and sound for optimal viewing.
• Quincy Jones – The Night Of The Following Day (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Own the original score composed by the legendary Quincy Jones, featuring evocative and atmospheric tracks that perfectly capture the film’s mood.
• Vintage Minimalist Movie Poster Print: A stylish art print inspired by the film’s iconic imagery and era. Perfect for decorating your home theater or living space.
• Beach House Mystery Game (Digital Download): A point-and-click adventure game inspired by the tense, confined setting and psychological drama of the film, where players must navigate difficult choices.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Night of the Following Day features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Quincy Jones
• “On the Beach” – performed by Quincy Jones
• “The Night of the Following Day” – performed by Quincy Jones
• “A Different Day” – performed by Quincy Jones

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Brando – Boone Acting Lesson

Ever wonder how Marlon Brando and Richard Boone faced off in ‘The Night of the Following Day’? Check out this video that dives deep into one specific scene and how they both bring their A-game – it’s pretty cool to see the subtle power play!

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