The Common Man (1975) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A tragic exploration of how ordinary citizens' conformity, prejudice, and silence enable systemic cover-ups and violence.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Arrival and Social Facades

The Lajoie family arrives at the Provençal campsite, establishing the setting and introducing regional prejudices among the vacationers. Léo Tartaffione organizes summer games, drawing the community together under a veneer of camaraderie.

Key Events

• Campsite Arrival — The Lajoie family arrives at the Provençal campsite for summer vacation. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Léo Tartaffione, Madame Colin Location: Camping Beau-soleil
• Neighbor Introductions — Lajoie and the Colins exchange pleasantries, revealing regional prejudices. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Campsite
• Summer Games Announcement — Tartaffione bombastically organizes the Inter-camping games, drawing all campers. Characters: Léo Tartaffione Location: Campsite
• Beach Flirtation — Lajoie's lecherous gaze at Brigitte causes tension among the group. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Beach
• Dance Scuffle — Lajoie attacks an Algerian worker near Brigitte, drawing police attention. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Dance Hall

The Crime and Initial Investigation

Georges Lajoie's inappropriate behavior escalates into a fatal assault on Brigitte. The discovery of the body triggers a police investigation, while campers grow increasingly agitated by the lack of immediate arrests.

Key Events

• Dance Scuffle — Lajoie attacks an Algerian worker near Brigitte, drawing police attention. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Dance Hall
• Naked Encounter — Lajoie encounters Brigitte alone, leading to an awkward conversation. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Quiet Corner
• The Assault — Lajoie sexually assaults Brigitte, accidentally causing her death by whiplash. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Quiet Corner
• Body Discovery — Lajoie moves the body to the workers' shack, setting up the false trail. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Algerian Barracks
• Police Investigation Begins — Inspector Boulard arrives, questioning campers and examining the scene. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Campsite
• Alibi Confirmation — Loulou provides an alibi for the Algerians, frustrating the campers. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Campsite

Vigilante Violence and Political Pressure

A mob of campers raids the Algerian workers' barracks, resulting in injury and death. Inspector Boulard faces mounting pressure from local officials and a senior civil servant to drop the case and protect tourism.

Key Events

• Alibi Confirmation — Loulou provides an alibi for the Algerians, frustrating the campers. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Campsite
• Vigilante Formation — Angry campers, including Lajoie and Colin, form a commando group. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Campsite
• Barracks Raid — The mob attacks the workers, resulting in serious injury and death. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Algerian Barracks
• Hospital Statement — Boulard takes a statement from the injured Algerian worker. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Hospital
• Morgue Confrontation — Officials warn Boulard about losing tourism, pressuring him to stop. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Morgue
• Political Interference — A senior civil servant offers Boulard a promotion to drop the case. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: School

Cover-up and Violent Reckoning

The investigation concludes with a fabricated narrative that exonerates the campers. Lajoie returns to Paris and lies about the events, only to be confronted and shot by the brother of a victim.

Key Events

• Political Interference — A senior civil servant offers Boulard a promotion to drop the case. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: School
• Witness Refusal — Boulard asks Lajoie and others to testify, but they refuse to inform. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Campsite
• School Interrogation — Boulard confronts the suspects; Colin falsely denounces himself. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: School
• Official Cover-up — The campers are exonerated; the murder is blamed on the dead Algerian. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: School
• Camp Departure — The Colins leave early, estranged from friends; Lajoie is banned by Loulou. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Campsite
• Brasserie Lies — Lajoie fabricates a story about punishing the Algerians to his regulars. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Brasserie
• Brother's Revenge — The victim's brother confronts Lajoie, shooting him twice. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Brasserie
• Narrative Closure — The film ends with the violent consequence of unacknowledged guilt. Characters: Georges Lajoie, Madame Colin Location: Brasserie

Story Breakdown

• Campsite Arrival — Introduction to the setting and social dynamics of the vacationers.
  • Family Vacation — Lajoie family settles into the campsite routine.
  • Regional Prejudices — Northern campers express stereotypes about Southerners.
• Social Dynamics — Community interactions and organized events at the camp.
  • Summer Games — Tartaffione leads the Inter-camping competitions.
  • Flirtation and Tension — Lajoie's inappropriate behavior creates underlying friction.
• The Crime — The fatal assault and its immediate aftermath.
  • Beach Assault — Lajoie's violent encounter with Brigitte.
  • Accidental Death — The whiplash incident and body relocation.
• Investigation — Police inquiry and external pressures on the case.
  • Police Inquiry — Boulard examines the scene and questions witnesses.
  • Political Interference — Officials threaten Boulard's career to suppress the truth.
• Vigilante Justice — Campers take matters into their own hands.
  • Mob Formation — Angry vacationers organize a nighttime raid.
  • Barracks Raid — Violent attack on the Algerian workers.
• Cover-up — The official narrative is fabricated to protect the community.
  • False Confession — Colin denounces himself to save face.
  • Official Exoneration — Campers are cleared; blame shifts to the dead.
• Reckoning — Consequences of lies and collective silence.
  • Brasserie Lies — Lajoie fabricates a heroic story to regulars.
  • Final Shooting — The victim's brother executes Lajoie for his crimes.
• Thematic Resolution — Reflection on complicity and moral collapse.
  • Collective Complicity — The community's silence enables the tragedy.
  • Moral Collapse — Lajoie's lies unravel, revealing the cost of conformity.

Directed by

Yves Boisset

Key Cast

• Jean Carmet — Georges Lajoie
• Pascale Roberts — Madame Colin
• Jean-Pierre Marielle — Léo Tartaffione
• Mohamed Zinet — Le frère de Saïd
• Jacques Villeret — Gérald