Totò in the Moon

Totò in the Moon

Year: 1958

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Steno

Comedy

Two men embarks upon a space race. Their efforts are hampered by aliens who clone the heroes to keep them from exploring further.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Totò in the Moon yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Totò in the Moon (1958)

Trace every key event in Totò in the Moon (1958) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Achilles begins a science fiction manuscript and seeks publication

Achilles Paoloni, a delivery boy for Soubrette, starts writing a science fiction novel with big dreams of publication. He hopes Cavaliere Pasquale Belafronte will champion his work, but the old patron remains hostile. This tension sets the stage for Achilles' struggle between art and an unforgiving publishing world.

Soubrette publishing house, town
2

Glumonium discovered; path to spaceflight opens

U.S. scientists discover that Achilles carries glumonium in his blood, a substance from being fed monkey breast milk as a newborn. This rare trait makes him a candidate for spaceflight, turning a literary dream into a literal space opportunity. The discovery reframes Achilles' future in dramatic and global terms.

US laboratory
3

FBI recruits Achilles; misinterprets visit as publishers

Two FBI agents visit Achilles' office to recruit him for a space mission. Achilles, hearing 'publishers,' misreads the visit as a pitch for international distribution of his novel. The misunderstanding propels him toward a mission he never anticipated.

Office of Soubrette / Achilles' workplace
4

Cavaliere Pasquale shifts stance; supports publication and Lydia's marriage

Upon realizing the misunderstanding, Pasquale abruptly changes his attitude and pushes to publish Achilles' novel at his own expense. He even agrees to the engagement between Achilles and his daughter Lydia, signaling a dramatic reversal of years of hostility.

Belafronte's residence/office
5

The U.S. plans a real rocket, not just a book deal

Pasquale discovers that the U.S. intends to launch a real rocket with Achilles on board, turning the dream of publication into a literal space mission. The stakes rise from literary fame to national security and interplanetary travel.

US space program
6

Rival powers enter the scene: Von Braut and Tatiana

Envoys from a foreign power, including German rocket scientist Von Braut and the spy Tatiana, begin pursuing Achilles. The presence of competing factions heightens the danger and complexity of Achilles' future.

Earth / space-related facilities
7

Annelids introduce cosoni: doubles of Pasquale and Achilles

Strange aliens called Annelids drop two cosoni, identical copies of Pasquale and Achilles, intending to be shipped to the Moon. Their mission is to sabotage the human attempt and preserve a delicate alien balance in the cosmos.

Earth
8

Germans abduct the real Pasquale and Achille's replica; the rocket launches

The German agents kidnap the real Pasquale and Achilles' replica, Hibernate them, and ship them into space in a rocket. The launch proceeds, but the situation spirals as the mission careens toward the Moon.

Launch facility / space
9

Annelids intervene and land the rocket on the Moon

The Annelids intervene to prevent a successful human conquest and land the rocket on the Moon. Their action preserves balance in the galactic order and thwarts the sabotaged mission.

Moon
10

Pasquale learns the truth about Achilles and his replacement

One Anellid reveals itself to Pasquale and explains that Achilles has become a successful science fiction writer with a family, while Pasquale is effectively replaced by his cosone. This revelation reframes Pasquale's place in the world and his own importance.

Moon
11

Nobody misses Pasquale; the cosone carries on

Pasquale observes that his absence is largely inconsequential because his cosone performs his duties and even courts his former maid. The irony underscores the theme of identity and replacement in this surreal tale.

Moon
12

Anellid transforms Achille's cosone into a beautiful woman

Exiled on the Moon, Pasquale convinces the Anellids to transform Achilles' cosone into a beautiful woman. The transformation provides a whimsical, dreamlike resolution to the tale's questions of identity and belonging.

Moon

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:11

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Totò in the Moon Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Totò in the Moon

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