A View to a Kill
James Bond has one more mission. Bond returns from his travels in the U.S.S.R. with a computer chip. This chip is capable of withstanding a nuclear electromagnetic pulse that would otherwise destroy a normal chip. The chip was created by Zorin Industries, and Bond heads off to investigate its owner, Max Zorin. Zorin may only seem like an innocent man, but is really planning to set off an earthquake in San Andreas, which will wipe out all of Silicon Valley. As well as Zorin, Bond must also tackle May Day and equally menacing companion of Zorin, while dragging Stacy Sutton along for the ride.
Despite a mid-range budget of $30.0M, A View to a Kill became a commercial success, earning $152.4M worldwide—a 408% return.
2 wins & 6 nominations
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 View to a Kill (1985) demonstrates meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of John Glen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 11 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
James Bond
Max Zorin
Stacey Sutton
May Day
Sir Godfrey Tibbett
M
Q
Miss Moneypenny
Dr. Carl Mortner
Scarpine
Main Cast & Characters
James Bond
Played by Roger Moore
British secret agent 007 investigating a microchip smuggling operation that leads to a plot to destroy Silicon Valley.
Max Zorin
Played by Christopher Walken
Psychopathic industrialist and product of Nazi genetic experiments, plotting to corner the microchip market by destroying Silicon Valley.
Stacey Sutton
Played by Tanya Roberts
Geologist and heiress fighting to keep her family oil company from Zorin's hostile takeover.
May Day
Played by Grace Jones
Zorin's fierce and loyal enforcer with superhuman strength, who ultimately turns against him.
Sir Godfrey Tibbett
Played by Patrick Macnee
MI6 agent posing as Bond's chauffeur during the investigation of Zorin's horse breeding operation.
M
Played by Robert Brown
Head of MI6 who assigns Bond to investigate the microchip theft and Zorin's activities.
Q
Played by Desmond Llewelyn
MI6 quartermaster who provides Bond with gadgets and technical assistance.
Miss Moneypenny
Played by Lois Maxwell
M's loyal secretary with a flirtatious relationship with Bond.
Dr. Carl Mortner
Played by Willoughby Gray
Former Nazi scientist who created Zorin through genetic experiments and serves as his father figure and accomplice.
Scarpine
Played by Patrick Bauchau
Zorin's brutal head of security who assists in carrying out his deadly plans.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bond skis through Siberia to recover a microchip from a deceased 003's body, establishing his world of espionage and danger. The pre-title sequence shows Bond in his element as a skilled operative.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Bond discovers that Zorin's microchips are suspiciously radiation-resistant and learns Zorin may be flooding Silicon Valley. The scope of the threat becomes clear - this isn't just corporate espionage, it's a potential catastrophe.. At 12% 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 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Bond survives May Day's assassination attempt in the Eiffel Tower chase and commits fully to stopping Zorin. He actively chooses to pursue Zorin to San Francisco, entering the new world of the California operation., moving from reaction to action.
At 65 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Bond and Stacey discover the full scope of Project Main Strike in the mine: Zorin plans to flood the Hayward Fault with water, triggering a massive earthquake to destroy Silicon Valley and create a monopoly. The stakes are raised from corporate to catastrophic. False defeat - they're discovered., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 97 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, May Day sacrifices herself to remove the bomb from the fault, dying in the explosion. A literal death of a major character. Bond and Stacey survive but the whiff of death is palpable - Bond couldn't save her despite their temporary alliance., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 104 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Bond and Stacey pursue Zorin to his airship. Bond synthesizes everything - his skills, his partnership with Stacey, the knowledge of Zorin's ruthlessness. He knows what must be done and commits to the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A View to a Kill's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping A View to a Kill against these established plot points, we can identify how John Glen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A View to a Kill within the action genre.
John Glen's Structural Approach
Among the 3 John Glen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. A View to a Kill takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Glen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more John Glen analyses, see Christopher Columbus: The Discovery, Licence to Kill.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bond skis through Siberia to recover a microchip from a deceased 003's body, establishing his world of espionage and danger. The pre-title sequence shows Bond in his element as a skilled operative.
Theme
M and the Minister discuss the threat of technology falling into the wrong hands. "This microchip is identical to the one we designed to withstand electromagnetic pulse... if Zorin can make these, he can threaten all of our defense systems." Theme: Technology as both salvation and weapon.
Worldbuilding
Bond attends the horse auction at Ascot, is briefed on Max Zorin's suspicious microchip manufacturing, and investigates Zorin's operations. We meet Zorin, May Day, and establish the world of high-tech espionage mixed with old money.
Disruption
Bond discovers that Zorin's microchips are suspiciously radiation-resistant and learns Zorin may be flooding Silicon Valley. The scope of the threat becomes clear - this isn't just corporate espionage, it's a potential catastrophe.
Resistance
Bond infiltrates Zorin's French chateau, meets Stacey Sutton briefly at the party, witnesses the horse doping operation, and nearly gets killed in a burning stable. He investigates but hasn't fully committed to the mission's personal stakes.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bond survives May Day's assassination attempt in the Eiffel Tower chase and commits fully to stopping Zorin. He actively chooses to pursue Zorin to San Francisco, entering the new world of the California operation.
Mirror World
Bond reconnects with Stacey Sutton in San Francisco. She represents the human cost of Zorin's ruthlessness - her family's oil company was stolen by Zorin. Their partnership will carry the emotional/thematic arc about trust and sacrifice.
Premise
Bond and Stacey investigate Zorin's oil pumping operation, infiltrate City Hall, survive the fire truck chase through San Francisco, and discover Zorin's plan to trigger an earthquake. Classic Bond action and investigation.
Midpoint
Bond and Stacey discover the full scope of Project Main Strike in the mine: Zorin plans to flood the Hayward Fault with water, triggering a massive earthquake to destroy Silicon Valley and create a monopoly. The stakes are raised from corporate to catastrophic. False defeat - they're discovered.
Opposition
Bond and Stacey are captured and trapped in the flooding mine. Zorin betrays and murders his own workers, revealing his psychopathy. May Day witnesses Zorin's betrayal. The villain gains complete advantage while Bond must escape the flooded mine.
Collapse
May Day sacrifices herself to remove the bomb from the fault, dying in the explosion. A literal death of a major character. Bond and Stacey survive but the whiff of death is palpable - Bond couldn't save her despite their temporary alliance.
Crisis
Bond and Stacey recover from the mine, realize Zorin is escaping. The emotional beat of May Day's sacrifice lingers. They understand they must stop Zorin before he can regroup or execute another plan.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Bond and Stacey pursue Zorin to his airship. Bond synthesizes everything - his skills, his partnership with Stacey, the knowledge of Zorin's ruthlessness. He knows what must be done and commits to the final confrontation.
Synthesis
The Golden Gate Bridge finale. Bond and Stacey battle Zorin and his henchmen on the airship above the bridge. Bond uses the mooring rope to trap Zorin, who falls to his death. The final confrontation resolves all plot threads.
Transformation
Bond and Stacey embrace in the airship shower, observed by Q and M via remote camera. Mirrors the opening - Bond started alone in the cold of Siberia, ends warm and connected. The mission is complete, the villain defeated, and Bond has allowed himself human connection.