A Fistful of Fingers
A comic western about a cowboy who seeks a wanted and evil man who caused for the death of his beloved horse Easy.
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 Fistful of Fingers (1995) exemplifies strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Edgar Wright's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 25 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
The Running Man
The Squint
The Preacher
Main Cast & Characters
The Running Man
Played by Graham Low
A cowboy seeking revenge for his horse being stolen, tracking the villain across the Old West
The Squint
Played by Martin Curtis
The villainous antagonist who stole the hero's horse, a dangerous outlaw with a distinctive squint
The Preacher
Played by Oli van der Vijver
A wandering religious figure who provides comic relief and occasional wisdom
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Stranger rides across the Western landscape, a lone wanderer seeking his destiny in typical spaghetti western fashion.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when The villain kills someone close to the protagonist, setting him on a path of revenge against the outlaw gang.. 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.
At 39 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat A false defeat where the villain gains the upper hand, or the team suffers a setback that raises the stakes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 57 minutes (67% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The lowest point - a companion is lost, the mission seems impossible, or the protagonist faces apparent defeat., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 61 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. The final showdown with the villain, combining all lessons learned in a climactic confrontation that parodies western finale conventions., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Fistful of Fingers's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping A Fistful of Fingers against these established plot points, we can identify how Edgar Wright utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Fistful of Fingers within the comedy genre.
Edgar Wright's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Edgar Wright films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.4, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. A Fistful of Fingers represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Edgar Wright filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Edgar Wright analyses, see Last Night in Soho, Baby Driver and Hot Fuzz.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Stranger rides across the Western landscape, a lone wanderer seeking his destiny in typical spaghetti western fashion.
Theme
A character mentions that revenge and violence lead nowhere - foreshadowing the film's comedic examination of western revenge tropes.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the absurd western world, the protagonist's background, and the comedic tone that will pervade the story.
Disruption
The villain kills someone close to the protagonist, setting him on a path of revenge against the outlaw gang.
Resistance
The protagonist debates his quest for revenge, meets allies who will join his journey, and prepares for the confrontation ahead.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The fun of the western parody - shootouts, comedic confrontations, and the team pursuing the villain through various misadventures.
Midpoint
A false defeat where the villain gains the upper hand, or the team suffers a setback that raises the stakes.
Opposition
The villain's forces close in, the protagonist's flaws create problems, and everything becomes more difficult.
Collapse
The lowest point - a companion is lost, the mission seems impossible, or the protagonist faces apparent defeat.
Crisis
The protagonist processes the loss and finds new resolve, preparing for the final confrontation.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final showdown with the villain, combining all lessons learned in a climactic confrontation that parodies western finale conventions.