Assassination (1987) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A Secret Service agent investigates a threat to the First Lady while his protective duty develops into a fraught personal bond.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A New Protective Assignment

Jay returns to Washington after sick leave and is assigned to protect Lara instead of the new President. He takes charge of her detail as their initially sharp interactions begin.

Key Events

• Jay Returns from Sick Leave — After six weeks on sick leave, Jay returns to Washington for Inauguration Day. Characters: Jay Killion Location: Washington
• Lara's Protection Assignment — Jay is assigned to protect the new First Lady instead of the new President. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Washington
• Jay Takes Charge — Jay takes charge of Lara's security detail, working with Charlotte and other agents. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig, Charlotte Chong Location: Washington
• Lara Challenges Reporters — Lara clashes with reporters and expresses her intention to support the Equal Rights Amendment. Characters: Lara Royce Craig, Jay Killion Location: Washington
• Sharp Exchanges — Jay and Lara's relationship begins with sharp exchanges as he protects her. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Washington

Evidence of a Deliberate Attack

A yacht explosion leads Jay's team to evidence that the blast was deliberate. Jay suspects Lara is the target of a broader conspiracy and his investigation brings him into conflict with officials.

Key Events

• Sharp Exchanges — Jay and Lara's relationship begins with sharp exchanges as he protects her. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Washington
• Yacht Explosion — An explosion destroys a yacht, prompting Jay's team to investigate. Characters: Jay Killion Location: Yacht wreck
• Wreck Evidence Examined — Evidence indicates the blast was deliberate and caused the captain's and cook's deaths. Characters: Jay Killion Location: Yacht wreck
• Jay Suspects a Plot — Jay concludes someone is trying to kill Lara and suspects a broader conspiracy. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Unspecified
• Investigation Reaches Insiders — Jay's inquiries connect the threat to powerful figures and bring him into conflict with presidential officials. Characters: Jay Killion Location: Unspecified
• Jay Removed from Detail — Jay is warned that the attacks may target him and is removed from Lara's protection. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Unspecified

Trust Under Pressure

Removed from Lara's detail, Jay continues to worry about her and arranges surveillance of her secretary. His closeness with Lara grows as they travel, but their disagreements over security and trust persist.

Key Events

• Jay Removed from Detail — Jay is warned that the attacks may target him and is removed from Lara's protection. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Unspecified
• Jay Keeps Watching — Despite reassignment, Jay remains concerned about Lara's safety. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Unspecified
• Polly Sims Under Surveillance — Jay arranges surveillance of Lara's secretary, Polly Sims. Characters: Jay Killion Location: Unspecified
• Growing Intimacy — Jay and Lara continue traveling together as their intimacy grows alongside arguments about trust and security. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: During their travels
• Return to Laramie — Lara returns to Laramie, where she was born, and Jay recognizes the trip may be dangerous. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Laramie, Wyoming
• Train Emergency — An emergency stops their train, and Jay and Lara flee rather than wait for help. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Train route

Flight into Uncertainty

On the way to Laramie, an emergency stops their train and Jay and Lara flee. Lara reveals that she has been telling Calvin where they are, and the pair continue by hitchhiking, still unsure whether they are being followed.

Key Events

• Train Emergency — An emergency stops their train, and Jay and Lara flee rather than wait for help. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Train route
• Lara Reports Their Route — Lara admits she has reported their whereabouts to Calvin because she trusts her husband. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig, President Calvin Craig Location: During their journey
• Jay Objects to Lara's Choice — Jay is angered by Lara's decision to share their whereabouts with Calvin. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: During their journey
• They Hitchhike — With no safe transport, Jay and Lara hitchhike to continue their journey. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Roadside
• A Local Gives Them a Ride — Jay and Lara accept a ride from a local man. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Roadside
• Possible Pursuit at Shelter — As they reach shelter, Jay senses someone may still be pursuing them, leaving their safety uncertain. Characters: Jay Killion, Lara Royce Craig Location: Shelter

Story Breakdown

• Jay's Return — Jay comes back to Washington and receives a new protective assignment.
  • Sick Leave Ends — After six weeks away, Jay returns for Inauguration Day.
  • Lara's Detail — Jay is assigned to guard the new First Lady.
• Lara's Public Role — Lara makes her views and intentions known while dealing with the press.
  • Press Clashes — Lara clashes with reporters.
  • Political Involvement — She intends to support the Equal Rights Amendment and involve herself in her husband's affairs.
• The Yacht Investigation — The destruction of a yacht provides evidence of a deliberate attack and raises the stakes.
  • Explosion at Sea — An explosion destroys a yacht.
  • Deliberate Blast — Wreck evidence leads Jay to conclude the explosion caused the deaths and was deliberate.
• Conspiracy Suspicions — Jay connects the danger to a larger threat and encounters resistance from officials.
  • Lara as Target — Jay suspects someone is trying to kill Lara.
  • Detail Reassignment — Jay is warned that attacks may target him and is removed from Lara's protection.
• A Growing Bond — Jay and Lara become closer even as arguments about trust and security complicate their relationship.
  • Continued Concern — Jay remains concerned for Lara after his reassignment.
  • Intimacy and Disputes — Their intimacy grows alongside disagreements about security.
• Flight Toward Laramie — A journey to Lara's birthplace becomes dangerous and forces the pair to travel without secure transport.
  • Train Stopped — An emergency halts their train, and they flee rather than wait for help.
  • Calvin Informed — Lara reveals that she has reported their whereabouts to her husband.
• Uncertain Shelter — Jay and Lara accept an improvised ride but remain unsure whether the danger has passed.
  • Roadside Ride — With no safe transport, they hitchhike and accept a local man's ride.
  • Possible Pursuit — Jay senses someone may still be following them as they reach shelter.

Directed by

Peter R. Hunt

Key Cast

• Charles Bronson — Jay Killion
• Jill Ireland — Lara Royce Craig
• Stephen Elliott — Fitzroy
• Jan Gan Boyd — Charlotte Chong
• James Staley — Briggs