Matalo! (Kill Him) (1970) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A gold robbery draws desperate people into a deserted town, where Ray must confront competing promises and choose whether to pursue wealth.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Gold and Bloodshed

A prayer for the dead gives way to a traveler's harsh survival creed. Bart and his companions rob a gold-bearing stagecoach, and their escape leaves bloodshed behind.

Key Events

• Prayer for the Dead — The story opens with a prayer for the dead. Location: Unspecified
• Lessons of Survival — A traveler recalls his father's lessons about money, theft, and survival. Location: Unspecified
• The Gold Stagecoach Robbery — Bart and his companions rob a stagecoach carrying gold. Characters: Bart Location: Stagecoach route
• Bloodshed During Escape — The gang's escape leaves bloodshed behind. Characters: Bart Location: Stagecoach route

Refuge in Empty Streets

Bart is said to be dead as Mary flees with her partner and the gold. They shelter in an almost deserted town, where Ray arrives after his wagon breaks down.

Key Events

• Bart Reported Dead — Bart is later said to be dead. Characters: Bart Location: Unspecified
• Mary Flees with the Gold — Mary flees with her partner, who hides the gold without telling her where. Characters: Mary Location: Road to the town
• Almost Deserted Town — Mary and her partner take refuge in an almost deserted town. Characters: Mary Location: Almost deserted town
• Ray Arrives by Chance — Ray arrives after his wagon breaks down and says he had no plan to come there. Characters: Ray / Todd Location: Almost deserted town

The Price of the Gold

Mary becomes uneasy about the hidden treasure and her partner's questions. Baxter demands delivery in Santa Ana within four days, while the old woman reveals her hopes for the town's fortune.

Key Events

• Mary Questions the Hidden Gold — Mary grows uneasy because her partner asked where the gold was hidden. Characters: Mary Location: Almost deserted town
• Baxter's Mexico Demand — Baxter demands delivery of the gold at Santa Ana within four days. Characters: Baxter Location: Unspecified
• The Town's Lost Fortune — The old woman recounts her family's former ownership and her hope for the town's fortune. Characters: Ray / Todd Location: Almost deserted town

Ray's Refusal

The old woman asks Ray to protect the gold, but Mary’s partner demands the girl in exchange for it. Faced with offers of wealth and a bleak, abandoned town, Ray rejects the treasure and leaves.

Key Events

• Ray Asked to Protect the Gold — The old woman says she knows where the gold is and asks Ray to protect it. Characters: Ray / Todd Location: Almost deserted town
• Demand for the Girl — Mary's partner demands that the girl be sent to him in exchange for the gold; Ray and the old woman resist. Characters: Ray / Todd, Mary Location: Almost deserted town
• Competing Promises — Mary's partner offers to share the treasure, while the old woman promises Ray wealth and a future. Characters: Ray / Todd Location: Almost deserted town
• Ray Rejects the Treasure — Seeing the dead, abandoned streets, Ray rejects the gold and leaves. Characters: Ray / Todd Location: Almost deserted town

Story Breakdown

• Survival Creed — The opening frames survival through a traveler's recollection of his father's harsh lessons.
  • Prayer for the Dead — The story begins with a prayer for the dead.
  • Harsh Lessons — A traveler recalls lessons about money, theft, and taking before being taken from.
• Stagecoach Robbery — Bart and his companions seize a stagecoach carrying a large quantity of gold.
  • Gold Seized — The gang successfully robs the stagecoach carrying $200,000 in gold.
  • Bloody Escape — The gang's escape leaves bloodshed behind.
• Mary's Flight — Mary escapes with her partner, but she is not told where the gold is hidden.
  • Hidden Treasure — Mary's partner hides the gold without revealing its location to her.
  • Town Refuge — Mary and her partner take refuge in an almost deserted town.
• Ray's Arrival — Ray reaches the town by chance after his wagon breaks down.
  • Broken Wagon — Ray's wagon breaks down on his journey.
  • Unexpected Stranger — Questioned by the old woman, Ray says he had no plan to come to town.
• Gold Under Pressure — Mary's doubts and Baxter's demand increase the pressure around the concealed treasure.
  • Mary's Suspicion — Mary becomes uneasy when her partner asks where the gold is hidden.
  • Baxter's Deadline — Baxter demands the gold at Santa Ana within four days.
• The Town's Promise — The old woman connects the gold to her hopes for the town and asks Ray to protect it.
  • Lost Family Fortune — She says her family once owned the thriving town and that she has waited for its fortune to return.
  • Request for Protection — She claims to know where the gold is and asks Ray to guard it.
• A Costly Bargain — Mary's partner tries to exchange the girl for the gold, prompting resistance from Ray and the old woman.
  • Demand for the Girl — Mary's partner demands the girl in exchange for the treasure.
  • Ray and the Old Woman Resist — Ray and the old woman refuse to accept the demand.
• Ray Rejects Wealth — Ray weighs promises of treasure against the desolation he sees and ultimately leaves.
  • Competing Offers — Mary's partner offers shared treasure, while the old woman promises wealth and a future.
  • Departure — Ray rejects the gold and leaves the abandoned town.

Directed by

Cesare Canevari

Key Cast

• Corrado Pani — Bart
• Lou Castel — Ray / Todd
• Claudia Gravy — Mary
• Luis Dávila — Phil
• Miguel del Castillo — Baxter