The Sicilian (1987) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A popular Sicilian bandit challenges his backer and becomes vulnerable to betrayal by his closest adviser.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Guerrilla Vision

Giuliano appears as an infamous bandit leading a ragtag guerrilla band in early 1950s Sicily. His stated ambition is to liberate Sicily and make it an American state.

Key Events

• Early 1950s Sicily — The story is situated in early 1950s Sicily under Italian rule. Location: Sicily
• Giuliano As Infamous Bandit — Salvatore Giuliano is established as an infamous Sicilian bandit. Characters: Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily
• Guerrilla Band Forms — Giuliano gathers a ragtag band of guerrillas. Characters: Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily
• Liberation Objective — The guerrillas attempt to liberate Sicily from Italian rule. Characters: Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily
• American State Ambition — Their political aim includes making Sicily an American state. Characters: Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily

A Bandit Becomes A Savior

Giuliano robs wealthy landowners and gives the proceeds to peasants. Their praise as his savior fuels his growing public popularity.

Key Events

• Raids Against Landowners — Giuliano robs wealthy landowners through his bandit campaign. Characters: Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily
• Wealth Redistribution — The stolen wealth is given to the peasants. Characters: Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily
• Peasants Hail Savior — The peasants respond by hailing Giuliano as their savior. Characters: Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily
• Popularity Expands — Giuliano's popularity grows among the people. Characters: Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily

The Patron Challenge

As Giuliano's popularity rises, so does his ego. He begins to believe he stands above the power of his backer, Don Masino Croce.

Key Events

• Ego Takes Root — Growing popularity causes Giuliano's ego to increase. Characters: Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily
• Backer Revealed — Don Masino Croce is identified as Giuliano's backer. Characters: Salvatore Giuliano, Don Masino Croce Location: Sicily
• Power Defiance — Giuliano begins to believe he stands above Croce's power. Characters: Salvatore Giuliano, Don Masino Croce Location: Sicily
• Croce Rejects Upstart — Croce treats Giuliano's independence as the rise of an upstart. Characters: Don Masino Croce, Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily

Betrayal By Persuasion

Croce decides to kill Giuliano and turns to Pisciotta, Giuliano's cousin and closest adviser. Pisciotta is convinced to carry out the assassination.

Key Events

• Death Plot Begins — Croce sets out to kill Giuliano. Characters: Don Masino Croce, Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily
• Pisciotta Identified — Pisciotta is revealed as Giuliano's cousin and closest adviser, as well as Croce's cousin. Characters: Pisciotta, Salvatore Giuliano, Don Masino Croce Location: Sicily
• Croce Persuades Pisciotta — Croce convinces Pisciotta to assassinate Giuliano. Characters: Don Masino Croce, Pisciotta Location: Sicily
• Adviser Becomes Assassin — Pisciotta's role shifts from closest adviser to Giuliano's intended assassin. Characters: Pisciotta, Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily
• Assassination Decision — The plot culminates in Croce's plan to have Pisciotta assassinate Giuliano. Characters: Don Masino Croce, Pisciotta, Salvatore Giuliano Location: Sicily

Story Breakdown

• Sicilian Political Setting — The story begins in early 1950s Sicily under Italian rule, with liberation as the central political aspiration.
  • Italian Rule — Sicily is presented as being under Italian rule.
  • American State Goal — Giuliano and his guerrillas attempt to make Sicily an American state.
• Guerrilla Leadership — Giuliano gathers a ragtag guerrilla band and positions himself as the leader of a liberation effort.
  • Bandit Leader — Giuliano is introduced as an infamous bandit.
  • Guerrilla Band — He operates together with a ragtag band of guerrillas.
• Redistribution Campaign — Giuliano attacks wealthy landowners and transfers the stolen wealth to peasants.
  • Robbing Landowners — Giuliano robs from rich landowners.
  • Helping Peasants — The proceeds are given to the peasants.
• Popular Savior Image — The redistribution campaign wins popular acclaim and strengthens Giuliano's public image.
  • Peasant Acclaim — The peasants hail Giuliano as their savior.
  • Growing Popularity — Giuliano's popularity grows as the campaign continues.
• Patronage Power Struggle — Giuliano's rising ego brings him into conflict with Don Masino Croce, his backer.
  • Rising Ego — Giuliano's growing popularity causes his ego to expand.
  • Defying Croce — He begins to think he is above the power of his backer.
• Adviser Betrayal — Croce responds by using Pisciotta, Giuliano's cousin and closest adviser, to arrange Giuliano's assassination.
  • Croce's Death Plan — Croce sets out to kill the upstart Giuliano.
  • Pisciotta's Assassination — Croce convinces Pisciotta to assassinate Giuliano.

Directed by

Michael Cimino

Key Cast

• Christopher Lambert — Salvatore Giuliano
• Terence Stamp — Prince Borsa
• Joss Ackland — Don Masino Croce
• John Turturro — Pisciotta
• Richard Bauer — Hector Adonis