The Tattoo (1968) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An art dealer pursues a valuable tattoo, while its bearer resists being reduced to the price of his skin.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Tattoo and Its Price

Mézeray visits Dubois and discovers Legrain's tattoo, which he believes to be an immensely valuable Modigliani. Legrain refuses escalating cash offers and insists that he is not for sale.

Key Events

• Mézeray Visits Dubois — Mézeray visits Dubois to collect paintings he commissioned. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, M. Dubois, le peintre Location: Dubois's premises
• The Tattoo Is Discovered — Mézeray sees a tattoo on Legrain's back that appears to be by Modigliani. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain », M. Dubois, le peintre Location: Dubois's premises
• Mézeray Values the Tattoo — Mézeray becomes convinced the tattoo is immensely valuable. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Dubois's premises
• Legrain Rejects Cash Offers — Legrain refuses Mézeray's increasing offers and says he is not for sale. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Dubois's premises

A Castle for a Tattoo

Mézeray proposes restoring Legrain's neglected country house in exchange for the tattoo. Legrain accepts the restoration but will not sign away his skin, leaving the terms unsettled.

Key Events

• A Restoration Bargain — Mézeray offers to restore Legrain's neglected house in exchange for the tattoo. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Legrain's country house
• Legrain Withholds His Skin — Legrain agrees to restoration but will not sign away his skin. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Legrain's country house
• Pellot Is Pressed to Start — Mézeray urges Pellot to begin the difficult restoration immediately. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Maurice Pellot, entrepreneur Location: Unspecified

Restoration Turns Dangerous

Mézeray presses Pellot to begin work, and restoration proceeds at the castle. A ceiling collapses, and Legrain accuses Mézeray and an accomplice of wanting him dead.

Key Events

• Castle Work Gets Underway — Restoration proceeds at Legrain's castle, amid increasing tensions. Characters: Maurice Pellot, entrepreneur, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Legrain's castle
• A Ceiling Collapses — A ceiling collapses during the work, alarming Legrain. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Legrain's castle
• Legrain Suspects a Plot — Legrain accuses Mézeray and an accomplice of wanting him dead. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Legrain's castle
• Legrain Reports Men Sent After Him — Legrain says men have been sent after him; Mézeray denies ordering an attack. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Unspecified

Buyers and Broken Trust

American buyers pursue the tattoo, and a Boston museum's two-million-dollar offer raises the stakes. Legrain rejects direct negotiations, condemns the buyers' lack of honor, accuses Mézeray of lying, and threatens a complaint.

Key Events

• Legrain Reports Men Sent After Him — Legrain says men have been sent after him; Mézeray denies ordering an attack. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Unspecified
• The Boston Offer Raises Stakes — American buyers pursue the tattoo, and a Boston museum offers two million dollars. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Unspecified
• Buyers Approach Legrain Directly — The prospective buyers try to negotiate directly with Legrain. Characters: Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Unspecified
• Legrain Rejects Their Terms — Legrain condemns the buyers' lack of honor and accuses Mézeray of lying. Characters: Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain », Félicien Mézeray Location: Unspecified
• Legrain Threatens a Complaint — Legrain threatens to file a complaint against Mézeray. Characters: Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain », Félicien Mézeray Location: Unspecified

An Unsettled Bargain

Mézeray takes Legrain to a skin specialist in hopes of arranging an examination. The specialist requires an expert examination, while the dispute over whether Legrain has sold his skin remains unresolved.

Key Events

• Legrain Threatens a Complaint — Legrain threatens to file a complaint against Mézeray. Characters: Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain », Félicien Mézeray Location: Unspecified
• Mézeray Seeks an Examination — Mézeray takes Legrain to a skin specialist, hoping to have him examined. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Unspecified skin specialist's office
• Expert Examination Required — The specialist explains that Legrain must undergo an expert examination. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Unspecified skin specialist's office
• The Bargain Remains Unresolved — Mézeray says Legrain sold his skin, but the central bargain remains unsettled. Characters: Félicien Mézeray, Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain » Location: Unspecified skin specialist's office

Story Breakdown

• Discovery of the Tattoo — Mézeray encounters Legrain and recognizes the possible value of the tattoo.
  • Visit to Dubois — Mézeray visits the painter to collect commissioned works.
  • Modigliani Attribution — Mézeray sees the tattoo and believes it may be an authentic Modigliani.
• Rejected Cash Offers — Mézeray tries to buy the tattoo directly, but Legrain refuses.
  • Rising Offers — Mézeray offers increasing sums for the tattoo.
  • Legrain's Refusal — Legrain says he is not for sale and has no need for money.
• Castle Restoration Bargain — Mézeray offers restoration of Legrain's country house in exchange for the tattoo.
  • Restoration Proposal — Mézeray proposes restoring the neglected house as payment.
  • Skin Withheld — Legrain agrees to restoration but refuses to sign away his skin.
• Work and Suspicion — The castle work intensifies mistrust between Legrain and Mézeray.
  • Pellot Pressed — Mézeray urges Pellot to start the difficult construction work immediately.
  • Ceiling Collapse — A ceiling collapses during restoration, prompting Legrain's accusation.
• Threats and Denials — Legrain reports danger, while Mézeray denies ordering an attack.
  • Men Sent After Him — Legrain says men have been sent after him.
  • Mézeray's Denial — Mézeray denies ordering an attack on Legrain.
• American Buyer Pressure — Prospective American buyers increase the pressure to secure the tattoo.
  • Boston Museum Offer — A Boston museum's two-million-dollar offer raises the stakes.
  • Direct Negotiation Refused — Legrain rejects the buyers' approach and condemns their lack of honor.
• Unresolved Expert Examination — Mézeray seeks a specialist's examination, but the ownership dispute remains unsettled.
  • Specialist Visit — Mézeray takes Legrain to a skin specialist in hopes of having him examined.
  • Bargain Still Open — An expert examination is required, while Legrain resists the claim that his skin is sold.

Directed by

Denys de La Patellière

Key Cast

• Jean Gabin — Comte Enguerand de Montignac,alias « Legrain »
• Louis de Funès — Félicien Mézeray
• Dominique Davray — Suzanne Mézeray
• Paul Mercey — Maurice Pellot, entrepreneur
• Yves Barsacq — le postier de Montignac