Murder by Death
Lionel Twain invites the world's five greatest detectives to a 'dinner and murder'. Included are a blind butler, a deaf-mute maid, screams, spinning rooms, secret passages, false identities and more plot turns and twists than are decently allowed.
The film earned $32.5M at the global box office.
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 by Death (1976) demonstrates carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Robert Moore's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening credits play over a dark stormy night at a mysterious mansion, establishing the gothic murder mystery atmosphere with a blind butler stumbling through the house.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The detectives discover they are trapped in the mansion when the bridge washes out during the storm, and they learn from a recorded message that their host Lionel Twain has challenged them to solve a murder that will occur at midnight.. 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.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The clock strikes midnight and the murder occurs: the blind butler Bensonmum is found dead, stabbed in the kitchen. The game is now deadly serious, raising the stakes from theoretical challenge to actual homicide., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All the detectives present their solutions to the murder, but each theory contradicts the others completely. They realize they've all failed - none of them have solved the mystery, and their reputations as the world's greatest detectives are destroyed., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. The detectives turn the tables on Twain, mock his own plot holes and inconsistencies, expose the absurdity of his scheme, and ultimately reject his game entirely. They escape the mansion together, united in dismissing Twain rather than competing with each other., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Murder by Death's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Murder by Death against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Moore utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Murder by Death within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening credits play over a dark stormy night at a mysterious mansion, establishing the gothic murder mystery atmosphere with a blind butler stumbling through the house.
Theme
Lionel Twain (through invitation) states his theme: the world's greatest detectives aren't as smart as they think they are, and he plans to prove it by challenging them to solve a murder that will happen at midnight.
Worldbuilding
Five famous detective teams arrive at the remote mansion: Sam Diamond and his secretary, Jessica Marbles and her nurse, Milo Perrier, Sidney Wang and his adopted son, and Dick and Dora Charleston. Each represents a parody of classic detective archetypes.
Disruption
The detectives discover they are trapped in the mansion when the bridge washes out during the storm, and they learn from a recorded message that their host Lionel Twain has challenged them to solve a murder that will occur at midnight.
Resistance
The detectives debate whether to stay or leave, argue about the challenge, explore the bizarre mansion filled with tricks and traps, meet the eccentric staff, and begin to suspect each other while waiting for dinner and the promised murder.
Act II
ConfrontationMirror World
Lionel Twain finally appears in person, revealing himself as the mysterious host. His open contempt for the detectives and exposition about his motivations establishes the thematic battle: pride and ego versus genuine cleverness.
Premise
The detectives experience the "fun and games" of the murder mystery premise: navigating deadly traps, discovering secret passages, investigating bizarre clues, bickering with each other, and attempting to outwit their host in classic detective fashion.
Midpoint
The clock strikes midnight and the murder occurs: the blind butler Bensonmum is found dead, stabbed in the kitchen. The game is now deadly serious, raising the stakes from theoretical challenge to actual homicide.
Opposition
The detectives investigate the murder scene, accuse each other, discover more bodies (the cook, Twain himself), face increasing danger from traps and attacks, and find their deductive abilities failing as the mystery becomes more chaotic and contradictory.
Collapse
All the detectives present their solutions to the murder, but each theory contradicts the others completely. They realize they've all failed - none of them have solved the mystery, and their reputations as the world's greatest detectives are destroyed.
Crisis
The detectives argue bitterly about who is right, face the humiliation of their failure, and struggle with the realization that Twain has defeated them. They are at their lowest point emotionally and intellectually.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The detectives turn the tables on Twain, mock his own plot holes and inconsistencies, expose the absurdity of his scheme, and ultimately reject his game entirely. They escape the mansion together, united in dismissing Twain rather than competing with each other.