Accident (1967) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An accident and a web of complicated attachments unsettle Stephen's marriage, friendship, and feelings for Anna.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Questions After the Crash

A late-night accident brings Anna to Stephen's house and leaves unanswered questions about the young man's visit. William's interest in Anna draws Stephen into conversations about his role as her tutor.

Key Events

• The Late-Night Accident — A late-night crash leaves Anna at Stephen's house and raises questions about the young man's visit. Characters: Anna, Stephen, William Location: Outside Stephen's house
• Anna Explains the Visit — Anna explains that the young man was expected to visit Stephen and had been on his way to a party. Characters: Anna, Stephen Location: Stephen's house
• William Asks About Anna — William asks Stephen what he thinks of Anna, revealing his interest in her. Characters: Stephen, William, Anna Location: Unspecified
• Stephen Claims a Tutor's Duty — Stephen says he must consider Anna's welfare as her tutor, while William teases him about protecting her. Characters: Stephen, William Location: Unspecified

A Sunday at Stephen's Home

Stephen invites Anna to lunch with Rosalind and the children, despite Rosalind's reservations. Frank exchanges between Stephen and William further unsettle their friendship and Stephen's sense of his own prospects.

Key Events

• The Sunday Lunch Invitation — Stephen invites Anna to lunch at his home on Sunday to meet his family. Characters: Stephen, Anna Location: Stephen's home
• Rosalind's Reservations — Rosalind is uneasy about hosting Anna, whom she considers a princess, but the gathering goes ahead. Characters: Rosalind, Anna, Stephen Location: Stephen's home
• Frank Talk About Prospects — Stephen and William exchange frank views about marriage, friendship, success, and Stephen's prospects. Characters: Stephen, William Location: Unspecified
• William's Television Warning — William, a television personality, warns Stephen against appearing on his show. Characters: William, Stephen Location: Unspecified

Feelings Behind Closed Doors

While Rosalind is away, Stephen and Anna grow closer and spend time together at his house. Laura's letter recognizes the importance of Stephen's feelings, while Stephen tries to describe the relationship as temporary.

Key Events

• A Closer Attachment — As time passes and Rosalind is away, Stephen and Anna grow closer. Characters: Stephen, Anna Location: Stephen's house
• Laura's Personal Letter — Laura writes that she understands Stephen's feelings and advises him not to overstate their importance to Anna. Characters: Laura, Stephen, Anna Location: Unspecified
• Intimacy at Home — Stephen and Anna spend time together at his house, and their intimacy creates tension. Characters: Stephen, Anna Location: Stephen's house
• Stephen Dismisses the Affair — Stephen says the relationship will soon come to nothing, though his reaction suggests it matters deeply. Characters: Stephen, Anna Location: Unspecified

A Choice at the Provost's

During a weekend visit that includes a traditional game, Anna tells Stephen she is going to marry William. Stephen congratulates her, and her request that he tell Charley leaves his own feelings unresolved.

Key Events

• The Provost's Weekend — A weekend visit includes a traditional game at the Provost's home. Characters: Stephen, Anna, Provost Location: The Provost's home
• Anna Announces Her Marriage — Anna tells Stephen she is going to marry William, and Stephen congratulates her. Characters: Anna, Stephen, William Location: The Provost's home
• A Message for Charley — Anna asks Stephen to tell Charley about her decision, leaving Stephen's feelings unresolved. Characters: Anna, Stephen, Charley Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• The Unanswered Crash — Anna arrives at Stephen's house after a late-night accident, leaving questions about the young man's expected visit.
  • Anna's Account — Anna explains that the young man had been drinking and was on his way to a party.
  • The Expected Visit — The young man had been expected to visit Stephen to discuss something.
• Tutor and Student — Stephen's professional role becomes complicated by his concern for Anna and William's interest in her.
  • William Asks Stephen — William asks Stephen what he thinks of Anna.
  • A Tutor's Duty — Stephen insists that he must consider Anna's welfare as her tutor.
• The Sunday Gathering — Anna is invited into Stephen's home, where Rosalind's discomfort complicates the visit.
  • Lunch Invitation — Stephen invites Anna to Sunday lunch to meet Rosalind and the children.
  • Rosalind's Reservations — Rosalind is uneasy about hosting Anna, whom she considers a princess.
• Friendship Under Strain — Stephen and William's conversations expose tensions around marriage, friendship, success, and Stephen's prospects.
  • Frank Exchanges — Stephen and William speak frankly about their lives and relationships.
  • Television Warning — William warns Stephen against appearing on his show.
• Growing Intimacy — Stephen and Anna grow closer while Rosalind is away, and their relationship becomes a source of tension.
  • Laura's Letter — Laura recognizes the significance of Stephen's feelings and cautions him about how he presents them to Anna.
  • A Temporary Claim — Stephen calls the relationship temporary, although his reaction suggests it matters deeply to him.
• Anna Chooses William — A weekend visit culminates in Anna telling Stephen she is going to marry William.
  • The Provost's Game — The weekend visit includes a traditional game at the Provost's home.
  • A Request to Stephen — Anna asks Stephen to tell Charley, leaving the outcome of Stephen's feelings unresolved.

Directed by

Joseph Losey

Key Cast

• Dirk Bogarde — Stephen
• Stanley Baker — Charley
• Jacqueline Sassard — Anna
• Michael York — William
• Vivien Merchant — Rosalind