Coplan, Agent 005 (1964) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Coplan investigates the theft of a prototype ramjet and its essential fuel, following uncertain leads until Ingrid's proposed deal offers a way to reach the prospective buyers.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Missing Prototype

The SR712 ramjet is stolen from a guarded factory in Viare, and its essential secret fuel is also missing. Coplan is drawn into the investigation as the theft raises questions about how the precautions were defeated.

Key Events

• SR712 Stolen — A powerful ramjet prototype is stolen from a factory where it was meant to be locked up and guarded. Location: Factory in Viare
• The Fuel Is Missing — The engine's secret fuel is essential to its operation, widening the scope of the theft investigation. Location: Factory in Viare
• Coplan Takes the Case — Coplan is drawn into the investigation of the stolen engine and its missing fuel. Characters: Francis Coplan Location: Unspecified

Following the Mercedes

A witness links a light-gray Mercedes to Ingrid but recalls only its regional registration. Coplan's inquiry considers possible owners, including Rochon, whose wife has made longstanding accusations against him.

Key Events

• Mercedes Lead Emerges — A witness recalls a light-gray Mercedes near Ingrid but remembers only its regional registration. Characters: Francis Coplan, Ingrid Carlsen Location: Unspecified
• Possible Owners Checked — Coplan and his associates examine possible owners of the Mercedes, including Rochon. Characters: Francis Coplan, Madame Rochon Location: Unspecified
• Accusations Against Rochon — Madame Rochon is described as having made years of accusations against her husband, including claims of hidden money and espionage. Characters: Madame Rochon, Madame Rochon Location: Unspecified

Danger Behind the Questions

Coplan and another investigator are trapped in a sealed room and escape by breaking through a wall with tools and explosives. The wider inquiry grows more dangerous as people are questioned and attacked.

Key Events

• Investigators Trapped — Coplan and another investigator are trapped in a sealed room as the air runs low. Characters: Francis Coplan Location: Sealed room
• Escape Through the Wall — With the air running low, the investigators use tools and explosives to break through a wall and escape. Characters: Francis Coplan Location: Sealed room
• Questioning Turns Dangerous — As the investigation proceeds, people are questioned and attacked, increasing the danger of the case. Characters: Francis Coplan Location: Unspecified

Ingrid Under Suspicion

Coplan questions Madame Rochon about the engine and Bianco, then accuses Ingrid of withholding the SR712. Ingrid denies it, but Coplan arrests her and she later escapes from a hospital in Nice.

Key Events

• Coplan Questions Madame Rochon — Coplan confronts Madame Rochon about the SR712 and Bianco; she says she knows nothing. Characters: Francis Coplan, Madame Rochon Location: Unspecified
• Coplan Accuses Ingrid — Coplan suspects Ingrid is withholding the engine and accuses her of lying; she denies having it. Characters: Francis Coplan, Ingrid Carlsen Location: Unspecified
• Ingrid Is Arrested — Coplan arrests Ingrid, leaving her case to be decided by the law. Characters: Francis Coplan, Ingrid Carlsen Location: Unspecified
• Hospital Escape in Nice — Ingrid escapes from a hospital in Nice, and a report identifies her as a spy. Characters: Ingrid Carlsen Location: Hospital in Nice

The Belgium Bait

A report identifies Ingrid as a spy, and a contact tells Coplan that she has offered to broker a deal with the men seeking the engine. Coplan instructs the contact to approach them and keep him informed, believing they have taken the bait.

Key Events

• Ingrid Offers a Deal — A contact tells Coplan that Ingrid offers to broker for the men seeking the engine in return for payment in Belgium. Characters: Francis Coplan, Ingrid Carlsen Location: Unspecified
• Buyers Take the Bait — Coplan tells his contact to approach the men and keep him informed, believing the prospective buyers have taken the bait. Characters: Francis Coplan Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• The Stolen Prototype — The guarded SR712 disappears, and the investigation must account for both the engine and its secret fuel.
  • Factory Theft — The prototype engine is stolen from a factory in Viare.
  • Missing Fuel — The secret fuel is identified as essential to operating the ramjet.
• Coplan Joins In — Coplan enters the case and begins examining how the theft could have bypassed security.
  • Security Questions — The theft raises questions about how the thieves found the engine and overcame precautions.
  • Investigation Begins — Coplan is drawn into the search for the engine and fuel.
• The Mercedes Lead — A vehicle sighting points toward Ingrid, while the incomplete registration makes identification uncertain.
  • Witness Remembers — A witness recalls a light-gray Mercedes near Ingrid but only its regional registration.
  • Owners Examined — Coplan and his associates check possible owners, including Rochon.
• Rochon Allegations — Madame Rochon's past accusations about her husband add another line of inquiry.
  • Claims of Hidden Money — Madame Rochon has accused Rochon of having hidden money.
  • Espionage Accusation — Her accusations about Rochon have also included espionage.
• Escape from the Room — A dangerous confinement tests Coplan and another investigator as the air runs low.
  • Sealed Confinement — Coplan and another investigator are trapped in a sealed room.
  • Wall Broken Open — They use tools and explosives to break through a wall and escape.
• Ingrid Under Pressure — Coplan's suspicion of Ingrid intensifies, leading to her arrest and subsequent escape.
  • Madame Questioned — Coplan asks Madame Rochon what she knows about the SR712 and Bianco; she denies knowing anything.
  • Ingrid Arrested — Coplan accuses Ingrid of lying and arrests her after she denies having the engine.
• The Broker's Offer — After Ingrid's escape, her proposed arrangement gives Coplan a new way to pursue the men seeking the engine.
  • Hospital Escape — Ingrid escapes from a hospital in Nice, and a report identifies her as a spy.
  • Belgium Payment — A contact reports that Ingrid offers to broker a deal and demands payment in Belgium.
• Buyers Take the Bait — Coplan uses Ingrid's proposed intermediary role to set up a new attempt to uncover the engine's whereabouts.
  • Contact Instructed — Coplan tells his contact to approach the men seeking the SR712 and keep him informed.
  • Next Move Pending — Coplan believes the prospective buyers have taken the bait, while the available dialogue ends before the attempt concludes.

Directed by

Maurice Labro

Key Cast

• Dominique Paturel — Francis Coplan
• Virna Lisi — Ingrid Carlsen
• André Weber — Legay
• Jacques Balutin — Fondane
• Yvonne Clech — Madame Rochon