Free Birds
Two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history—and get turkey off the holiday menu for good.
Despite a moderate budget of $55.0M, Free Birds became a financial success, earning $110.0M worldwide—a 100% 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%)
Free Birds (2013) exemplifies precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Jimmy Hayward's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Reggie lives as an outcast on the turkey farm, aware of the turkeys' fate while others remain oblivious. He's isolated but intellectually superior, unable to fit in with his flock.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Jake kidnaps Reggie from the White House, forcing him into a mission to steal a time machine and change history. Reggie's comfortable life is violently disrupted.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Reggie and Jake activate S.T.E.V.E. (the time machine) and choose to travel back to 1621, three days before the first Thanksgiving. Reggie actively commits to the journey despite his reservations., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The turkeys' hiding place is discovered by Myles Standish and his men. The flock is captured and taken to the colonist camp, marking a false defeat that raises the stakes significantly., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jake appears to be killed protecting the flock during the escape attempt. Reggie witnesses his friend's apparent death, the ultimate sacrifice, and the mission seems completely lost., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Reggie realizes he can use S.T.E.V.E. To go back and save Jake, then rallies the flock with a new plan. He synthesizes his intelligence with Jake's courage and Jenny's wisdom for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Free Birds'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 Free Birds against these established plot points, we can identify how Jimmy Hayward utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Free Birds within the animation genre.
Jimmy Hayward's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Jimmy Hayward films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Free Birds exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jimmy Hayward filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Jimmy Hayward analyses, see Jonah Hex.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Reggie lives as an outcast on the turkey farm, aware of the turkeys' fate while others remain oblivious. He's isolated but intellectually superior, unable to fit in with his flock.
Theme
At the White House, the President's daughter tells Reggie that being special means standing up for those who can't stand up for themselves - establishing the film's theme about using privilege responsibly.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Reggie's world: his isolation on the farm, his awareness of the turkey's fate, his pardoning and luxurious life at the White House watching telenovelas and eating pizza.
Disruption
Jake kidnaps Reggie from the White House, forcing him into a mission to steal a time machine and change history. Reggie's comfortable life is violently disrupted.
Resistance
Jake explains his plan to go back in time and remove turkeys from the Thanksgiving menu. Reggie resists, wanting to return to his comfortable life, but gradually becomes involved as they infiltrate the government facility.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Reggie and Jake activate S.T.E.V.E. (the time machine) and choose to travel back to 1621, three days before the first Thanksgiving. Reggie actively commits to the journey despite his reservations.
Mirror World
Reggie meets Jenny, a smart and independent turkey from the native flock. She represents the thematic opposite of his selfish lifestyle and will teach him about community and sacrifice.
Premise
The fun of the premise: turkeys in 1621 trying to change history. Reggie bonds with Jenny, Jake trains the flock for battle, and they attempt various plans to avoid being caught by the colonists.
Midpoint
The turkeys' hiding place is discovered by Myles Standish and his men. The flock is captured and taken to the colonist camp, marking a false defeat that raises the stakes significantly.
Opposition
Turkeys are imprisoned and await slaughter. Internal conflicts emerge between Jake and Reggie over leadership and methods. Reggie must choose between escaping back to his old life or staying to help.
Collapse
Jake appears to be killed protecting the flock during the escape attempt. Reggie witnesses his friend's apparent death, the ultimate sacrifice, and the mission seems completely lost.
Crisis
Reggie mourns Jake and faces his darkest moment of doubt. He must process the loss and decide whether to continue the mission or use the time machine to save himself.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Reggie realizes he can use S.T.E.V.E. to go back and save Jake, then rallies the flock with a new plan. He synthesizes his intelligence with Jake's courage and Jenny's wisdom for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
The final battle: turkeys unite to defend themselves and negotiate with the colonists. Reggie leads with both cleverness and heart, ultimately securing pizza instead of turkey for the first Thanksgiving.
Transformation
Back in the present, Reggie is now part of a community of turkeys living freely. He's transformed from a selfish loner into a leader who belongs, celebrating with Jenny and the flock he helped save.