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Slaughterhouse-Five 1972

Billy Pilgrim, an optometrist from upstate New York, finds himself unstuck in time, experiencing moments from his life out of order. His story includes a harrowing World War II captivity as a prisoner of war, a seemingly ordinary existence back home, and a bizarre abduction by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. While with the Tralfamadorians, he becomes an attraction in an intergalactic zoo, grappling with their perspective on time and free will.

Billy Pilgrim, an optometrist from upstate New York, finds himself unstuck in time, experiencing moments from his life out of order. His story includes a harrowing World War II captivity as a prisoner of war, a seemingly ordinary existence back home, and a bizarre abduction by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. While with the Tralfamadorians, he becomes an attraction in an intergalactic zoo, grappling with their perspective on time and free will.

Does Slaughterhouse-Five have end credit scenes?

No!

Slaughterhouse-Five does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Slaughterhouse-Five

Explore the complete cast of Slaughterhouse-Five, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Slaughterhouse-Five

See how Slaughterhouse-Five is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Slaughterhouse-Five stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

66

Metascore

6.6

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

TMDB

65

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Slaughterhouse-Five Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Slaughterhouse-Five with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Slaughterhouse-Five Quiz: Test your knowledge on the iconic film Slaughterhouse-Five and its intertwining themes of war, time travel, and human connection.

What is the name of the main character in Slaughterhouse-Five?

Awards & Nominations for Slaughterhouse-Five

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Slaughterhouse-Five, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Slaughterhouse-Five and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


25th Directors Guild of America Awards 1973

George Roy Hill
Nomination

Feature Film

George Roy Hill

30th Golden Globe Awards 1973

Nomination

New Star of the Year – Actor

Michael Sacks

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Slaughterhouse-Five

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Read the complete plot summary of Slaughterhouse-Five, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In the serene town of Ilium, New York, Billy Pilgrim (Michael Sacks) begins to articulate his reflections in a letter to the editor. Unbeknownst to him, this moment of contemplation will catapult him back into the tumultuous events of World War II. As he finds himself on the front lines in Belgium, Billy faces the grim realities of warfare alongside his fellow American soldiers, who soon fall into the hands of the German army. Suspense looms heavily over him, particularly due to the vengeful intentions of Paul Lazzaro (Ron Leibman), a former comrade in captivity who harbors a deep grudge against him. Within the confines of their POW camp, Billy forms a profound connection with the wise and experienced Edgar Derby (Kevin Conway), who stands up for him during crucial moments.

As the conflict intensifies, Billy becomes part of a harrowing journey to Dresden, Germany, where their group must choose a leader. To everyone’s shock, he advocates for Edgar Derby over Lazzaro, who has put his own name forth. The others rally around Derby, and he is selected as their commander. However, this fleeting victory is shattered as they are sent to Slaughterhouse-Five, a facility that will soon witness devastating atrocities.

The deafening wail of sirens announces the beginning of the Allied forces’ relentless firebombing of Dresden. Billy watches in horror as the city disintegrates into chaos, resulting in the loss of approximately 100,000 lives. As the ashes settle, the POWs search through the wreckage for survivors, where Billy’s enduring friendship with Derby faces its ultimate test, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion as Derby meets his end at the hands of Nazi soldiers.

In the wake of such horror, Billy seeks healing in the embrace of love, marrying Valencia (Valerie Perrine), whose father runs an optometry school. Their marriage brings forth two children, Robert and Barbara. However, as Robert matures, his inner turmoil leads him to reckless actions, including vandalism that jeopardizes his future. Billy is able to intervene and secure his son’s release from law enforcement.

Their family embarks on a flight to an optometry convention, but Billy is soon struck by a vision — an ominous premonition that foretells the crash of their aircraft. Tragically, his forewarning comes true; the plane spirals down, claiming the life of Valencia’s father, Lionel Merble. Although Billy survives, he finds himself recuperating in a hospital bed, grappling with the immense weight of loss.

As fate continues to unfold, Valencia sets out to see him but encounters a series of unfortunate events that lead to her tragic death from carbon monoxide poisoning in her car. Determined to move forward, Billy leaves the hospital alone, despite the protests of Barbara. Meanwhile, Robert has transformed, enlisting to fight in Vietnam. Billy’s quest for solace takes a surreal turn when he is suddenly transported to the alien world of Tralfamadore, where he meets the dazzling Montana Wildhack (Holly Near). The inhabitants of Tralfamadore reveal to him a philosophy of time that transcends earthly confines; they explain that life is a series of disconnected moments, and upon death, an individual can revisit significant experiences while forsaking the painful ones.

The Tralfamadorians express a desire for Billy and Montana to bond, hoping to continue their kind. As the two find love within this extraterrestrial realm, they welcome a child named Billy Jr. Back on Earth, Billy finds himself in a contentious conversation with Barbara, debating the reality of Tralfamadore. Possessing the extraordinary gift to navigate through past and future timelines, Billy reveals a chilling vision of his impending death, where an elderly Lazzaro takes aim at him during a speech about Tralfamadore, sealing his fate in an inescapable cycle of destiny.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Slaughterhouse-Five

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Slaughterhouse-Five. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Slaughterhouse-Five ≣ 1972 ≣ Trailer

Cars Featured in Slaughterhouse-Five

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Explore all cars featured in Slaughterhouse-Five, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Buick

1964

LeSabre

Cadillac

1968

Coupe DeVille

Chevrolet

1968

Camaro

Chevrolet

1966

Chevelle Malibu

Chevrolet

1942

G-7173

Ford

1935

2-Ton

Ford

1962

Country Squire

Ford

1970

LTD Country Squire

Ford

Model A

Ford

1968

Mustang

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


time travel

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