… tick… tick… tick… (1970) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Explores racial tensions and political shifts in a Southern town through law enforcement struggles.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Election Upset

Jim Price wins the sheriff election over John Little, immediately facing racial tensions and a lack of cooperation from the outgoing administration.

Key Events

• Sheriff Election Results — Jim Price elected sheriff over incumbent John Little. Characters: John Little Location: Town Hall
• Racial Tensions Rise — Community mood sours as Price takes office. Characters: John Little Location: Town Streets
• Braddock Arrested — Braddock arrested for manslaughter after drunk driving kills a girl. Characters: John Braddock, John Little Location: Police Station
• Father Demands Release — Father uses influence to demand son's freedom. Characters: John Braddock Location: Braddock Residence
• Deputy Beaten — Springer beats Price's deputy Wilkes. Characters: Bradford Wilkes, Bengy Springer Location: Alleyway
• Spring Training Ground — Setting for early community gatherings. Location: Spring

Arrests and Escalation

High-profile arrests of John Braddock and George Harley ignite community hostility, while Bengy Springer violently attacks Bradford Wilkes.

Key Events

• Deputy Beaten — Springer beats Price's deputy Wilkes. Characters: Bradford Wilkes, Bengy Springer Location: Alleyway
• Harley Arrested — Black man George Harley arrested for rape. Location: Town Square
• Mood Turns Ugly — Townspeople's hostility escalates rapidly. Characters: John Little Location: Town Streets
• Father Threatens Force — Father threatens to spring son by force. Characters: John Braddock Location: Braddock Estate
• Little's Conscience Awakens — Little's conscience gets the better of him. Characters: John Little Location: Little's Home
• Little Joins Price — Little agrees to become Price's new deputy. Characters: John Little, Bradford Wilkes Location: Sheriff's Office
• Sheriff's Office — Hub for law enforcement decisions. Characters: John Little, Bradford Wilkes Location: Downtown

Conscience and Coalition

John Little's moral awakening leads him to join Price as deputy, but their attempts to persuade townspeople and secure National Guard help fail.

Key Events

• Little Joins Price — Little agrees to become Price's new deputy. Characters: John Little, Bradford Wilkes Location: Sheriff's Office
• Failed Persuasion — They try in vain to persuade townspeople to side with them. Characters: John Little, Bradford Wilkes Location: Town Streets
• Mayor Refuses Guard — Efforts to convince mayor to call National Guard fail. Characters: John Little Location: Mayor's Office
• Vigilantes Gather — Braddock's vigilantes mobilize for action. Characters: John Braddock Location: Town Perimeter
• Barricade Formed — Price and Little form a barricade against the mob. Characters: John Little, Bradford Wilkes Location: Main Street
• Prepare for Worst — They prepare for the worst as tension peaks. Characters: John Little, Bradford Wilkes Location: Barricade
• Sheriff's Office — Hub for law enforcement decisions. Characters: John Little, Bradford Wilkes Location: Downtown

Barricade and Unity

Price and Little form a desperate barricade against Braddock's vigilantes, only to be joined by fellow townspeople who unite against the mob.

Key Events

• Prepare for Worst — They prepare for the worst as tension peaks. Characters: John Little, Bradford Wilkes Location: Barricade
• Mob Approaches — Vigilantes advance toward the barricade. Characters: John Braddock Location: Street Entrance
• Townsmen Join — Fellow townsmen suddenly join Price and Little in the street. Characters: John Little, Bradford Wilkes Location: Main Street
• Unity Against Mob — Former opponents stand together against the vigilantes. Characters: John Little, Bradford Wilkes Location: Barricade
• Mob Retreats — Father's force fails as community unites. Characters: John Braddock Location: Town Square
• Order Restored — Peace returns as the town stands together. Characters: John Little, Bradford Wilkes Location: Town Streets

Story Breakdown

• Political Transition — The election of a new sheriff disrupts the established order.
  • Sheriff Election — Jim Price wins over incumbent John Little.
  • Outgoing Resistance — Little withholds assistance during the transition.
• Legal Crises — High-profile arrests ignite community hostility.
  • Braddock Arrest — Drunk driving manslaughter charge sparks outrage.
  • Harley Accusation — Rape charge against a black man escalates tensions.
• Factional Violence — Old guard clashes with new administration.
  • Deputy Beaten — Springer attacks Price's deputy Wilkes.
  • Vigilante Threats — Braddock's father mobilizes force to free his son.
• Moral Awakening — Personal conscience overrides political loyalty.
  • Little's Conscience — Little realizes the moral cost of inaction.
  • New Deputy Alliance — Little joins Price to restore order.
• Failed Diplomacy — Attempts to secure external help and public support fail.
  • Town Persuasion — Efforts to rally townspeople against vigilantes fail.
  • National Guard Request — Mayor refuses to deploy military assistance.
• Climactic Stand — A desperate barricade becomes a symbol of unity.
  • Barricade Defense — Price and Little prepare for a mob assault.
  • Community Unity — Fellow townspeople join the defenders in the street.
• Resolution — The community overcomes division through collective action.
  • Mob Retreat — Vigilante forces lose momentum as unity forms.
  • Order Restored — Peace returns as the town stands together.

Directed by

Ralph Nelson

Key Cast

• Jim Brown — Jimmy Price
• George Kennedy — John Little
• Fredric March — Mayor Jeff Parks
• Lynn Carlin — Julia Little
• Don Stroud — Bengy Springer