Around the World in 80 Days
A bet pits a British inventor, a Chinese thief and a French artist on a worldwide adventure that they can circle the globe in 80 days.
The film disappointed at the box office against its significant budget of $110.0M, earning $72.2M globally (-34% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the action genre.
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%)
Around the World in 80 Days (2004) exhibits carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Frank Coraci'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 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Phileas Fogg
Passepartout
Monique La Roche
Lord Kelvin
Inspector Fix
Prince Hapi
Main Cast & Characters
Phileas Fogg
Played by Steve Coogan
An eccentric British inventor who accepts a wager to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days, driven by both scientific curiosity and a desire to prove himself.
Passepartout
Played by Jackie Chan
A Chinese thief and martial artist who becomes Fogg's valet while secretly protecting a stolen jade Buddha, serving as the action-oriented counterpart to Fogg.
Monique La Roche
Played by Cécile de France
A French artist and aspiring navigator who joins the journey seeking adventure and independence from traditional female roles.
Lord Kelvin
Played by Jim Broadbent
The antagonistic head of the Royal Academy of Science who dismisses Fogg's theories and works to sabotage his journey to maintain his own authority.
Inspector Fix
Played by Ewen Bremner
A Scotland Yard detective who mistakenly believes Fogg robbed the Bank of England and pursues him across the globe.
Prince Hapi
Played by Karen Mok
The ruthless leader of the Black Scorpions who pursues Passepartout to reclaim the stolen jade Buddha.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Phileas Fogg is established as an eccentric inventor in Victorian London, isolated in his workshop, obsessed with scientific progress but disconnected from the world. Passepartout is shown as a skilled martial artist and thief in China, stealing a jade Buddha.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Lord Kelvin publicly mocks and humiliates Fogg at the Royal Academy, challenging his theories as worthless without real-world proof. This provokes Fogg into making the impulsive bet to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Fogg and Passepartout depart London, crossing the threshold into their adventure. Fogg commits to the wager, staking his entire fortune and reputation. They board the first leg of their journey, leaving the familiar world behind., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat In China, they successfully retrieve the jade Buddha and return it to the village, appearing to be on schedule. False victory: they believe they're making good time and will win the wager. Fogg begins to open up emotionally to Monique. Stakes raise as Lord Kelvin intensifies efforts to sabotage them., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Arriving back in London, Fogg is immediately arrested by Inspector Fix for bank robbery (framed by Kelvin). He's imprisoned and appears to have lost everything: the wager, his reputation, his fortune, and Monique. The dream dies—he's broken and defeated., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Fogg is released when the real bank robber is caught. He realizes he still has time to win the bet due to crossing the International Date Line. More importantly, he synthesizes his intellectual abilities with newfound courage and human connection, rushing to the Royal Academy with his friends., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Around the World in 80 Days'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 Around the World in 80 Days against these established plot points, we can identify how Frank Coraci utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Around the World in 80 Days within the action genre.
Frank Coraci's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Frank Coraci films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Around the World in 80 Days represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Frank Coraci filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Frank Coraci analyses, see Click, Here Comes the Boom and Zookeeper.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Phileas Fogg is established as an eccentric inventor in Victorian London, isolated in his workshop, obsessed with scientific progress but disconnected from the world. Passepartout is shown as a skilled martial artist and thief in China, stealing a jade Buddha.
Theme
Lord Kelvin dismisses Fogg at the Royal Academy, stating that innovation requires courage and risk-taking, not just theory. This establishes the theme: true progress requires action and human connection, not just intellect.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of Victorian London's Royal Academy of Science, Fogg's rejection by the establishment, Passepartout fleeing China and arriving in London seeking employment, and the setup of the Bank of England robbery that will frame the journey.
Disruption
Lord Kelvin publicly mocks and humiliates Fogg at the Royal Academy, challenging his theories as worthless without real-world proof. This provokes Fogg into making the impulsive bet to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days.
Resistance
Fogg debates whether to accept the challenge, prepares for the journey with Passepartout (who has his own secret agenda regarding the jade Buddha), and they begin planning their route. Inspector Fix becomes suspicious of Passepartout.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Fogg and Passepartout depart London, crossing the threshold into their adventure. Fogg commits to the wager, staking his entire fortune and reputation. They board the first leg of their journey, leaving the familiar world behind.
Mirror World
Introduction of Monique La Roche, an artist seeking adventure who joins their journey in Paris. She represents passion, spontaneity, and artistic expression—everything Fogg lacks. She becomes the romantic subplot that will teach Fogg about living beyond his rigid calculations.
Premise
The "promise of the premise"—globe-trotting adventures through Paris, Turkey, India, and China. Action sequences, cultural encounters, comedic mishaps, and the growing chemistry between Fogg and Monique. Passepartout showcases his martial arts skills.
Midpoint
In China, they successfully retrieve the jade Buddha and return it to the village, appearing to be on schedule. False victory: they believe they're making good time and will win the wager. Fogg begins to open up emotionally to Monique. Stakes raise as Lord Kelvin intensifies efforts to sabotage them.
Opposition
Lord Kelvin's sabotage escalates across America and the Pacific. The trio faces increasing obstacles: train robberies, Native American attacks, and Inspector Fix's pursuit intensifies. Time pressure mounts as they fall behind schedule. Fogg's rigidity causes friction with Monique.
Collapse
Arriving back in London, Fogg is immediately arrested by Inspector Fix for bank robbery (framed by Kelvin). He's imprisoned and appears to have lost everything: the wager, his reputation, his fortune, and Monique. The dream dies—he's broken and defeated.
Crisis
Fogg sits in despair in prison, believing he has failed utterly. He faces his dark night, questioning whether leaving his safe workshop was worth the humiliation. Passepartout and Monique work desperately to prove his innocence and free him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Fogg is released when the real bank robber is caught. He realizes he still has time to win the bet due to crossing the International Date Line. More importantly, he synthesizes his intellectual abilities with newfound courage and human connection, rushing to the Royal Academy with his friends.
Synthesis
The finale: Fogg races to the Royal Academy, confronts Lord Kelvin and his henchmen in an action-packed showdown utilizing all the inventions and skills developed throughout the journey. Passepartout's martial arts, Fogg's inventions, and Monique's courage combine to expose Kelvin's treachery and win the wager.
Transformation
Fogg, now transformed, chooses love and friendship over accolades. He rejects the Royal Academy's belated acceptance, instead celebrating with Passepartout and embracing Monique romantically. The final image shows him connected, alive, and part of the world—the opposite of his isolated opening.