The Consequence (1977) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A forbidden love struggles against imprisonment, family rejection, institutional violence, exploitation, and lasting psychological damage.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Love Behind Prison Walls

Martin is serving a prison sentence when he develops a friendship with Thomas. Their bond becomes romantic, and they begin hoping for Martin's release despite intense indignation around them.

Key Events

• Martin Serves Prison Sentence — Martin is serving a prison sentence when the story begins. Characters: Martin Kurath Location: Prison
• Thomas Visits The Prison World — Thomas, the prison guard's son, comes into Martin's life. Characters: Martin Kurath, Thomas Manzoni Location: Prison
• A Friendship Develops — Martin and Thomas develop a friendship during Martin's imprisonment. Characters: Martin Kurath, Thomas Manzoni Location: Prison
• Love Emerges — Their friendship becomes romantic as they fall in love. Characters: Martin Kurath, Thomas Manzoni Location: Prison
• Hope For Release — The two yearn for Martin's release and a life together. Characters: Martin Kurath, Thomas Manzoni Location: Prison
• Surrounding Indignation — Their relationship provokes intense indignation in their surroundings. Characters: Martin Kurath, Thomas Manzoni Location: Prison surroundings

A Brief Shared Freedom

Martin is released after a year, while Thomas tells his parents that he is homosexual and is disowned by his father. Martin and Thomas move in together, and Thomas enrolls in school.

Key Events

• Martin Leaves Prison — Martin is released one year later, creating hope for their shared future. Characters: Martin Kurath, Thomas Manzoni Location: Prison
• Thomas Announces His Sexuality — Thomas tells his parents that he is homosexual. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Family home
• Thomas Is Disowned — Thomas is disowned by his father after revealing his sexuality. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Family home
• The Couple Moves Together — Martin and Thomas move in together after Thomas is rejected by his father. Characters: Martin Kurath, Thomas Manzoni Location: Shared home
• Thomas Enrolls In School — Thomas enrolls in school while living with Martin. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: School

The Reformatory Trap

Thomas's father has him arrested and committed to a brutal reformatory. Martin responds by obtaining a fake passport and adopting the appearance of a psychology doctoral candidate.

Key Events

• Thomas Is Arrested — Thomas's father has him arrested despite his new life with Martin. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: School and surrounding area
• Commitment To Reformatory — Thomas is committed to a brutal reformatory. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Reformatory
• Fake Passport Obtained — Martin obtains a fake passport to facilitate Thomas's escape. Characters: Martin Kurath Location: Unspecified

Exile And Betrayal

Martin helps Thomas escape to Germany, but Thomas is pressured to become a lover in exchange for a residency permit. After refusing sex, Thomas is expelled and prostitutes himself.

Key Events

• Martin Assumes Academic Identity — Martin poses as a psychology doctoral candidate while planning the escape. Characters: Martin Kurath Location: Unspecified
• Escape To Germany — Martin helps Thomas escape from the reformatory and flee with him to Germany. Characters: Martin Kurath, Thomas Manzoni Location: Germany
• Residency Permit Demanded — Thomas faces pressure to become a lover to obtain German residency. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Germany
• Thomas Is Betrayed — A German homosexual acquaintance betrays Thomas by demanding sex for residency assistance. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Germany
• Thomas Is Forced Out — Thomas refuses to sleep with the betrayer, is expelled, and becomes a prostitute. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Germany

A Damaged Return

Thomas voluntarily returns to the reformatory and is released when he comes of age. After a reunion with Martin, he attempts suicide, is hospitalized, escapes, and becomes the subject of a public search.

Key Events

• Return To Reformatory — Broken by his experiences, Thomas voluntarily returns to the reformatory. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Reformatory
• Release At Adulthood — Thomas is released when he comes of age, but he is psychologically damaged. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Reformatory
• Painful Reunion — Thomas reunites with Martin despite the psychological damage caused by his experiences. Characters: Martin Kurath, Thomas Manzoni Location: Unspecified
• Suicide Attempt — After reuniting with Martin, Thomas attempts suicide. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Unspecified
• Psychiatric Commitment — Thomas is committed to a psychiatric hospital after the suicide attempt. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Psychiatric hospital
• Escape From Hospital — Thomas escapes from the psychiatric hospital while depressed and confused. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Psychiatric hospital
• Television Search Announcement — A television announcement says police are looking for Thomas and urges gentle treatment. Characters: Thomas Manzoni Location: Television broadcast

Story Breakdown

• Prison Friendship — Martin and Thomas meet through the prison environment, forming a bond that develops into love.
  • First Connection — Thomas enters Martin's life while Martin is serving a prison sentence.
  • Forbidden Love — Their friendship becomes romantic and provokes indignation around them.
• Release And Rejection — Martin's release allows the couple to pursue a shared life, but Thomas's family rejects him.
  • Martin Released — Martin leaves prison after one year.
  • Thomas Disowned — Thomas reveals his homosexuality and is disowned by his father.
• Domestic Independence — Martin and Thomas create a household while Thomas attempts to continue his education.
  • Shared Home — The couple moves in together after Martin's release.
  • School Enrollment — Thomas enrolls in school during their brief period of independence.
• Institutional Capture — Thomas is arrested and placed in a brutal reformatory, ending the couple's domestic life.
  • Arrest Ordered — Thomas's father has him arrested.
  • Reformatory Commitment — Thomas is committed to a brutal reformatory.
• German Escape — Martin creates a false identity and takes Thomas out of the reformatory to Germany.
  • False Passport — Martin obtains a fake passport and poses as a psychology doctoral candidate.
  • Flight To Germany — Martin helps Thomas escape with him to Germany.
• Exile And Exploitation — Thomas encounters conditional residency, betrayal, expulsion, and prostitution after reaching Germany.
  • Residency Pressure — Thomas is expected to become a lover to obtain a German residency permit.
  • Betrayal And Expulsion — Thomas refuses sex, is kicked out, and prostitutes himself.
• Psychological Collapse — Thomas returns to the reformatory, reunites with Martin, and suffers a severe psychological breakdown.
  • Voluntary Return — Broken by his experiences, Thomas returns to the reformatory.
  • Suicide Attempt — After release and reunion with Martin, Thomas attempts suicide.
• Final Disappearance — Thomas escapes psychiatric care, leaving the story unresolved through a public police announcement.
  • Hospital Escape — Thomas escapes from the psychiatric hospital.
  • Television Warning — The public is asked to treat Thomas gently because he is depressed and confused.

Directed by

Wolfgang Petersen

Key Cast

• Jürgen Prochnow — Martin Kurath
• Ernst Hannawald — Thomas Manzoni
• Werner Schwuchow — Erzieher Diethelm
• Hans-Michael Rehberg — Anstaltsleiter Rusterholz
• Hans Putz, jr. — Enrico