Easy Down There! (1971) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Simon must choose between his priestly vocation and renewed love for Rita after learning that she is alive and wants to return.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Return of the Past

A stranger tells Simon that Rita is alive and is now his wife. Simon learns that Rita staged her death and wants to leave her current marriage to return to him.

Key Events

• The Stranger Arrives — A stranger confronts Simon and reveals that he is Rita's husband. Characters: Simon Médieu, Mickey Location: Remote coastal parish
• Rita Is Alive — Simon learns that Rita, whom he believed drowned, is alive. Characters: Simon Médieu, Mickey Location: Remote coastal parish
• The Staged Death — Mickey explains that Rita staged her death to free Simon from their unhappy marriage. Characters: Simon Médieu, Mickey, Rita Location: Remote coastal parish
• A Photograph Rekindles Longing — Rita saw Simon's photograph in a newspaper and wanted to see him again. Characters: Simon Médieu, Mickey, Rita Location: Remote coastal parish
• Rita Wants to Return — Simon learns Rita wants to leave Mickey and return to him. Characters: Simon Médieu, Mickey, Rita Location: Remote coastal parish

Vocation Under Pressure

Simon confides in the Bishop, who reminds him of the Church's position on priests marrying. Simon's desire to see Rita and his confrontation with Mickey intensify the conflict.

Key Events

• Rita Wants to Return — Simon learns Rita wants to leave Mickey and return to him. Characters: Simon Médieu, Mickey, Rita Location: Remote coastal parish
• Simon Confides in the Bishop — Simon tells the Bishop that Rita is alive and wants him back. Characters: Simon Médieu, Bishop Location: Not specified
• The Church's Position — The Bishop reminds Simon that the Church does not permit priests to marry. Characters: Simon Médieu, Bishop Location: Not specified
• Mickey Identified — Simon tells the Bishop that Rita's husband is a criminal. Characters: Simon Médieu, Bishop Location: Not specified
• Simon Faces Mickey — Simon comes face to face with Mickey and insists on speaking to Rita. Characters: Simon Médieu, Mickey Location: Not specified
• Mickey Blocks Simon — Mickey tries to prevent Simon from reaching Rita. Characters: Simon Médieu, Mickey Location: Not specified
• The Fight Begins — Their confrontation turns into a fight after Simon invokes his training and Christian teachings. Characters: Simon Médieu, Mickey Location: Not specified
• The Bishop Warns Simon — The Bishop warns Simon against armed orders and violence in the Church. Characters: Simon Médieu, Bishop Location: Not specified

A Sermon Through Conflict

Simon continues his duties and preaches to the seafarers about the sea, corruption, faith, and mortality. His words and music expose his inner strain before Rita confronts him.

Key Events

• The Bishop Warns Simon — The Bishop warns Simon against armed orders and violence in the Church. Characters: Simon Médieu, Bishop Location: Not specified
• Simon Continues His Duties — Despite his turmoil, Simon continues his priestly duties. Characters: Simon Médieu Location: Coastal parish
• Sermon to the Seafarers — Simon preaches about the sea, corruption, faith, and mortality. Characters: Simon Médieu Location: Not specified
• Strain in His Words — Simon's words and music reveal the strain of his inner conflict. Characters: Simon Médieu Location: Not specified
• Rita Confronts Simon — Rita asks Simon to choose whether he will take her back. Characters: Simon Médieu, Rita Location: Not specified

Choosing Rita

Rita asks Simon to decide whether to take her back, and their affection resurfaces. Simon announces that he is leaving the priesthood, reunites with Rita, and agrees to meet the Bishop about formalities.

Key Events

• Rita Confronts Simon — Rita asks Simon to choose whether he will take her back. Characters: Simon Médieu, Rita Location: Not specified
• Old Affection Returns — Simon hesitates, but their old affection resurfaces. Characters: Simon Médieu, Rita Location: Not specified
• Simon Surrenders His Robe — Simon tells the Bishop he is leaving the priesthood and returning to Rita. Characters: Simon Médieu, Bishop Location: Not specified
• The Bishop Urges Caution — The Bishop cautions Simon not to rush as Simon and Rita declare their love. Characters: Simon Médieu, Bishop, Rita Location: Not specified
• Reunion and Formalities — Simon and Rita reunite, and Simon agrees to meet the Bishop in eight days. Characters: Simon Médieu, Bishop, Rita Location: Not specified
• The Moped Is Given Away — Before leaving, Simon gives his moped to a seminarian. Characters: Simon Médieu Location: Not specified
• Simon Follows the Bishop — Simon hurries after the Bishop, who has paperwork to prepare. Characters: Simon Médieu, Bishop Location: Not specified

Story Breakdown

• Rita's Return — A stranger brings Simon news that overturns what he believed about Rita.
  • Unexpected Husband — The stranger reveals that he is Rita's husband.
  • Staged Death — Simon learns Rita staged her death to free him from their unhappy marriage.
• A Renewed Longing — Rita's past actions and present desire make Simon confront his feelings.
  • Newspaper Photograph — Rita saw Simon's photograph and longed to see him again.
  • Wish to Return — Rita wants to leave Mickey and return to Simon.
• The Bishop's Counsel — Simon seeks guidance while considering the consequences of returning to Rita.
  • Private Confession — Simon tells the Bishop that Rita is alive and wants him back.
  • Church's Position — The Bishop reminds Simon of the Church's position on priests marrying.
• Mickey's Resistance — Mickey's efforts to keep Simon from Rita turn the situation physical.
  • Blocked Meeting — Mickey tries to prevent Simon from speaking to Rita.
  • Physical Fight — Their confrontation becomes a fight, prompting the Bishop's warning against violence.
• The Parish Sermon — Simon carries on with his religious duties while his personal conflict remains unresolved.
  • Seafarers Addressed — Simon preaches about the sea, corruption, faith, and mortality.
  • Inner Strain — His words and music reveal the pressure of his conflict.
• Rita's Ultimatum — Rita forces Simon to face the choice he has been avoiding.
  • A Direct Choice — Rita asks Simon to take her back or leave her to lose herself.
  • Affection Returns — Simon hesitates, but their old affection resurfaces.
• Leaving the Priesthood — Simon decides to return to Rita while the Bishop urges him not to rush.
  • Robe Surrendered — Simon tells the Bishop that he is giving up his priestly role.
  • Love Declared — Simon and Rita declare their love and reunite.
• Practical Departure — Simon and the Bishop arrange the next steps as Simon prepares to leave.
  • Eight-Day Meeting — Simon agrees to meet the Bishop at the diocese in eight days.
  • Moped and Paperwork — Simon gives his moped to a seminarian and hurries after the Bishop, who has paperwork to prepare.

Directed by

Jacques Deray

Key Cast

• Alain Delon — Simon Médieu
• Paul Meurisse — Bishop
• Nathalie Delon — Rita
• Julien Guiomar — Francisco
• Paul Préboist — Old choirboy