Charade
In what's been called 'the best Alfred Hitchcock film which he didn't direct,' a man is thrown off a train, and when the police locate his wife, it turns out she knew nothing about him - not even his real name. After her are four men, who insist she's in possession of a huge amount of money which they believe to be theirs. If she doesn't give it to them, she'll be killed.
Despite its modest budget of $4.0M, Charade became a solid performer, earning $13.5M worldwide—a 237% return. The film's fresh perspective attracted moviegoers, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 4 wins & 9 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%)
Charade (1963) showcases precise narrative design, characteristic of Stanley Donen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 53 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Regina "Reggie" Lampert
Peter Joshua/Alexander Dyle/Adam Canfield/Brian Cruikshank
Hamilton Bartholomew
Herman Scobie
Leopold Gideon
Tex Panthollow
Main Cast & Characters
Regina "Reggie" Lampert
Played by Audrey Hepburn
A recently widowed American woman in Paris who becomes entangled in a dangerous mystery involving stolen money and multiple identities.
Peter Joshua/Alexander Dyle/Adam Canfield/Brian Cruikshank
Played by Cary Grant
A charming stranger who helps Reggie while concealing his true identity and motives throughout the film.
Hamilton Bartholomew
Played by Walter Matthau
A CIA administrator who manipulates Reggie into helping recover stolen government funds.
Herman Scobie
Played by George Kennedy
One of Charles Lampert's former war comrades hunting for the stolen money, posing as a rare stamp dealer.
Leopold Gideon
Played by Ned Glass
Another of Lampert's war associates, a menacing former Nazi collaborator searching for the missing fortune.
Tex Panthollow
Played by James Coburn
The third member of Lampert's wartime group, a cowboy-styled American with violent tendencies.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Regina "Reggie" Lampert enjoys a ski vacation in the French Alps, appearing carefree and sophisticated but revealing loneliness when discussing her failing marriage with her friend Sylvie.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Reggie discovers her husband has been murdered - thrown from a train - and all her belongings have been sold. She's left with nothing and pulled into a dangerous mystery.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Reggie actively chooses to work with Peter Joshua (who conveniently reappears) to find the missing money and uncover the truth about her husband, crossing into a world of espionage and danger., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False defeat: Reggie discovers "Peter Joshua" is actually Alexander Dyle, brother of one of the murdered accomplices. Her trust is shattered - the man she's falling for has been lying about his identity. The stakes raise as she realizes she doesn't know who to trust., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Bartholomew reveals he's the real villain and holds Reggie at gunpoint on the roof, demanding the stamps containing the gold. Her romantic interest may be a liar, the CIA man is a murderer, and she's alone facing death., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Reggie realizes the stamps are on a letter in her hand - the clue was with her all along. "Peter" (revealed as Treasury agent Brian Cruikshank) arrives to save her. She sees clearly: despite his lies about identity, his protection was real., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Charade'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 Charade against these established plot points, we can identify how Stanley Donen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Charade within the comedy genre.
Stanley Donen's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Stanley Donen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Charade takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Stanley Donen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Stanley Donen analyses, see Saturn 3, On the Town and The Grass Is Greener.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Regina "Reggie" Lampert enjoys a ski vacation in the French Alps, appearing carefree and sophisticated but revealing loneliness when discussing her failing marriage with her friend Sylvie.
Theme
Peter Joshua tells Reggie, "I already know an awful lot of people, and until one of them dies I couldn't possibly meet anyone else" - establishing the theme of deception, identity, and trust.
Worldbuilding
Reggie meets the charming Peter Joshua at the ski resort and flirts despite her marriage. She returns to Paris planning to divorce her husband Charles, only to discover her apartment emptied and Charles dead under mysterious circumstances.
Disruption
Reggie discovers her husband has been murdered - thrown from a train - and all her belongings have been sold. She's left with nothing and pulled into a dangerous mystery.
Resistance
CIA administrator Hamilton Bartholomew summons Reggie and reveals her husband was a thief who stole $250,000 in gold during WWII with three accomplices. Three threatening men appear at the funeral. Reggie resists involvement but realizes she's in danger.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Reggie actively chooses to work with Peter Joshua (who conveniently reappears) to find the missing money and uncover the truth about her husband, crossing into a world of espionage and danger.
Mirror World
Reggie and Peter's relationship deepens as they work together, their witty romantic banter contrasting with the danger. Peter represents the possibility of trust in a world of deception.
Premise
The fun cat-and-mouse game promised by the premise: Reggie and Peter investigate together, matching wits with the three menacing accomplices. Comic suspense sequences include a fight in a phone booth, narrow escapes, and flirtatious dialogue amid danger.
Midpoint
False defeat: Reggie discovers "Peter Joshua" is actually Alexander Dyle, brother of one of the murdered accomplices. Her trust is shattered - the man she's falling for has been lying about his identity. The stakes raise as she realizes she doesn't know who to trust.
Opposition
The accomplices close in with increasing violence. "Dyle" changes his story again, claiming new identities (Adam Canfield). Bodies pile up as the accomplices kill each other. Reggie is caught between multiple threats, unable to trust anyone.
Collapse
Bartholomew reveals he's the real villain and holds Reggie at gunpoint on the roof, demanding the stamps containing the gold. Her romantic interest may be a liar, the CIA man is a murderer, and she's alone facing death.
Crisis
Reggie faces seemingly certain death as Bartholomew threatens her on the rooftop. She grapples with the darkness of betrayal from all sides and the possibility that her judgment about people - especially "Peter" - has been fatally flawed.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Reggie realizes the stamps are on a letter in her hand - the clue was with her all along. "Peter" (revealed as Treasury agent Brian Cruikshank) arrives to save her. She sees clearly: despite his lies about identity, his protection was real.
Synthesis
Bartholomew falls to his death in the struggle. Brian reveals his true identity and that all his name changes were to avoid falling in love with Reggie (he can't romance someone involved in an investigation). The mystery resolves; love proves genuine despite deception.
Transformation
Reggie, who began alone and unable to trust, now playfully asks "what's your name today?" as she and Brian marry. She's learned to trust love despite surface deceptions - transformed from lonely skeptic to joyful partner.