Bodyguards and Assassins
In 1905, revolutionist Sun Yat-Sen visits Hong Kong to discuss plans with Tongmenghui members to overthrow the Qing dynasty. But when they find out that assassins have been sent to kill him, they assemble a group of protectors to prevent any attacks.
The film commercial failure against its mid-range budget of $23.0M, earning $6.6M globally (-71% 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%)
Bodyguards and Assassins (2009) showcases meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Teddy Chan Tak-Sum's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 19 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Hong Kong, 1906. The city bustles under British colonial rule while Chinese citizens live under the oppressive Qing Dynasty. Revolutionary newspaper owner Chen Shaobai operates his press, advocating for reform while ordinary citizens struggle in their daily lives.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Chen Shaobai reveals that revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen will secretly visit Hong Kong for one hour to rally support. However, imperial assassins led by the deadly Yan Xiaoguo are already in the city with orders to kill Sun. The peaceful status quo is shattered by this life-or-death mission.. 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.
At 70 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False defeat: Sun Yat-sen arrives, but the assassins discover the protection plan. Yan Xiaoguo and his killers begin their assault earlier than expected. The stakes raise dramatically as the bodyguards realize they're outnumbered and outmatched. The mission shifts from preparation to desperate survival. The fun and games are over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 104 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Li Yutang watches his son Li Chongguang die in his arms, sacrificing himself to save his father. The whiff of death is literal and devastating. Nearly all the bodyguards are dead or dying. The mission seems lost, hope extinguished. Li Yutang faces the ultimate price of revolution: his child's life., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 111 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale: the final bodyguards execute a desperate last stand. Li Yutang confronts Yan Xiaoguo in a climactic battle. Though outmatched, Li fights with the weight of all the fallen, finally defeating the assassin through sheer determination. Sun Yat-sen completes his meeting and escapes safely. The mission succeeds, but at tremendous cost., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bodyguards and Assassins's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Bodyguards and Assassins against these established plot points, we can identify how Teddy Chan Tak-Sum utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bodyguards and Assassins within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Hong Kong, 1906. The city bustles under British colonial rule while Chinese citizens live under the oppressive Qing Dynasty. Revolutionary newspaper owner Chen Shaobai operates his press, advocating for reform while ordinary citizens struggle in their daily lives.
Theme
Chen Shaobai speaks about sacrifice and the greater good: "Some lives are worth protecting, even at the cost of our own." The film's central question emerges: what price are ordinary people willing to pay for freedom and change?
Worldbuilding
Introduction of the ensemble cast of ordinary Hong Kong citizens: rickshaw driver A-Si, beggar Liu Yubai, street performer Chen Chun, merchant Li Yutang and his family, gambling house manager Fang Tianyi, and police officer Shen Chongyang. Each character is shown in their daily life, establishing their relationships, skills, and personal stakes.
Disruption
Chen Shaobai reveals that revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen will secretly visit Hong Kong for one hour to rally support. However, imperial assassins led by the deadly Yan Xiaoguo are already in the city with orders to kill Sun. The peaceful status quo is shattered by this life-or-death mission.
Resistance
Chen Shaobai and merchant Li Yutang debate whether to involve ordinary citizens in this dangerous mission. Li initially resists, wanting to protect his family and community. Reluctantly, they begin recruiting unlikely bodyguards. Each recruit hesitates, questions their ability, and debates whether they can make a difference against trained killers.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The promise of the premise: ordinary people training and preparing to face professional assassins. Training montages show rickshaw drivers learning to fight, merchants becoming soldiers. The plan is laid out: create a diversion route through Central District, buying one hour for Sun's meeting. Camaraderie builds despite the looming danger.
Midpoint
False defeat: Sun Yat-sen arrives, but the assassins discover the protection plan. Yan Xiaoguo and his killers begin their assault earlier than expected. The stakes raise dramatically as the bodyguards realize they're outnumbered and outmatched. The mission shifts from preparation to desperate survival. The fun and games are over.
Opposition
The one-hour battle through Central District intensifies. Assassins systematically eliminate the bodyguards one by one. Each defender falls in brutal combat, buying minutes with their lives. The opposition closes in relentlessly as Yan Xiaoguo proves unstoppable, cutting through the defenders while hunting for Sun Yat-sen.
Collapse
Li Yutang watches his son Li Chongguang die in his arms, sacrificing himself to save his father. The whiff of death is literal and devastating. Nearly all the bodyguards are dead or dying. The mission seems lost, hope extinguished. Li Yutang faces the ultimate price of revolution: his child's life.
Crisis
In the dark night of the soul, the few surviving bodyguards are broken and bloodied. Li Yutang cradles his dead son, questioning whether any of this was worth it. Chen Shaobai faces his own mortality. The survivors process their losses, the weight of their fallen comrades, and whether their sacrifice will mean anything.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: the final bodyguards execute a desperate last stand. Li Yutang confronts Yan Xiaoguo in a climactic battle. Though outmatched, Li fights with the weight of all the fallen, finally defeating the assassin through sheer determination. Sun Yat-sen completes his meeting and escapes safely. The mission succeeds, but at tremendous cost.