Cry, Onion! (1975) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A land grab for oil pits Onion and Jack against a powerful group whose coercion and corrupt justice leave them facing execution.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Last Farm Under Threat

Lamb's oil interests tighten control over the area, leaving Dutch Foster's farm outside the company's grasp. Foster refuses to leave, and Lamb's men arrange an accident to remove the obstacle.

Key Events

• Oil Company Tightens Control — The oil company's men tighten their grip on the region. Characters: Petrus Lamb Location: The area
• Foster's Farm Remains Outside Control — Foster's farm is the last land outside Lamb's control. Characters: Dutch Foster, Petrus Lamb Location: Dutch Foster's farm
• Foster Refuses to Leave — Foster's refusal blocks the company's land plans. Characters: Dutch Foster Location: Dutch Foster's farm
• An Arranged Accident — Lamb's men arrange an accident to remove Foster as an obstacle. Characters: Dutch Foster, Petrus Lamb Location: Dutch Foster's farm
• Lamb Explains the Oil Reserve — Lamb says the region's oil reserve makes land control powerful. Characters: Petrus Lamb Location: A meeting
• Paradise City Purchase Stalled — Lamb dismisses concern that Foster's refusal stalled the Paradise City purchase. Characters: Petrus Lamb Location: A meeting

A Town Silenced

Onion returns to a struggling town and meets Jack, who describes censorship and the damage caused by oil development. Onion claims land of his own and resists pressure to give it up.

Key Events

• Paradise City Purchase Stalled — Lamb dismisses concern that Foster's refusal stalled the Paradise City purchase. Characters: Petrus Lamb Location: A meeting
• Onion Returns to Town — Onion Stark returns to the town amid the effects of oil development. Characters: Onion Stark Location: The struggling town
• Jack Describes Censorship — Jack says censorship has reduced the paper to obituaries and funeral advertisements. Characters: Onion Stark, Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer Location: Jack's newspaper office
• A Community Ruined — Jack recounts how farmers were driven away and residents died suspiciously. Characters: Onion Stark, Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer Location: The struggling town
• Onion Claims His Land — Onion settles on land of his own and refuses to surrender it. Characters: Onion Stark Location: Onion's land
• Intimidation Meets Resistance — The Sheriff's allies intimidate Onion, whose toughness encourages townspeople. Characters: Onion Stark, Sheriff, Buck, Lamb Henchman Location: Onion's land

The Search for Proof

The community urges Onion to help, while Jack proposes gathering evidence for the newspaper and the governor. Their search is overturned when Stinky is killed and Onion's weapon is presented as evidence against them.

Key Events

• Intimidation Meets Resistance — The Sheriff's allies intimidate Onion, whose toughness encourages townspeople. Characters: Onion Stark, Sheriff, Buck, Lamb Henchman Location: Onion's land
• Mary Ann Urges Action — Mary Ann and others urge Onion to help the community. Characters: Onion Stark Location: The town
• Jack Calls for Evidence — Jack argues that evidence can expose crimes and alert the governor. Characters: Onion Stark, Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer Location: The town
• The Search for Proof — Onion and Jack begin searching for proof of the group's crimes. Characters: Onion Stark, Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer Location: The area
• Stinky Is Killed — Stinky is killed; the plot does not identify the killer. Location: The area
• Onion's Weapon Is Presented — Onion's weapon is used as supposed evidence against him and Jack. Characters: Onion Stark, Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer, Sheriff Location: The area

A Trial Without Justice

The Sheriff arrests Onion and Jack, and the trial silences their defense. The jury finds them guilty and the judge sentences them to hang, leaving their fate unresolved as dawn approaches.

Key Events

• Onion's Weapon Is Presented — Onion's weapon is used as supposed evidence against him and Jack. Characters: Onion Stark, Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer, Sheriff Location: The area
• Onion and Jack Arrested — The Sheriff arrests both men for the alleged murder of Stinky. Characters: Onion Stark, Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer, Sheriff Location: The town
• The Defense Is Silenced — During the sham trial, the court silences the defense. Characters: Onion Stark, Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer Location: The court
• Guilty Verdict Declared — The jury declares both men guilty before fair deliberation. Characters: Onion Stark, Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer Location: The court
• Sentence of Hanging — The judge sentences Onion and Jack to hang. Characters: Onion Stark, Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer Location: The court
• Prisoners Await Dawn — The prisoners face execution as dawn approaches; their fate is not revealed. Characters: Onion Stark, Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer Location: Custody

Story Breakdown

• Oil Land Grab — Lamb's company seeks control of the region's oil-rich land.
  • Foster's Holdout — Dutch Foster's farm remains outside Lamb's control, and Foster refuses to leave.
  • Arranged Accident — Lamb's men arrange an accident to remove Foster as an obstacle.
• Lamb's Ambition — Lamb explains why control of the oil reserve and the land matters to the company.
  • Oil Reserve — Lamb says the region contains an enormous oil reserve.
  • Stalled Purchase — Lamb dismisses concerns about the Paradise City purchase being stalled.
• Onion Returns — Onion comes back to a town struggling under oil development and censorship.
  • Censored Newspaper — Jack says the press can print little beyond obituaries and funeral advertisements.
  • Ruined Community — Jack describes farmers driven away and residents dying in suspicious circumstances.
• Resistance Takes Root — Onion's refusal to surrender his land gives the townspeople hope.
  • Onion Holds Land — Onion settles on land of his own and resists pressure to give it up.
  • Intimidation Fails — The Sheriff's allies intimidate Onion, but his toughness encourages the townspeople.
• Evidence Campaign — Onion and Jack try to document crimes so the newspaper can expose them.
  • Community Appeal — Mary Ann and others urge Onion to help the community.
  • Proof for Publication — Jack argues that evidence can expose the crimes and alert the governor.
• Frame and Arrest — The search for evidence gives way to an accusation that turns the case against Onion and Jack.
  • Stinky Is Killed — Stinky is killed, though the provided plot does not identify the killer.
  • Weapon as Evidence — Onion's weapon is presented as evidence, and the Sheriff arrests Onion and Jack.
• Sham Trial — The court process silences the defense and condemns the two men.
  • Defense Silenced — The court silences the defense and accepts the prosecution's account.
  • Guilty Verdict — The jury declares Onion and Jack guilty before fair deliberation.
• Execution Unresolved — The judge's sentence leaves Onion and Jack facing a hanging as dawn nears.
  • Hanging Sentence — The judge sentences both prisoners to hang.
  • Awaiting Dawn — The available plot ends with the prisoners in custody and their escape or rescue unknown.

Directed by

Enzo G. Castellari

Key Cast

• Franco Nero — Onion Stark
• Sterling Hayden — Henry 'Jack' Pullitzer
• Martin Balsam — Petrus Lamb
• Leo Anchóriz — Sheriff
• Romano Puppo — 'Nerone' Foster