Who? (1974) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A reconstructed prisoner becomes the center of an unresolved struggle between personal identity, scientific duty, and state security.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Returned Prisoner

Officials collect Martino after six months of detention and begin questioning him. Rogers is disturbed by Martino's metallic reconstruction and nearly absent face.

Key Events

• Officials Await Martino — American officials wait for Martino's release after six months of detention in the East. Characters: Finchley, Haller Location: American government facility
• Martino Is Collected — Finchley and Haller collect Martino and prepare to return him to the United States. Characters: Finchley, Haller, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Release transfer point
• Disturbing First Examination — Rogers sees that Martino's reconstructed body and nearly absent face are profoundly disturbing. Characters: Sean Rogers, Finchley, Haller, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Debriefing room
• Martino Describes Captivity — Martino says Kothu treated him while Azarin controlled his imprisonment. Characters: Sean Rogers, Finchley, Haller, Dr. Lucas Martino, Colonel Azarin, Dr. Kothu Location: Debriefing room

The Unprovable Identity

The authorities investigate whether the prisoner is really Martino or an altered replacement. Surveillance, infrared lighting, physical tests, and fingerprints all fail to provide a complete answer.

Key Events

• Identity Question Emerges — Authorities question whether the returned prisoner is truly Dr. Lucas Martino. Characters: Sean Rogers, Finchley, Haller, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Debriefing room
• Martino Rejects His Former Self — Martino claims his name but admits he no longer feels like the same man. Characters: Sean Rogers, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Debriefing room
• Surveillance Begins — Authorities place Martino under surveillance while testing his behavior and identity. Characters: Sean Rogers, Finchley, Haller, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Government observation area
• Infrared Testing Fails — Infrared observation does not resolve whether Martino is genuine or an altered replacement. Characters: Sean Rogers, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Testing room
• Physical Tests Prove Inconclusive — Repeated questions and physical tests fail because Martino's unusual body defeats ordinary identification methods. Characters: Sean Rogers, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Testing room
• Fingerprint Evidence Fractures — Fingerprints confirm only that one arm belonged to Martino. Characters: Sean Rogers, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Identification laboratory

The Neptune Pressure

Martino insists that he revealed nothing about Neptune and demands to resume the project. Azarin uses the possibility of a more human face as leverage during interrogation.

Key Events

• Besser Is Consulted — Dr. Besser is requested to examine Martino while being warned not to discuss Neptune. Characters: Sean Rogers, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Medical examination room
• Neptune Becomes Central — The authorities connect Martino's interrogation to Azarin's attempt to uncover Neptune. Characters: Sean Rogers, Dr. Lucas Martino, Colonel Azarin Location: Interrogation room
• Martino Demands Return — Martino insists that he revealed nothing and demands to return to the work. Characters: Sean Rogers, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Government office
• Azarin Offers A Bargain — Azarin says answers may preserve Martino's chance for a more human face through Kothu's work. Characters: Colonel Azarin, Dr. Lucas Martino, Dr. Kothu Location: Interrogation room

Security Against Belief

Rogers fears that Martino's return could compromise security and searches for people who knew him before the accident. Frank Heywood's former connection with Neptune becomes potentially relevant.

Key Events

• Rogers Rejects Repatriation — Rogers argues that returning Martino to Neptune could compromise security. Characters: Sean Rogers, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Security office
• Prior Acquaintances Are Sought — Rogers considers people who knew Martino before the accident, including Heywood's Neptune connection. Characters: Sean Rogers, Frank Heywood Location: Investigation office
• Recognition Evidence Fails — An attempted recognition test cannot provide reliable confirmation of Martino's identity. Characters: Sean Rogers, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Recognition examination area

A Solitary Withdrawal

Exhaustion and panic destroy Martino's hope of returning to Neptune. He retreats to his parents' neglected farm, while Rogers continues the unresolved identity investigation.

Key Events

• Martino Abandons Neptune — Exhausted and panicked, Martino gives up hope of returning to Neptune. Characters: Sean Rogers, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Government facility
• Retreat To The Farm — Martino chooses to retreat to his parents' neglected farm and live alone. Characters: Dr. Lucas Martino, Finchley Location: Martino family farm
• Rogers Continues Alone — Martino withdraws while Rogers remains responsible for investigating his identity. Characters: Sean Rogers, Dr. Lucas Martino Location: Investigation office

Story Breakdown

• Return From Detention — Martino is released after six months and brought back for official questioning.
  • Officials Await Release — Finchley and Haller wait for the detained scientist.
  • Disturbing Reconstruction — Rogers encounters Martino's metallic body and nearly absent face.
• Questioned Identity — The authorities cannot determine whether the returned figure is genuinely Martino.
  • Changed Sense Of Self — Martino claims his identity while admitting he no longer feels like the same man.
  • Possible Replacement — Officials consider whether the original Martino died and was replaced.
• Failed Verification — Scientific and physical methods provide only incomplete evidence.
  • Surveillance Tests — Authorities use surveillance, infrared lighting, and repeated questioning.
  • Partial Fingerprints — Only one arm can be connected to Martino through fingerprints.
• Neptune Conflict — The disputed identity becomes inseparable from the secrets of the Neptune project.
  • Martino Demands Return — Martino says he revealed nothing and insists that only he can finish the work.
  • Azarin Seeks Answers — Azarin's interrogation is tied to the effort to uncover Neptune.
• Face As Leverage — Azarin uses the possibility of reconstructing a human face to pressure Martino.
  • Kothu's Medical Role — Kothu is identified as the physician who handled Martino's reconstruction.
  • Cruel Bargain — Answers might preserve Martino's chance for a more human face.
• Rogers Investigates — Rogers resists Martino's return and seeks independent ways to resolve the mystery.
  • Security Objection — Rogers fears that sending Martino back could compromise security.
  • Former Connections — People connected with Martino before the accident are considered as possible evidence.
• Solitary Resolution — Martino abandons the project and withdraws, leaving the identity question unresolved.
  • Neptune Abandoned — Exhaustion and panic end Martino's hope of returning to the work.
  • Farm Retreat — He chooses to live alone at his parents' neglected farm.

Directed by

Jack Gold

Key Cast

• Elliott Gould — Sean Rogers
• Trevor Howard — Colonel Azarin
• Joseph Bova — Dr. Lucas Martino
• Edward Grover — Finchley
• John Lehne — Haller