The Miser (1990) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A miser's financial control collides with a young lover's decision to steal money for marriage.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Miser's Ordered World

Arpagone is introduced as a wealthy miser who follows strict routines and commands his household. His control extends to servants, sons, and family finances.

Key Events

• Miserly Daily Routine — Arpagone follows precise daily patterns as a rich and miserly man. Characters: Arpagone Location: Arpagone's household
• Household Command — Arpagone commands the servants and sons in his household. Characters: Arpagone Location: Arpagone's household
• Marriage Ambition — Arpagone decides that he wants to marry a rich girl. Characters: Arpagone Location: Arpagone's household
• Inheritance Calculation — He also wants the inheritance connected to the planned bride. Characters: Arpagone Location: Arpagone's household
• Daughter's Marriage Plan — Arpagone plans to marry his daughter to a rich noble for financial gain. Characters: Arpagone Location: Arpagone's household

Marriage for Profit

Arpagone wants to marry a rich girl and obtain the financial benefits connected to her. He also plans a financially advantageous marriage for his daughter.

Key Events

• Chest of Gold Coins — Arpagone keeps a chest full of gold coins. Characters: Arpagone Location: Arpagone's household
• Fear of Theft — He guards the chest because he fears everyone wants to steal it. Characters: Arpagone Location: Arpagone's household
• Suspicion of Servants — Arpagone suspects that the servants may want his money. Characters: Arpagone Location: Arpagone's household
• Suspicion of Children — His fear of theft extends to the children in his family. Characters: Arpagone Location: Arpagone's household
• Valerio's Hidden Love — Valerio secretly loves the rich girl whom Arpagone wants to marry. Characters: Valerio Location: Unspecified

Love Behind the Mask

Arpagone guards a chest of gold coins because he suspects those around him. Unknown to him, Valerio loves the same intended bride.

Key Events

• Unaware Rivalry — Arpagone does not know that Valerio loves the same intended bride. Characters: Arpagone, Valerio Location: Arpagone's household
• Guarded Fortune — Arpagone continues protecting the cash from those around him. Characters: Arpagone Location: Arpagone's household
• Momentary Carelessness — Arpagone drops his guard for a moment while Valerio is present. Characters: Arpagone, Valerio Location: Arpagone's household

The Stolen Fortune

When Arpagone briefly drops his guard, Valerio steals the cash coins. He intends to use the money to marry the woman he loves.

Key Events

• Cash Coin Theft — Valerio steals the cash coins when Arpagone is no longer fully watchful. Characters: Valerio Location: Arpagone's household
• Fortune Disappears — The theft removes the money Arpagone has guarded so jealously. Characters: Arpagone, Valerio Location: Arpagone's household
• Love Motivates Theft — Valerio steals the money to marry the woman he loves. Characters: Valerio Location: Unspecified
• Financial Plans Disrupted — Valerio's theft directly undermines Arpagone's money-centered household plans. Characters: Arpagone, Valerio Location: Arpagone's household
• Marriage Driven by Money — The stolen money becomes tied to Valerio's attempt to marry his lover. Characters: Arpagone, Valerio Location: Unspecified
• Miser Versus Lover — Arpagone's possessive relationship with money collides with Valerio's urgent romantic purpose. Characters: Arpagone, Valerio Location: Unspecified
• Theft Shapes the Outcome — The synopsis ends with Valerio's theft positioned as the decisive action affecting the marriage conflict. Characters: Arpagone, Valerio Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Miserly Household — Arpagone's wealth and strict habits define the household's daily order.
  • Precise Daily Patterns — Arpagone follows precise patterns in his daily life.
  • Commands the Household — He commands servants and sons.
• Marriage Scheme — Arpagone treats marriage as a way to increase or preserve wealth.
  • Rich Intended Bride — Arpagone wants to marry a rich girl.
  • Inheritance Motive — He wants the inheritance connected to the new bride.
• Family Profit Plan — Arpagone applies the same financial logic to his daughter's marriage.
  • Daughter's Marriage — He intends to marry his daughter to a rich noble.
  • Financial Gain — The planned marriage is intended to earn more money.
• Guarded Treasure — The chest of gold coins represents Arpagone's fear-driven attachment to money.
  • Gold Coin Chest — Arpagone keeps a chest full of gold coins.
  • Fear of Theft — He suspects servants and family members may want to steal it.
• Hidden Romance — Valerio's private love creates a conflict Arpagone does not recognize.
  • Valerio's Love — Valerio loves the woman Arpagone wants to marry.
  • Unaware Rivalry — Arpagone does not know about Valerio's love.
• The Cash Theft — Valerio exploits Arpagone's momentary carelessness to pursue his romantic goal.
  • Dropped Guard — Arpagone briefly stops guarding his money closely.
  • Money for Marriage — Valerio steals the cash coins to marry his lover.

Directed by

Tonino Cervi

Key Cast

• Alberto Sordi — Arpagone
• Laura Antonelli — Frosina
• Valérie Allain — Mariana
• Franco Angrisano — Don Paolino
• Miguel Bosé — Valerio