Family Plot
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.
| Family Plot | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Alfred Hitchcock |
| Written by | Ernest Lehman |
| Based on | The Rainbird Pattern by Victor Canning |
| Produced by | Alfred Hitchcock |
| Starring | Karen Black Bruce Dern Barbara Harris William Devane |
| Cinematography | Leonard J. South |
| Edited by | J. Terry Williams |
| Music by | John Williams |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $4.5 million |
| Box office | $13 million |
The story involves two couples: one a "fake" psychic and her cab-driving boyfriend, the other a pair of professional thieves and kidnappers. Their lives come into conflict because of a search for a missing heir. The film's title is a pun: "family plot" can refer to an area in a cemetery that has been bought by one family for the burial of its various relatives; in this case it also means a dramatic plot line involving various family members.