Anthropoid
In December 1941, Czech soldiers Jozef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš parachute into their occupied homeland to assassinate Nazi officer Reinhard Heydrich.
The film earned $4.6M at the global box office.
1 win & 16 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%)
Anthropoid (2016) demonstrates meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Sean Ellis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Jan Kubiš
Jozef Gabčík
Lenka Fafková
Marie Kovárníková
Reinhard Heydrich
Uncle Hajský
Ladislav Vaněk
Adolf Opálka
Main Cast & Characters
Jan Kubiš
Played by Jamie Dornan
Czech paratrooper tasked with assassinating Reinhard Heydrich. Sensitive, moral, and deeply conflicted about the mission's human cost.
Jozef Gabčík
Played by Cillian Murphy
Slovak paratrooper and mission leader. Disciplined, focused soldier who compartmentalizes emotion to complete the objective.
Lenka Fafková
Played by Charlotte Le Bon
Young resistance member who shelters the paratroopers. Falls in love with Jan despite the danger.
Marie Kovárníková
Played by Anna Geislerová
Resistance member who provides safe house and becomes romantically involved with Jozef.
Reinhard Heydrich
Played by Detlef Bothe
Third Reich official known as "The Butcher of Prague". The main target of Operation Anthropoid.
Uncle Hajský
Played by Toby Jones
Resistance leader who coordinates the safe houses and supports the operation despite enormous risk.
Ladislav Vaněk
Played by Marcin Dorociński
Resistance member who assists with the operation but becomes increasingly fearful of Nazi reprisals.
Adolf Opálka
Played by Harry Lloyd
Leader of another paratrooper team who joins forces with Jan and Jozef for the final stand.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jozef and Jan parachute into Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia in darkness, landing in hostile territory. They are immediately on the run, hunted and vulnerable in a world controlled by the enemy.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when The operatives learn their original sabotage mission is deemed too dangerous by the resistance. They face the prospect of sitting idle while their country suffers, disrupting their purpose for being there.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Jozef and Jan actively choose to pursue the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the "Butcher of Prague," despite warnings. They commit to Operation Anthropoid, crossing into a mission from which there is no return., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The assassination attempt on Heydrich succeeds - Jan throws the bomb that fatally wounds him. It's a false victory: they've accomplished their goal, but this success will unleash unprecedented Nazi vengeance upon the Czech people., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Curda betrays the team to the Nazis. This is the whiff of death - the inevitable discovery that will lead to their doom. The operatives learn they've been compromised and must retreat to their final sanctuary in the church., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The Nazi assault on the church begins. The operatives achieve clarity: they will make their deaths mean something. They choose to fight to the last bullet rather than surrender, turning their execution into a statement of defiance., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Anthropoid'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 Anthropoid against these established plot points, we can identify how Sean Ellis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Anthropoid within the history genre.
Sean Ellis's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Sean Ellis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Anthropoid takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sean Ellis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional history films include The Attacks Of 26/11, Joyeux Noel and Rob Roy. For more Sean Ellis analyses, see The Cursed.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jozef and Jan parachute into Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia in darkness, landing in hostile territory. They are immediately on the run, hunted and vulnerable in a world controlled by the enemy.
Theme
A resistance member tells the operatives: "You've come here to die." This establishes the theme of sacrifice - these men have accepted certain death for the chance to strike back at tyranny.
Worldbuilding
The operatives make contact with the resistance, navigate the dangers of occupied Prague, establish safe houses, and learn the extent of Nazi control. The Gabčík family provides shelter despite enormous risk. The world is one of constant surveillance, collaboration, and terror.
Disruption
The operatives learn their original sabotage mission is deemed too dangerous by the resistance. They face the prospect of sitting idle while their country suffers, disrupting their purpose for being there.
Resistance
Uncle Hajsky and other resistance leaders debate the wisdom of action versus survival. Jozef and Jan integrate into Prague life, develop covers, and begin to understand the human cost of resistance. They meet Marie and Lenka, who represent life beyond the mission.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jozef and Jan actively choose to pursue the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the "Butcher of Prague," despite warnings. They commit to Operation Anthropoid, crossing into a mission from which there is no return.
Mirror World
Jan deepens his relationship with Lenka, experiencing love and normalcy that highlights what he's sacrificing. This relationship becomes the mirror to his mission - representing the life and future he's fighting for but can never have.
Premise
The operatives plan and prepare for the assassination: gathering intelligence on Heydrich's movements, acquiring weapons, recruiting a support team, and rehearsing the attack. They balance their mission with their developing relationships and the constant threat of discovery.
Midpoint
The assassination attempt on Heydrich succeeds - Jan throws the bomb that fatally wounds him. It's a false victory: they've accomplished their goal, but this success will unleash unprecedented Nazi vengeance upon the Czech people.
Opposition
Nazi reprisals intensify horrifically: mass executions, the annihilation of Lidice, martial law. The resistance fractures under pressure. Families of the operatives are hunted. Curda, one of their own, is broken by the horror and considers betrayal. The walls close in.
Collapse
Curda betrays the team to the Nazis. This is the whiff of death - the inevitable discovery that will lead to their doom. The operatives learn they've been compromised and must retreat to their final sanctuary in the church.
Crisis
Trapped in the church, the operatives face the darkness of their imminent death. Jan struggles with leaving Lenka. They destroy evidence, prepare final defenses, and confront what their sacrifice means. The night of the soul before the final stand.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The Nazi assault on the church begins. The operatives achieve clarity: they will make their deaths mean something. They choose to fight to the last bullet rather than surrender, turning their execution into a statement of defiance.
Synthesis
The final battle in the church. The operatives fight with extraordinary courage against overwhelming force, holding out for hours. They use everything they learned, fight for everyone they loved, and refuse to give the Nazis the satisfaction of capture. One by one, they fall or take their own lives.
Transformation
Jan, the last survivor in the flooded crypt, uses his final bullet on himself. The transformation is tragic but complete: from soldiers dropping into darkness to martyrs who proved that resistance was possible. Their deaths inspire a nation.