Peppermint Frappé (1967) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A repressed physician transforms obsession, humiliation, and substitution into a calculated act of revenge.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Familiar Stranger

Julián's conservative domestic life is established alongside his work with Ana. A reunion with Pablo and Elena awakens Julián's fixation on a woman Elena resembles.

Key Events

• Scrapbook Preparation — Julián meticulously crops fashion images for a personal scrapbook. Characters: Julián Location: Julián's residence
• Home Radiology Clinic — Julián operates a radiology clinic at home with Ana's assistance. Characters: Julián Location: Julián's residence
• Reunion Invitation — Pablo's mother hosts a reunion for the two childhood friends. Characters: Julián, Pablo Location: Pablo's mother's house
• Marriage Announcement — Pablo returns from Africa and announces that he has married Elena. Characters: Julián, Pablo Location: Pablo's mother's house
• Peppermint Frappé — Pablo gives Julián his favorite cocktail while Elena dresses upstairs. Characters: Julián, Pablo Location: Pablo's mother's house

Obsession Takes Root

Julián pursues Elena through repeated meetings and a sightseeing trip to Cuenca. Her indifference redirects him toward Ana, whom he begins reshaping into Elena's image.

Key Events

• Elena's Entrance — Elena's appearance stuns Julián because she resembles the mysterious woman from Calanda. Characters: Julián, Pablo, Elena Location: Pablo's mother's house
• Calanda Denial — Elena denies knowing Julián and denies ever visiting Calanda. Characters: Julián, Elena Location: Pablo's mother's house
• Growing Pursuit — Julián invents reasons to spend time with Elena as his infatuation intensifies. Characters: Julián, Elena Location: Various places
• Sightseeing in Cuenca — Julián takes Elena sightseeing while Pablo is occupied. Characters: Julián, Elena Location: Cuenca
• Ana's Hidden Longing — Julián turns toward Ana after failing to gain Elena's affection. Characters: Julián Location: Julián's residence

Humiliation And Resentment

Julián continues seeking Elena despite her mockery and invites the couple to his country house. The abandoned spa and the drum prank deepen his resentment.

Key Events

• The Imitation Begins — Julián begins a sexual liaison with Ana and makes her imitate Elena's appearance. Characters: Julián Location: Julián's residence
• Elena's Open Derision — Julián continues pursuing Elena, who responds with indifference and mockery. Characters: Julián, Elena Location: Various places
• Country Weekend Invitation — Julián invites Pablo and Elena to spend a weekend at his countryside cottage. Characters: Julián, Pablo, Elena Location: Julián's country house
• The Abandoned Spa — Julián shows the grounds where he and Pablo played as children. Characters: Julián, Pablo, Elena Location: Abandoned spa
• Drum Prank — Pablo and Elena humiliate Julián when Elena appears carrying a drum. Characters: Julián, Pablo, Elena Location: Julián's country house

The Poisoned Invitation

Julián converts his resentment into a calculated plan and invites Pablo and Elena to meet him and Ana. He drugs Ana and prepares a drugged peppermint frappé for the arriving couple.

Key Events

• Revenge Takes Shape — After the prank, Julián begins planning elaborate revenge against the couple. Characters: Julián Location: Julián's country house
• Second Country Invitation — Julián invites Pablo and Elena to meet him and Ana at the country house. Characters: Julián, Pablo, Elena Location: Julián's country house
• Ana Is Drugged — Before the couple arrives, Julián drugs Ana and prepares the same substance for the drink. Characters: Julián Location: Julián's country house
• Drugged Cocktail — Julián offers the drugged peppermint frappé while claiming Ana will arrive late. Characters: Julián, Pablo, Elena Location: Julián's country house

Accident And Transformation

Pablo and Elena collapse after drinking and are sent over a cliff in their car. Julián returns to find the evidence removed and Ana transformed into his image of the Calanda woman.

Key Events

• Mockery Before Collapse — Pablo and Elena ridicule Julián again before succumbing to the drugged beverage. Characters: Julián, Pablo, Elena Location: Julián's country house
• Car Over The Cliff — Julián places the couple in their car and sends it off a cliff as an apparent accident. Characters: Julián, Pablo, Elena Location: Cliffside road
• The Evidence Vanishes — Julián returns to find incriminating traces removed and Ana dressed as the Calanda woman. Characters: Julián Location: Julián's country house
• Embrace With The Double — The film ends with Julián and the transformed Ana embracing. Characters: Julián Location: Julián's country house

Story Breakdown

• Julián's Private World — Julián's home clinic and scrapbook reveal a controlled, conservative environment before Elena disrupts it.
  • Scrapbook Ritual — Julián carefully crops fashion images for a personal scrapbook.
  • Home Clinic — Julián works as a radiologist with Ana assisting him.
• Elena's Arrival — Pablo's return and marriage announcement bring Elena into Julián's life as a disturbing visual resemblance.
  • African Return — Pablo returns from Africa and announces his marriage.
  • Calanda Resemblance — Elena reminds Julián of a mysterious drummer from Calanda.
• Forbidden Pursuit — Julián repeatedly seeks Elena's company while she rejects his attention and mocks his fascination.
  • Cuenca Excursion — Julián takes Elena sightseeing while Pablo is occupied.
  • Open Rejection — Elena responds to Julián's advances with indifference and derision.
• Ana's Transformation — Julián redirects his desire toward Ana but uses the liaison to construct her as Elena's substitute.
  • Secret Longing — Ana has secretly pined for Julián before their liaison.
  • Forced Imitation — Julián coerces Ana to dress and groom herself like Elena.
• Humiliation Breeds Revenge — The country-house visits and shared childhood memories lead to a public joke that turns Julián's frustration into revenge.
  • Abandoned Spa — Julián shows Pablo and Elena the place where he and Pablo played.
  • Drum Humiliation — Pablo and Elena use a drum to ridicule Julián.
• The Fatal Deception — Julián drugs the couple, stages an apparent automobile accident, and removes traces of his crime.
  • Drugged Invitation — Julián prepares a drugged peppermint frappé for Pablo and Elena.
  • Cliffside Accident — He sends their car over a cliff to disguise their deaths.
• Substitute's Embrace — The ending completes Julián's fantasy by replacing the absent Elena with a transformed Ana.
  • Calanda Costume — Ana is dressed as the woman Julián associates with Calanda.
  • Final Union — Julián and Ana embrace at the country house.

Directed by

Carlos Saura

Key Cast

• Geraldine Chaplin — Elena
• José Luis López Vázquez — Julián
• Alfredo Mayo — Pablo
• Emiliano Redondo — Arturo
• María José Charfole