A World Without Thieves (2004) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A professional thief's moral transformation unfolds when an innocent traveler and his savings become the center of a criminal struggle.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Fortune on the Rails

Sha Gen carries five years of savings home from Tibet and openly announces his money in a crowded street. Wang Bo and Wang Li notice him, but they disagree about whether to exploit his innocence.

Key Events

• Tibet Construction Site — Sha Gen works in Tibet before returning home to marry. Characters: Sha Gen Location: Tibet
• Savings Prepared for Home — Sha Gen carries five years of savings instead of using remittance. Characters: Sha Gen Location: Tibet
• Publicly Announces His Money — Sha Gen loudly reveals his earnings in a crowded street. Characters: Sha Gen Location: Crowded street
• Thieves Notice Sha Gen — Wang Bo and Wang Li notice Sha Gen and his vulnerable savings. Characters: Wang Bo, Wang Li, Sha Gen Location: Crowded street
• The Last Hit Plan — Wang Bo considers stealing the money as his final job. Characters: Wang Bo, Wang Li Location: Train route inland
• Wang Li Chooses Protection — Wang Li's pregnancy and compassion lead her to protect Sha Gen. Characters: Wang Bo, Wang Li, Sha Gen Location: Train

Rivals Board the Train

A separate gang of thieves boards the inland-bound train and is told not to steal there. Temptation overcomes discipline, and Wang Bo's intervention exposes his superior skills.

Key Events

• Wang Li Chooses Protection — Wang Li's pregnancy and compassion lead her to protect Sha Gen. Characters: Wang Bo, Wang Li, Sha Gen Location: Train
• Gang Boards the Train — A separate gang of thieves boards the train with Sha Gen. Characters: Xiao Ye, Four-Eyes, Sha Gen Location: Inland-bound train
• No Job on the Train — The gang members are instructed not to conduct a theft aboard the train. Characters: Xiao Ye, Four-Eyes Location: Train
• The Forbidden Theft Begins — Tempted by the cash, gang members disobey and attempt a theft. Characters: Xiao Ye, Four-Eyes, Sha Gen Location: Train
• Wang Bo Takes the Money — Wang Bo robs the gang members moments after their attempted strike. Characters: Wang Bo, Xiao Ye, Four-Eyes, Sha Gen Location: Train
• Wang Bo's Skill Exposed — The gang recognizes Wang Bo's exceptional theft skills. Characters: Wang Bo, Xiao Ye, Four-Eyes Location: Train

The Innocent Target

Wang Bo refuses recruitment, intensifying the rivalry between the two theft operations. Wang Li continues trying to protect Sha Gen, who remains unaware of the danger surrounding him.

Key Events

• Recruitment Is Refused — Wang Bo refuses to join the rival thieves' operation. Characters: Wang Bo, Xiao Ye, Four-Eyes Location: Train
• Rivalry Escalates — The two thieves' groups struggle while Sha Gen remains unaware. Characters: Wang Bo, Wang Li, Xiao Ye, Four-Eyes, Sha Gen Location: Train
• The Detective Watches — Han silently observes the conflict and waits for an opportunity. Characters: Han, Wang Bo, Wang Li, Sha Gen Location: Train
• Police Close In — The police force moves toward the thieves as the train continues inland. Characters: Han, Wang Bo, Wang Li, Xiao Ye, Four-Eyes, Sha Gen Location: Inland-bound train

A Thief Takes a Stand

Han silently watches as police pressure closes in. When Sha Gen's money is targeted again, Wang Bo honors his promise to Wang Li and confronts the attackers.

Key Events

• Police Close In — The police force moves toward the thieves as the train continues inland. Characters: Han, Wang Bo, Wang Li, Xiao Ye, Four-Eyes, Sha Gen Location: Inland-bound train
• Money Is Targeted Again — The rival gang attempts to take Sha Gen's money again. Characters: Wang Bo, Wang Li, Sha Gen Location: Train
• Wang Bo Defends Sha Gen — Wang Bo intervenes after promising Wang Li to protect Sha Gen's innocence. Characters: Wang Bo, Wang Li, Sha Gen Location: Train
• Violent Hand-to-Hand Fight — Wang Bo fights violently to recover Sha Gen's money. Characters: Wang Bo, Wang Li, Sha Gen Location: Train

The Cost of Redemption

Wang Bo recovers and returns Sha Gen's money but dies from his injuries. The gang is apprehended, Wang Li is released on compassionate grounds, and she later returns to Tibet to pray in penance.

Key Events

• Money Returned to Sha Gen — Wang Bo retrieves the money and gives it back to Sha Gen. Characters: Wang Bo, Wang Li, Sha Gen Location: Train
• Wang Bo Dies — Wang Bo dies after being seriously injured in the fight. Characters: Wang Bo, Wang Li Location: Train
• Gang Apprehended at Station — The gang is apprehended as the train pulls into the station. Characters: Han, Wang Li, Xiao Ye, Four-Eyes Location: Train station
• Wang Li Is Released — The police officer lets Wang Li go on compassionate grounds. Characters: Han, Wang Li Location: Train station
• Return to Tibet — Wang Li later returns to Tibet and prays to the heavens in penance. Characters: Wang Li Location: Tibet

Story Breakdown

• Sha Gen's Journey — Sha Gen leaves Tibet with his savings and an unquestioning belief in human goodness.
  • Leaving Tibet — Sha Gen returns inland from Tibet to get married after working as a construction worker.
  • Carrying His Savings — He insists on carrying five years of savings rather than using remittance.
• The Money Revealed — Sha Gen's openness exposes his savings to professional thieves.
  • Crowded Street — Sha Gen loudly announces his earnings in a crowded street.
  • A Valuable Target — Wang Bo notices the money and considers it suitable for a final theft.
• Wang Li's Compassion — Wang Li's pregnancy and response to Sha Gen's innocence challenge the couple's criminal purpose.
  • The Last Hit — Wang Bo wants to steal the money before ending his criminal career.
  • Choosing Protection — Wang Li decides to protect Sha Gen instead of allowing him to be exploited.
• Rival Thieves — A second group of thieves turns the train into a contested criminal arena.
  • Gang Boards Train — Xiao Ye and Four-Eyes board the inland-bound train with their gang.
  • Forbidden Theft — Despite instructions, members attempt a job because of the large amount of cash.
• Criminal Escalation — Wang Bo's skill and refusal to cooperate intensify the rivalry around Sha Gen.
  • Wang Bo's Countermove — Wang Bo robs the gang members moments after their attempted strike.
  • Unaware Victim — Sha Gen remains unaware while the two theft operations struggle around him.
• Lawful Pressure — Han silently observes the conflict while the police force prepares to intervene.
  • Hidden Detective — Han watches the thieves and waits for an opportunity to act.
  • Police Closing In — The police force moves in as the train approaches the final confrontation.
• Wang Bo's Redemption — Wang Bo abandons his original goal and risks his life to preserve Sha Gen's innocence.
  • Protective Confrontation — Wang Bo fights after promising Wang Li to help protect Sha Gen.
  • Money Returned — He recovers the savings and gives them back to Sha Gen.
• Loss and Penance — The train's arrival brings arrest, death, release, and Wang Li's final act of remorse.
  • Wang Bo's Death — Wang Bo dies from injuries sustained during the fight.
  • Prayer in Tibet — After being released, Wang Li returns to Tibet and prays in penance.

Directed by

Feng Xiaogang

Key Cast

• Andy Lau — Wang Bo
• René Liu — Wang Li
• Wang Baoqiang — Sha Gen
• Li Bingbing — Xiao Ye
• Ge You — Uncle Bill