Man on a Swing Poster

Man on a Swing 1974

★ 5.826 votes110 min📅 1974-02-24

"Clairvoyant. Occultist. Murderer. Which?"

Frank Perry's *Man on a Swing (1974)* plunges viewers into a shadowy web of crime and the occult, where a small-town murder refuses to yield its secrets.

Director: Frank Perry

Cast

Cliff Robertson
Cliff Robertson
Lee Tucker
Joel Grey
Joel Grey
Franklin Wills
Dorothy Tristan
Dorothy Tristan
Janet Tucker
Elizabeth Wilson
Elizabeth Wilson
Dr. Anna Willson
George Voskovec
George Voskovec
Dr. Nicholas Holnar
Ron Weyand
Ron Weyand
Dr. Philip Fusco
Peter Masterson
Peter Masterson
Willie Younger
Lane Smith
Lane Smith
Ted Ronan
Joe Ponazecki
Dan Lloyd
Christopher Allport
Christopher Allport
Richie Tom Keating

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Man on a Swing (1974) about?

*Man on a Swing* follows a police chief investigating a perplexing murder after a schoolteacher is found dead in a parking lot. When a flamboyant psychic offers cryptic clues only the killer could know, he becomes the prime suspect in an increasingly tangled case. The film blends crime, mystery, and psychological tension as truth and deception collide.

Who directed Man on a Swing?

Frank Perry directed *Man on a Swing*, known for his work in character-driven dramas like *The Swimmer* and *David and Lisa*.

Who stars in Man on a Swing?

The film stars Cliff Robertson as Police Chief Lee Tucker, Joel Grey as the enigmatic psychic Franklin Wills, and features Dorothy Tristan and Elizabeth Wilson in pivotal supporting roles.

Is Man on a Swing (1974) worth watching?

*Man on a Swing* is a gripping, albeit lesser-known, entry in 1970s crime thrillers. Its blend of mystery and psychological suspense, coupled with strong performances from Cliff Robertson and Joel Grey, makes it a compelling watch for fans of the genre. The film's slow-burn pacing and moral ambiguity add layers of intrigue worth unraveling.

How long is Man on a Swing?

*Man on a Swing* has a runtime of 110 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About Man on a Swing (1974) — Crime Thriller with a Psychic Twist

Frank Perry's *Man on a Swing (1974)* plunges viewers into a shadowy web of crime and the occult, where a small-town murder refuses to yield its secrets. When a schoolteacher's lifeless body is discovered in a sunlit parking lot, Police Chief Lee Tucker is left baffled by the absence of clues. Enter Franklin Wills, a brash psychic who claims the victim's spirit speaks to him, offering eerie insights that only the killer could possess. As the investigation stumbles forward, skepticism gives way to suspicion—is Wills a genuine medium or the cunning murderer hiding in plain sight? With its moody atmosphere and gripping mystery, the film explores themes of deception, fate, and the blurred line between intuition and guilt.

Crafted with a tense, atmospheric style, *Man on a Swing* blends crime thriller elements with psychological suspense, making it a standout entry in 1970s mystery cinema. Cliff Robertson and Joel Grey deliver standout performances as the determined policeman and the enigmatic psychic, respectively, while Dorothy Tristan and Elizabeth Wilson add depth to the unfolding drama. The film's slow-burn pacing and moral ambiguity leave audiences questioning every revelation until the final, unsettling twist.