Allegro non troppo (1976) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A self-conscious concert-and-animation production unravels as its pressured creative collaboration gives way to disorder, abandonment, and a new pitch.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Concert Made Under Pressure

The Presenter introduces a project combining classical music and animation, but a caller challenges its originality. The orchestra is rushed into the theater, and the Animator is secured for the project despite his reluctant treatment.

Key Events

• Presenter Introduces the Film — The Presenter introduces an ambitious project joining classical music and animation. Characters: Presenter Location: Theater
• California Call Interrupts — A caller claims that the idea has already been done, interrupting the introduction. Characters: Presenter Location: Theater
• Presenter Rejects the Claim — The Presenter angrily dismisses the caller's accusation and hurries the show along. Characters: Presenter Location: Theater
• Orchestra Rushed to Theater — The orchestra is hurried into place as the Orchestra Master tries to maintain order. Characters: Orchestra Master, Non-practicing Orchestra Member, Falling Orchestra Member, Dancing Orchestra Member, Non-practicing Orchestra Member Location: Theater
• Animator Recruited Reluctantly — The Orchestra Master secures the services of an Animator who has waited around for years. Characters: Orchestra Master, Animator Location: Theater

Music Meets Resistant Images

The Animator attempts to turn musical performances into images while the musicians watch and complain. Disputes over tempo and increasingly chaotic attempts to inspire him strain the production.

Key Events

• Freedom Promised, Control Imposed — The Presenter speaks of artistic respect, but the Animator is treated like a captive. Characters: Presenter, Animator Location: Theater
• Music Becomes Animation — The Animator is expected to turn each musical piece into images as the musicians watch. Characters: Animator, Orchestra Master, Non-practicing Orchestra Member Location: Theater
• Efforts Prompt Complaints — The Animator's results repeatedly provoke complaints from the watchers. Characters: Animator, Orchestra Master, Non-practicing Orchestra Member Location: Theater
• Slavic Dance Tempo Dispute — During Dvorak's Slavic Dance, the Orchestra Master insists on the proper tempo as disorder grows. Characters: Orchestra Master, Dancing Orchestra Member, Non-practicing Orchestra Member Location: Theater
• Bolero Confusion Escalates — Ravel's Bolero brings confusion, including an unexpected figure in a gorilla suit. Characters: Orchestra Master, Animator, Man in Gorilla Suit Location: Theater
• Orchestra Tries to Inspire Animator — The orchestra's attempts to inspire the Animator become increasingly chaotic. Characters: Animator, Orchestra Master, Falling Orchestra Member, Non-practicing Orchestra Member Location: Theater
• Valse Triste Frustrates the Group — The melancholy images for Sibelius' Valse Triste frustrate the Orchestra Master and others. Characters: Orchestra Master, Animator, Non-practicing Orchestra Member Location: Theater

A Desperate Creative Remedy

The Orchestra Master arranges an encounter intended to revive the Animator's creativity during a Vivaldi concerto. The plan becomes chaotic, and the Presenter tries to keep the program moving by announcing Firebird.

Key Events

• Plan to Revive Creativity — The Orchestra Master arranges for a woman to be brought to the Animator during a Vivaldi concerto. Characters: Orchestra Master, Animator Location: Theater
• Vivaldi Encounter Turns Chaotic — The attempt to revive the Animator's creativity turns into a chaotic encounter. Characters: Orchestra Master, Animator Location: Theater
• Presenter Announces Firebird — The Presenter tries to conceal the disruption while announcing Stravinsky's Firebird. Characters: Presenter Location: Theater

The Performance Collapses

A snake triggers panic and brings the performance to a complete breakdown. The orchestra abandons the Presenter, who is left to complain that the production has been destroyed.

Key Events

• Snake Causes Performance Panic — A snake causes panic and the performance breaks down completely. Characters: Presenter, Orchestra Master, Non-practicing Orchestra Member, Falling Orchestra Member Location: Theater
• Orchestra Abandons Presenter — The orchestra leaves the Presenter, who complains that everything has been destroyed. Characters: Presenter, Orchestra Master, Non-practicing Orchestra Member, Non-practicing Orchestra Member Location: Theater

An Unfinished Show and New Pitch

The Presenter tries to improvise a finale without music or orchestra, while the Animator draws the woman and leaves rather than complete the film. The Presenter sends the musicians away, declares the show over, and pitches a new animated story.

Key Events

• Presenter Attempts a Finale — Without orchestra or music, the Presenter tries to invent something for a finale. Characters: Presenter Location: Theater
• Animator Leaves with the Woman — The Animator draws the woman and leaves, refusing to finish the film. Characters: Animator Location: Theater
• Show Declared Over — Left behind, the Presenter calls for help, sends the musicians away, and admits the show is over. Characters: Presenter, Orchestra Master, Non-practicing Orchestra Member Location: Theater
• Sleeping Beauty Pitch — The Presenter proposes a new animated story about seven tiny men and a very tall woman. Characters: Presenter Location: Theater

Story Breakdown

• Ambitious Film Pitch — The Presenter launches a project joining classical music and animation, then faces an interruption questioning its originality.
  • Concert Animation — The Presenter introduces an ambitious union of music and animated images.
  • California Challenge — A caller claims the idea has already been done, and the Presenter angrily dismisses the claim.
• Theater Preparations — The orchestra is rushed to the theater, where the Orchestra Master tries to impose order and secure the Animator.
  • Rushed Orchestra — The musicians are hurried into place for the show.
  • Reluctant Animator — The Animator is secured for the production despite being treated like a captive.
• Music Becomes Images — The Animator works under the gaze of the musicians, whose complaints and interventions increase the pressure.
  • Watching Musicians — The orchestra watches and comments on the Animator's attempts.
  • Repeated Complaints — The results repeatedly provoke dissatisfaction from the group.
• Performances Grow Chaotic — Musical pieces bring disputes, unexpected disruptions, and mounting frustration with the Animator's images.
  • Slavic Dance Tempo — The Orchestra Master insists on the proper tempo as disorder grows.
  • Bolero Gorilla Figure — An unexpected gorilla-suited figure adds to the confusion during Bolero.
  • Valse Triste Frustration — The melancholy images frustrate the Orchestra Master and others.
• Failed Creative Remedy — The Orchestra Master tries to revive the Animator's creativity, but the intervention becomes another disruption.
  • Vivaldi Encounter — A woman is brought to the Animator during a Vivaldi concerto.
  • Firebird Announcement — The Presenter conceals the disruption and announces Stravinsky's Firebird.
• Performance Breakdown — A snake causes panic, ends the performance, and leaves the Presenter without the orchestra.
  • Snake Panic — The snake causes the performance to break down completely.
  • Orchestra Abandons Presenter — The orchestra leaves, and the Presenter complains that everything has been destroyed.
• Unfinished Finale — The Presenter attempts to continue without music, but the Animator refuses to complete the film and leaves.
  • Presenter Improvises — The Presenter tries to invent a finale without the orchestra or music.
  • Animator Departs — The Animator draws the woman and leaves rather than finishing the film.
• A New Story Pitch — The Presenter closes the failed show and turns immediately to proposing another animated story.
  • Show Is Over — The Presenter sends the musicians away and admits the show has ended.
  • Sleeping Beauty Proposal — The Presenter pitches a mine with seven tiny men and a very tall woman.

Directed by

Bruno Bozzetto

Key Cast

• Néstor Garay — Orchestra Master
• Maurizio Micheli — Presenter
• Maurizio Nichetti — Animator
• Mirella Falco — Non-practicing Orchestra Member
• Osvaldo Salvi — Man in Gorilla Suit