A Close Shave
Wallace's whirlwind romance with the proprietor of the local wool shop puts his head in a spin, and Gromit is framed for sheep-rustling in a fiendish criminal plot.
The film earned $5K at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
A Close Shave (1996) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Nick Park's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Wallace
Gromit
Wendolene Ramsbottom
Preston
Shaun the Sheep
Main Cast & Characters
Wallace
Played by Peter Sallis
An eccentric inventor and window washer who becomes smitten with wool shop owner Wendolene while investigating a sheep rustling operation.
Gromit
Wallace's intelligent and resourceful dog who silently investigates the sheep rustling mystery and saves the day through his detective work and loyalty.
Wendolene Ramsbottom
Played by Anne Reid
A kind-hearted wool shop owner caught between her affection for Wallace and loyalty to her father's legacy, controlled by her villainous dog Preston.
Preston
Wendolene's cyber-dog and the true villain who orchestrates sheep rustling to turn them into dog food, disguising his crimes behind his owner.
Shaun the Sheep
A clever sheep who escapes Preston's rustling operation and befriends Wallace and Gromit, later becoming a recurring character in the franchise.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 0 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Wallace and Gromit run their window-washing business "Wash 'n' Go" with precision efficiency, their ordinary world of domestic routine and entrepreneurial endeavor fully established.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 3 minutes when Shaun the sheep crashes through Wallace's window while fleeing rustlers, bringing danger literally into their home and disrupting their peaceful routine.. At 11% 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 7 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Gromit is falsely framed for sheep rustling and arrested. Wallace must actively choose to investigate and clear his friend's name, entering the dangerous world of the criminal conspiracy., moving from reaction to action.
At 15 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Wallace discovers Preston is behind the rustling operation and that Wendolene's loyalties are unclear. False defeat: the woman he loves may be involved in the conspiracy. Stakes raised dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 22 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Wallace is captured and placed in Preston's mutton-making machine, facing literal death. The "whiff of death" as he's about to be processed into dog food. All hope seems lost., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 24 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Wendolene reveals the truth—Preston controlled her, she's been trying to help. The synthesis of romance and loyalty becomes clear. Gromit escapes. New information enables the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Close Shave's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping A Close Shave against these established plot points, we can identify how Nick Park utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Close Shave within the family genre.
Nick Park's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Nick Park films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. A Close Shave represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Nick Park filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Bad Guys, Like A Rolling Stone and Cats Don't Dance. For more Nick Park analyses, see The Wrong Trousers, Early Man.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Wallace and Gromit run their window-washing business "Wash 'n' Go" with precision efficiency, their ordinary world of domestic routine and entrepreneurial endeavor fully established.
Theme
Wendolene warns Wallace about her father's wool shop: "There's something fishy going on." The theme of deception vs. trust, appearance vs. reality is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Wallace becomes smitten with wool shop owner Wendolene Ramsbottom. Sheep rustling crimes plague the neighborhood. Wallace's loneliness and Gromit's loyalty are established, as is the relationship with Shaun the sheep.
Disruption
Shaun the sheep crashes through Wallace's window while fleeing rustlers, bringing danger literally into their home and disrupting their peaceful routine.
Resistance
Wallace debates what to do with Shaun while becoming increasingly infatuated with Wendolene. Gromit investigates the rustling mystery, discovering clues. Preston the cyber-dog is introduced as a menacing presence.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Gromit is falsely framed for sheep rustling and arrested. Wallace must actively choose to investigate and clear his friend's name, entering the dangerous world of the criminal conspiracy.
Mirror World
Wallace's romantic subplot with Wendolene deepens at dinner, representing the thematic lesson about trust and seeing beneath surfaces—she will teach him what he needs to learn.
Premise
Wallace plays detective while romancing Wendolene, uncovering the sheep rustling operation. The "fun and games" of investigation, narrow escapes, and comic misunderstandings deliver on the mystery-comedy premise.
Midpoint
Wallace discovers Preston is behind the rustling operation and that Wendolene's loyalties are unclear. False defeat: the woman he loves may be involved in the conspiracy. Stakes raised dramatically.
Opposition
Preston's attacks intensify. Wallace and the sheep face increasing danger. Wendolene appears complicit. Gromit remains imprisoned. The mechanical antagonist closes in with murderous intent.
Collapse
Wallace is captured and placed in Preston's mutton-making machine, facing literal death. The "whiff of death" as he's about to be processed into dog food. All hope seems lost.
Crisis
The darkest moment as Wallace faces mechanical doom. The emotional processing happens rapidly in this short film, with Shaun and the sheep mobilizing for rescue.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Wendolene reveals the truth—Preston controlled her, she's been trying to help. The synthesis of romance and loyalty becomes clear. Gromit escapes. New information enables the final confrontation.
Synthesis
The climactic motorcycle chase and confrontation with Preston. Gromit and Shaun execute a daring rescue. Preston is defeated in spectacular fashion, crushed in his own machinery. All plot threads resolve.
Transformation
Wallace and Gromit return to their window-washing routine, but transformed—now with Shaun as part of their family. The closing image mirrors the opening but shows growth: they've expanded their circle of trust and loyalty.