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Trog Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Trog (1970). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


Trog Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Trog (1970) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Discovery of a living troglodyte in the countryside caves

Dr. Brockton, a renowned anthropologist, learns that a lone male troglodyte survives in the caves of the British countryside. The find promises potential insights into human evolution and a possible missing link. The discovery attracts scientific interest while the local community remains mostly unaware at first.

countryside caves, Britain

Troglodyte brought to the surface

Brockton extracts the creature and brings him to the surface for observation. The townspeople flee in terror as the experiment comes into daylight, while Brockton steadies herself with a tranquilizer gun and subdues the caveman.

surface near the town

Troglodyte moved to Brockton's lab

The captured troglodyte is taken to Brockton's laboratory for systematic study. The town grows wary of the project and its potential to redefine civilization, setting the stage for conflict with detractors.

Brockton's laboratory

Public opposition and fear mount

Sam Murdock, a local businessman, decries the project as dangerous and commercially damaging. He challenges the legitimacy of a woman heading a research facility, and municipal courts weigh protecting the creature versus public outcry.

town, near Brockton's lab

Language and socialization experiments begin

Brockton subjects Trog to a series of surgeries and a hypnotic device designed to unlock language and social behavior. Over time, the caveman shows signs of learning and starting to engage through play and sharing.

lab

Murdock orchestrates a late-night release

Under pressure from opponents, Murdock arranges the creature's release at night. He hopes the disturbance will force officials to abandon the project and discredit Brockton.

night town outskirts

Trog's violent rampage begins

Trog goes on a brutal midnight rampage through the town. He first beats Sam Murdock to death, then proceeds to kill a grocer, a butcher, and a citizen in a car, spreading fear among the townspeople.

night town

Trog abducts a child from a playground

In the chaos of the rampage, Trog snatches a little girl from a playground and drags her toward his cave. The abduction heightens the urgency for authorities to intervene and understand the creature's behavior.

playground, town

Authorities converge on the cave entrance

Dr. Brockton, police, and army personnel gather at the cave's entrance, pleading with the authorities to allow safe retrieval. Brockton argues that she can communicate and avoid further bloodshed if given the chance.

cave entrance

Brockton descends into the cave

Ignoring the initial orders, Brockton charges into the cave to confront Trog and retrieve the girl. Inside, Trog initially resists but is calmed by Brockton's stern reprimand and concerned plea.

inside cave

Trog surrenders the girl

After Brockton's intervention and a tense exchange, Trog relinquishes the girl and allows her to be taken by her rescuers. The pair exit the cave together, ending the immediate danger.

inside cave

Explosives, assault, and the creature's death

Shortly after the rescue, soldiers ignite explosives and assault the cave. Trog is wounded by gunfire and falls, impaled on a stalagmite, ending the confrontation and the missing-link drama.

cave

Aftermath and Brockton's walk away

With the crisis over, a news reporter questions the doctor about the 'missing link'. Brockton pushes aside the microphone and walks away, choosing silence over sensationalism as she contemplates what the discovery means.

scene at cave exterior

Trog Characters

Explore all characters from Trog (1970). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Dr. Brockton (Joan Crawford)

Dr. Brockton is a renowned anthropologist who leads the search for the lone troglodyte. She proposes bringing the creature to the surface for study and potential domestication. Her approach blends scientific curiosity with a calm, determined demeanor. Her actions place her at odds with townspeople and business interests.

🧬 Scientist 💡 Visionary ⚖️ Ethical

Sam Murdock (Michael Gough)

Sam Murdock is a local businessman whose fear of commercial damage drives his opposition to the project. He fears negative publicity and financial loss from the discovery. He orchestrates the release of Trog in hopes of provoking a deadly confrontation. His actions escalate the conflict between science and the town.

💼 Businessman 💰 Profit-driven 🗳️ Power play

Trog (Joe Cornelius)

Trog is a lone troglodyte discovered in the countryside caves. He is subjected to training and language induction through medical intervention. The creature shows primitive power but also moments of learning and vulnerability. He dies after being wounded during the cave assault.

🪨 Caveman 🧠 Learner 🌌 Sentient

Little Girl (Chloe Franks)

The Little Girl is a young playground target who is taken by Trog and later found in the cave. Her safety becomes a focal point that propels the rescue effort. Her situation amplifies the moral stakes of the conflict between science and local danger.

👶 Innocence 🫶 Vulnerable ⚠️ In danger

Reporter (Maurice Good)

On-site journalist who frames the story for the public and presses for a comment as events unfold. His presence underscores media scrutiny and the sensationalism surrounding the missing link. He highlights how public perception can shape the course of the investigation.

📰 Reporter 🎙️ Media 🎯 Probing

Magistrate (Thorley Walters)

The local magistrate who presides over the municipal court and upholds the decision to protect Trog. He embodies the legal framework that governs the intersection of science, ethics, and public safety. His rulings influence the trajectory of the scientific investigation.

⚖️ Magistrate 🏛️ Law 🧭 Legal process

Inspector Greenham (Bernard Kay)

Inspector Greenham is the police officer coordinating the law enforcement response to the perceived threat. He represents authority and pragmatism in the face of mounting tension between science and public order. His role anchors the film in a formal response to extraordinary events.

👮 Police 🔎 Investigation 🧭 Authority

Trog Settings

Learn where and when Trog (1970) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

Contemporary Britain

Set in contemporary Britain, the film unfolds in a near-present era with modern research facilities. Public institutions and law enforcement shape the narrative as the scientist pushes boundaries. Public interest and bureaucratic resistance heighten the stakes around the experiment.

Location

British countryside caves, small town, Dr. Brockton's laboratory

The primary setting is the British countryside caves where the troglodyte is found. The scientist operates a laboratory in the town to study the creature. The story moves between the cave, the lab, and the surrounding town, highlighting the contrast between natural isolation and human institutions.

🏞️ British countryside 🧪 Laboratory setting 🏙️ Small town atmosphere

Trog Themes

Discover the main themes in Trog (1970). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🧬

Science

Science drives the plot as Brockton attempts to bring a cave dwelling into the light for study. The film questions whether the pursuit of knowledge justifies potential harm to an intelligent being. Brockton's methods reveal the tension between compassionate curiosity and scientific ambition.

🏛️

Power and Fear

Power in the town rests with business interests and authorities who fear the impact of the discovery. Sam Murdock uses his influence to oppose the research and to release Trog. The fear of the unknown fuels danger and shows how institutions respond with force. The narrative raises questions about how best to handle new life when profits and public safety collide.

⚖️

Ethics

Ethical questions dominate as Brockton weighs scientific advancement against respect for a sentient being. The legal system and military responses illustrate the clash between progress and protection. The fate of Trog and the choices made during the rescue highlight the price of discovery. The film invites viewers to consider who truly owns the outcomes of research.

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