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

  1. Hook (1 min.)
    • In the heat of WWII, the Navy sends "90 day wonders" (new officers) to war. One is our protagonist.
  2. Complication (10 min.)
    • But our protagonist is assigned to a tub, the Caine, in the "junkyard Navy."
  3. Call to Action (16 min.)
    • Nonetheless, our protagonist turns down an opportunity to transfer and remains on the Caine.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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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