Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1
Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes') power is growing stronger. He now has control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) decide to finish Dumbledore's (Sir Michael Gambon's) work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord. But little hope remains for the trio and the rest of the Wizarding World, so everything they do must go as planned.
Despite a enormous budget of $250.0M, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 became a financial success, earning $954.3M worldwide—a 282% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, proving that audiences embrace bold vision even at blockbuster scale.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 15 wins & 55 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%)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) demonstrates deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of David Yates's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 26 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 3.4, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Hermione obliviates her parents' memories of her, erasing herself from their lives. The Ministry has fallen, and the wizarding world is under Voldemort's control.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Mad-Eye Moody is killed during the flight, and Hedwig dies. The realization hits that Voldemort knows Harry's movements and the prophecy about their shared wand cores becomes critical.. 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 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The trio actively chooses to go into hiding and begin hunting Horcruxes on their own. They escape to Grimmauld Place and commit to the mission without Dumbledore's guidance., moving from reaction to action.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 44% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The locket Horcrux corrupts Ron, amplifying his jealousy and insecurity. He abandons Harry and Hermione in anger, shattering the trio. This is a false defeat—they have the Horcrux but cannot destroy it, and they've lost their third member., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 96 minutes (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Harry's wand—his most trusted tool and symbol of his identity as a wizard—is irreparably broken during the Godric's Hollow attack. This represents a symbolic death of his old self and his connection to his past., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 103 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 70% of the runtime. The trio learns about the Deathly Hallows from Xenophilius Lovegood but are betrayed. They're captured by Snatchers and taken to Malfoy Manor where Hermione is tortured. Dobby sacrifices himself to save them, and they escape to Shell Cottage. Harry chooses Horcruxes over Hallows., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 against these established plot points, we can identify how David Yates utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 within the adventure genre.
David Yates's Structural Approach
Among the 5 David Yates films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 3.7, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Yates filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more David Yates analyses, see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Hermione obliviates her parents' memories of her, erasing herself from their lives. The Ministry has fallen, and the wizarding world is under Voldemort's control.
Theme
Lupin warns that Harry's strength lies in being himself, not in tricks. The theme of identity and sacrifice over power is established.
Worldbuilding
The Order prepares to move Harry from Privet Drive using Polyjuice Potion. The Seven Potters plan is executed, leading to a deadly aerial chase where Mad-Eye Moody is killed and Hedwig dies protecting Harry.
Disruption
Mad-Eye Moody is killed during the flight, and Hedwig dies. The realization hits that Voldemort knows Harry's movements and the prophecy about their shared wand cores becomes critical.
Resistance
Harry learns about the Deathly Hallows through Dumbledore's will. The trio attends Bill and Fleur's wedding, where they receive cryptic warnings from Xenophilius Lovegood and learn the Ministry has fallen. They escape to London when Death Eaters attack.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The trio actively chooses to go into hiding and begin hunting Horcruxes on their own. They escape to Grimmauld Place and commit to the mission without Dumbledore's guidance.
Mirror World
At Grimmauld Place, the trio discovers R.A.B. is Regulus Arcturus Black and learns about Kreacher's story of loyalty and sacrifice, mirroring their own journey of commitment.
Premise
The trio hunts for the locket Horcrux, infiltrates the Ministry of Magic using Polyjuice Potion, retrieves the locket from Umbridge, and escapes. They begin their nomadic existence, camping in the wilderness while trying to destroy the Horcrux.
Midpoint
The locket Horcrux corrupts Ron, amplifying his jealousy and insecurity. He abandons Harry and Hermione in anger, shattering the trio. This is a false defeat—they have the Horcrux but cannot destroy it, and they've lost their third member.
Opposition
Harry and Hermione struggle alone, wandering without a plan. They visit Godric's Hollow where they're ambushed by Nagini and barely escape. Harry's wand is broken. The Horcrux's corruption deepens, and they remain unable to destroy it.
Collapse
Harry's wand—his most trusted tool and symbol of his identity as a wizard—is irreparably broken during the Godric's Hollow attack. This represents a symbolic death of his old self and his connection to his past.
Crisis
Harry and Hermione process their losses in the darkness. Harry despairs over his broken wand and their lack of progress. The weight of isolation and failure bears down on them.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The trio learns about the Deathly Hallows from Xenophilius Lovegood but are betrayed. They're captured by Snatchers and taken to Malfoy Manor where Hermione is tortured. Dobby sacrifices himself to save them, and they escape to Shell Cottage. Harry chooses Horcruxes over Hallows.
Transformation
Harry buries Dobby without magic, by hand, showing humility and respect. He has transformed from a boy seeking power (Hallows) to a man who values sacrifice and loyalty. Voldemort steals the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's tomb as the film ends on an ominous note.