Murder at 1600
A secretary is found dead in a White House bathroom during an international crisis, and Detective Harlan Regis is in charge of the investigation. Despite resistance from the Secret Service, Regis partners with agent Nina Chance. As political tensions rise, they learn that the crime could be part of an elaborate cover-up. Framed as traitors, the pair, plus Regis' partner, break into the White House in order to expose the true culprit.
The film struggled financially against its mid-range budget of $40.0M, earning $25.8M globally (-35% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling 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%)
Murder at 1600 (1997) exemplifies meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Dwight H. Little's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Harlan Regis
Nina Chance
Spikings
President Jack Neil
Alvin Jordan
Kyle Neil
Kitty Neil
Main Cast & Characters
Harlan Regis
Played by Wesley Snipes
A D.C. homicide detective who investigates a murder at the White House and uncovers a conspiracy.
Nina Chance
Played by Diane Lane
A Secret Service agent who becomes Regis's ally in uncovering the truth behind the murder.
Spikings
Played by Daniel Benzali
The head of White House security who appears helpful but harbors dark secrets.
President Jack Neil
Played by Ronny Cox
The President of the United States caught in a web of scandal and murder.
Alvin Jordan
Played by Alan Alda
National Security Advisor who manipulates events from behind the scenes.
Kyle Neil
Played by Tate Donovan
The President's troubled son who becomes a suspect in the murder investigation.
Kitty Neil
Played by Diane Baker
The First Lady who must navigate political and personal crises.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Detective Harlan Regis works as a DC homicide detective, established as a skilled but by-the-book investigator in his ordinary world of street crime.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when A young woman is found murdered in a White House bathroom, creating an unprecedented crisis that threatens the presidency and requires immediate investigation.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Regis commits to investigating the murder despite Secret Service obstruction, choosing to pursue the truth even when it becomes clear he's entering dangerous political territory., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Regis discovers evidence that the murder is connected to a conspiracy involving the President's staff and a planned military operation, raising the stakes from a simple murder to a matter of national security and potential coup., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Regis and Nina are targeted for assassination, barely escaping with their lives. The conspiracy appears too powerful to defeat, and they're left isolated with no institutional support., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Regis realizes the conspiracy goes to the highest levels and connects all the evidence, understanding exactly who orchestrated the murder and why. He chooses to confront the conspirators directly with the truth., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Murder at 1600's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Murder at 1600 against these established plot points, we can identify how Dwight H. Little utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Murder at 1600 within the action genre.
Dwight H. Little's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Dwight H. Little films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Murder at 1600 takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Dwight H. Little filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Dwight H. Little analyses, see Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers and Rapid Fire.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Detective Harlan Regis works as a DC homicide detective, established as a skilled but by-the-book investigator in his ordinary world of street crime.
Theme
Someone mentions that "the truth doesn't matter when power is involved" - establishing the theme of truth versus political manipulation and institutional corruption.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Regis's world as a homicide detective, the political landscape of Washington DC, and the high-stakes environment of the White House during a national security crisis involving North Korea.
Disruption
A young woman is found murdered in a White House bathroom, creating an unprecedented crisis that threatens the presidency and requires immediate investigation.
Resistance
Regis is reluctantly brought into the White House investigation, resisting the political pressure and Secret Service interference. He debates whether to accept this case that will put him in direct conflict with powerful forces.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Regis commits to investigating the murder despite Secret Service obstruction, choosing to pursue the truth even when it becomes clear he's entering dangerous political territory.
Mirror World
Regis forms an alliance with Secret Service Agent Nina Chance, who becomes his guide in the White House world and represents the possibility of integrity within a corrupt system.
Premise
Regis and Nina investigate the murder, navigating White House security, uncovering clues, and discovering the victim's connection to a conspiracy. The detective thriller "fun and games" of investigating in the nation's most secure building.
Midpoint
Regis discovers evidence that the murder is connected to a conspiracy involving the President's staff and a planned military operation, raising the stakes from a simple murder to a matter of national security and potential coup.
Opposition
The conspirators actively work against Regis and Nina, attempting to frame suspects, manipulate evidence, and eliminate witnesses. Pressure mounts as they get closer to exposing the truth about who ordered the murder.
Collapse
Regis and Nina are targeted for assassination, barely escaping with their lives. The conspiracy appears too powerful to defeat, and they're left isolated with no institutional support.
Crisis
Regis and Nina process their near-death experience and face the reality that exposing the conspiracy may cost them everything, including their lives. They must decide whether to continue or walk away.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Regis realizes the conspiracy goes to the highest levels and connects all the evidence, understanding exactly who orchestrated the murder and why. He chooses to confront the conspirators directly with the truth.
Synthesis
Regis and Nina execute their plan to expose the conspiracy, confronting the National Security Advisor and preventing the coup. Final showdown where truth confronts power, and Regis uses both his detective skills and newfound political savvy.
Transformation
Regis emerges having proven that truth and justice can prevail even against the most powerful forces. He remains a detective but is transformed by understanding how power operates at the highest levels.