- HD 1080
- Runtime: 97m.
- Status: Released
- 0
- Languages: en
- Country: United States of America
- Director: James Goldstone
- Stars: James Garner, Katharine Ross, Hal Holbrook, Harry Guardino, June Allyson
- keywords: california, police chief, dog, murder investigation
- Production_studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Slogan: Was the murderer a man... or man's best friend?
- The They Only Kill Their Masters is featured in the top rankings of 1972
- #25 in Top Romance Movies of 1972
- #76 in Top Thriller Movies of 1972
- #40 in Top Mystery Movies of 1972
An enigmatic young woman has been murdered in a small California coast town. The investigation by the local sheriff uncovers a complex web of relationships centering on the victim; the scattered trail of evidence ranges from a mysterious photograph to the victim's own dog. During the investigation, the sheriff meets and becomes romantically involved with a woman whose connection to the murder is ambiguous.