The Split (1968) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A carefully planned robbery collapses into betrayal, corruption, and a desperate struggle over the missing fortune.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Engineering the Crew

McClain and Gladys design the Coliseum robbery. McClain tests potential accomplices before assembling a specialized crew.

Key Events

• Heist Plan Formed — McClain and Gladys develop a carefully planned Coliseum robbery. Characters: McClain, Gladys Location: Los Angeles
• Driver Race Test — McClain challenges Harry to a race before recruiting him as the getaway driver. Characters: McClain, Harry Kifka Location: Road
• Thug Fight Test — McClain picks a fight with Bert to test his mettle. Characters: McClain, Bert Clinger Location: Street
• Vault Escape Test — McClain imprisons an electrical expert and observes the expert fashion an escape. Characters: McClain Location: Wire-controlled vault
• Marksman Test — McClain holds a shooting match before adding another accomplice. Characters: McClain Location: Shooting location
• Crew Assembled — McClain completes his carefully selected robbery crew with Gladys's financial support. Characters: McClain, Gladys, Bert Clinger, Harry Kifka Location: Los Angeles

The Coliseum Score

The selected thieves execute the robbery during a football game and escape with more than half a million dollars. They expect to divide the money six ways.

Key Events

• Crew Assembled — McClain completes his carefully selected robbery crew with Gladys's financial support. Characters: McClain, Gladys, Bert Clinger, Harry Kifka Location: Los Angeles
• Coliseum Robbery — The crew robs the Los Angeles Coliseum during a football game. Characters: McClain, Gladys, Bert Clinger, Harry Kifka Location: Los Angeles Coliseum
• Loot Secured — The thieves escape with more than half a million dollars. Characters: McClain, Gladys, Bert Clinger, Harry Kifka Location: Los Angeles
• Six-Way Split Planned — The group plans to divide the money six ways the following day. Characters: McClain, Gladys, Bert Clinger, Harry Kifka Location: Hideout
• Money Hidden Overnight — McClain leaves the stolen money with his ex-wife for the night. Characters: McClain Location: Former wife's residence

The Missing Fortune

McClain hides the money overnight, but his ex-wife is killed and the cash disappears. Brill investigates and uncovers the robbery connection.

Key Events

• Money Hidden Overnight — McClain leaves the stolen money with his ex-wife for the night. Characters: McClain Location: Former wife's residence
• Gang Awaits Payment — The accomplices impatiently wait for their promised shares. Characters: Gladys, Bert Clinger, Harry Kifka Location: Hideout
• Brill Takes Case — Brill assumes control of the investigation into the robbery and killing. Characters: Lt. Walter Brill Location: Police investigation site
• Money Disappears — McClain's ex-wife is killed and the hidden money is stolen. Characters: McClain Location: Former wife's residence
• Gang Blames McClain — The gang holds McClain responsible and demands that he recover the missing money. Characters: McClain, Gladys, Bert Clinger, Harry Kifka Location: Hideout
• Brill Solves Killing — Brill quickly identifies the person responsible for the killing. Characters: Lt. Walter Brill Location: Police investigation site
• Brill Takes Money — Brill kills the culprit but keeps the recovered money for himself. Characters: Lt. Walter Brill Location: Police investigation site

The Gang Turns

The crew blames McClain for the missing money and assumes he is hiding it. Their accusations develop into a deadly confrontation.

Key Events

• Brill Takes Money — Brill kills the culprit but keeps the recovered money for himself. Characters: Lt. Walter Brill Location: Police investigation site
• Gang Turns Violent — The gang concludes that McClain is hiding the money and confronts him. Characters: McClain, Gladys, Bert Clinger, Harry Kifka Location: Gang meeting place
• Fatal Gang Confrontation — The confrontation ends with the deaths of Gladys and another crew member. Characters: McClain, Gladys, Bert Clinger, Harry Kifka Location: Gang meeting place
• McClain Escapes — McClain escapes the violent confrontation and seeks a new arrangement. Characters: McClain Location: Los Angeles streets

A Corrupt Division

McClain confronts Brill over the stolen money and negotiates a private division. A dock shoot-out leaves only the two men to settle the final shares.

Key Events

• McClain Escapes — McClain escapes the violent confrontation and seeks a new arrangement. Characters: McClain Location: Los Angeles streets
• Threat Against Brill — McClain threatens to expose Brill for possessing the stolen money. Characters: McClain, Lt. Walter Brill Location: Brill's location
• Money Pact — McClain and Brill agree to divide the money between themselves. Characters: McClain, Lt. Walter Brill Location: Brill's location
• Dock Shootout — The remaining gang members initiate a shoot-out at the docks. Characters: McClain, Lt. Walter Brill Location: Docks
• Final Division — Brill takes a small portion, gives McClain his rightful sixth, and plans to return the rest. Characters: McClain, Lt. Walter Brill Location: Docks
• Flight From Los Angeles — Haunted by the death of his ex-wife, McClain prepares to leave with his share. Characters: McClain Location: Airport

Story Breakdown

• Heist Design — McClain and Gladys create the robbery plan and define the intended division of the money.
  • Mastermind Partnership — McClain masterminds the operation with Gladys, who finances it.
  • Six-Way Division — The crew expects the stolen money to be divided six ways.
• Recruitment Trials — McClain tests prospective accomplices before allowing them into the operation.
  • Driver Race — McClain tests Harry Kifka in a race before selecting him as driver.
  • Physical Challenge — McClain tests Bert Clinger by provoking a fight.
• Coliseum Robbery — The assembled crew carries out the daring robbery during a football game.
  • Crew Assembles — McClain completes the team after testing its members.
  • Cash Secured — The thieves escape with more than half a million dollars.
• Vanished Money — The planned payout is disrupted when the hidden cash disappears after a killing.
  • Overnight Hiding — McClain stores the money with his ex-wife.
  • Fatal Theft — His ex-wife is killed and the hidden money is stolen.
• Gang Breakdown — The crew loses trust in McClain and turns the missing-money dispute into violence.
  • Accusations Rise — The gang holds McClain responsible for the missing funds.
  • Deadly Confrontation — The dispute ends with the deaths of Gladys and another crew member.
• Brill's Corruption — Brill investigates the crime, keeps the recovered money, and becomes McClain's temporary partner.
  • Investigation Solved — Brill quickly identifies the person responsible for the killing.
  • Secret Agreement — McClain threatens exposure, leading to a private division of the money.
• Dockside Reckoning — The remaining gang members challenge the new arrangement before the money is finally divided.
  • Shootout Erupts — A shoot-out at the docks leaves only McClain and Brill.
  • Uneasy Resolution — Brill gives McClain his sixth and plans to return the rest.
• Haunted Departure — McClain accepts his share but remains troubled by his ex-wife's death.
  • Share Secured — McClain is satisfied with the negotiated portion of the money.
  • Flight Awaits — He prepares to leave town while haunted by the consequences.

Directed by

Gordon Flemyng

Key Cast

• Jim Brown — McClain
• Diahann Carroll — Ellen "Ellie" Kennedy
• Ernest Borgnine — Bert Clinger
• Julie Harris — Gladys
• Gene Hackman — Lt. Walter Brill