Strangler vs Strangler (1984) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A serial killer's crimes become popular entertainment, enabling a second killer to hide behind the dead man's reputation.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Carnations and Punishment

Belgrade encounters its first serial killer in Pera Mitić, an awkward carnations seller living under severe punishment at home. His violence begins when girls refuse to buy his flowers.

Key Events

• Belgrade Gets a Strangler — Belgrade's first serial killer emerges as an awkward carnations seller. Characters: Pera Mitić Location: Belgrade
• Mitić's Punished Childhood — Mitić is punished at home when he fails to sell carnations. Characters: Pera Mitić Location: Mitić's home
• The Water Tank Punishment — His mother's punishments include locking him inside a water tank. Characters: Pera Mitić Location: Mitić's home
• First Refusal Becomes Murder — Mitić begins killing girls who refuse to buy his flowers. Characters: Pera Mitić Location: Belgrade street
• Police Investigation Begins — Inspector Strahinjić starts investigating the strangler. Characters: Inspector Ognjen Strahinjić Location: Belgrade police investigation

The Failed Manhunt

Inspector Ognjen Strahinjić investigates the strangler and uses Rodoljub as an undercover agent. The operation ends tragically, allowing the murders to continue.

Key Events

• Police Investigation Begins — Inspector Strahinjić starts investigating the strangler. Characters: Inspector Ognjen Strahinjić Location: Belgrade police investigation
• Strahinjić Pursues the Killer — The incompetent inspector tries to identify and catch the strangler. Characters: Inspector Ognjen Strahinjić, Pera Mitić Location: Belgrade
• Rodoljub Goes Undercover — Strahinjić deploys Rodoljub as an undercover agent. Characters: Inspector Ognjen Strahinjić, Rodoljub Location: Belgrade
• Undercover Operation Fails — The undercover attempt to catch the strangler ends in tragedy. Characters: Inspector Ognjen Strahinjić, Rodoljub, Pera Mitić Location: Belgrade
• The Strangler Gets a Song — Kopicl records a song dedicated to the strangler. Characters: Spiridon Kopicl Location: Radio and music performance setting

A Killer Becomes a Hit

Spiridon Kopicl turns the strangler into the subject of a nationwide hit song. Mitić hears the song and becomes thrilled by the public fascination, leading to another extreme act.

Key Events

• The Strangler Gets a Song — Kopicl records a song dedicated to the strangler. Characters: Spiridon Kopicl Location: Radio and music performance setting
• The Hit Sweeps the Nation — The strangler-inspired song immediately becomes a nationwide hit. Characters: Spiridon Kopicl Location: Nationwide radio audience
• Mitić Hears the Hit — Mitić hears Kopicl's song and becomes delighted by the attention. Characters: Pera Mitić, Spiridon Kopicl Location: Mitić's home
• Mitić Kills His Mother — Mitić strangles his mother so he can hear the song on television. Characters: Pera Mitić Location: Mitić's home
• Victims Continue to Increase — Mitić continues killing while his public notoriety grows. Characters: Pera Mitić Location: Belgrade

False Heroism

Kopicl becomes fixated on Sofija while Mitić attacks her. After Sofija bites Mitić's ear, Kopicl receives credit as her savior and is publicly transformed into a hero.

Key Events

• Victims Continue to Increase — Mitić continues killing while his public notoriety grows. Characters: Pera Mitić Location: Belgrade
• Kopicl Pursues Sofija — Kopicl focuses his attention on Sofija, a popular radio host. Characters: Spiridon Kopicl Location: Radio station setting
• Attack on Sofija — Mitić attacks Sofija while Kopicl is also attempting to strangle her. Characters: Pera Mitić, Spiridon Kopicl Location: Belgrade
• The Ear Is Bitten — Sofija bites Mitić's ear in self-defense during the attack. Characters: Pera Mitić, Spiridon Kopicl Location: Belgrade
• Kopicl Becomes a Hero — Kopicl receives public credit as Sofija's savior and hero. Characters: Spiridon Kopicl Location: Public media setting

The Ear and the Cover-Up

During the honeymoon, Kopicl murders Sofija while Mitić watches in disguise. Kopicl kills Mitić after a final confrontation, and the dead strangler is blamed for every crime.

Key Events

• The Honeymoon Murder — Kopicl strangles Sofija while Mitić, dressed as his mother, watches. Characters: Spiridon Kopicl, Pera Mitić Location: Honeymoon room
• Mitić Demands His Ear — Mitić enters after the murder and asks Kopicl for his bitten ear. Characters: Pera Mitić, Spiridon Kopicl Location: Honeymoon room
• Flight to the Abandoned Building — Kopicl flees to an abandoned building, where Mitić follows him. Characters: Spiridon Kopicl, Pera Mitić Location: Abandoned building
• Kopicl Hangs Mitić — After a struggle, Kopicl hangs Mitić in retaliation for the ear bite. Characters: Spiridon Kopicl, Pera Mitić Location: Abandoned building
• Mitić Takes the Blame — All crimes, including Sofija's death, are credited to the late Mitić. Characters: Pera Mitić, Spiridon Kopicl, Inspector Ognjen Strahinjić Location: Belgrade
• Crime Inspires a Symphony — Kopicl hears a melody and composes a symphony inspired by the crime. Characters: Spiridon Kopicl Location: Musical composition setting
• Kopicl's Final Marriage — After his father's death, Kopicl marries his attractive stepmother. Characters: Spiridon Kopicl Location: Belgrade

Story Breakdown

• Belgrade's First Strangler — Pera Mitić begins killing after repeated humiliation connected to his carnations.
  • Carnation Seller — Mitić sells carnations in mid-1980s Belgrade.
  • Punishing Household — He is slapped, forced to kneel on nutshells, or locked in a water tank.
• The Murder Pattern — Mitić's response to rejected flowers develops into a serial killing campaign.
  • Rejected Buyers — Girls who refuse to buy his flowers become his targets.
  • Escalating Victims — The number of victims increases as the story progresses.
• The Failed Manhunt — Inspector Ognjen Strahinjić attempts to stop the strangler through investigation and undercover work.
  • Police Pursuit — Strahinjić begins investigating after the first murder.
  • Undercover Tragedy — Rodoljub's undercover operation ends in tragedy.
• The Killer's Celebrity — Spiridon Kopicl converts the strangler case into a successful musical phenomenon.
  • Bejbi Bejbi — Kopicl records a song dedicated to the strangler.
  • Nationwide Sensation — The song immediately becomes a nationwide hit.
• False Hero Narrative — Kopicl's obsession with Sofija intersects with Mitić's attack and creates a misleading public image.
  • Ear-Biting Defense — Sofija bites Mitić's ear while defending herself.
  • Public Savior — Kopicl receives credit as a savior and hero.
• Honeymoon Betrayal — Kopicl's obsession reaches its most violent point during the honeymoon.
  • Observed Strangling — Kopicl strangles Sofija while Mitić watches dressed as his mother.
  • Demand for the Ear — Mitić enters and asks Kopicl for his ear.
• Abandoned Building Showdown — The two stranglers meet in a final physical struggle.
  • Fatal Struggle — Kopicl and Mitić fight in an abandoned building.
  • Mitić Is Hanged — Kopicl hangs Mitić after the struggle.
• The Final Cover-Up — Mitić's death allows Kopicl's crimes to disappear beneath the established strangler narrative.
  • Crimes Reassigned — All crimes, including Sofija's death, are credited to the late Mitić.
  • Symphony of Crime — Kopicl composes a symphony inspired by the crime.

Directed by

Slobodan Šijan

Key Cast

• Taško Načić — Pera Mitić
• Srđan Šaper — Spiridon Kopicl
• Rahela Ferari — Pera's mother
• Nikola Simić — Inspector Ognjen Strahinjić
• Sonja Savić — Sofija Mačkić