Class of '44
The sequel to Summer of '42 (1971) reunites Hermie, Oscy and Benjie as they graduate from high school. Benjie departs shortly to war while Hermie and Oscy go on to college and experience fraternity hazings, cheating on exams, sex scandals and other unsavory college activities. Hermie grows apart from his childhood friend Oscy and begins a relationship with Julie that allows him to settle down into maturity.
The film earned $13.8M at the global box office.
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%)
Class of '44 (1973) reveals carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Paul Bogart's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Hermie, Oscy, and Benjie arrive at college in 1944, excited but anxious about leaving their sheltered lives behind. The opening establishes their status as naive young men on the cusp of adulthood.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Hermie receives a letter from home or faces the reality of the draft registration, forcing him to confront that his college experience may be cut short by the war. The carefree freshman experience is disrupted by adult responsibilities.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Hermie actively chooses to pursue a romantic relationship with a college girl, committing to the college experience despite the uncertainty of war. He decides to live fully in the moment rather than hide from life., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat A false victory turns sour: either Hermie's relationship reaches a peak moment that reveals deeper incompatibilities, or news arrives that friends are being drafted. The carefree college experience begins to crack under the weight of reality., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Hermie faces his darkest moment: a devastating breakup, news of a friend's death in combat, or his own draft notice arrives. The innocence of youth dies, replaced by the sobering weight of wartime adulthood and loss., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Hermie gains new perspective: the relationships and experiences, however brief, shaped who he's become. He accepts that growing up means embracing both joy and loss. He finds strength to face whatever comes next, synthesizing youth and maturity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Class of '44'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 Class of '44 against these established plot points, we can identify how Paul Bogart utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Class of '44 within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Hermie, Oscy, and Benjie arrive at college in 1944, excited but anxious about leaving their sheltered lives behind. The opening establishes their status as naive young men on the cusp of adulthood.
Theme
An older student or advisor comments on the nature of growing up and how college will change them forever, touching on the theme of innocence lost and the painful transition to adulthood during wartime.
Worldbuilding
The friends settle into college life, meet their roommates, explore campus, and navigate freshman orientation. The specter of World War II looms over everything as students face the draft. Relationships and hierarchies are established.
Disruption
Hermie receives a letter from home or faces the reality of the draft registration, forcing him to confront that his college experience may be cut short by the war. The carefree freshman experience is disrupted by adult responsibilities.
Resistance
Hermie debates how to approach college life: should he focus on studies, pursue girls, prepare for war, or just enjoy his youth? He seeks advice from upperclassmen and faculty while resisting the reality of wartime adulthood.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Hermie actively chooses to pursue a romantic relationship with a college girl, committing to the college experience despite the uncertainty of war. He decides to live fully in the moment rather than hide from life.
Mirror World
Hermie develops a deeper connection with his love interest, a relationship that represents maturity and emotional growth. She mirrors his struggle between innocence and experience, teaching him about vulnerability and authentic connection.
Premise
The friends experience the promised college life: parties, romance, fraternity hijinks, academic challenges, and deepening friendships. They explore independence and identity while the war remains a distant but ever-present threat.
Midpoint
A false victory turns sour: either Hermie's relationship reaches a peak moment that reveals deeper incompatibilities, or news arrives that friends are being drafted. The carefree college experience begins to crack under the weight of reality.
Opposition
The war closes in. Students around them leave for service. Relationships strain under pressure. Academic performance suffers. The friends' bond is tested as they face different paths. Hermie's youthful idealism confronts harsh adult realities.
Collapse
Hermie faces his darkest moment: a devastating breakup, news of a friend's death in combat, or his own draft notice arrives. The innocence of youth dies, replaced by the sobering weight of wartime adulthood and loss.
Crisis
Hermie processes his grief and loss, questioning whether his college experience meant anything. He reflects on what he's learned about friendship, love, and sacrifice. The dark night before clarity emerges.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Hermie gains new perspective: the relationships and experiences, however brief, shaped who he's become. He accepts that growing up means embracing both joy and loss. He finds strength to face whatever comes next, synthesizing youth and maturity.
Synthesis
Hermie and his friends make their final choices: some head to war, some continue their education, some pursue different paths. They say goodbye to college and each other, forever changed. Hermie acts with newfound maturity and resolve.
Transformation
Hermie, no longer the naive boy from the opening, looks back at the campus or forward to his future. The closing image shows him transformed: sadder but wiser, having lost innocence but gained understanding of what it means to be a man.