The Living Corpse (1969) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Fedya's painful separation from Liza develops into a moral and legal crisis surrounding her marriage to Viktor.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Broken Household

Liza leaves Fedya, and Anna Pavlovna debates whether the separation is justified. Fedya departs and finds company among musicians and gypsies.

Key Events

• Liza Leaves Fedya — Liza leaves Fedya, while Anna Pavlovna disputes whether the separation is justified. Characters: Liza, Fyodor Protasov (Fedya), Anna Pavlovna Location: The Protasov home
• Fedya's Painful Reputation — Fedya is described as charming and generous, but his weaknesses and reliance on money have made life painful. Characters: Liza, Fyodor Protasov (Fedya), Anna Pavlovna Location: The Protasov home
• Fedya Leaves Home — Fedya leaves after Liza accepts his renunciation of their marriage. Characters: Fyodor Protasov (Fedya), Liza Location: The Protasov home
• Fedya Joins the Gypsies — Fedya spends time among musicians and gypsies, including Masha. Characters: Fyodor Protasov (Fedya), Masha the gypsy, musician Location: Among the musicians and gypsies

A Future Without Fedya

Viktor hopes to marry Liza, while Sasha pleads with Fedya to return. Fedya refuses and says he wants Liza to find happiness with Viktor.

Key Events

• Viktor Hopes to Marry Liza — Viktor, who has loved Liza since childhood, hopes to marry her. Characters: Viktor Karenin, Liza Location: Not specified
• Sasha Pleads with Fedya — Sasha urges Fedya to return, arguing that Liza cannot be happy without him. Characters: Sasha, Fyodor Protasov (Fedya) Location: Fedya's quarters
• Fedya Refuses to Return — Fedya says the relationship cannot be repaired and that staying would ruin Liza's life. Characters: Sasha, Fyodor Protasov (Fedya) Location: Fedya's quarters
• Fedya Releases Liza — Fedya encourages Liza to find happiness with Viktor, despite the pain of their separation. Characters: Fyodor Protasov (Fedya), Liza, Viktor Karenin Location: Not specified

The Uneasy New Life

Fedya tells Abrezkov that he will not interfere with Liza's future. Liza and Viktor become happy together, but Fedya's return unsettles them.

Key Events

• Abrezkov Questions Fedya — Abrezkov speaks with Fedya about Liza and Viktor and their future. Characters: Prince Abrezkov, Fyodor Protasov (Fedya) Location: Not specified
• Fedya Wishes Them Well — Fedya says he will not interfere and considers Viktor an honourable man. Characters: Prince Abrezkov, Fyodor Protasov (Fedya), Liza, Viktor Karenin Location: Not specified
• Liza and Viktor Find Happiness — Liza and Viktor become happy together. Characters: Liza, Viktor Karenin Location: Not specified
• Fedya's Return Unsettles Them — Fedya returns, unsettling Liza and Viktor's new life, and admits that he still loves Liza. Characters: Fyodor Protasov (Fedya), Liza, Viktor Karenin Location: Not specified
• Fedya Departs Again — Fedya believes leaving with Liza would bring her misery, then departs and leaves her waiting. Characters: Fyodor Protasov (Fedya), Liza Location: Not specified

The Marriage Under Scrutiny

Fedya denounces a plan involving deception of authorities and bribery of church officials. An investigator questions Fedya and then presses Viktor about the marriage, the money, and a missing letter.

Key Events

• Fedya Departs Again — Fedya believes leaving with Liza would bring her misery, then departs and leaves her waiting. Characters: Fyodor Protasov (Fedya), Liza Location: Not specified
• Fedya Denounces the Marriage Plan — Fedya condemns deceiving authorities and bribing church officials to secure the marriage. Characters: Fyodor Protasov (Fedya), Liza, Viktor Karenin Location: Before Liza and Viktor
• Investigator Questions Fedya — The investigator questions Fedya about his supposed death and the subsequent marriage. Characters: court investigator, Fyodor Protasov (Fedya) Location: Not specified
• Viktor Explains His Marriage — Viktor says he believed Fedya was dead, describes Liza's money and a missing letter, and faces further questioning. Characters: court investigator, Viktor Karenin, Liza Location: Not specified

Story Breakdown

• Liza Leaves Fedya — The marriage breaks down as Liza leaves and Fedya accepts the separation.
  • Family Debate — Anna Pavlovna argues with others over whether the separation is justified.
  • Fedya Departs — Fedya leaves home after Liza accepts his renunciation of their marriage.
• Fedya Among Gypsies — After leaving home, Fedya spends time among musicians and gypsies.
  • New Company — Fedya spends time with the gypsy group, including Masha.
  • Painful Freedom — Fedya remains apart from Liza while believing their relationship cannot be repaired.
• Viktor's Hope — Viktor's long-standing love for Liza gives their future together a possibility.
  • Childhood Love — Viktor has loved Liza since childhood.
  • Marriage Hope — Viktor hopes to marry Liza.
• Sasha's Plea — Sasha tries to persuade Fedya that he should return to Liza.
  • A Visit to Fedya — Sasha visits Fedya and asks him to return.
  • Fedya Refuses — Fedya says staying would ruin Liza's life and the relationship cannot be repaired.
• Fedya Releases Liza — Fedya says he will not interfere with Liza's future and wishes her well with Viktor.
  • Abrezkov's Conversation — Prince Abrezkov speaks with Fedya about Liza and Viktor.
  • A New Happiness — Liza and Viktor become happy together.
• Fedya Returns — Fedya's return unsettles Liza and Viktor and exposes his continuing love for Liza.
  • Conflicted Love — Fedya admits he loves Liza but believes leaving together would bring her misery.
  • Another Departure — Fedya leaves Liza waiting for him.
• Marriage Plan Condemned — Fedya confronts Liza and Viktor over a plan he considers dishonest.
  • Deception Exposed — Fedya denounces deceiving authorities and bribing church officials.
  • Fedya Calls Himself Intruder — He says he cannot endure the dishonesty and identifies himself as the intruder.
• Courtroom Questions — An investigator examines the supposed death and the marriage that followed.
  • Fedya Questioned — The investigator asks Fedya about his supposed death and the later marriage.
  • Viktor's Account — Viktor says he did not know Fedya was alive and is pressed about money and a missing letter.

Directed by

Vladimir Vengerov

Key Cast

• Aleksey Batalov — Fyodor Protasov (Fedya)
• Alla Demidova — Liza
• Oleg Basilashvili — Viktor Karenin
• Lidiya Shtykan — Anna Pavlovna
• Elena Chyornaya — Sasha