Character Relationship Map: Action Man

Characters

• Denis Ferrand (played by Jean Gabin) — protagonist

  A retired gangster in his sixties who owns the Domino bar and La Chaumière inn. He meticulously plans a robbery of a security convoy after observing the bank across the street, and recruits his old fr...

• Betty (played by Margaret Lee) — supporting

  Betty works with Denis in their business, handling practical concerns such as bookkeeping, bills, and a delayed beer delivery. She is part of Denis's everyday working life, though the account does not...

• Maurice Labrousse (played by Walter Giller) — supporting

  Maurice is one of Denis's accomplices in the plan targeting the payroll transported for American soldiers. He discusses the timing and collection procedures with Denis and Mr. Charles Goulette, helpin...

• Luigi Savani (played by Mino Doro) — supporting

  Luigi learns about the previous night's haul and uses that knowledge to threaten Denis. He demands all the money Denis obtained and says he will return a package only after receiving payment. Denis re...

• Ange Peresi (played by Pierre Koulak) — supporting

  Ange is a fugitive paratrooper whom Denis once helped. Denis hides him at home and presents him as an American cousin, warning him to remain out of sight because people are searching for him. His pres...

• Gaston (played by Albert Michel) — supporting

  Gaston works around the payroll operation and is drawn into the group's preparations when he is given a drink and told that the coming night is a chance to celebrate. The account places him near Denis...

• Mr. Charles Goulette (played by Bernard Musson) — supporting

  Mr. Charles Goulette is one of Denis's accomplices in the payroll scheme. He discusses the operation's timing and procedures with Denis and Maurice Labrousse as they prepare to exploit the army's coll...

• Accomplice (played by Bob Ingarao) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Denis Ferrand → Gaston (Power Organizer And Participant) — Gaston is drawn into the operation's preparations, although the synopsis does not specify his exact role in the robbery.

  Gaston works around the operation, and Denis's group gives him drink and tells him the coming night is a chance to celebrate. A watchman is also instr...

• Denis Ferrand → Betty (Professional Business Partners) — They jointly manage the business while handling its routine financial and customer problems.

  The synopsis says Denis runs a business with Betty and describes their bookkeeping, bills, and customer complaints.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Denis Ferrand → Accomplice (Alliance Robbery Accomplices) — The listed accomplice belongs to the group preparing the robbery, but the synopsis gives no more specific interaction with Denis.

  The synopsis says Denis discusses the payroll operation with accomplices and refers to the group preparing disguises, moving rubbish, and avoiding fin...

• Denis Ferrand → Luigi Savani (Conflict Blackmailer And Target) — Luigi uses his knowledge of the robbery to threaten Denis and demand the proceeds; the excerpt ends before their confrontation or its outcome.

  A caller reveals that Luigi knows about the previous night's haul. Luigi demands all the money Denis obtained and says he will return a package only a...

• Denis Ferrand → Mr. Charles Goulette (Alliance Robbery Accomplices) — Goulette is involved in the preparations for Denis's planned robbery.

  Denis discusses the payroll's timing and procedures with Mr. Charles Goulette while preparing to exploit the collection.

• Denis Ferrand → Maurice Labrousse (Alliance Robbery Accomplices) — Maurice participates in planning the payroll robbery with Denis.

  Denis discusses the payroll's timing and collection procedures with Maurice as they prepare to exploit the collection.

• Denis Ferrand → Ange Peresi (Alliance Protector And Fugitive) — Denis shelters Ange from people searching for him, though the arrangement leaves Denis's household bewildered.

  Denis conceals Ange, a fugitive paratrooper he once helped, presents him as an American cousin, and tells him to stay out of sight.

Story Analysis

Denis turns knowledge of a payroll collection into a robbery plan, then faces growing police pressure and Luigi's demand for the proceeds.

Plot Progression

1. A Payroll Opportunity — Denis and Betty handle the daily business routine before Denis learns that a soldiers' payroll will be transported before the bank opens. He studies how the collection is carried out.
2. A Fugitive at Home — Denis hides Ange, whom he once helped, and tells him to remain out of sight. At the same time, Denis turns his attention to exploiting the payroll collection.
3. Preparing the Cover — Denis discusses the collection with Maurice and Goulette, while the group prepares disguises and a rubbish-based cover. They also take precautions against leaving fingerprints.
4. Robbery and Police Pressure — The account implies the payroll robbery has occurred, though it does not show the precise sequence. Reports about emptied bins and a police search make Denis and his associates fear exposure.
5. Luigi's Threat — Denis's associates try to warn him while Luigi's knowledge of the haul comes to light. Luigi demands the proceeds in exchange for returning a package, but the excerpt ends before the outcome.