For a Cop's Hide (1981) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A former inspector investigates a missing woman's case, encounters escalating violence, and suspects he has been used to draw danger toward himself.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Missing Daughter

Choucas, a former inspector without his badge, takes Isabelle Pigot's case after her daughter has been missing for a month. The inquiry quickly meets resistance, and Isabelle is murdered.

Key Events

• Choucas Loses His Badge — A former inspector without his badge is warned that carrying a gun could cause trouble. Characters: Choucas Location: Unspecified
• Isabelle Requests Help — Isabelle hires Choucas to find her daughter, missing for a month. Characters: Choucas, Isabelle Pigot Location: Unspecified
• Coccioli Weighs the Fee — Coccioli urges Choucas to take the fee but expects little from the inquiry. Characters: Choucas, Coccioli Location: Unspecified
• The Search Meets Resistance — Choucas faces family and police inquiries as others appear to conceal the truth. Characters: Choucas Location: Unspecified
• Isabelle Is Murdered — Isabelle's murder transforms the missing-person inquiry into a dangerous investigation. Characters: Choucas, Isabelle Pigot Location: Unspecified

Violence Closes In

Choucas encounters a case-linked man and learns of another killing. A police confrontation, a suspicion about the murder weapon, and Choucas's wound make the investigation increasingly dangerous.

Key Events

• Isabelle Is Murdered — Isabelle's murder transforms the missing-person inquiry into a dangerous investigation. Characters: Choucas, Isabelle Pigot Location: Unspecified
• A Lead Turns Violent — Choucas encounters a man connected to the case and learns of another killing. Characters: Choucas, L'homme qui a tué Fanch Tanguy Location: Unspecified
• Madrier Confronts Choucas — Commissaire Madrier confronts Choucas amid the escalating violence. Characters: Choucas Location: Unspecified
• The .45-Calibre Suspicion — Choucas suspects a .45-calibre pistol was used to kill Isabelle. Characters: Choucas Location: Unspecified
• Choucas Is Wounded — Choucas is wounded and receives help treating his injury from a woman. Characters: Choucas Location: Unspecified

Following Institutional Clues

Clues point toward the Baudrillard Foundation, where the missing daughter worked, and The Green Hill weight-loss clinic. The investigation also touches on Pradier's death and Pérez's activities.

Key Events

• Choucas Is Wounded — Choucas is wounded and receives help treating his injury from a woman. Characters: Choucas Location: Unspecified
• The Foundation Lead — Clues lead the investigation to the foundation where the missing daughter worked. Characters: Choucas Location: Baudrillard Foundation for blind youth
• The Green Hill Clinic — The investigation also reaches a weight-loss clinic called The Green Hill. Characters: Choucas Location: The Green Hill
• Connections Accumulate — The inquiry connects people around the foundation and Fanch Tanguy, and touches on Pradier's death and Pérez's activities. Characters: Choucas, Pradier, Pérez Location: Unspecified
• Choucas Tracks Kasper — Kasper becomes one of the names Choucas tries to trace. Characters: Choucas, Kasper Location: Unspecified

The Bait Revealed

Coccioli says he believes Choucas was deliberately drawn into the case as a target. Choucas realizes he may have been used as bait and angrily challenges Coccioli, while the available account leaves the larger case unresolved.

Key Events

• Choucas Tracks Kasper — Kasper becomes one of the names Choucas tries to trace. Characters: Choucas, Kasper Location: Unspecified
• Coccioli Reveals the Bait — Coccioli says he believes Choucas was deliberately used to draw danger toward a former cop. Characters: Choucas, Coccioli Location: Unspecified
• An Angry Challenge — Choucas angrily challenges Coccioli; the available account ends before the conspiracy or investigation is resolved. Characters: Choucas, Coccioli Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• A Missing Daughter — Isabelle's request sets Choucas's investigation in motion.
  • Lost Police Badge — Choucas has lost his badge and is warned that carrying a gun could get him into trouble.
  • Isabelle's Request — Isabelle hires Choucas to search for her daughter, missing for a month.
• Coccioli's Advice — Coccioli comments on the commission before later revealing his theory about Choucas's role.
  • Fee Accepted — Coccioli urges Choucas to accept the fee while expecting little from the inquiry.
  • Hidden Agenda — Coccioli later says he believes Choucas was deliberately drawn into the case as a target.
• The Search Meets Resistance — The disappearance investigation takes place amid police inquiries and apparent efforts to hide the truth.
  • Growing Suspicion — Choucas finds himself caught between the family, police inquiries, and people who seem intent on concealing the truth.
  • Isabelle's Murder — Isabelle's death turns the search into a dangerous investigation.
• Violence Escalates — Further deaths and confrontations raise the danger surrounding Choucas.
  • Fanch Tanguy's Death — Choucas encounters a man connected to the case and learns that Fanch Tanguy has been killed.
  • Weapon Suspicion — Choucas suspects a .45-calibre pistol may have been used in Isabelle's murder.
• Wounded Investigator — Choucas is hurt but continues to pursue leads while uncertain whom to trust.
  • Injury Treated — A woman helps Choucas treat his wound.
  • Trust Uncertain — Despite receiving help, Choucas remains unsure whom he can trust.
• Institutional Leads — The inquiry expands through locations and people linked to the missing daughter and other deaths.
  • Baudrillard Foundation — The missing daughter had worked at the foundation for blind youth, which becomes a lead.
  • The Green Hill — Clues also take the investigation to a weight-loss clinic called The Green Hill.
• A Conspiracy Suspected — Accumulating clues lead Choucas to suspect that the case was arranged to make him a target.
  • Tracing Kasper — Kasper becomes one of the names Choucas tries to trace.
  • Choucas as Bait — Coccioli says he believes Choucas was used to attract danger while others stayed out of sight.
• Unresolved Challenge — The available account ends with a confrontation but does not provide the investigation's outcome.
  • Angry Confrontation — Choucas angrily challenges Coccioli after hearing his explanation.
  • Open Questions — The larger conspiracy, the daughter's fate, and the result of the investigation remain unresolved in the available account.

Directed by

Alain Delon

Key Cast

• Alain Delon — Choucas
• Anne Parillaud — Charlotte
• Daniel Ceccaldi — Coccioli
• Jean-Pierre Darras — Commissaire Chauffard
• Xavier Depraz — Kasper