Crime Novel (2005) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A criminal brotherhood rises through violence and ambition, then fractures under love, betrayal, revenge, and state pressure.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Friendship Forged In Crime

Freddo, Libano, and Dandi begin as young delinquents whose criminal life is marked by a fatal car theft. Years later, Freddo rejoins Libano and enters a larger criminal enterprise.

Key Events

• The Car Theft — Four young delinquents steal a car and flee from a police roadblock. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi Location: Rome road
• Grand Dies — Grand is crushed by the steering column and dies from his injuries. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi Location: Disused caravan
• Freddo Leaves Prison — Freddo is released from prison and reunites with Libano. Characters: Freddo, Libano Location: Rome
• The Kidnapping Plan — Libano proposes kidnapping a wealthy aristocrat for ransom. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi Location: Gang meeting place
• The Gang Assembles — Libano and Dandi gather a larger gang for the kidnapping. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi, Nero Location: Rome

The Ransom Builds An Empire

The gang kidnaps a wealthy aristocrat and obtains a huge ransom despite the hostage's death. Libano uses the money to move the group into Rome's drug trade.

Key Events

• The Ransom Negotiation — The gang negotiates a ransom of three billion lire. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi Location: Kidnapping hideout
• The Hostage Is Killed — The hostage is shot by one of the guards entrusted by Libano. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi Location: Hostage location
• The Ransom Is Collected — The gang photographs the dead hostage with a newspaper and receives the ransom. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi, Nero Location: Ransom exchange
• Money Serial Numbers — Police record the ransom money's serial numbers and pursue the gang. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi Location: Police office
• The Gang Invests — The gang divides part of the money and invests the rest in criminal expansion. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi, Nero Location: Gang meeting place
• The Drug Racket War — The gang attacks the existing drug organization to seize its territory. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi, Nero Location: Rome streets

Rome Under Their Shadow

The gang defeats its drug-market rival and becomes a dominant force in Rome. Dandi's personal obsession and Freddo's love for Roberta expose tensions beneath the gang's power.

Key Events

• Control Of The Racket — Freddo, Libano, and Dandi confront the drug dealer and force his agreement. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi Location: A bedroom
• Rome Under Gang Rule — The gang grows in influence and Rome falls under Libano's rule. Characters: Freddo, Libano, Dandi, Nero Location: Rome
• Dandi's Obsession — Dandi becomes enamored with a prostitute who is given a brothel. Characters: Dandi Location: Brothel
• Freddo Meets Roberta — Freddo falls in love with Roberta, his younger brother's tutor. Characters: Freddo, Roberta Location: Roberta's tutoring setting

Love Against The Gang

Freddo seeks to abandon the criminal world and plans an escape with Roberta. Libano interprets this desire for another life as betrayal and weakness.

Key Events

• The Withdrawal Request — Freddo asks to leave the gang, but Libano treats his romance as weakness. Characters: Freddo, Libano Location: Gang meeting place
• The Elopement Plan — Freddo and Roberta study English while planning to elope. Characters: Freddo, Roberta Location: Rome
• The Bologna Bombing — An organized bombing occurs while Freddo is at Bologna train station. Characters: Freddo Location: Bologna train station

Vengeance And Collapse

Libano's murder sends Freddo into a revenge campaign supported by Dandi. Arrests follow, while the gang's violent legacy continues through attempted escape and score-settling.

Key Events

• Libano Is Murdered — Freddo learns by telephone that Libano has been stabbed after a bitter poker game. Characters: Freddo, Libano Location: Poker game setting
• The Vengeance Campaign — Freddo begins pursuing vengeance with Dandi as gang violence escalates. Characters: Freddo, Dandi, Nero Location: Rome streets
• Freddo Is Captured — The police capture Freddo after following the gang's activities. Characters: Freddo Location: Rome
• The Gang Is Arrested — The police capture the remaining gang members except Dandi. Characters: Freddo, Dandi, Nero Location: Rome
• Escape From Prison — Freddo plans a prison escape with help from his friends while score-settling continues. Characters: Freddo, Dandi Location: Prison
• The Criminal Spiral — The gang's rise ends in imprisonment and an ongoing cycle of retaliation. Characters: Freddo, Dandi, Nero Location: Rome and prison

Story Breakdown

• Fatal Beginnings — The protagonists' criminal bond is established through a reckless theft and an irreversible death.
  • Car Theft — Freddo, Libano, Dandi, and Grand steal a car and crash through a police roadblock.
  • Caravan Tragedy — Grand is mortally injured and dies while the others flee from the police.
• Ransom Enterprise — Libano transforms the group's criminal energy into an organized kidnapping operation.
  • Kidnapping Scheme — Libano proposes holding a wealthy aristocrat for a three-billion-lire ransom.
  • Hostage Death — The hostage is shot, but the gang still obtains the ransom by staging photographic proof.
• Criminal Expansion — The gang invests its ransom money and enters a violent struggle for control of Rome's drug trade.
  • Ransom Investment — The gang keeps part of the money and reserves the remainder for criminal expansion.
  • Drug Racket War — The gang destroys the rival organization and forces its leader to surrender control.
• Rule Over Rome — The gang becomes increasingly influential, with Libano at the center of its authority.
  • Gang Dominance — The criminal organization expands until Rome falls under its influence.
  • Dandi's Entanglement — Dandi's jealousy and obsession lead the gang to place his romantic interest under its control.
• Love And Defection — Freddo's relationship with Roberta creates a possible alternative to the gang's violent life.
  • Freddo Loves Roberta — Freddo falls in love with Roberta, his younger brother's tutor.
  • Planned Elopement — Freddo and Roberta learn English while preparing to leave together.
• Revenge And Collapse — The gang's internal bonds disintegrate after Libano's murder, leading to revenge, arrests, and continued violence.
  • Libano's Murder — Freddo learns that Libano has been stabbed after a bitter poker game.
  • Mass Arrests — Freddo and most of the gang are captured, while Dandi remains outside and an escape is planned.

Directed by

Michele Placido

Key Cast

• Kim Rossi Stuart — Freddo
• Anna Mouglalis — Patricia / Cinzia
• Stefano Accorsi — Commissario Scialoja
• Pierfrancesco Favino — Libano
• Claudio Santamaria — Dandi