Long Flat Balls II (2008) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A reckless mechanical experiment expands into a military escape and an unfinished attempt to save a prototype submarine.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Machines, Money, and Misfires

Edgar and Petter test the turbinator and conduct troublesome dragster experiments. Petter's race wager and childcare friction establish the group's practical and financial pressures.

Key Events

• Turbinator Test — Edgar and Petter test their homemade device, hoping it will make them rich. Characters: Edgar, Petter Location: The garage
• Dragster Trouble — Their dragster experiments cause trouble while the mechanical scheme continues. Characters: Edgar, Petter Location: The garage
• Race Wager — Petter has money riding on the race against the Swedes. Characters: Petter Location: The racing area
• Childcare Friction — Caring for a child becomes a source of friction within the group. Characters: Edgar, Petter Location: The town

The Exercise Trap

An attempt to avoid National Guard duty backfires when the assignment expands into a major NATO exercise. Helge commands the men while his resentment creates additional tension.

Key Events

• Avoiding Duty — The group attempts to avoid National Guard duty, but the plan backfires. Characters: Edgar, Petter Location: The town
• NATO Exercise Expands — The expected duty expands into a major NATO exercise lasting a week. Characters: Edgar, Petter, Helge Location: The military exercise area
• Helge Takes Command — Helge is now their lieutenant and commands the men during the maneuvering. Characters: Edgar, Petter, Helge Location: The military exercise area
• Old Resentment Surfaces — Helge's resentment over being abandoned in Germany intensifies the military friction. Characters: Edgar, Petter, Helge Location: The military exercise area
• Military Maneuvering — The men struggle through the exercises while trying to find a way home. Characters: Edgar, Petter, Helge Location: The military exercise area
• Officer Conflicts — Their antics repeatedly bring them into conflict with military officers. Characters: Edgar, Petter, Helge Location: The military exercise area

A Flag for Freedom

The men endure military maneuvering, officer conflicts, and vehicle trouble. They steal a flag and use it to bargain with Admiral Burnett for their release.

Key Events

• Formal Military Gathering — The men cross paths with senior military personnel, including Admiral Burnett. Characters: Edgar, Petter, Admiral Burnett Location: A formal gathering
• Vehicle Engine Trouble — A military vehicle's engine trouble becomes increasingly significant during the exercise. Characters: Edgar, Petter Location: The military exercise area
• Flag Theft — The men steal a flag during the exercise to create leverage for their release. Characters: Edgar, Petter, Helge Location: The military exercise area
• Bargaining for Release — The stolen flag is used to bargain for the group's release from the exercise. Characters: Edgar, Petter, Helge, Admiral Burnett Location: The military exercise area
• Burnett Is Impressed — Admiral Burnett is impressed by their ingenuity and agrees to let them go. Characters: Edgar, Petter, Admiral Burnett Location: The military exercise area

The Submarine Crisis

The USS Alamo suffers catastrophic engine failure, and conventional repairs are exhausted. Petter connects the crisis to the turbinator and insists on returning to the garage for a missing part.

Key Events

• Alamo Engine Failure — The prototype submarine suffers a catastrophic engine failure after the release plan succeeds. Characters: Petter, Admiral Burnett Location: The USS Alamo
• Repair Options End — The Navy runs out of conventional repair options and warns of evacuation. Characters: Petter, Admiral Burnett Location: The USS Alamo
• Petter Proposes Repair — Petter believes the turbinator and a missing part from the garage can restart the submarine. Characters: Petter, Admiral Burnett Location: The USS Alamo
• Helicopter Permission — Admiral Burnett permits Petter to take a helicopter to the garage. Characters: Petter, Admiral Burnett Location: The USS Alamo

Evacuation Without an Answer

Burnett authorizes Petter to use a helicopter while the town receives an evacuation order. The story ends before the repair or evacuation outcome is shown.

Key Events

• Town Evacuation — The entire town is ordered to evacuate while Petter continues toward the garage. Characters: Edgar, Petter, Admiral Burnett Location: The town
• Garage Mission Continues — Petter presses toward the garage, convinced the device and missing part are essential. Characters: Edgar, Petter Location: The garage
• Unresolved Evacuation — The dialogue ends before the repair or evacuation outcome is revealed. Characters: Edgar, Petter, Admiral Burnett Location: The town and USS Alamo

Story Breakdown

• Turbinator Experiment — Edgar and Petter begin with an improvised device and hopes of making money.
  • Homemade Device — The pair tests the turbinator as a possible source of wealth.
  • Dragster Troubles — Their dragster experiments cause trouble while the race remains financially important.
• Personal Friction — Everyday responsibilities add pressure before the military crisis takes over.
  • Race Wager — Petter has money riding on the race against the Swedes.
  • Childcare Conflict — Caring for a child becomes a source of friction within the group.
• Military Conscription — Avoiding National Guard duty unexpectedly traps the men in a large exercise.
  • Duty Backfires — The attempt to avoid service results in expanded military obligations.
  • NATO Maneuvers — The men are ordered into a week of military maneuvering.
• Helge's Command — Helge becomes the men's lieutenant while old resentment complicates authority.
  • Lieutenant Helge — Helge commands the men during the military exercises.
  • German Resentment — Helge still resents being abandoned in Germany.
• Flag Bargaining — The men turn military mischief into leverage against the officers.
  • Vehicle Trouble — A military vehicle's engine trouble becomes increasingly significant.
  • Stolen Flag — They steal a flag and use the stunt to bargain for release.
• Submarine Emergency — The USS Alamo crisis gives Petter's mechanical experiment a much larger purpose.
  • Engine Failure — The prototype submarine suffers catastrophic engine failure.
  • Garage Mission — Petter seeks a missing part and believes the turbinator can restart the vessel.
• Evacuation Cliffhanger — The final movement combines official authorization, a dangerous journey, and an unresolved outcome.
  • Helicopter Permission — Admiral Burnett permits Petter to take a helicopter to the garage.
  • Unfinished Rescue — The town is ordered to evacuate before the repair or evacuation outcome is revealed.

Directed by

Harald Zwart

Key Cast

• Jan Edgar Fjell — Edgar
• Petter Jørgensen — Petter
• Anders Fast Fjell — Øyvind
• Eirik Tobiassen — Karsten
• Kai Helge Hansen — Kai