We're No Angels (1989) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Two escaped convicts hide as priests, confront danger at the border, and choose different forms of redemption.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Escape From Oppression

Ned and Jim endure prison abuse before escaping during the turmoil surrounding Bobby's escape from the electric chair. They flee toward a border town while the prison authorities search for fugitives.

Key Events

• Prison Abuse — The ruthless warden abuses the imprisoned Ned and Jim. Characters: Ned, Jim, Warden Location: Prison
• Bobby Escapes Execution — Vicious killer Bobby escapes the electric chair. Characters: Bobby, Warden Location: Prison
• Ned and Jim Escape — Ned and Jim escape prison during the turmoil surrounding Bobby. Characters: Ned, Jim, Bobby, Warden Location: Prison
• Flight Toward the Border — The two fugitives flee toward a town near Canada. Characters: Ned, Jim Location: Road to the Border
• Mistaken for Priests — Ned and Jim are mistaken for priests expected at the monastery. Characters: Ned, Jim Location: Border Town

The Accidental Clergy

The fugitives are mistaken for priests expected at a local monastery. Father Levesque welcomes them, forcing Ned and Jim to sustain their religious masquerade while the border remains dangerous.

Key Events

• The Border Closes In — The manhunt makes crossing the bridge to Canada nearly impossible. Characters: Ned, Jim, Warden, Bobby Location: Border Bridge
• Monastery Welcome — Father Levesque welcomes and trusts the disguised fugitives. Characters: Ned, Jim, Father Levesque Location: Local Monastery
• The Masquerade Continues — Ned and Jim continue presenting themselves as priests. Characters: Ned, Jim, Father Levesque Location: Local Monastery
• Procession Opportunity — A procession to the sister church across the border offers a possible escape. Characters: Ned, Jim, Father Levesque Location: Local Monastery

A Passage Across Water

A procession to a sister church across the border offers a possible route to freedom. Ned and Jim involve Molly's child because each priest must bring someone who needs help.

Key Events

• A Person Needing Help — Each participating priest must bring someone who needs help. Characters: Ned, Jim, Molly Location: Border Town
• Molly Entrusts Her Child — Molly's deaf and mute child is chosen for the procession's aid. Characters: Ned, Jim, Molly Location: Molly's Laundry
• Procession Begins — The religious procession moves toward the church across the border. Characters: Ned, Jim, Molly Location: Border Town

Violence and Rescue

Bobby is killed by police during the procession. The escape plan turns into a rescue when Molly's child falls into the water and Ned risks himself to save her.

Key Events

• Bobby Is Spotted — The escaped killer Bobby is caught up in the procession's danger. Characters: Bobby, Ned, Jim, Warden Location: Procession Route
• Police Kill Bobby — Police kill Bobby during the religious procession. Characters: Bobby, Ned, Jim, Warden Location: Procession Route
• Child Falls Into Water — Molly's child falls into the water during the border-bound journey. Characters: Ned, Molly Location: Border Crossing
• Ned Makes the Rescue — Ned saves Molly's drowning child from the water. Characters: Ned, Molly Location: Border Crossing
• The Child Speaks — After the rescue, the previously deaf and mute child is able to speak. Characters: Ned, Molly Location: Border Crossing

Two Kinds of Freedom

The rescued child begins to speak, while Jim chooses the monastery and a genuine priestly vocation. Ned leaves for Canada with Molly, giving the fugitives different forms of freedom.

Key Events

• The Child Speaks — After the rescue, the previously deaf and mute child is able to speak. Characters: Ned, Molly Location: Border Crossing
• Jim Chooses the Monastery — Inspired by the young monk, Jim decides to remain and become a priest. Characters: Jim, Young Monk, Father Levesque Location: Local Monastery
• Ned Heads to Canada — Ned and Molly proceed toward Canada together. Characters: Ned, Molly Location: Border Bridge
• Two Diverging Futures — Jim stays for religious life while Ned leaves for Canada with Molly. Characters: Ned, Jim, Molly, Young Monk, Father Levesque Location: Monastery and Canadian Border

Story Breakdown

• Prisoner Escape — Ned and Jim escape an abusive prison during the upheaval caused by Bobby's breakout.
  • Warden's Abuse — The ruthless warden mistreats the imprisoned convicts.
  • Execution Escape — Bobby escapes the electric chair, triggering the opening crisis.
• Border Town Arrival — The fugitives reach a small town near Canada but find the crossing heavily constrained.
  • Canadian Bridge — The bridge becomes difficult to cross because of the manhunt.
  • Unexpected Refuge — The town mistakes Ned and Jim for priests expected at the monastery.
• Religious Masquerade — Ned and Jim use their false clerical identities to gain temporary safety.
  • Levesque's Trust — Father Levesque welcomes and trusts the supposed priests.
  • Hidden Convicts — The pair must conceal their true identities while remaining at the monastery.
• Procession Opportunity — A cross-border religious procession creates a possible route out of the town.
  • Required Helper — Each participating priest must bring someone who needs help.
  • Molly's Child — Molly's deaf and mute child is brought into the procession plan.
• Violent Turning Point — The procession brings both the manhunt and a life-threatening rescue into the open.
  • Bobby's Death — Police kill Bobby during the religious procession.
  • Drowning Crisis — Molly's child falls into the water during the border-bound journey.
• Redemptive Choices — The rescue changes the emotional outcome while Ned and Jim separate into different futures.
  • Child Finds Voice — After Ned's rescue, the previously deaf and mute child is able to speak.
  • Jim Remains — Inspired by the young monk, Jim stays at the monastery to become a priest.
  • Ned Crosses North — Ned heads to Canada with Molly.

Directed by

Neil Jordan

Key Cast

• Robert De Niro — Ned
• Sean Penn — Jim
• Demi Moore — Molly
• Hoyt Axton — Father Levesque
• Bruno Kirby — Deputy