Krull
A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet.
The film disappointed at the box office against its respectable budget of $27.0M, earning $16.9M globally (-37% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the action 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%)
Krull (1983) reveals strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Peter Yates's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 1 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Black Fortress emerges from space and lands on the planet Krull. The opening establishes a world where two kingdoms are about to unite through marriage between Prince Colwyn and Princess Lyssa to fight a common enemy.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when The Slayers attack the wedding ceremony, killing both kings and most of the wedding party. Princess Lyssa is kidnapped and taken to the Black Fortress. Colwyn is severely wounded. The world as it was is destroyed.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Colwyn successfully retrieves the Glaive from the lava cave, proving his worthiness. He makes the active choice to pursue the Beast and rescue Lyssa, fully committing to the quest. He begins assembling a team of allies., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Ynyr must visit the Widow of the Web to learn where the Black Fortress will appear at sunrise. This raises the stakes significantly as time becomes critical. Ynyr sacrifices himself to gain this knowledge, paying with his life. The tone shifts from adventure to darker, more serious stakes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 91 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Multiple members of the band have died, including the noble Rell. The group is decimated. Time is running out and the Black Fortress will disappear if they don't reach it by sunrise. Everything seems lost and the cost has been devastating - the "whiff of death" is literal with fallen companions., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 97 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The team reaches the Black Fortress just as it materializes at sunrise. Colwyn realizes that his true power isn't the Glaive or magic, but his love for Lyssa. This synthesis of his journey's lessons - unity, sacrifice, and love - gives him the strength to face the Beast., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Krull's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Krull against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Yates utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Krull within the action genre.
Peter Yates's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Peter Yates films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Krull represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Yates filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Peter Yates analyses, see The Deep, Bullitt and Roommates.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Black Fortress emerges from space and lands on the planet Krull. The opening establishes a world where two kingdoms are about to unite through marriage between Prince Colwyn and Princess Lyssa to fight a common enemy.
Theme
Lyssa's father speaks of the union between the two kingdoms: "The joining of your two houses will bring strength to stand against the Beast." This establishes the theme that unity and love are stronger than individual power.
Worldbuilding
The wedding ceremony begins between Colwyn and Lyssa, establishing their kingdoms, their relationship, and the threat of the Beast. We see both kingdoms' armies and learn about the world of Krull and its magical elements.
Disruption
The Slayers attack the wedding ceremony, killing both kings and most of the wedding party. Princess Lyssa is kidnapped and taken to the Black Fortress. Colwyn is severely wounded. The world as it was is destroyed.
Resistance
Colwyn is found and healed by the wise man Ynyr, who becomes his mentor. Ynyr tells him about the Glaive, a magical weapon, and guides him to retrieve it. Colwyn debates whether he can succeed, but Ynyr prepares him for the quest ahead.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Colwyn successfully retrieves the Glaive from the lava cave, proving his worthiness. He makes the active choice to pursue the Beast and rescue Lyssa, fully committing to the quest. He begins assembling a team of allies.
Mirror World
Colwyn recruits Torquil and his band of outlaws. This ragtag group represents the theme of unity - individuals from different backgrounds coming together. Their camaraderie and growing bond mirrors what Colwyn must learn about true strength through unity.
Premise
The adventure/quest portion where the team journeys across Krull, gathering allies and magical aid. They encounter the Emerald Seer, recruit the cyclops Rell, and face various challenges. This is the "promise of the premise" - the fantasy adventure the audience came for.
Midpoint
Ynyr must visit the Widow of the Web to learn where the Black Fortress will appear at sunrise. This raises the stakes significantly as time becomes critical. Ynyr sacrifices himself to gain this knowledge, paying with his life. The tone shifts from adventure to darker, more serious stakes.
Opposition
The journey becomes increasingly difficult. The Beast's forces close in. The team faces the Slayers multiple times, losing members. The Emerald Seer is killed. Rell sacrifices himself to save the group. Meanwhile, Lyssa resists the Beast's attempts to corrupt her in the Fortress.
Collapse
Multiple members of the band have died, including the noble Rell. The group is decimated. Time is running out and the Black Fortress will disappear if they don't reach it by sunrise. Everything seems lost and the cost has been devastating - the "whiff of death" is literal with fallen companions.
Crisis
Colwyn and the remaining survivors press on through the darkness, grieving their losses but determined. They acquire the Widow's fire horses to make a desperate final push to reach the Black Fortress before dawn.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The team reaches the Black Fortress just as it materializes at sunrise. Colwyn realizes that his true power isn't the Glaive or magic, but his love for Lyssa. This synthesis of his journey's lessons - unity, sacrifice, and love - gives him the strength to face the Beast.
Synthesis
The final battle in the Black Fortress. Colwyn fights through the Slayers to reach Lyssa. The Glaive fails him, but his love empowers both him and Lyssa. Together, using the power of fire that comes from their joined hands (representing their love and unity), they destroy the Beast. The remaining team members fight alongside them.
Transformation
Colwyn and Lyssa emerge from the destroyed Fortress, finally able to complete their wedding vow. The survivors celebrate. The closing image shows them united, having learned that love and unity conquered what weapons and magic could not - a direct mirror to the opening wedding that was destroyed.