Accattone (1961) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Accattone's claims of reform and affection collide with his return to pimping and his attempt to make Stella earn money through prostitution.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Wager and Maddalena's Absence

Accattone survives a dangerous river wager and returns to his idle street life. He learns that Maddalena is imprisoned, establishing the hardship behind his search for another source of income.

Key Events

• The River Wager — Accattone's companions wager over a dangerous dive; he jumps into the river wearing his gold and survives. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi Location: River
• Back to Street Life — After the wager, Accattone returns to his familiar idle street life. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi Location: Streets
• Maddalena in Prison — Accattone learns Maddalena is imprisoned and has been sentenced to a year. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi, Maddalena Location: Unspecified

A Chance at Respectability

Accattone approaches Stella and talks with her about hunger and work. He also claims to his family that he has changed and wants a job, but Maddalena's relatives reject him.

Key Events

• Accattone Meets Stella — Accattone approaches Stella, a newcomer to Rome who is struggling to get by. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi, Stella Location: Rome
• Talk of Hunger and Work — Accattone talks about hardship and work; Stella says she has found employment. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi, Stella Location: Rome
• A Promise to Reform — Accattone approaches his family, claiming he has changed and wants a job. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi Location: Unspecified
• Family Rejection — Maddalena's relatives accuse Accattone of failing her and her son and tell him to stay away. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi, Maddalena Location: Unspecified

Affection and Its Hidden Cost

Accattone gives Stella clothes and shoes and tells her that he loves her. His return to pimping and the criticism of his treatment of Stella reveal that affection is entangled with his need for money.

Key Events

• Gifts for Stella — As Stella grows close to him, Accattone gives her clothes and shoes as a gesture of kindness. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi, Stella Location: Unspecified
• Accattone Declares Love — Accattone says he loves Stella because she seems different, vulnerable, and alone. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi, Stella Location: Unspecified
• Return to Pimping — Accattone returns to pimping, while women around him criticize his treatment of Stella. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi, Stella, Maddalena Location: Unspecified

Stella's Refusal

Stella understands that Accattone expects her to earn money through prostitution and asks to go home. He leaves her behind when she refuses, sharply rupturing their growing relationship.

Key Events

• Stella Understands His Demand — Stella realizes Accattone expects her to earn money through prostitution. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi, Stella Location: Outing
• Stella Asks to Go Home — Frightened by what Accattone expects, Stella asks him to take her home. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi, Stella Location: Outing
• Accattone Leaves Stella — Disgusted by Stella's refusal, Accattone leaves her behind and tells her to walk home. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi, Stella Location: Road

An Unresolved Return

Accattone is mocked by his companions, lashes out, and borrows a bicycle while complaining about the police and his life. Maddalena appears at his home, but the reference leaves his attempted reform and relationship with Stella unresolved.

Key Events

• Mocked by Companions — His companions mock him for returning alone; Accattone lashes out and borrows a bicycle. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi Location: Unspecified
• Maddalena Appears — Accattone rails against the police and his life; Maddalena appears at his home, leaving his attempted change unresolved. Characters: Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi, Maddalena Location: Accattone's home

Story Breakdown

• River Wager — Accattone's companions turn a reckless wager into a test of nerve.
  • Dangerous Dive — Accattone jumps into the river wearing his gold and survives.
  • Street Life Resumes — He returns to his familiar idle world after the wager.
• Maddalena Imprisoned — Maddalena's absence leaves Accattone facing the loss of his established income.
  • Sentence Reported — Accattone is warned that Maddalena has received a year-long sentence.
  • Income Lost — Her imprisonment forms the background to Accattone's later pursuit of money.
• Stella's Arrival — Accattone meets a newcomer to Rome who is struggling to get by.
  • Hardship Discussed — Accattone speaks of hunger and work with Stella.
  • Employment Found — Stella tells him that she has found work.
• Rejected Reform — Accattone claims he wants to change, but his family rejects his approach.
  • Job Claim — He tells his family that he has changed and wants employment.
  • Relatives Refuse — Maddalena's relatives accuse him of failing her and her son and order him away.
• Affection and Gifts — Accattone draws closer to Stella while presenting himself as caring.
  • Clothes and Shoes — He gives Stella clothes and shoes as apparent kindness.
  • Declaration of Love — He says he loves her because she seems different, vulnerable, and alone.
• Return to Pimping — Accattone's apparent change gives way to his pursuit of money through Stella.
  • Women Criticize Him — Women around Accattone recognize and criticize his treatment of Stella.
  • Stella Understands — She realizes he expects her to earn money through prostitution.
• Stella Left Behind — Stella's fear and refusal lead to a rupture with Accattone.
  • Request to Go Home — Stella asks Accattone to take her home.
  • Walk Back Alone — Accattone leaves her behind and tells her to walk back herself.
• Unresolved Return — Accattone reacts to mockery and hardship before Maddalena appears at his home.
  • Companions Mock Him — His companions make fun of him for returning alone.
  • Maddalena Appears — She appears at Accattone's home as his attempted change and relationship with Stella remain unresolved.

Directed by

Pier Paolo Pasolini

Key Cast

• Franco Citti — Vittorio 'Accattone' Cataldi
• Franca Pasut — Stella
• Silvana Corsini — Maddalena
• Paola Guidi — Ascenza
• Adriana Asti — Amore