The Green Mare (1959) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A family saga links the rise and loss of a remarkable mare with inherited rivalry, desire, poverty, and local political maneuvering.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Mare's Strange Rise

A green mare is born to Jules Haudouin and becomes a celebrated source of wealth. Her fame attracts visitors and an artist, but the Painter's misconduct ends the visit.

Key Events

• Birth of the Green Mare — A remarkable green mare is born to farmer and horse dealer Jules Haudouin. Characters: Jules Haudouin Location: Claquebue
• The Mare Becomes Famous — The unusual animal attracts visitors from across the country and brings Jules wealth. Characters: Jules Haudouin Location: Haudouin property
• Painter Arrives — A Painter arrives hoping to portray the famous mare. Characters: Jules Haudouin, Painter Location: Haudouin property
• Aline Leads the Painter — Aline is ordered to guide the Painter to the mare. Characters: Aline, Painter Location: Haudouin property
• The Painter Offends Aline — The Painter behaves offensively toward Aline during the visit. Characters: Aline, Painter Location: Haudouin property
• Painter Expelled — The Painter is expelled from the property after his offensive behavior. Characters: Jules Haudouin, Aline, Painter Location: Haudouin property

Loss Of The Family Fortune

The mare dies at ten, leaving the Haudouin household to face the loss of its prosperity. Years later, Honoré struggles with poverty and cannot sustain the family horse-trading tradition.

Key Events

• Death of the Mare — The celebrated green mare dies at the age of ten. Characters: Jules Haudouin, Mother Haudouin Location: Haudouin property
• Prosperity Disappears — Jules, his wife, and their sons face the consequences of losing their source of prosperity. Characters: Jules Haudouin, Mother Haudouin Location: Haudouin household
• Rival Families Persist — Years later, Haudouin and Maloret rivalry remains tied to disputes, desire, and local politics. Characters: Honoré Haudouin, Zèphe Maloret Location: Claquebue
• Honoré Abandons Horse Trading — Honoré admits he could not continue the business because he loves animals too much to sell them. Characters: Honoré Haudouin Location: Haudouin property

Desire Between Rivals

The Haudouin and Maloret families remain divided by rivalry, money, and local resentment. Margerite's return from Paris draws Honoré's attention and gives the Malorets an opportunity to manipulate him.

Key Events

• Honoré Faces Poverty — Honoré struggles with poverty and tensions connected to the failing family tradition. Characters: Honoré Haudouin Location: Haudouin household
• Adélaïde Works Away — Adélaïde works in a veterinarian's house after being bought out of her own property. Characters: Adélaïde Haudoin Location: Veterinarian's house
• Margerite Returns — Margerite returns from Paris and immediately attracts local attention. Characters: Margerite Maloret, Zèphe Maloret Location: Claquebue
• Honoré Hides His Attraction — Honoré is drawn to Margerite while pretending to feel indifferent. Characters: Honoré Haudouin, Margerite Maloret Location: Claquebue
• The Malorets Plan Manipulation — The Malorets discuss using Honoré's interest in Margerite to manipulate him. Characters: Zèphe Maloret, Margerite Maloret Location: Maloret household
• Philibert Becomes Ill — Philibert's serious illness makes him central to the political and financial struggle. Characters: Philibert, Honoré Haudouin Location: Claquebue

Politics In Disorder

Philibert's illness becomes entangled with the contest over the mayor's office and the negotiation of medical expenses. Honoré delays the succession while religious and republican factions clash.

Key Events

• Mayoral Succession Dispute — A struggle develops over the mayor's office and Philibert's possible successor. Characters: Honoré Haudouin, Philibert Location: Local political meeting
• Honoré Delays Appointment — Honoré bargains for more time while Philibert's medical expenses are negotiated. Characters: Honoré Haudouin, Philibert Location: Local political meeting
• Religious And Republican Clash — Religious and republican factions clash openly amid the local political disorder. Characters: Honoré Haudouin, Philibert Location: Claquebue
• Letter Intended For Honoré Goes Missing — A letter intended for Honoré goes missing during the surrounding disorder. Characters: Honoré Haudouin Location: Local post route

The Unresolved Visit

A missing letter, Ernest's return, and Juliette's apparent involvement deepen the schemes around Margerite. The supplied transcript ends as Honoré is expected to collect her, with no later resolution provided.

Key Events

• Ernest Returns On Leave — Ernest returns on leave and walks home with Honoré, discussing Margerite and family hostility. Characters: Honoré Haudouin, Ernest Haudoin, the son Location: Road to the Haudouin household
• Juliette Joins The Schemes — Juliette appears involved in the schemes surrounding Margerite and her father. Characters: Juliette Haudouin, Honoré Haudouin, Margerite Maloret Location: Haudouin household
• Honoré Expected To Collect Margerite — Honoré is expected to collect Margerite while the household tries to keep her occupied. Characters: Honoré Haudouin, Margerite Maloret, Juliette Haudouin Location: Maloret household
• Transcript Ends During The Visit — The supplied transcript ends during a tense visit, without providing a later resolution. Characters: Honoré Haudouin, Margerite Maloret, Juliette Haudouin, Zèphe Maloret Location: Maloret household

Story Breakdown

• Mare's Extraordinary Birth — The green mare transforms the Haudouin household after her unusual birth.
  • Jules Receives Mare — The remarkable animal is born to Jules Haudouin in Claquebue.
  • Visitors Bring Wealth — The mare becomes famous and attracts visitors from across the country.
• Painter's Failed Visit — An attempt to portray the mare collapses after the Painter behaves offensively toward Aline.
  • Artist Seeks Subject — The Painter arrives hoping to portray the celebrated green mare.
  • Aline Is Offended — Aline guides the Painter, whose behavior leads to his expulsion.
• Fortune After Death — The mare's death removes the source of the Haudouin family's prosperity.
  • Mare Dies Young — The green mare dies at the age of ten.
  • Household Faces Consequences — Jules, his wife, and their sons confront the resulting hardship.
• Haudouin Decline — Honoré inherits the family tradition but cannot preserve the horse-trading business.
  • Animals Over Business — Honoré explains that his love of animals prevents him from selling them.
  • Poverty And Resentment — The failed business leaves Honoré facing poverty and family tensions.
• Maloret Rivalry — The two families remain entangled through hostility, money disputes, and Margerite's return.
  • Margerite Returns — Margerite comes back from Paris and immediately attracts attention.
  • Desire Becomes Leverage — Honoré's attraction gives the Malorets a means to manipulate him.
• Political And Personal Schemes — Philibert's illness and the mayoral struggle intensify the disorder surrounding the families.
  • Succession Is Delayed — Honoré bargains for more time before a successor to Philibert is appointed.
  • Visit Remains Unresolved — The transcript ends while Honoré is expected to collect Margerite during a tense household visit.

Directed by

Claude Autant-Lara

Key Cast

• Bourvil — Honoré Haudouin
• Francis Blanche — Ferdinand Haudouin
• Yves Robert — Zèphe Maloret
• Sandra Milo — Margerite Maloret
• Julien Carette — Philibert