Character Relationship Map: Storms

Characters

• il professore Antonio Sanna (played by Jean Gabin) — protagonist

  A surgeon and lecturer who teaches that medicine must account for each patient's individual needs. He operates successfully on Sergio after a serious injury and becomes emotionally involved with Daisy...

• Daisy Parnell (played by Silvana Pampanini) — supporting

  A performer in an acrobatic act and Sergio's sister, Daisy becomes closely involved with il professore Antonio Sanna after he operates on Sergio. She wrestles with her feelings for both men, refuses t...

• Maria Sanna (played by Carla Del Poggio) — supporting

  Antonio's wife, Maria finds their marriage unbearable because he is rarely home. She has concealed his absences from their son by making it appear that Antonio slept in his bed. With Amedeo's help, sh...

• Sergio Parnell (played by Serge Reggiani) — supporting

  Daisy's brother and fellow performer in an acrobatic act, Sergio is badly injured and operated on by Antonio. The operation succeeds, but Sergio fears paralysis and faces a slow recovery, struggling w...

• il prefetto (played by Mario Ferrari) — supporting

  A prefect who tells Antonio that he has been chosen from three candidates for a university chair in Bologna. This news marks an advance in Antonio's career and provides an important contrast to the gr...

• Mario Sanna (played by Enrico Olivieri) — supporting

  The young son of Antonio and Maria, Mario is central to Maria's decision to leave her husband. Maria has hidden Antonio's absences from him by making it seem that his father slept in his bed. She prep...

• Amedeo Cini (played by Paolo Stoppa) — supporting

  Amedeo is someone Maria turns to when deciding to leave Antonio. He helps her arrange her departure with Mario after she explains that her marriage has become unbearable and that she is leaving for he...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• il prefetto → il professore Antonio Sanna (Professional Appointment) — Il prefetto informs Antonio of a significant advancement in his academic career.

  Il prefetto tells Antonio that he has been selected from three candidates for a university chair in Bologna.

• il professore Antonio Sanna → Mario Sanna (Family Father And Son) — Antonio's absences affect his son indirectly, as Maria hides them from Mario before deciding to leave with him.

  Maria identifies Mario as their child and says she has been concealing Antonio's absences from him by making it appear that Antonio slept in his bed.

• Maria Sanna → Mario Sanna (Family Mother And Son) — Maria makes Mario's welfare central to her decision to leave the marriage and take him with her.

  Maria decides to leave with her son, Mario. She says she would have left for Mario's sake and prepares to depart with him.

• il professore Antonio Sanna → Maria Sanna (Family Husband And Wife) — Antonio's absences contribute to Maria's decision to leave, ending the film with their family rupture unresolved.

  Maria says her marriage has become unbearable because her husband is rarely home. She prepares to leave with their son.

• il professore Antonio Sanna → Daisy Parnell (Romantic Involvement) — Their attachment persists through disputes and attempts at separation, leaving the future of their relationship unresolved.

  Their argument over Daisy's inability to pay Antonio's personal fee makes clear that they have become emotionally involved. Daisy later demands that h...

• il professore Antonio Sanna → Sergio Parnell (Professional Surgeon And Patient) — Antonio treats Sergio's injury, while Sergio's slow recovery and difficulty with exercises remain part of the surrounding conflict.

  When Sergio is badly injured, il professore Antonio Sanna operates on him. Sergio fears paralysis, but the operation succeeds.

• Daisy Parnell → Sergio Parnell (Family Sister And Brother) — Daisy cares for her injured brother, but their exchange also reveals tension and uncertainty about their relationship and future.

  The plot identifies Sergio as Daisy's brother. Daisy tells him she loves him while they discuss his injury and uncertain recovery.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Amedeo Cini → Maria Sanna (Alliance Departure Supporter) — Amedeo supports Maria's immediate preparations to leave with Mario.

  Maria tells Amedeo that her marriage has become unbearable, and the plot says he helps her arrange her departure.

Story Analysis

Professional advancement and complicated attachments culminate in an unresolved romantic situation and a family's departure.

Plot Progression

1. The Surgeon and the Performers — Antonio's teaching introduces his patient-centered approach, and the Parnell performers enter his orbit. Sergio is badly injured, and Antonio operates on him.
2. Recovery and Private Attachment — Sergio fears lasting paralysis, while Daisy's exchange with him reveals tension. Her dispute with Antonio over his fee exposes their emotional involvement as his career advances.
3. Rumors and Separation — Gossip threatens Antonio's private life as Sergio struggles through recovery. Daisy refuses to wait indefinitely, then demands that Antonio end their relationship.
4. Return and Family Rupture — Daisy returns after living alone in Assisi, leaving her attachment to Antonio unresolved. Maria explains why she is leaving with Mario, and Amedeo helps her prepare to depart.