The Three Faces (1965) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Three stories explore the tension between public images, private desires, and the roles people perform.

Story Structure — 6 Plot Phases

The Hidden Screen Test

Davoli pursues a secret studio screen test, while those involved attempt to keep it from the press. He discovers that a former queen took the test and risks his job to persuade his editor to publish the story.

Key Events

• Davoli Pursues a Studio Scoop — Davoli pursues news of a secret screen test taking place at a studio. Characters: Davoli - Journalist (segment "Il provino") Location: Studio
• The Test Is Kept Secret — People involved try to prevent the screen test from becoming public. Characters: Davoli - Journalist (segment "Il provino") Location: Studio
• A False Departure — Those protecting the secret stage a false departure to mislead the press. Characters: Davoli - Journalist (segment "Il provino") Location: Studio
• The Former Queen Is Revealed — Davoli learns that a former queen took the screen test. Characters: Davoli - Journalist (segment "Il provino") Location: Studio
• Davoli Risks His Job — Davoli risks his job while persuading his editor to publish the story. Characters: Davoli - Journalist (segment "Il provino") Location: Not specified
• The Audition Becomes News — Davoli dictates a headline presenting the former queen as an actress. Characters: Davoli - Journalist (segment "Il provino") Location: Not specified

A Headline for the Former Queen

Davoli dictates a headline presenting the former queen as an actress. The private audition becomes a public sensation through his reporting.

Key Events

• The Former Queen Is Revealed — Davoli learns that a former queen took the screen test. Characters: Davoli - Journalist (segment "Il provino") Location: Studio
• Davoli Risks His Job — Davoli risks his job while persuading his editor to publish the story. Characters: Davoli - Journalist (segment "Il provino") Location: Not specified
• The Audition Becomes News — Davoli dictates a headline presenting the former queen as an actress. Characters: Davoli - Journalist (segment "Il provino") Location: Not specified
• Linda and Robert's Strain — Linda and Robert confront the troubles behind their celebrated romantic image. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville, Robert (segment "Gli amanti celebri") Location: Not specified

The Lovers' Private Disappointment

Linda and Robert confront the gap between their romantic reputation and their troubled life together. Robert's unfinished book and Linda's doubts reveal disappointment, although their love remains.

Key Events

• Linda and Robert's Strain — Linda and Robert confront the troubles behind their celebrated romantic image. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville, Robert (segment "Gli amanti celebri") Location: Not specified
• Robert Admits His Failure — Robert admits that he has not completed the book he should have written. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville, Robert (segment "Gli amanti celebri") Location: Not specified
• Linda Questions His Love — Linda questions whether Robert truly cares for her. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville, Robert (segment "Gli amanti celebri") Location: Not specified
• A Birthday Brings Warmth — A birthday celebration briefly brings warmth to their strained relationship. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville, Robert (segment "Gli amanti celebri") Location: Birthday celebration

A Possible Parting

A birthday celebration briefly warms Linda and Robert's relationship. Their affection persists, but Linda reflects on their years together and suggests that it may be time for her to leave.

Key Events

• A Birthday Brings Warmth — A birthday celebration briefly brings warmth to their strained relationship. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville, Robert (segment "Gli amanti celebri") Location: Birthday celebration
• Parting Comes Into View — Linda reflects on their years together and suggests it is time to leave. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville, Robert (segment "Gli amanti celebri") Location: Not specified
• Their Future Remains Uncertain — Affection remains, but the prospect of separation draws near. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville, Robert (segment "Gli amanti celebri") Location: Not specified

The Hired Latin Lover

Armando explains that he is hired to entertain visitors and treats romance as an arranged service. Mrs. Melville challenges his view, becomes intrigued, and takes him out for the evening.

Key Events

• Armando Explains His Work — Armando tells Mrs. Melville that an agency hires him as a professional Latin lover. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville Location: Not specified
• Mrs. Melville Challenges the Arrangement — Mrs. Melville challenges Armando's idea that love can be scheduled, then takes him out for the evening. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville Location: Not specified
• Attention at the Restaurant — The pair attract attention, and Armando enjoys being seen with Mrs. Melville. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville Location: Restaurant

A Public Evening Ends

At the restaurant, Armando enjoys the attention while Mrs. Melville remains in control of their arrangement. When photographers threaten a scandal, she leaves him behind, and their connection remains unresolved.

Key Events

• Photographers Threaten Scandal — Photographers threaten to turn the outing into a scandal. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville Location: Restaurant
• Mrs. Melville Leaves — Mrs. Melville leaves Armando behind and goes to meet her friends. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville Location: Restaurant
• The Arrangement Ends Unresolved — Armando remains caught between her public identity and his paid role. Characters: Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville Location: Not specified

Story Breakdown

• Secret Screen Test — Davoli pursues a concealed studio audition and uncovers the identity of its participant.
  • Press Pursuit — Davoli investigates a secret screen test at a studio.
  • False Departure — Those involved stage a departure to mislead the press.
• Former Queen Revealed — Davoli learns that a former queen took the test and risks his job to get the story published.
  • Hidden Audition — Davoli discovers who took the screen test.
  • Risky Publication — He persuades his editor and dictates a headline presenting her as an actress.
• Lovers' Public Image — Linda and Robert's reputation as celebrated lovers contrasts with their private difficulties.
  • Unfinished Book — Robert admits that he has not completed the book he should have written.
  • Doubt and Affection — Linda questions his care for her, while their affection remains.
• Linda Considers Leaving — Brief warmth does not settle the couple's uncertain future.
  • Birthday Warmth — A birthday celebration briefly softens their strained relationship.
  • Possible Separation — Linda reflects on their years together and suggests it is time to leave.
• Armando's Paid Role — Armando presents romance as a service arranged through an agency, while Mrs. Melville questions that view.
  • Professional Companion — Armando describes entertaining visitors through his hired role.
  • Terms Challenged — Mrs. Melville challenges the idea that love can be scheduled and takes him out.
• Restaurant and Scandal — The evening draws public attention, but Mrs. Melville retains control and leaves Armando behind.
  • Public Attention — Armando enjoys being seen with Mrs. Melville at the restaurant.
  • Unresolved Ending — Photographers threaten a scandal; Mrs. Melville leaves to meet friends, leaving their connection unresolved.

Directed by

Michelangelo Antonioni, Franco Indovina, Mauro Bolognini

Key Cast

• Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari — Self / Linda / Mrs. Melville
• Richard Harris — Robert (segment "Gli amanti celebri")
• Alberto Sordi — Armando Tucci (segment "Latin Lover")
• Ivano Davoli — Davoli - Journalist (segment "Il provino")
• Alfredo De Laurentiis — Self (segment "Il provino") (uncredited)