Fierce Creatures
A massive corporate conglomerate, Octopus, Inc., run by a shrewd and cruel tycoon named Rod McCain (Kevin Kline), purchases a U.K.-based leisure company, and also the failing London Marwood Zoo. To bring more business to the zoo, Octopus hires a new manager, Rollo Lee (John Cleese), who promptly comes up with a way to increase profits - do away with all of the animals except for the ferocious ones. This new Fierce Creatures Policy shocks the Marwood zookeepers, led by the unendingly talkative Adrian "Bugsy" Malone (Sir Michael Palin). Eventually, Rod McCain's son Vince McCain (Kevin Kline), along with the up-and-coming business executive Willa Weston (Jamie Lee Curtis), take control of the zoo and revoke the Fierce Creatures Policy. Vince instead comes up with many under-handed and vicious schemes to attract customers - unauthorized celebrity endorsements, shoddy, overpriced zoo merchandise, and using robotic animals instead of real ones. However, Vince is also stealing from the zoo's funds, and when his father finds out, he rears to turn the zoo into a Japanese-owned golf course. Meanwhile, Willa has grown to love the zoo and its animals, and, along with her newly-reformed love interest Rollo, plot with the zookeepers to save the zoo from the McCains.
The film box office disappointment against its mid-range budget of $25.0M, earning $9.4M globally (-62% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative within the comedy genre.
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%)
Fierce Creatures (1997) exhibits precise story structure, characteristic of Robert Young's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 33 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Marwood Zoo operates peacefully under its beloved director, with zookeepers caring for gentle animals. The zoo is unprofitable but filled with passion and dedication.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Rollo Lee announces his "fierce creatures" policy: only dangerous animals that attract crowds will be kept. All gentle animals must go. The staff is horrified and the zoo's soul is threatened.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Rollo decides to fake the fierce creatures policy to satisfy corporate while secretly keeping the gentle animals. The staff agrees to the deception, committing to save the zoo their way., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The zoo achieves record attendance and profitability through sponsorships and the "fierce" deception. False victory: they've saved the zoo financially but sold its soul to crass commercialism., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, McCain threatens to close the zoo entirely and turn it into a golf course. All their efforts were futile. The dream of saving the zoo (and its true spirit) appears dead., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The team realizes they can expose McCain's corruption and mismanagement to his father, Octopus Inc's owner. They synthesize their skills - Rollo's strategy with Villa's creativity and staff's passion., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Fierce Creatures'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 Fierce Creatures against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Young utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Fierce Creatures within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Marwood Zoo operates peacefully under its beloved director, with zookeepers caring for gentle animals. The zoo is unprofitable but filled with passion and dedication.
Theme
Corporate representative states that the zoo must become profitable or be closed. "It's not about the animals, it's about the bottom line" - establishing the central conflict between commerce and care.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the zoo's staff of eccentric but caring keepers, the variety of gentle animals, and the acquisition by Octopus Inc conglomerate. Rollo Lee arrives as the new hard-line director.
Disruption
Rollo Lee announces his "fierce creatures" policy: only dangerous animals that attract crowds will be kept. All gentle animals must go. The staff is horrified and the zoo's soul is threatened.
Resistance
Staff debates and resists the policy. Rollo struggles to enforce it while keepers hide animals and argue for their value. Villa Weston arrives from marketing to help commercialize the zoo.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rollo decides to fake the fierce creatures policy to satisfy corporate while secretly keeping the gentle animals. The staff agrees to the deception, committing to save the zoo their way.
Mirror World
Rollo and Villa begin working together, representing opposite approaches - his rigid efficiency versus her creative marketing. Their growing connection embodies the theme of finding balance.
Premise
The staff executes increasingly absurd schemes to make gentle animals appear fierce. Corporate sponsorship invades the zoo with garish advertising. Comedy ensues as worlds collide.
Midpoint
The zoo achieves record attendance and profitability through sponsorships and the "fierce" deception. False victory: they've saved the zoo financially but sold its soul to crass commercialism.
Opposition
Rod McCain Jr. arrives to push even more aggressive commercialization. The zoo becomes a tacky corporate nightmare. Rollo and staff realize they've lost what made the zoo special. Relationships strain.
Collapse
McCain threatens to close the zoo entirely and turn it into a golf course. All their efforts were futile. The dream of saving the zoo (and its true spirit) appears dead.
Crisis
Staff despairs over losing the zoo. Rollo and Villa reflect on what truly matters - not just keeping it open, but preserving its authentic purpose and care for animals.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The team realizes they can expose McCain's corruption and mismanagement to his father, Octopus Inc's owner. They synthesize their skills - Rollo's strategy with Villa's creativity and staff's passion.
Synthesis
The staff executes an elaborate plan to trap McCain, document his schemes, and present evidence to his father. Comic finale with animal chaos and corporate comeuppance. The zoo is saved authentically.
Transformation
The zoo operates independently with its gentle animals restored and staff empowered. Rollo has transformed from cold corporate enforcer to caring zoo advocate. Balance achieved between viability and values.