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Timeline

Bananas (1971) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1971 · 82 min · English
Starring
Woody Allen, Louise Lasser
Budget
$2M

In this early Woody Allen comedy, hapless product tester Fielding Mellish finds himself embroiled in the bizarre political landscape of San Marcos. While trying to win the affection of Nancy, a captivating social activist, he inadvertently becomes a figurehead in a revolution. Fielding's misadventures lead to unexpected leadership roles and a journey of hilarious self-discovery as he navigates love, cultural clashes, and the chaotic events unfolding around him.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Bananas
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Bananas (1971)

Where can you watch Bananas? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Tubi TV and YouTube Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Bananas Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Bananas (1971) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Assassination of President

    The president of the island Republic of San Marcos is assassinated, paving the way for a brutal dictatorship under General Emilio M. Vargas. This shocking news is delivered by sportscasters Don Dunphy and Howard Cosell on an episode of *Wide World of Sports*.

    Where
    San Marcos
  2. Introduction to Fielding Mellish

    In the bustling streets of New York City, we are introduced to Fielding Mellish, a disheartened product researcher. He tests bizarre inventions, but despite his comedic undertakings, he feels deep dissatisfaction with his life.

    Where
    New York City
  3. Meeting Nancy

    Fielding's life takes a turn when he meets Nancy, a passionate college activist seeking signatures for a petition that supports the San Marcos revolutionaries. Their connection leads to a blossoming relationship filled with political rallies and romance.

    Where
    Fielding's apartment
  4. Emotional Breakup

    During a heartfelt conversation, Nancy reveals her frustration with Fielding's lack of leadership and maturity, leading to a painful breakup. Defeated, Fielding decides to leave his unfulfilling life behind and travel to San Marcos.

    Where
    Fielding's apartment
  5. Parental Support

    Before leaving for San Marcos, Fielding confides in his parents, who are preoccupied with a surgical operation. His father expresses disappointment in Fielding's career choices, while his mother offers words of encouragement, showing her unconditional love.

    Where
    Hospital
  6. Arrival in San Marcos

    Fielding arrives in impoverished San Marcos, immediately thrust into a world of tyranny where citizens suffer under General Vargas's rule. He witnesses the harsh realities faced by the locals, deepening his resolve to help.

    Where
    San Marcos
  7. Dinner with Vargas

    During a tense dinner with General Vargas, Fielding awkwardly attempts to reason with the dictator. This encounter leads to Fielding narrowly escaping an assassination plot created by Vargas’ henchmen.

    Where
    Vargas's palace
  8. Training with Rebels

    Fielding is captured by rebels who enlist his help in their fight against Vargas. As Fielding trains with them, he learns survival skills while managing to conduct a food raid to support his newfound allies.

    Where
    Rebel hideout
  9. Kidnapping Chaos

    As the rebels plan to kidnap the British ambassador, Fielding's clumsiness leads to comedic complications and turmoil during their operation. His misstep only adds to the chaos as they evade Vargas’s forces.

    Where
    San Marcos
  10. Vargas Flees

    With various factions fighting against him, General Vargas's regime begins to crumble, forcing him to flee to Miami. The rebels rejoice in their unexpected victory, although new challenges quickly arise.

    Where
    San Marcos
  11. New Leadership Challenges

    In the aftermath of Vargas's departure, the rebels face instability as their new leader, Esposito, implements nonsensical laws. Fielding is inadvertently thrust into the role of president, realizing the weight of leadership.

    Where
    San Marcos
  12. Journey to the U.S.

    Fielding, donned in disguise, undertakes a mission back to the United States to secure support for his new government. His journey is met with mixed reactions as his interpreter hilariously miscommunicates his intentions.

    Where
    United States
  13. Reunion with Nancy

    Amidst the fundraising events, Fielding unexpectedly reunites with Nancy, who remains unaware of his true identity. Their interactions unfold warmly until a passionate encounter leads her to discover the reality of his situation.

    Where
    Fundraiser event
  14. Legal Trouble

    Fielding faces legal challenges as authorities label him a subversive following his return. His trial features odd testimonies, including one from J. Edgar Hoover, and results in Fielding's comical escape from harsher punishment.

    Where
    Courtroom
  15. A Proposal and Wedding

    In a lighthearted conclusion, Fielding proposes to Nancy, culminating in a wedding that draws humorous commentary from Dunphy and Cosell. Their celebration marks a significant milestone in Fielding's journey of love and personal growth.

    Where
    Wedding venue

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:26

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Timeline questions answered

Bananas Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Bananas (1971): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Fielding Mellish travel to San Marcos?

Fielding goes to San Marcos after Nancy breaks up with him, telling him she wants a partner with leadership and maturity. Feeling defeated and purposeless, he makes an impulsive decision to leave his unfulfilling life behind and travel to the place he and Nancy had once discussed visiting together, seeking a sense of direction and meaning.

  • fielding mellish
  • san marcos
  • nancy breakup
  • character motivation
Q2

How does Fielding end up as president of San Marcos?

After Vargas flees to Miami, the rebels celebrate but their new leader Esposito quickly begins implementing absurd laws that destabilize the country. Fielding is reluctantly thrust into the role of president as the situation deteriorates, realizing the weight of leadership despite his modest background as a product tester.

  • fielding president
  • san marcos leadership
  • esposito
  • revolutionaries
Q3

Why does General Vargas flee San Marcos?

Vargas flees because his regime crumbles under pressure from multiple factions fighting against him. Various rebel groups and opposing forces unite against the dictator, making his position unsustainable and forcing him to escape to Miami.

  • general vargas
  • dictator
  • san marcos revolution
  • flee miami
Q4

Why does Nancy break up with Fielding?

Nancy breaks up with Fielding because she feels he lacks leadership, awareness, and maturity. Despite their romance at political rallies and passionate nights together, she tells him she wants a partner who embodies those qualities, leaving Fielding feeling defeated.

  • nancy
  • breakup
  • fielding mellish
  • activist
  • relationship
Q5

Why is Fielding labeled a subversive and put on trial?

Fielding is labeled a subversive and arrested after returning from San Marcos because authorities consider his involvement with the rebel government and his political activities back in the United States as subversive behavior. His trial features bizarre testimonies, including one from J. Edgar Hoover attempting to conceal his identity.

  • fielding trial
  • j. edgar hoover
  • subversive
  • courtroom
  • legal trouble
Q6

How does Fielding reunite with Nancy in the US?

Fielding reunites with Nancy at a fundraiser event in the United States while disguised in his role as president of San Marcos. Nancy remains unaware of his true identity until a passionate encounter reveals the truth, leading her to reconsider their relationship.

  • nancy reunion
  • fundraiser
  • disguise
  • fielding president
Q7

What happens to Esposito after Vargas flees?

After Vargas escapes, Esposito becomes the new leader of San Marcos but quickly implements nonsensical laws that create chaos and instability. His erratic leadership paves the way for Fielding to be thrust into the presidential role.

Foreshadowing: Esposito's earlier chaotic tendencies during rebel operations hinted at his inability to govern effectively.

  • esposito
  • san marcos leader
  • absurd laws
  • new government
Q8

How does Fielding survive the assassination attempt at Vargas's palace?

During an awkward dinner with General Vargas, Fielding attempts to reason with the dictator. His naivety actually works in his favor, he narrowly escapes an assassination plot orchestrated by Vargas's henchmen, though his survival appears more accidental than planned.

  • vargas assassination
  • palace dinner
  • escape
  • fielding survival
Q9

What is the Execusizer that Fielding tests?

The Execusizer is a bizarre fitness device cleverly integrated into office furniture, designed for busy executives who want to exercise while working. Fielding tests it as part of his job as a product researcher at General Equipment, alongside other absurd inventions like electrically heated toilet seats.

  • execusizer
  • product tester
  • invention
  • general equipment
Q10

Why is Fielding and Nancy's wedding covered like a sporting event?

The wedding is comically covered by sportscasters Don Dunphy and Howard Cosell as the film's framing device, who previously delivered the news of the San Marcos assassination. The ending parodies the sports broadcast format, with the commentators treating the wedding night as a sporting event, a final joke reinforcing the film's absurdist tone.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with Dunphy and Cosell delivering the assassination news, establishing the sports commentary framing that returns at the end.

  • wedding
  • don dunphy
  • howard cosell
  • sports broadcast
  • finale

Movie threads

More Movies Like Bananas, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Bananas tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Absurdist Political Farces like Bananas

Hilarious stories where bumbling individuals are thrust into chaotic revolutions. Find more hilarious movies like Bananas where the political landscape is a stage for farce. These comedies feature ordinary people stumbling into extraordinary, absurd situations, blending satire with slapstick for a lighthearted take on power, revolution, and activism.

  • satirical
  • farcical
  • slapstick
  • absurd
  • political
  • chaotic
  • Tone: light, satirical
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives typically follow a naive or neurotic protagonist whose personal life—often a romantic pursuit—unexpectedly collides with a political power struggle. Through a series of misunderstandings and mishaps, they gain influence they never sought, all while the real stakes are consistently undercut for comedic effect, leading to a humorous resolution.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared approach to politics as pure farce, a fast-paced and chaotic structure, and a central character who is an unwilling participant in events far bigger than themselves. The tone is consistently light, prioritizing laughs over genuine commentary.

Neurotic Romantic Misadventures like Bananas

Awkward heroes bumbling their way through love and life's chaos. If you liked the quirky romance in Bananas, explore more movies where a lovable neurotic's quest for love triggers a series of hilarious misadventures. These films blend romantic foibles with absurd situations, all driven by a fast-paced, character-centric comedy style.

  • neurotic
  • romantic
  • quirky
  • hilarious
  • character-driven
  • breezy
  • Tone: light, quirky
  • Pacing: fast, breezy
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows a highly relatable, often awkward protagonist who is motivated primarily by a romantic interest. This pursuit acts as the engine that propels them into an unexpected and chaotic adventure, forcing them to confront their anxieties in humorous ways and ultimately leading to personal revelation and romantic success.

Why they belong together: These movies share a core focus on a specific type of comedic protagonist: the neurotic everyman. The romantic plot is deeply intertwined with the farcical events, and the pacing is brisk, creating a feeling of a charming, chaotic rollercoaster driven by the hero's insecurities and desires.

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Movies Like Bananas

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Every angle

Bananas (1971) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Bananas in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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