Rollover (1981) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A financial investigation grows into a worldwide monetary collapse, leaving two survivors to imagine a new beginning.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Murder Behind The Balance Sheet

Lee Winters investigates her husband's murder while seeking financing for a Spanish processing plant. Hubbell Smith assumes control of Borough National Bank and discovers that it is nearly insolvent.

Key Events

• Charlie Winters Is Murdered — Lee is left investigating her husband's murder and the secret account he discovered. Characters: Lee Winters Location: Winterchem
• Plant Financing Need — Lee seeks financing to purchase a processing plant in Spain. Characters: Lee Winters Location: Winterchem
• Smith Takes Bank Presidency — Emery asks Smith to become president and examine Borough National's condition. Characters: Hubbell Smith, Maxwell Emery Location: Borough National Bank
• Bank Insolvency Revealed — Smith discovers that the bank cannot pay its next dividend. Characters: Hubbell Smith Location: Borough National Bank
• Winterchem Loan Blocked — Borough National cannot directly lend Winterchem the required amount. Characters: Lee Winters, Hubbell Smith Location: Borough National Bank

The Bank's Desperate Gamble

Smith tries to save the bank by brokering a massive Winterchem financing deal. The bank's survival also depends on the rollover of major oil-money deposits, with part of the money diverted to Account Number 21214.

Key Events

• Brokerage Plan Proposed — Smith proposes brokering outside financing for a one-percent fee. Characters: Lee Winters, Hubbell Smith Location: Borough National Bank
• Arab Deposits Await Renewal — The bank waits anxiously for major deposits to roll over. Characters: Hubbell Smith, Maxwell Emery Location: Borough National Bank
• Partial Rollover Arrives — The deposits roll over, but some funds are diverted to Account Number 21214. Characters: Hubbell Smith Location: Borough National Bank
• Financing Deal Negotiated — Smith and Lee pursue outside financing for the Spanish plant. Characters: Lee Winters, Hubbell Smith Location: Financial offices

Gold Beneath The Dollar

Smith discovers that Account Number 21214 is a slush fund used to move money into gold against a possible collapse of the dollar. Lee learns that the outside investors are connected to the secret and begins to distrust Smith.

Key Events

• Stock Taken As Security — Outside investors take control of Lee's stock as transaction security. Characters: Lee Winters, Hubbell Smith Location: Financial offices
• Romance Deepens — Lee and Smith become romantically involved while managing the financial crisis. Characters: Lee Winters, Hubbell Smith Location: Private meeting place
• Slush Fund Exposed — Smith discovers that Emery is moving funds into gold through the secret account. Characters: Hubbell Smith, Maxwell Emery Location: Borough National Bank
• Currency Collapse Fear — The hidden gold strategy is intended as protection against a possible dollar collapse. Characters: Hubbell Smith, Maxwell Emery Location: Emery's office
• Lee Learns The Secret — Lee learns that outside investors are behind the secret account and demands her stock back. Characters: Lee Winters, Hubbell Smith Location: Borough National Bank

Panic Takes The World

A failed attempt to kill Lee triggers the withdrawal of hidden funds from banks around the world. Currency becomes worthless, riots spread, and the economic system collapses.

Key Events

• Overheard Conversation Misread — Lee overhears Smith speaking with Emery and mistakenly believes Smith betrayed her. Characters: Lee Winters, Hubbell Smith, Maxwell Emery Location: Borough National Bank
• Kidnapping Attempt Fails — A fake driver attempts to kidnap and kill Lee, but the attempt fails. Characters: Lee Winters Location: Limo
• Funds Pulled Worldwide — The failed attack triggers a panic and the withdrawal of funds from banks worldwide. Characters: Hubbell Smith, Lee Winters Location: International financial system
• Global Riots Begin — People discover that their money is worthless, leading to panic and rioting. Characters: Hubbell Smith, Lee Winters Location: Cities worldwide
• Emery Found Dead — Emery is found dead in his office in an apparent suicide. Characters: Maxwell Emery Location: Emery's office

After The Trading Floor

Emery is found dead, while Borough National's trading floor becomes empty and inactive. Smith looks for a way to start again, and Lee offers to become his partner.

Key Events

• Emery Found Dead — Emery is found dead in his office in an apparent suicide. Characters: Maxwell Emery Location: Emery's office
• Bank Trading Floor Empty — Workers stand idle as the trading floor becomes dark and completely inactive. Characters: Hubbell Smith Location: Borough National trading floor
• A New Partnership Offered — Smith seeks a new beginning, and Lee offers to become his partner. Characters: Lee Winters, Hubbell Smith Location: Borough National trading floor

Story Breakdown

• Murdered Chairman — Lee's personal investigation begins with her husband's murder and his discovery of a secret account.
  • Charlie's Death — Lee is left as the widow of Winterchem's murdered chairman.
  • Hidden Account — Account Number 21214 becomes the unexplained clue behind the murder.
• Banking Crisis — Smith takes over Borough National and finds an institution close to immediate failure.
  • Smith Takes Control — Emery appoints Smith to investigate and lead Borough National.
  • Dividend Threat — The bank cannot pay its next dividend and faces intervention.
• Plant Financing — Lee and Smith attempt to arrange the huge financing required for the Spanish processing plant.
  • Loan Limits — Federal lending limits prevent Borough National from lending directly.
  • Stock Security — Outside investors take control of Lee's stock as security for financing.
• Secret Gold Fund — The investigation reveals that the secret account protects diverted funds through gold.
  • Deposit Diversion — Part of the renewed deposits is diverted to Account Number 21214.
  • Dollar Collapse Fear — The hidden gold is intended to guard against a collapse of American currency.
• Broken Trust — Lee learns more about the account but misreads Smith's conversation with Emery as betrayal.
  • Lee Demands Stock — Lee wants her stock returned in exchange for keeping silent.
  • Overheard Conversation — An incomplete conversation causes Lee to suspect Smith of double-crossing her.
• Worldwide Collapse — An attempted assassination fails, triggering withdrawals, panic, riots, and the paralysis of global finance.
  • Failed Kidnapping — A fake limo driver attempts to abduct and kill Lee.
  • Currency Becomes Worthless — Mass withdrawals cause money to lose its value and society to erupt.
• Aftermath And Renewal — The old financial order ends, while Smith and Lee consider rebuilding together.
  • Emery's Apparent Suicide — Emery is found dead in his office after the economic crisis begins.
  • A New Partnership — Lee offers to become Smith's partner as he searches for a new beginning.

Directed by

Alan J. Pakula

Key Cast

• Jane Fonda — Lee Winters
• Kris Kristofferson — Hubbell Smith
• Hume Cronyn — Maxwell Emery
• Josef Sommer — Roy Lefcourt
• Bob Gunton — Sal Naftari