Kidnapped (2023) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A child taken because of a disputed baptism grows into a man whose imposed religious identity permanently separates him from his family.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Baptism That Changed Everything

Anna Morisi secretly baptizes the sick Edgardo, who survives. Seven years later, the report of the baptism gives Feletti a legal basis to remove the child from his Jewish family.

Key Events

• Secret Baptism — Anna secretly baptizes the sick child, believing he may die and enter limbo. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child), Anna Morisi Location: Bologna family home
• Edgardo Survives — Edgardo survives, but the secret baptism later becomes legally decisive. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child), Anna Morisi Location: Bologna family home
• Baptism Is Reported — Anna tells Feletti about the baptism seven years after it occurred. Characters: Anna Morisi, Pier Gaetano Feletti Location: Bologna Inquisition office
• Removal Is Ordered — Feletti decides that Edgardo must be removed because baptized Christians cannot be raised by non-Christians. Characters: Pier Gaetano Feletti, Edgardo Mortara (child), Momolo Mortara, Marianna Mortara Location: Bologna

A Child Taken to Rome

Edgardo is forcibly taken to Rome and placed in the Casa dei Catecumeni. His parents publicize the case, while Edgardo is absorbed into a Catholic educational environment.

Key Events

• Forced Departure — Edgardo is forcibly taken from his family and sent toward Rome. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child), Momolo Mortara, Marianna Mortara, Pier Gaetano Feletti Location: Mortara family home
• Casa dei Catecumeni — Edgardo arrives at the Roman boarding school for children of converted Jews. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child) Location: Rome
• Public Campaign Begins — Edgardo's parents publicize the case and provoke international indignation. Characters: Momolo Mortara, Marianna Mortara Location: Bologna and European public sphere
• Church Claims Edgardo — Edgardo is raised and educated within a completely Catholic environment. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child), Pier Gaetano Feletti Location: Rome

The Visit and the Failed Rescue

Momolo and Marianna visit Edgardo, who privately reveals that he still recites the Shema. Visits are then forbidden unless the family converts, and an attempted kidnapping fails.

Key Events

• Parents Visit Rome — Momolo and Marianna receive permission to visit their son months after his removal. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child), Momolo Mortara, Marianna Mortara Location: Rome boarding school
• Shema Revealed — Edgardo cries before Marianna and reveals that he secretly recites the Shema every night. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child), Marianna Mortara, Momolo Mortara Location: Rome boarding school
• Visits Are Forbidden — Future visits are forbidden unless the entire family converts to Catholicism. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child), Momolo Mortara, Marianna Mortara Location: Rome boarding school
• Kidnapping Attempt Fails — The Mortaras organize an attempted kidnapping, but the plan fails and their Roman Jewish support collapses. Characters: Momolo Mortara, Marianna Mortara, Edgardo Mortara (child) Location: Rome

Law, War, and Irreversible Choice

Political change brings Feletti to trial, but the court confirms that the baptism was valid and acquits him. Years later, Riccardo offers Edgardo a return home, which Edgardo rejects.

Key Events

• Bologna Changes Rule — After the Second Italian War of Independence, Bologna leaves papal control. Characters: Pier Gaetano Feletti Location: Bologna
• Feletti Faces Trial — Feletti is arrested and tried while the Mortara case is reconstructed in court. Characters: Pier Gaetano Feletti, Momolo Mortara, Marianna Mortara Location: Bologna courtroom
• Baptism Is Valid — The hearings establish that Anna's baptism was valid and that Feletti followed the law. Characters: Anna Morisi, Pier Gaetano Feletti, Edgardo Mortara (child) Location: Bologna courtroom
• Feletti Is Acquitted — Feletti is acquitted because he acted according to the laws then in force. Characters: Pier Gaetano Feletti Location: Bologna courtroom
• Riccardo Offers Return — After Rome joins Italy, Riccardo finds Edgardo and tells him he can finally return home. Characters: Riccardo Mortara, Edgardo Mortara (child) Location: Rome
• Edgardo Chooses Church — Edgardo refuses to return, declaring that the Catholic Church is now his real family. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child), Riccardo Mortara Location: Rome

The Final Family Rupture

Edgardo returns when Marianna is dying and tries to baptize her. She refuses, and his siblings drive him away, completing the family's final separation.

Key Events

• Papal Funeral Riot — After the pope dies, Edgardo impulsively joins rioters who want to throw the coffin into the Tiber. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child) Location: Rome
• Edgardo Returns Home — Edgardo returns years later when his dying mother Marianna is near death. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child), Marianna Mortara Location: Mortara family home
• Mother Rejects Baptism — Edgardo tries to baptize Marianna, but she refuses and insists on dying as a Jew. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child), Marianna Mortara Location: Mortara family home
• Family Breaks Apart — Edgardo's siblings drive him away, marking the apparent final break with his family. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child), Riccardo Mortara, Momolo Mortara, Marianna Mortara Location: Mortara family home
• Priestly Life Continues — The closing credits state that Edgardo became a priest, missionary, and preacher before dying in Belgium. Characters: Edgardo Mortara (child) Location: European monasteries

Story Breakdown

• Secret Baptism — A private religious act transforms a family crisis into a legal and political conflict.
  • Child Falls Ill — Anna believes Edgardo is dying and fears he will enter limbo.
  • Hidden Sacrament — Anna secretly baptizes Edgardo, creating the basis for his later removal.
• Forced Separation — Feletti applies the law and removes Edgardo from his parents.
  • Removal Order — The baptism is treated as making Edgardo irrevocably Catholic.
  • Journey To Rome — Edgardo is taken to the Casa dei Catecumeni.
• Parents Fight Back — Momolo and Marianna seek public support while trying to preserve their bond with Edgardo.
  • Public Outcry — The parents publicize the case and provoke widespread indignation.
  • Painful Visit — Edgardo cries before Marianna and reveals his continuing Jewish prayer.
• Failed Rescue — Religious authorities impose conversion as the condition for contact, and the family's rescue attempt collapses.
  • Visits Forbidden — Further meetings are denied unless the entire family converts.
  • Kidnapping Fails — The Mortaras' attempt to take Edgardo back fails and costs them support.
• Law And Political Change — The fall of papal control brings the original decision into court but does not restore Edgardo.
  • Feletti On Trial — Feletti is prosecuted after Bologna changes political jurisdiction.
  • Legal Validation — The court confirms the baptism's validity and acquits Feletti.
• Rejected Homecoming — Edgardo is offered a return but chooses the Catholic identity formed during his separation.
  • Brother's Offer — Riccardo tells Edgardo that he can finally return home.
  • Chosen Church — Edgardo says that the Catholic Church is now his real family.
• Final Family Rupture — Edgardo's attempt to convert Marianna ends his remaining family connection.
  • Dying Mother — Edgardo returns when Marianna is dying after years of estrangement.
  • Rejected Baptism — Marianna refuses baptism and insists on dying as a Jew.
  • Driven Away — Edgardo's siblings expel him, marking the final break.

Directed by

Marco Bellocchio

Key Cast

• Enea Sala — Edgardo Mortara (child)
• Leonardo Maltese — Edgardo Mortara
• Paolo Pierobon — Pio IX
• Fausto Russo Alesi — Momolo Mortara
• Barbara Ronchi — Marianna Mortara