In Like Flint
Flint is again called out of retirement when his old boss finds that he seems to have missed 3 Minutes while golfing with the President. Flint finds that the President has been replaced by an actor (Flint's line [with a wistful look] is "An Actor as President?") Flint finds that a group of women have banded together to take over the world through subliminal brainwashing in beauty salons they own.
Despite its small-scale budget of $3.8M, In Like Flint became a box office success, earning $11.0M worldwide—a 191% 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%)
In Like Flint (1967) showcases meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Gordon Douglas's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 54 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Derek Flint
Lloyd Cramden
Lisa
Helena
General Carter
Main Cast & Characters
Derek Flint
Played by James Coburn
Super-spy and master of every skill, called back into action to stop a feminist organization's plot to take over the world.
Lloyd Cramden
Played by Lee J. Cobb
Head of Z.O.W.I.E. spy agency who reluctantly calls on Flint for help with the mysterious disappearances.
Lisa
Played by Jean Hale
Leader of the galaxy organization plotting to replace world leaders with duplicates and establish female control.
Helena
Played by Anna Lee
One of the key members of the galaxy organization involved in the global conspiracy.
General Carter
Played by Andrew Duggan
Military general involved in the space program who becomes compromised in the conspiracy.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Derek Flint lives in luxury with his three live-in girlfriends, practicing meditation and enjoying his playboy lifestyle in retirement from Z.O.W.I.E.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Flint discovers that the President and other world leaders are being replaced or controlled. His former colleague Cramden is killed, making the threat personal.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Flint decides to fully engage with the mission and infiltrates the space program launch to investigate the conspiracy, leaving his comfortable retirement behind., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Flint appears to have the upper hand, charming the women and uncovering their orbital platform plan. False victory: he believes he understands the conspiracy., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Flint is imprisoned on the space platform with a nuclear device counting down. The women plan to eliminate world leaders and rule the planet. Death seems imminent., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Flint realizes he must use both his spy skills AND genuine respect for the women's capabilities. He turns some of them to his cause through mutual respect., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
In Like Flint'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 In Like Flint against these established plot points, we can identify how Gordon Douglas utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish In Like Flint within the action genre.
Gordon Douglas's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Gordon Douglas films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. In Like Flint takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Gordon Douglas filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Gordon Douglas analyses, see The Detective.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Derek Flint lives in luxury with his three live-in girlfriends, practicing meditation and enjoying his playboy lifestyle in retirement from Z.O.W.I.E.
Theme
Cramden warns Flint that the world needs him, suggesting that true purpose comes from service, not self-indulgence.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Flint's peaceful retirement, the Z.O.W.I.E. organization, and introduction of the mysterious threat involving world leaders behaving strangely.
Disruption
Flint discovers that the President and other world leaders are being replaced or controlled. His former colleague Cramden is killed, making the threat personal.
Resistance
Flint investigates reluctantly, gathering clues about a women's spa and beauty organization called Fabulous Face. He debates whether to fully commit to the mission.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Flint decides to fully engage with the mission and infiltrates the space program launch to investigate the conspiracy, leaving his comfortable retirement behind.
Mirror World
Flint encounters Lisa Norton and the feminist organization of brilliant women running Fabulous Face, representing an ideological counterpoint to his chauvinistic world.
Premise
Flint uses his charm and skills to navigate the women's organization, discovers their space platform, and employs gadgets and seduction in classic spy fashion.
Midpoint
Flint appears to have the upper hand, charming the women and uncovering their orbital platform plan. False victory: he believes he understands the conspiracy.
Opposition
The women prove more formidable than expected. Flint is captured and taken to the space platform. His usual tactics of seduction and charm are insufficient.
Collapse
Flint is imprisoned on the space platform with a nuclear device counting down. The women plan to eliminate world leaders and rule the planet. Death seems imminent.
Crisis
Flint must find a way to escape impossible odds while respecting his adversaries' intelligence. He contemplates that force alone won't win this battle.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Flint realizes he must use both his spy skills AND genuine respect for the women's capabilities. He turns some of them to his cause through mutual respect.
Synthesis
Flint stops the nuclear threat, defeats the extremist leaders, saves the President, and dismantles the conspiracy while acknowledging the validity of women's equality.
Transformation
Flint returns home but is now changed, showing greater respect for women as equals and partners rather than just conquests, though still maintaining his playful charm.