Hell's Angels
Two brothers attending Oxford enlist with the RAF when World War I breaks out. Roy and Monte Rutledge have very different personalities. Monte is a freewheeling womanizer, even with his brother's girlfriend Helen. He also proves to have a yellow streak when it comes to his Night Patrol duties. Roy is made of strong moral fiber and attempts to keep his brother in line. Both volunteer for an extremely risky two man bombing mission for different reasons. Monte wants to lose his cowardly reputation and Roy seeks to protect his brother. Their assignment to knock out a strategic German munitions facility is a booming success, but with a squadron of fighters bearing down on them afterwards, escape seems unlikely.
Despite its modest budget of $4.0M, Hell's Angels became a financial success, earning $8.0M worldwide—a 103% return.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 1 nomination
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%)
Hell's Angels (1930) reveals meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Howard Hughes's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 11 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Oxford University students Roy and Monte Rutledge live carefree lives, attending parties and pursuing romance. The brothers enjoy the privileged world of academia before the war.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when World War I breaks out. The carefree world of Oxford is shattered as Britain enters the conflict. The brothers face the reality that their privileged lives are ending.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Both brothers enlist in the Royal Flying Corps and commit to serving as pilots. They cross into the world of war, leaving civilian life behind permanently., moving from reaction to action.
At 66 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat A false victory: the squadron celebrates a successful mission, but the stakes are raised when they receive orders for an extremely dangerous bombing raid. The cost of war becomes painfully clear., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 98 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The brothers are shot down behind enemy lines during the suicide mission. They are captured by the Germans and face execution. The literal whiff of death as they await their fate., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 105 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Roy realizes that honor means sacrifice. Monte finds unexpected courage. They devise an escape plan, synthesizing duty with desperate action. The brothers are united in their resolve., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hell's Angels'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 Hell's Angels against these established plot points, we can identify how Howard Hughes utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hell's Angels within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Oxford University students Roy and Monte Rutledge live carefree lives, attending parties and pursuing romance. The brothers enjoy the privileged world of academia before the war.
Theme
A character remarks on the cost of honor and duty, foreshadowing the moral tests the brothers will face. The theme of courage versus cowardice is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the brothers' contrasting personalities: Roy is honorable and dutiful, Monte is selfish and hedonistic. Their world of Oxford parties, romantic rivalries, and youthful irresponsibility is depicted.
Disruption
World War I breaks out. The carefree world of Oxford is shattered as Britain enters the conflict. The brothers face the reality that their privileged lives are ending.
Resistance
The brothers debate joining the Royal Flying Corps. Monte is reluctant and afraid, while Roy feels duty-bound. They navigate recruitment, training, and Monte's internal conflict about his cowardice.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Both brothers enlist in the Royal Flying Corps and commit to serving as pilots. They cross into the world of war, leaving civilian life behind permanently.
Mirror World
Helen is introduced as a love interest for both brothers. She represents the thematic mirror: her own moral ambiguity and lack of loyalty reflect the story's exploration of honor and betrayal.
Premise
The brothers experience aerial combat, the camaraderie of their squadron, and the terrifying reality of war. Spectacular dogfight sequences deliver the film's promise. Helen's infidelity with Monte creates romantic conflict.
Midpoint
A false victory: the squadron celebrates a successful mission, but the stakes are raised when they receive orders for an extremely dangerous bombing raid. The cost of war becomes painfully clear.
Opposition
Pressure mounts as casualties increase. Monte's cowardice becomes more apparent while Roy's sense of duty intensifies. The brothers' relationship strains under the weight of war and Helen's betrayal.
Collapse
The brothers are shot down behind enemy lines during the suicide mission. They are captured by the Germans and face execution. The literal whiff of death as they await their fate.
Crisis
In captivity, Monte considers betraying military secrets to save himself, while Roy refuses to break. The brothers confront who they truly are in the face of death.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Roy realizes that honor means sacrifice. Monte finds unexpected courage. They devise an escape plan, synthesizing duty with desperate action. The brothers are united in their resolve.
Synthesis
The brothers attempt their escape, engaging in a final aerial battle. Monte sacrifices himself to save Roy, finally proving his courage. The mission is completed at tremendous cost.
Transformation
Roy returns alone, transformed by loss and war. The surviving brother reflects on the price of honor. The carefree boy from Oxford is gone, replaced by a man who understands sacrifice.