Courage Under Fire
A US Army officer, who made a "friendly fire" mistake that was covered up, has been reassigned to a desk job. He is tasked to investigate a female chopper commander's worthiness to be awarded the Medal of Honor. At first all seems in order. But then he begins to notice inconsistencies between the testimonies of the witnesses...
Despite a mid-range budget of $46.0M, Courage Under Fire became a financial success, earning $100.9M worldwide—a 119% return.
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%)
Courage Under Fire (1996) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Edward Zwick's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 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 Gulf War tank battle chaos. Serling commands his unit in darkness and confusion, establishing him as a decisive military leader operating under extreme pressure in combat.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Serling is assigned to investigate Captain Karen Walden for the Medal of Honor. She would be the first woman to receive it for combat. The assignment seems routine but will force him to confront truth and lies.. 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 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Serling realizes the testimonies don't match and something is being hidden. He makes the choice to dig deeper for the real truth rather than rubber-stamp the medal, despite pressure from above to approve it quickly for political purposes., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Serling discovers that Monfriez is lying and may have acted cowardly or even mutinously. The stakes raise—this isn't just about a medal, but about covering up possible crimes. A reporter also confronts Serling about the Boylar friendly fire incident, threatening to expose him., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Serling breaks down and confesses the truth about Boylar to his wife—he gave the order that killed his friend. His marriage appears to crumble. Simultaneously, he realizes he may have to deny Walden the medal because of what Monfriez did, meaning her sacrifice will be forgotten., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Serling confronts Monfriez with the truth, who breaks down and confesses. Serling approves the Medal of Honor for Walden. He also publicly admits his own mistake about Boylar to the reviewing board, accepting responsibility. At Walden's medal ceremony, he honors her truth and begins to reclaim his own honor., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Courage Under Fire's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Courage Under Fire against these established plot points, we can identify how Edward Zwick utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Courage Under Fire within the drama genre.
Edward Zwick's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Edward Zwick films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Courage Under Fire takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Edward Zwick filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Edward Zwick analyses, see Blood Diamond, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back and About Last Night....
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Gulf War tank battle chaos. Serling commands his unit in darkness and confusion, establishing him as a decisive military leader operating under extreme pressure in combat.
Theme
A officer tells Serling about the Medal of Honor investigation: "The medal's not for her, it's for us." The theme of truth versus convenient narrative is established—what story do we need to tell ourselves?
Worldbuilding
Post-Gulf War Washington. Serling carries guilt over a friendly fire incident that killed his friend Boylar. He's assigned to a Pentagon desk job, drinking heavily, and his marriage is strained. The military culture of honor and cover-up is established.
Disruption
Serling is assigned to investigate Captain Karen Walden for the Medal of Honor. She would be the first woman to receive it for combat. The assignment seems routine but will force him to confront truth and lies.
Resistance
Serling begins interviewing Walden's crew. He meets her crew members who give conflicting accounts: Monfriez (hostile), Ilario (traumatized), Altameyer (by-the-book). Each interview reveals different versions of what happened. Serling is initially just going through the motions.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Serling realizes the testimonies don't match and something is being hidden. He makes the choice to dig deeper for the real truth rather than rubber-stamp the medal, despite pressure from above to approve it quickly for political purposes.
Mirror World
Serling visits Walden's parents and young daughter. Her father, a veteran, represents the thematic counterpoint—the cost of heroism on families and the question of whether the truth honors or dishonors the dead. This humanizes Walden beyond the investigation.
Premise
The investigation deepens through multiple conflicting flashbacks. Was Walden a hero or a coward? Did she save her men or endanger them? Serling's parallel guilt over Boylar's death intensifies as he drinks more and becomes obsessed with finding the truth.
Midpoint
Serling discovers that Monfriez is lying and may have acted cowardly or even mutinously. The stakes raise—this isn't just about a medal, but about covering up possible crimes. A reporter also confronts Serling about the Boylar friendly fire incident, threatening to expose him.
Opposition
Pressure mounts from all sides. The Pentagon wants the investigation concluded. The reporter pursues Serling's cover-up. His wife confronts him about his drinking and emotional absence. Serling's guilt and Walden's truth become intertwined—he can't find the truth about her until he faces the truth about himself.
Collapse
Serling breaks down and confesses the truth about Boylar to his wife—he gave the order that killed his friend. His marriage appears to crumble. Simultaneously, he realizes he may have to deny Walden the medal because of what Monfriez did, meaning her sacrifice will be forgotten.
Crisis
Serling sits in darkness, at his lowest point. He must choose between the comfortable lie (approve the medal, bury both truths) and the painful truth that will cost him everything but restore his integrity. The dark night of weighing honor versus career.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Serling confronts Monfriez with the truth, who breaks down and confesses. Serling approves the Medal of Honor for Walden. He also publicly admits his own mistake about Boylar to the reviewing board, accepting responsibility. At Walden's medal ceremony, he honors her truth and begins to reclaim his own honor.