The 3-Act Paradigm at Work: The Caine Mutiny
written by Stanley Roberts
The Caine Mutiny is a war drama about an eccentric C.O. whose men decide to "over-throw" and the courts martial that results. Perfect 3-act structure.
Structural Analysis
- Hook (1 min.)
- In the heat of WWII, the Navy sends "90 day wonders" (new officers) to war. One is our protagonist.
- Complication (10 min.)
- But our protagonist is assigned to a tub, the Caine, in the "junkyard Navy."
- Call to Action (16 min.)
- Nonetheless, our protagonist turns down an opportunity to transfer and remains on the Caine.
- Act One Plot Point (28-31 min.)
- A new C.O. will make the Caine the best ship in the Navy, and our protagonist is appointed to be Morale Office.
- Midpoint Plot Point (58-9 min.)
- Is the new C.O. crazy? The junior officers, including the protagonist, wonder. A diary is kept on his eccentric behavior.
- Act Two Plot Point (83-86 min.)
- Backed by the protagonist, the Executive Officer relieves the C.O. from duty during a life-threatening storm. The protagonist loses his fiancee, who breaks up with him.
- Climax and Resolution (112-5 min.)
- During the trial, the C.O. betrays himself -- he is mad. The protagonist gets his girl back and they marry.
MODULE 4:
SCREENWRIGHT: the craft of screenwriting
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