Black Lizard (1968) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A detective dismantles a kidnapping scheme built on disguises, betrayal, and the criminal collection of preserved human bodies.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Trunk and the Hidden Plot

A kidnapping begins when a young businessman drugs Iwase's daughter and hides her in a trunk. Akechi investigates and identifies the accomplice behind the abduction.

Key Events

• Daughter Meets Businessman — Iwase's daughter is introduced to a young businessman through a club hostess. Characters: Shobei Iwase Location: A club
• Kidnapping in the Room — The young man uses chloroform and hides Iwase's daughter in a trunk. Characters: Shobei Iwase, Junichi Amamiya Location: The businessman's room
• Akechi Identifies the Accomplice — Akechi reveals the kidnapper's real identity and his connection to the criminal scheme. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi, Junichi Amamiya Location: Akechi's investigation room
• The First Rescue — Akechi's men follow Junichi and recover the kidnapped woman. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi, Junichi Amamiya Location: A city hotel

Betrayal Inside the House

The rescued woman is placed under protection at Iwase's home, but Hina helps organize another abduction. The sofa concealment creates a dangerous counterplan.

Key Events

• The Disguise Is Exposed — Akechi explains that the visiting woman was the criminal in disguise. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi Location: The hotel
• Safe Room Ordered — Iwase is told to keep his daughter inside the family home for protection. Characters: Shobei Iwase, Hina Location: Iwase's house
• Household Abduction Attempt — Hina and another worker attempt to abduct the protected woman from inside the house. Characters: Shobei Iwase, Hina Location: Iwase's house
• Guard Is Maimed — The household guard is attacked, leaving blood on Iwase's new sofa. Characters: Shobei Iwase, Hina Location: Iwase's house
• Sofa Escape Compartment — Employees remove the sofa while secretly hiding the kidnapped woman beneath its seat. Characters: Shobei Iwase, Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi Location: Iwase's house
• The Egypt Gem Demand — A note demands the Star of Egypt in exchange for the promised return. Characters: Shobei Iwase Location: Iwase's house

The Gem at Shinonome Pier

A threatening note demands the Star of Egypt, forcing Iwase to deliver the gem at the pier. The promised exchange instead sends the captive toward a private island.

Key Events

• Gem at the Pier — Iwase brings the valuable South African gem to the pier at noon on August 4. Characters: Shobei Iwase Location: New Shinonome pier
• The False Promise — The criminal promises that Iwase's daughter will be returned that night. Characters: Shobei Iwase Location: New Shinonome pier
• Ship Leaves the Pier — The captive is taken aboard a ship headed toward a private island. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi, Shobei Iwase Location: A ship
• Sword Through the Sofa — Hearing Akechi's voice from the sofa, the criminal stabs through it and orders it overboard. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi Location: The ship

The Island of Living Statues

Akechi survives the attempt to destroy the sofa compartment by using another disguise. On the island, Junichi and his companion face imprisonment, preserved bodies, and an unexpected love.

Key Events

• Akechi Emerges in Disguise — Akechi reveals that he was hiding in the closet disguised as an old sailor. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi Location: The ship
• Island of Preserved Bodies — The criminal displays a collection of human bodies preserved as statues. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi, Junichi Amamiya Location: The private island
• Escape Attempt Fails — Junichi tries to help the captive escape but is caught and imprisoned with her. Characters: Junichi Amamiya Location: The private island
• Confessions in the Cell — The captive reveals her double's role, while Junichi admits he was caught deliberately. Characters: Junichi Amamiya Location: The island cell
• New Love in Captivity — Junichi and his companion fall in love while facing transformation into preserved figures. Characters: Junichi Amamiya Location: The island cell
• Newspaper Reveals the Trick — A newspaper reports that the kidnapped woman has already been returned to her father. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi Location: The private island

Poison at the Final Confrontation

A newspaper exposes the failed kidnapping plan, allowing Akechi to summon the police and free the captives. Hina is stopped, the hidden murder is exposed, and the criminal dies by poison.

Key Events

• Police Reach the Island — Akechi summons the police and openly confronts the criminal. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi Location: The private island
• Captives Are Freed — Akechi frees Junichi and his companion and allows them to leave together. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi, Junichi Amamiya Location: The private island
• Hina's Snake Attack — Hina attempts to attack Akechi with a poisonous snake but is stopped by a sword strike. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi, Hina Location: The private island
• The Sailor's Murder Revealed — Akechi reveals that the real old sailor was killed and hidden in the sofa compartment. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi Location: The private island
• Poisoned Final Choice — The criminal admits consuming poison and dies after the final confrontation. Characters: Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi Location: The criminal's room

Story Breakdown

• Kidnapping Setup — A social introduction becomes a carefully arranged abduction.
  • Room Drugging — The young businessman uses chloroform and hides the victim in a trunk.
  • Akechi Investigates — Akechi identifies the depressed accomplice and begins surveillance.
• First Rescue — The investigation briefly succeeds before the criminal changes tactics.
  • Hotel Recovery — Akechi's men recover the kidnapped woman after following the accomplice.
  • Disguise Exposed — Akechi explains that the visiting woman was the criminal in disguise.
• Household Betrayal — Protection inside Iwase's home is undermined by an insider.
  • Hina's Abduction Plan — Hina and another worker attempt to remove the protected woman.
  • Sofa Concealment — Employees hide the woman inside a sofa while arranging its removal.
• The Gem Exchange — The kidnappers demand a valuable gem and create a deceptive exchange.
  • Egypt Gem Demand — A note requests the Star of Egypt as the price of return.
  • Pier Deception — Iwase delivers the gem but receives only a false promise.
• Island of Statues — The kidnapping reaches a private island filled with preserved human bodies.
  • Akechi's Counterdisguise — Akechi survives the sofa attack by hiding as an old sailor.
  • Cell Confessions — Junichi and his companion reveal their motives while imprisoned together.
• Final Exposure — Akechi turns the criminal's failed plan into a final confrontation.
  • Police on the Island — Akechi summons the police, reveals himself, and frees the captives.
  • Poisoned Death — The hidden murder is exposed, and the criminal dies after consuming poison.

Directed by

Kinji Fukasaku

Key Cast

• Akihiro Miwa — Black Lizard (Mrs. Midorikawa)
• Isao Kimura — Kogoro Akechi / Matsukichi
• Jun Usami — Shobei Iwase
• Toshiko Kobayashi — Hina
• Mitsuko Takara — Show dancer