Experiment in Evil (1960) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A lawyer investigates a psychiatrist's dangerous experiments and confronts the uncertain boundary between Cordelier and the persona he created.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Will and the Warning

Cordelier gives Joly a will that leaves his estate to Opale. Joly learns that Opale attacked a little girl and seeks Severin's judgment of Cordelier's research.

Key Events

• A Story Introduced West of Paris — A television host introduces the story and its suburban setting. Location: A quiet suburb west of Paris
• The Psychiatrist in His Villa — The story introduces the celebrated psychiatrist and his secluded home. Characters: Dr. Cordelier / Opale Location: Cordelier's secluded villa
• The Will Names Opale — Cordelier gives Joly a will leaving his estate to Opale. Characters: Joly, Dr. Cordelier / Opale Location: Cordelier's villa
• Joly Learns of the Attack — Joly learns Opale attacked a little girl and fled to Cordelier. Characters: Joly, Dr. Cordelier / Opale, Little Girl Attacked by Opale Location: Not specified

A Dangerous Demonstration

Severin condemns Cordelier's theories, while Opale demands to participate in a demonstration. Joly alerts the police as unease grows around the villa's secret laboratory.

Key Events

• Cordelier Defends His Research — Cordelier tells Joly he needs Opale for his experiments. Characters: Joly, Dr. Cordelier / Opale Location: Cordelier's villa
• Joly Consults Severin — Joly seeks Severin's view on whether Cordelier's research can be justified. Characters: Joly, Dr. Lucien Severin Location: Severin's office
• Severin Condemns the Theory — Severin condemns Cordelier's theories as dangerous and monstrous. Characters: Dr. Lucien Severin, Dr. Cordelier / Opale Location: Not specified
• Opale Demands the Demonstration — Opale appears at Severin's office and demands to join Cordelier's demonstration. Characters: Dr. Lucien Severin, Dr. Cordelier / Opale Location: Severin's office

The Locked Laboratory

Joly and the household hear Cordelier cry out behind a locked door. When they force it, they find Opale, who asks where his master is.

Key Events

• Joly Alerts the Police — Joly alerts the police after Opale's appearance. Characters: Joly Location: Not specified
• Fear Around the Laboratory — Strange events around the secret laboratory frighten the household. Characters: Joly, Dr. Cordelier / Opale Location: Cordelier's villa
• A Cry Behind the Locked Door — Joly and the servants hear Cordelier cry out behind a locked door. Characters: Joly, Dr. Cordelier / Opale Location: Cordelier's villa
• Opale Blocks the Search — After the door is forced, the group encounters Opale, who asks where his master is. Characters: Joly, Dr. Cordelier / Opale Location: Cordelier's villa

The Divided Self

Cordelier's account describes his belief that the soul could be altered and his decision to experiment on himself. The resulting persona, Opale, claims an identity separate from Cordelier, while Joly accuses him of murder.

Key Events

• Cordelier's Experiment Revealed — Cordelier's account explains his belief that the soul could be altered. Characters: Joly, Dr. Cordelier / Opale, Dr. Lucien Severin Location: Cordelier's laboratory
• Cordelier Experiments on Himself — Unable to find a volunteer, Cordelier performs the procedure on himself. Characters: Dr. Cordelier / Opale Location: Cordelier's laboratory
• Opale Claims a Separate Self — The transformed figure insists he is Opale, not Cordelier, and says Cordelier abandoned him. Characters: Joly, Dr. Cordelier / Opale Location: Cordelier's laboratory
• Joly Accuses Opale — Joly accuses Opale of murdering Cordelier, leaving Cordelier's fate unresolved. Characters: Joly, Dr. Cordelier / Opale Location: Cordelier's laboratory

Story Breakdown

• Cordelier's Will — A strange bequest draws Joly into the mystery surrounding Opale.
  • Estate Left to Opale — Cordelier gives Joly a will naming the mysterious Opale as heir.
  • Attack Raises Alarm — Joly learns that Opale attacked a little girl and fled to Cordelier.
• Joly Seeks Answers — Joly turns to Severin to assess Cordelier's research and intentions.
  • A Friend in Peril — Joly remains concerned that Cordelier may be in danger.
  • Severin's Condemnation — Severin calls the theories dangerous and monstrous.
• Opale's Appearance — Opale's demand for the demonstration heightens the conflict around Cordelier's work.
  • Demand at Severin's Office — Opale appears at Severin's office and insists on taking part in a demonstration.
  • Police Alerted — Joly alerts the police after Opale's appearance.
• Fear at the Villa — Strange events near the secret laboratory frighten the household and bring Joly to a locked door.
  • Cry Behind the Door — Joly and the servants hear Cordelier cry out from behind a locked door.
  • Opale Blocks Them — After the door is forced, Opale warns the group away and asks for his master.
• The Self Experiment — Cordelier's account reveals the theory behind his research and his decision to test it on himself.
  • Altering the Soul — Cordelier believed that the soul could be altered.
  • A Separate Persona — The experiment creates a being with Cordelier's knowledge but different perceptions and instincts.
• Opale's Claim — The transformed figure asserts a separate identity, while Joly challenges his account.
  • Not Cordelier — Opale insists that he is Opale, not Cordelier, and says Cordelier abandoned him.
  • Murder Accusation — Joly accuses Opale of murdering Cordelier, leaving Cordelier's fate unresolved.

Directed by

Jean Renoir

Key Cast

• Jean-Louis Barrault — Dr. Cordelier / Opale
• Teddy Bilis — Joly
• Michel Vitold — Dr. Lucien Severin
• Sylviane Margollé — Little Girl Attacked by Opale
• Jacques Danoville — Commissioner Lardaut