102 Dalmatians
Despite a significant budget of $85.0M, 102 Dalmatians became a financial success, earning $183.6M worldwide—a 116% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Chloe Simon
Cruella de Vil
Kevin Shepherd
Alonzo
Dipstick
Oddball
Waddlesworth
Main Cast & Characters
Chloe Simon
Played by Alice Evans
Probation officer and dog shelter owner who believes in rehabilitation and second chances.
Cruella de Vil
Played by Glenn Close
Reformed fashion designer supposedly cured of her fur obsession, who relapses into villainy.
Kevin Shepherd
Played by Ioan Gruffudd
Chloe's romantic interest, owner of the Dalmatian puppies targeted by Cruella.
Alonzo
Played by Gérard Depardieu
Cruella's French furrier accomplice who enables her return to villainy.
Dipstick
Played by Various Dogs
One of the original 101 Dalmatians, now a family dog and father to three puppies.
Oddball
Played by Various Dogs
A Dalmatian puppy born without spots who becomes central to the adventure.
Waddlesworth
Played by Eric Idle
A macaw who believes he is a dog and serves as comic relief and helper.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Cruella De Vil is released from prison, apparently 'cured' of her fur obsession through Dr. Pavlov's aversion therapy. She now loves dogs and runs a fashion house focused on non-fur designs.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Big Ben's chimes trigger Cruella's relapse, reversing her conditioning. Her obsession with fur returns instantly, and she begins plotting to steal the 102 Dalmatians to make the spotted coat she's always dreamed of.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 21% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Cruella actively decides to execute her plan to steal the Dalmatians. She frames Kevin's shelter, getting it shut down, and begins her campaign to capture all 102 Dalmatians for her coat., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 42% of the runtime—significantly early, compressing the first half. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Cruella succeeds in capturing most of the Dalmatians and reveals her true evil nature. The stakes raise as she moves forward with her plan to make the coat, and time is running out for the puppies., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (62% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All seems lost as Cruella has captured all 102 Dalmatians and begins the process of making them into a coat. Kevin and Chloe are defeated, separated, and the puppies face their doom. Hope appears dead., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 66% of the runtime. Kevin and Chloe gain critical information about Cruella's location and plan. They synthesize their resources - Kevin's knowledge of dogs and Chloe's legal authority - to mount a final rescue attempt. The dogs also organize their own escape from within., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
102 Dalmatians's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping 102 Dalmatians against these established plot points, we can identify how the filmmaker utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish 102 Dalmatians within its genre.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Cruella De Vil is released from prison, apparently 'cured' of her fur obsession through Dr. Pavlov's aversion therapy. She now loves dogs and runs a fashion house focused on non-fur designs.
Theme
Chloe Simon, the probation officer, states that people can change and deserve second chances, setting up the film's central question: Can someone truly reform, or is their nature unchangeable?
Worldbuilding
Introduction of Kevin Shepherd and his dog shelter, Chloe's optimistic worldview, Cruella's fashion empire built on kindness, and the threat that her probation depends on continued good behavior. The Oriental Express arrives with Jean Pierre Le Pelt, a fur-obsessed designer.
Disruption
Big Ben's chimes trigger Cruella's relapse, reversing her conditioning. Her obsession with fur returns instantly, and she begins plotting to steal the 102 Dalmatians to make the spotted coat she's always dreamed of.
Resistance
Cruella hides her relapse while secretly plotting with Le Pelt. Kevin grows suspicious of Cruella's behavior. Chloe defends Cruella, believing in her rehabilitation. Kevin and Chloe debate whether people can truly change, while romantic tension builds between them.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Cruella actively decides to execute her plan to steal the Dalmatians. She frames Kevin's shelter, getting it shut down, and begins her campaign to capture all 102 Dalmatians for her coat.
Mirror World
Kevin and Chloe's relationship deepens as they work together to protect the dogs. Their romance represents the film's theme of trust and believing in the good in others, contrasting with Cruella's deception.
Premise
The fun of watching Cruella's increasingly elaborate schemes to capture the puppies while Kevin and Chloe race to save them. The dogs demonstrate clever escapes, Cruella's henchmen bumble, and the cat-and-mouse game escalates across London.
Midpoint
Cruella succeeds in capturing most of the Dalmatians and reveals her true evil nature. The stakes raise as she moves forward with her plan to make the coat, and time is running out for the puppies.
Opposition
Cruella has the upper hand. Kevin and Chloe's efforts to stop her fail repeatedly. Chloe realizes she was wrong about Cruella's reformation. Le Pelt pressures Cruella to complete the coat. The protagonists' relationship is tested by the mounting failures.
Collapse
All seems lost as Cruella has captured all 102 Dalmatians and begins the process of making them into a coat. Kevin and Chloe are defeated, separated, and the puppies face their doom. Hope appears dead.
Crisis
Kevin and Chloe process their failure. They realize they must work together and that stopping Cruella requires accepting who she really is - not who they hoped she could be. The emotional low point before the final push.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kevin and Chloe gain critical information about Cruella's location and plan. They synthesize their resources - Kevin's knowledge of dogs and Chloe's legal authority - to mount a final rescue attempt. The dogs also organize their own escape from within.
Synthesis
The finale chase through London. The Dalmatians escape and outsmart Cruella's henchmen. Kevin and Chloe confront Cruella and Le Pelt. Cruella's schemes backfire spectacularly, leading to her arrest. The dogs are saved, and justice is served.
Transformation
Kevin and Chloe marry in a ceremony surrounded by all 102 Dalmatians. Chloe has learned that some people don't change, while Kevin has learned to trust and love. The image mirrors the opening but shows growth - idealism tempered with wisdom.