Dragonslayer
A King has made a pact with a dragon where he sacrfices virgins to it, and the dragon leaves his kingdom alone. An old wizard, and his keen young apprentice volunteer to kill the dragon and attempt to save the next virgin in line, the King's own daughter.
The film disappointed at the box office against its mid-range budget of $18.0M, earning $14.1M globally (-22% loss).
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 7 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%)
Dragonslayer (1981) reveals carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Matthew Robbins's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Galen lives as apprentice to the great sorcerer Ulrich, practicing magic in their remote tower, untested by real danger.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Ulrich is killed by the King's soldiers. Galen is left alone, inexperienced and overwhelmed, but in possession of his master's amulet and the responsibility to face the dragon.. At 11% 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Galen chooses to use magic to seal the dragon's cave with an avalanche, actively committing to be the dragonslayer despite his inexperience. He crosses into the role of hero, leaving safety behind., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: The dragon breaks free from the sealed cave, more enraged than ever. Galen's magic has failed catastrophically, making things worse. The lottery must resume, and his credibility as a sorcerer is destroyed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Princess Elspeth sacrifices herself to the dragon in Valerian's place, dying in the flames. Galen witnesses his complete failure - an innocent dies because he couldn't fulfill his promise. His amulet is destroyed, and he has no power left., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Galen descends into the dragon's volcanic lair to face Vermithrax. He fights with physical courage rather than magic, using the enchanted spear. Ulrich returns in flames, sacrificing his final resurrection to empower Galen and destroy the dragon in a cataclysmic confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Dragonslayer's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Dragonslayer against these established plot points, we can identify how Matthew Robbins utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Dragonslayer within the action genre.
Matthew Robbins's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Matthew Robbins films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Dragonslayer takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Matthew Robbins filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Matthew Robbins analyses, see Corvette Summer, *batteries not included.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Galen lives as apprentice to the great sorcerer Ulrich, practicing magic in their remote tower, untested by real danger.
Theme
Ulrich warns about the nature of power and sacrifice: "Magic is the ultimate power, but it exacts the ultimate price." Theme of true heroism vs. empty bravado established.
Worldbuilding
Delegates from Urland arrive seeking Ulrich's help against the dragon Vermithrax. The lottery system for virgin sacrifices is explained. Ulrich's tower, his relationship with Galen, and the desperate state of the kingdom are established.
Disruption
Ulrich is killed by the King's soldiers. Galen is left alone, inexperienced and overwhelmed, but in possession of his master's amulet and the responsibility to face the dragon.
Resistance
Galen debates whether he can fulfill Ulrich's mission. He travels to Urland with Valerian and the delegates, discovering his master left him the powerful amulet. He resists accepting full responsibility, still seeing himself as inadequate.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Galen chooses to use magic to seal the dragon's cave with an avalanche, actively committing to be the dragonslayer despite his inexperience. He crosses into the role of hero, leaving safety behind.
Premise
Galen explores his new role as dragonslayer, attempting spells, navigating court politics with the King, and investigating the dragon's lair. He experiences both the adulation and the burden of being seen as a hero, while growing closer to Valerian and the villagers.
Midpoint
False defeat: The dragon breaks free from the sealed cave, more enraged than ever. Galen's magic has failed catastrophically, making things worse. The lottery must resume, and his credibility as a sorcerer is destroyed.
Opposition
The King's forces hunt Galen as a fraud. The dragon kills more victims. Princess Elspeth's name is revealed to have never been in the lottery. Galen's attempts to use magic fail repeatedly. Valerian is selected in the lottery, forcing Galen to confront his powerlessness.
Collapse
Princess Elspeth sacrifices herself to the dragon in Valerian's place, dying in the flames. Galen witnesses his complete failure - an innocent dies because he couldn't fulfill his promise. His amulet is destroyed, and he has no power left.
Crisis
Galen despairs in his darkest moment, believing he has lost everything - his master, his magic, his purpose, and innocent lives because of his arrogance. He must process that he was never the true hero of this story.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Galen descends into the dragon's volcanic lair to face Vermithrax. He fights with physical courage rather than magic, using the enchanted spear. Ulrich returns in flames, sacrificing his final resurrection to empower Galen and destroy the dragon in a cataclysmic confrontation.