Face to Face (1967) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A retired professor's association with an outlaw gang transforms him into a violent leader, while his former companion seeks a way out of bloodshed.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

From Professor to Outlaw

Tuberculosis sends Fletcher from Boston to Texas, where an encounter with the captured Bennet turns him into a fugitive companion. At the hideout, Fletcher learns to shoot and enters Bennet's criminal world.

Key Events

• Fletcher Leaves Boston — Tuberculosis prompts Fletcher to retire from his history professorship and travel to Texas. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher Location: Boston
• Bennet Takes Fletcher Hostage — Fletcher offers Bennet water, but Bennet takes him hostage during his escape. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet Location: Texas hotel
• Escape Through the Desert — Fletcher and Bennet escape by stagecoach and become lost in the desert. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet Location: Texas desert
• Fletcher Learns to Shoot — At Bennet's hideout, Fletcher learns from him how to fire a revolver. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet Location: Forest hideout
• Siringo Urges Reform — Siringo persuades Bennet to reform his gang, and Bennet urges Fletcher to return to Boston. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Charley Siringo Location: Texas

The Raiders Take Shape

Bennet's work for Williams brings Fletcher back into his orbit, and Fletcher chooses the outlaw life over his planned return to Boston. The group recruits Maximillian and settles at Puerto del Fuego, where Fletcher begins an affair with Maria.

Key Events

• Siringo Urges Reform — Siringo persuades Bennet to reform his gang, and Bennet urges Fletcher to return to Boston. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Charley Siringo Location: Texas
• Bennet Takes Williams's Job — Williams hires Bennet to eliminate Sam Taylor's gang in exchange for Aaron's release. Characters: Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Williams, Aaron Chase Location: Purgatory City
• Gunfight in Purgatory City — Fletcher saves Bennet by killing one of the gunmen in the ensuing shootout. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet Location: Purgatory City
• Fletcher Joins the Raiders — Fletcher chooses to follow Bennet and Aaron; Vance and Jason join them on the ride. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Aaron Chase, Vance, Jason Location: Texas
• Maximillian Joins the Gang — Bennet and Fletcher visit the plantation and recruit Maximillian into the Raiders. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Maximilian de Winton Location: de Winton Plantation
• Siringo Kills a Sheriff — Siringo demonstrates apparent loyalty by killing a sheriff attempting to capture Bennet and the gang. Characters: Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Charley Siringo, Sheriff at de Winton Estate Location: de Winton Estate
• Raiders Reach Puerto del Fuego — The Raiders establish themselves at an anarchist community of outsiders and desperados. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Charley Siringo, Maria, Vance, Aaron Chase, Jason Location: Puerto del Fuego
• Fletcher Begins an Affair — While Bennet and other Raiders leave for a train robbery, Fletcher and Maria begin an affair. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Maria Location: Puerto del Fuego

Betrayal and Ruin

Fletcher kills Vance after a confrontation and persuades Bennet to attempt a disguised bank robbery. A boy recognizes Bennet, Siringo's undercover identity is exposed, and several Raiders are killed; Maria dies from her wounds.

Key Events

• Fletcher Begins an Affair — While Bennet and other Raiders leave for a train robbery, Fletcher and Maria begin an affair. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Maria Location: Puerto del Fuego
• Vance Confronts Fletcher — Vance confronts Fletcher and Maria; Fletcher kills Vance in self-defense. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Maria, Vance Location: Puerto del Fuego
• Fletcher Proposes a Bank Robbery — Fletcher proposes robbing Willow Creek Bank in disguise to reduce the chance of gunplay. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Maria Location: Puerto del Fuego
• Bennet Accepts the Plan — After testing Fletcher's ruthlessness with a mock duel, Bennet agrees to the robbery. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet Location: Puerto del Fuego
• The Bank Robbery Unravels — The robbery runs smoothly until a peasant boy recognizes Bennet and exposes his identity. Characters: Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Charley Siringo Location: Willow Creek Bank
• Siringo Reveals His Identity — Siringo exposes himself as an undercover Pinkerton agent and aids authorities in killing Raiders. Characters: Charley Siringo, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Jason, Maximilian de Winton, Aaron Chase Location: Willow Creek
• Maria Dies from Her Wounds — Fletcher and Maria return with the stolen money, but Maria dies from wounds sustained in battle. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Maria Location: Puerto del Fuego

The Flight Through the Desert

Grief and anger drive Fletcher to impose a violent regime at Puerto del Fuego. A vigilante posse threatens the remaining people, and Bennet reaches the community after escaping prison as Fletcher leads refugees into the desert.

Key Events

• Fletcher Seizes Control — Mad with grief and anger, Fletcher takes leadership and turns Puerto del Fuego into a regime of fear and violence. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher Location: Puerto del Fuego
• Zachary Leads the Posse — A vigilante posse forms against the Raiders; Zachary agrees to lead it when Bennet and Siringo refuse. Characters: Zachary Shawn, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Charley Siringo Location: Silvertown
• Bennet Escapes Prison — Bennet escapes his cell and rides to Puerto del Fuego, where he finds innocent people massacred. Characters: Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet Location: Silvertown prison
• Refugees Cross the Desert — Fletcher leads refugees across the desert; a wagon breaks down, and the group is later attacked. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet Location: Desert near Puerto del Fuego
• The Posse Attacks the Refugees — Zachary's vigilantes wipe out a separated group and prepare to attack the remaining refugees. Characters: Zachary Shawn, Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet Location: Desert

A Death and a False Execution

Siringo intervenes against Zachary's posse, and Fletcher's final confrontation with him ends when Bennet shoots Fletcher. Siringo fakes Bennet's death, allowing Bennet to ride away with the refugees.

Key Events

• The Posse Attacks the Refugees — Zachary's vigilantes wipe out a separated group and prepare to attack the remaining refugees. Characters: Zachary Shawn, Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet Location: Desert
• Siringo Stops the Posse — Siringo kills Zachary and another vigilante to prevent further bloodshed, then confronts Bennet and Fletcher. Characters: Charley Siringo, Zachary Shawn, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Professor Brett Fletcher Location: Desert
• Bennet Shoots Fletcher — When Fletcher prepares to kill Siringo, Bennet shoots Fletcher, who dies regretting his plans for the Raiders. Characters: Professor Brett Fletcher, Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Charley Siringo Location: Desert
• Siringo Fakes Bennet's Death — Siringo shoots a corpse to fake Bennet's death, allowing Bennet to ride away with the refugees. Characters: Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet, Charley Siringo Location: Desert

Story Breakdown

• Fletcher's Exile — Illness takes Fletcher from Boston to Texas, where a chance encounter pulls him into Bennet's escape.
  • Retirement in Texas — Fletcher leaves his university position because of tuberculosis.
  • Hostage Escape — Bennet takes Fletcher hostage and escapes with him by stagecoach.
• Learning the Outlaw Life — Fletcher survives the desert journey and begins acquiring the skills and associations of an outlaw.
  • Forest Hideout — Bennet recovers at a forest hideout while Fletcher learns to fire a revolver.
  • Purgatory Gunfight — Fletcher saves Bennet by killing a gunman during the fight in Purgatory City.
• The Raiders Assemble — Bennet's gang grows as Fletcher chooses to follow him and recruits join the group.
  • Recruiting Maximillian — Bennet and Fletcher visit the de Winton Plantation to recruit Maximillian.
  • Puerto del Fuego — The Raiders establish themselves in a community of outsiders and desperados.
• Fletcher's Personal Rupture — Fletcher's affair with Maria provokes a violent confrontation and deepens his involvement in the gang.
  • The Affair Begins — Fletcher and Maria begin an affair while other Raiders are away.
  • Vance Is Killed — Fletcher kills Vance in self-defense after Vance confronts the couple.
• Robbery and Exposure — Fletcher's plan initially avoids gunplay, but recognition and Siringo's revelation destroy the Raiders' security.
  • Willow Creek Plan — Fletcher proposes disguising the Raiders as ordinary citizens for a bank robbery.
  • Siringo's Betrayal — Siringo reveals he is an undercover Pinkerton agent and helps authorities kill Raiders.
• Maria's Death and Tyranny — Maria's death turns Fletcher's grief into a violent bid for control of Puerto del Fuego.
  • Maria Dies — Maria dies from wounds sustained in battle after returning with Fletcher.
  • Fletcher Takes Power — Fletcher turns Puerto del Fuego into a regime sustained by money, violence, and fear.
• The Refugees' Flight — A vigilante threat drives the survivors into the desert, where the group is attacked.
  • Zachary Leads Posse — The former Raider agrees to lead a vigilante force against Bennet's gang.
  • Desert Attack — The posse kills a separated group of refugees and prepares to attack the others.
• Bennet's New Beginning — The final confrontation ends Fletcher's rule and gives Bennet a concealed route to redemption.
  • Fletcher's Death — Bennet shoots Fletcher as Fletcher prepares to kill Siringo.
  • Fake Execution — Siringo stages Bennet's death, allowing him to ride away with the refugees.

Directed by

Sergio Sollima

Key Cast

• Gian Maria Volonté — Professor Brett Fletcher
• Tomas Milian — Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet
• William Berger — Charley Siringo
• Jolanda Modio — Maria
• Gianni Rizzo — Williams