Cheetah
Ted and Susan, an American boy and girl spending six months in Kenya with their scientist parents, adopt a cheetah, only to realize that they must set her loose so that she can learn to hunt and be free. However, when she is captured by poachers planning to race her against greyhounds, Ted and Susan, together with Morogo, a young African goat herder they befriended, head off into the wild to rescue her.
Working with a limited budget of $5.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $8.2M in global revenue (+63% profit margin).
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%)
Cheetah (1989) exhibits precise story structure, characteristic of Jeff Blyth's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 23 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ted and Susan arrive in Kenya to spend six months with their parents who work in conservation. They are fish out of water, typical American teenagers unused to African wilderness.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Ted and Susan discover an orphaned cheetah cub whose mother was killed by poachers. The helpless cub will die without intervention, forcing the teenagers to make a choice.. 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Ted and Susan make the active choice to fully commit to raising the cheetah cub, whom they name Duma. They accept the responsibility and consequences, crossing into a new world of purpose and connection to Africa., moving from reaction to action.
At 42 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: The kids' secret is discovered by their parents, who insist Duma must be released into the wild or sent to a sanctuary. Simultaneously, they learn poachers are closing in on the area. The stakes are raised and the carefree days 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 62 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: Duma is captured by poachers who plan to sell the cheetah. The teens' worst fear is realized - their beloved friend faces death. Their dream of protecting Duma has failed catastrophically., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 66 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Synthesis and realization: The teens combine what they've learned from their Maasai friend, their parents' expertise, and their own courage. They gain critical information about the poachers' location and formulate a rescue plan. They choose to act with purpose rather than passion., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Cheetah's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Cheetah against these established plot points, we can identify how Jeff Blyth utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Cheetah within the adventure genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ted and Susan arrive in Kenya to spend six months with their parents who work in conservation. They are fish out of water, typical American teenagers unused to African wilderness.
Theme
A local guide tells the teens that "in Africa, everything is connected - animals, people, the land. When you take care of one, you take care of all." This states the film's theme of interconnectedness and responsibility.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to life at the research station, the beauty and danger of the Kenyan wilderness, the kids' initial disconnect from their surroundings, and their parents' important conservation work. Establishes the world of wildlife protection versus poaching threats.
Disruption
Ted and Susan discover an orphaned cheetah cub whose mother was killed by poachers. The helpless cub will die without intervention, forcing the teenagers to make a choice.
Resistance
The kids debate whether to secretly raise the cheetah themselves or tell their parents. They research cheetah care, struggle with the responsibility, and receive guidance from friendly locals. They must decide if they're truly committed to this difficult task.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ted and Susan make the active choice to fully commit to raising the cheetah cub, whom they name Duma. They accept the responsibility and consequences, crossing into a new world of purpose and connection to Africa.
Mirror World
The relationship with Duma deepens. A local Maasai boy befriends the teens and teaches them about living in harmony with nature. This subplot carries the theme of cross-cultural understanding and genuine connection to the land.
Premise
The fun of raising Duma - watching the cheetah grow, teaching it to hunt, exploring the savanna together. The promise of the premise: kids bonding with a wild animal in the beautiful African landscape. Adventure, discovery, and joy.
Midpoint
False defeat: The kids' secret is discovered by their parents, who insist Duma must be released into the wild or sent to a sanctuary. Simultaneously, they learn poachers are closing in on the area. The stakes are raised and the carefree days are over.
Opposition
Conflict intensifies as poachers become more aggressive. Duma struggles to adapt to independence. The teens face pressure from parents and danger from criminals. Their naivety catches up with them as they realize the real threats facing African wildlife.
Collapse
All is lost: Duma is captured by poachers who plan to sell the cheetah. The teens' worst fear is realized - their beloved friend faces death. Their dream of protecting Duma has failed catastrophically.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul. Ted and Susan feel helpless and defeated. They process their failure and grief. They must confront whether they truly understood what it means to protect wildlife in Africa - it's not just about love, but about fighting real evil.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis and realization: The teens combine what they've learned from their Maasai friend, their parents' expertise, and their own courage. They gain critical information about the poachers' location and formulate a rescue plan. They choose to act with purpose rather than passion.
Synthesis
The finale: Ted and Susan execute a dangerous plan to rescue Duma from the poachers, working with local authorities and their parents. Confrontation with the criminals, freeing Duma, and the cheetah's ultimate release into protected wilderness where it can truly be wild and free.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening but shows transformation: Ted and Susan watch Duma run free across the savanna, no longer disconnected tourists but young people who understand their place in the web of life. They've found purpose and connection to something greater than themselves.