Evel Knievel
Biography of the famed motorcycle daredevil, much of which was filmed in his home town of Butte, Montana. The film depicts Knievel reflecting on major events in his life just before a big jump.
Despite its minimal budget of $450K, Evel Knievel became a runaway success, earning $8.0M worldwide—a remarkable 1678% return. The film's unique voice engaged audiences, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Evel Knievel (1971) showcases carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Marvin J. Chomsky's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 28 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Evel Knievel
Linda Bork
Doc Kincaid
Will Atkins
Chuck Malley
Main Cast & Characters
Evel Knievel
Played by George Hamilton
Daredevil motorcycle stunt performer who risks everything for fame and glory, driven by ego and ambition.
Linda Bork
Played by Sue Lyon
Evel's wife who struggles with his reckless lifestyle and the toll it takes on their family.
Doc Kincaid
Played by Bert Freed
Evel's friend and promoter who helps build his career but grows concerned about the increasing dangers.
Will Atkins
Played by Rod Cameron
Business manager and advisor who tries to capitalize on Evel's fame while managing the risks.
Chuck Malley
Played by Dub Taylor
Evel's mechanic and loyal friend who maintains the bikes and supports the stunts.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Evel Knievel as a reckless motorcycle daredevil in small-town Montana, living on the edge with no real direction or success.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when Evel crashes badly during a jump and is seriously injured, forcing him to confront his mortality and the limits of small-time stunts.. 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Evel makes the decision to pursue massive publicity and turn himself into a brand, actively choosing the path of fame over safety., moving from reaction to action.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Evel achieves massive fame and success with a spectacular jump at Caesar's Palace fountain - a false victory as the stakes and pressure intensify., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Evel suffers a catastrophic crash that nearly kills him, leaving him broken physically and emotionally - his dreams seem dead., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 69 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Evel realizes that his legacy isn't just the jumps but the spirit of daring itself - he chooses to embrace who he is, flaws and all., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Evel Knievel'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 Evel Knievel against these established plot points, we can identify how Marvin J. Chomsky utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Evel Knievel within the action genre.
Marvin J. Chomsky's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Marvin J. Chomsky films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Evel Knievel takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Marvin J. Chomsky filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Marvin J. Chomsky analyses, see Tank.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Evel Knievel as a reckless motorcycle daredevil in small-town Montana, living on the edge with no real direction or success.
Theme
A character warns Evel that 'you can't jump your way to glory' - establishing the theme of ambition versus self-destruction.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Evel's world: his wife Linda, his struggling career, his cocky personality, and his dreams of becoming famous.
Disruption
Evel crashes badly during a jump and is seriously injured, forcing him to confront his mortality and the limits of small-time stunts.
Resistance
Evel debates whether to continue risking his life, but his ambition and ego drive him to think bigger - he needs a promoter and a real plan.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Evel makes the decision to pursue massive publicity and turn himself into a brand, actively choosing the path of fame over safety.
Mirror World
Evel's relationship with promoter Doc Kincaid develops, representing the business side and the machine that will both build and consume him.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Evel's rise to fame through increasingly dangerous jumps, media coverage, and building his larger-than-life persona.
Midpoint
Evel achieves massive fame and success with a spectacular jump at Caesar's Palace fountain - a false victory as the stakes and pressure intensify.
Opposition
The pressure mounts: media demands bigger stunts, his family suffers, his body breaks down, and Evel's ego alienates those around him.
Collapse
Evel suffers a catastrophic crash that nearly kills him, leaving him broken physically and emotionally - his dreams seem dead.
Crisis
Evel faces his dark night: hospitalized, confronting what he's sacrificed, and whether the glory was worth the cost.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Evel realizes that his legacy isn't just the jumps but the spirit of daring itself - he chooses to embrace who he is, flaws and all.
Synthesis
Evel prepares for his next jump with new understanding - not running from death but accepting it as part of his identity and American myth.
Transformation
Evel rides again, transformed from reckless daredevil to self-aware legend who has accepted both his gift and his curse.