Broken Arrow
"Broken Arrow" is the term used to describe a nuclear device that has been lost. In this movie, two nuclear missiles are stolen by rogue US pilot Deakins, but hot on his trail is his co-pilot Hale and a Park Ranger, Terry. The action takes place in Utah's canyon country; a high stakes game of cat and mouse.
Despite a moderate budget of $50.0M, Broken Arrow became a box office success, earning $150.3M worldwide—a 201% return.
1 win & 3 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%)
Broken Arrow (1996) showcases carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of John Woo's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Riley Hale
Vic Deakins
Terry Carmichael
Kelly
Giles Prentice
Colonel Max Wilkins
Main Cast & Characters
Riley Hale
Played by Christian Slater
An upstanding Air Force pilot who must stop his mentor from stealing nuclear weapons.
Vic Deakins
Played by John Travolta
A brilliant but corrupt Air Force pilot who orchestrates the theft of two nuclear warheads.
Terry Carmichael
Played by Samantha Mathis
A tough and resourceful park ranger who becomes Riley's unlikely ally in stopping the nuclear threat.
Kelly
Played by Howie Long
A ruthless mercenary and demolitions expert working with Deakins on the nuclear heist.
Giles Prentice
Played by Delroy Lindo
A corrupt Department of Defense official secretly coordinating with Deakins.
Colonel Max Wilkins
Played by Bob Gunton
The military commander overseeing the response to the missing nuclear weapons.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Riley Hale and Vic Deakins engage in a friendly boxing match in the desert, establishing their partnership as military pilots and Deakins' superiority complex.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Deakins attacks Hale mid-flight, revealing his plan to steal the nuclear warheads. The trusted partner becomes the antagonist in an instant.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Hale chooses to pursue Deakins and the stolen warheads through the Utah wilderness, actively deciding to become a one-man opposition force against his former partner., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Deakins successfully recovers both warheads and demonstrates his willingness to detonate one underground, proving he'll follow through on his threats. Stakes escalate enormously., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Hale and Terry are captured by Deakins. He has the warhead, the detonator, and his enemies at his mercy. All appears lost as Deakins prepares his final move., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Hale and Terry escape captivity and learn the warhead's destination. Armed with knowledge of Deakins' tactics and psychology, Hale commits to the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Broken Arrow's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Broken Arrow against these established plot points, we can identify how John Woo utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Broken Arrow within the action genre.
John Woo's Structural Approach
Among the 8 John Woo films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Broken Arrow takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Woo filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more John Woo analyses, see Red Cliff, Paycheck and Red Cliff II.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Riley Hale and Vic Deakins engage in a friendly boxing match in the desert, establishing their partnership as military pilots and Deakins' superiority complex.
Theme
Deakins tells Hale "I don't know what's scarier, losing nuclear weapons or that it happens so often there's actually a term for it." Theme: the corruption of trust and institutional betrayal.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the world of nuclear weapons transport, military protocols, and the relationship between Hale and Deakins. Establishes the routine mission parameters and security procedures.
Disruption
Deakins attacks Hale mid-flight, revealing his plan to steal the nuclear warheads. The trusted partner becomes the antagonist in an instant.
Resistance
Hale survives the ejection and crash, debates his options in the wilderness, and realizes he must stop Deakins alone. He encounters park ranger Terry Carmichael who becomes reluctant ally.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Hale chooses to pursue Deakins and the stolen warheads through the Utah wilderness, actively deciding to become a one-man opposition force against his former partner.
Mirror World
Terry Carmichael, the park ranger, represents civilian competence and moral clarity. She mirrors Hale's journey from institutional trust to self-reliance.
Premise
The cat-and-mouse pursuit through Utah canyon country. Hale and Terry track Deakins' mercenaries while evading both the villains and misguided military forces. Action set pieces deliver on the premise.
Midpoint
Deakins successfully recovers both warheads and demonstrates his willingness to detonate one underground, proving he'll follow through on his threats. Stakes escalate enormously.
Opposition
Deakins consolidates power, eliminates loose ends from his team, and moves the remaining warhead toward his buyer. Hale and Terry face increasing danger as they close in.
Collapse
Hale and Terry are captured by Deakins. He has the warhead, the detonator, and his enemies at his mercy. All appears lost as Deakins prepares his final move.
Crisis
Hale faces the reality that his former friend and partner has become a monster. He must accept that Deakins cannot be reasoned with, only stopped.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Hale and Terry escape captivity and learn the warhead's destination. Armed with knowledge of Deakins' tactics and psychology, Hale commits to the final confrontation.
Synthesis
The finale aboard a train carrying the warhead. Hale uses his pilot skills and knowledge of Deakins to outmaneuver him. Physical confrontation and race against the warhead timer.
Transformation
Hale defeats Deakins and secures the warhead. He stands with Terry, transformed from an obedient soldier into someone who trusts his own judgment over institutional authority.