Never Say Never Again
S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Agents under the command of Ernst Blofeld infiltrate a U.S. Air Force base situated in the U.K. and steal two Tomahawk cruise missiles. When N.A.T.O. is held ransom, the British re-activate their "00" Agents and send James Bond to recapture the warheads and kill Blofeld.
Despite a respectable budget of $36.0M, Never Say Never Again became a solid performer, earning $160.0M worldwide—a 344% return.
1 win & 4 nominations
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%)
Never Say Never Again (1983) showcases strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Irvin Kershner's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 14 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bond fails a training exercise and is captured by a woman in a mock mission. He's out of shape, relegated to desk work, and has been removed from active 00 status - a shadow of his former self.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when M briefs Bond on the theft of two cruise missiles with nuclear warheads. SPECTRE demands $400 million or they will destroy major cities. The world is in crisis and despite Bond's diminished status, he's needed.. 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 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Bond actively chooses to go underwater to investigate Largo's yacht, the Flying Saucer. This is his first major offensive move - no longer observing but engaging. He enters the dangerous world of SPECTRE operations directly., moving from reaction to action.
At 68 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Bond wins the video game competition against Largo and claims Domino as his prize. False victory: he thinks he's gaining the upper hand, but this publicly antagonizes Largo and puts Domino in mortal danger. The stakes raise dramatically - it's now personal., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 99 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Bond arrives too late - the warheads have already been deployed to their target location beneath the Tears of Allah. Domino has been captured and tortured. Bond has lost the trail, lost the girl, and the nuclear destruction of Washington DC is imminent. All seems lost., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 108 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Bond synthesizes intelligence and realizes the warheads are in the Tears of Allah underwater cave. He combines his classic skills with new technology (underwater equipment), trust in allies (Felix and Domino), and his rekindled confidence. He has the information and resolve for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Never Say Never Again'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 Never Say Never Again against these established plot points, we can identify how Irvin Kershner utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Never Say Never Again within the action genre.
Irvin Kershner's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Irvin Kershner films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Never Say Never Again represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Irvin Kershner filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Irvin Kershner analyses, see RoboCop 2, Eyes of Laura Mars and Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bond fails a training exercise and is captured by a woman in a mock mission. He's out of shape, relegated to desk work, and has been removed from active 00 status - a shadow of his former self.
Theme
M tells Bond, "You're not an operative, you're a bureaucrat now." The theme: can an aging agent prove he still has value, or is youth and modernity replacing the old guard? Bond must prove he's still relevant.
Worldbuilding
Bond is sent to a health spa for rehabilitation. We meet SPECTRE operative Fatima Blush who attempts to kill Bond. SPECTRE has stolen two nuclear warheads using brainwashed pilot Jack Petachi. Largo, SPECTRE's lead agent, is introduced with his plan for global nuclear blackmail.
Disruption
M briefs Bond on the theft of two cruise missiles with nuclear warheads. SPECTRE demands $400 million or they will destroy major cities. The world is in crisis and despite Bond's diminished status, he's needed.
Resistance
Bond debates taking the assignment, receives his gadgets from Q, and travels to the Bahamas to investigate Largo. He meets Felix Leiter and begins reconnaissance. He's uncertain if he still has what it takes but commits to the mission.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bond actively chooses to go underwater to investigate Largo's yacht, the Flying Saucer. This is his first major offensive move - no longer observing but engaging. He enters the dangerous world of SPECTRE operations directly.
Mirror World
Bond meets Domino, Largo's kept woman and the sister of the dead pilot who stole the warheads. She represents the thematic mirror - someone trapped by circumstance who must choose freedom. Their relationship will teach Bond about trust and redemption.
Premise
Classic Bond fun: exotic locations, casino gambling, underwater chases, gadgets, seduction, and narrow escapes. Bond tracks Largo through the Bahamas, survives Fatima's assassination attempts, plays video games for nuclear warheads, and pieces together SPECTRE's plan.
Midpoint
Bond wins the video game competition against Largo and claims Domino as his prize. False victory: he thinks he's gaining the upper hand, but this publicly antagonizes Largo and puts Domino in mortal danger. The stakes raise dramatically - it's now personal.
Opposition
Largo becomes more aggressive. Fatima Blush captures Bond and demands he write that she's the greatest lover before killing him. Bond barely escapes. Largo tortures Domino when he discovers her betrayal. The warheads are moved to their final target. Time is running out.
Collapse
Bond arrives too late - the warheads have already been deployed to their target location beneath the Tears of Allah. Domino has been captured and tortured. Bond has lost the trail, lost the girl, and the nuclear destruction of Washington DC is imminent. All seems lost.
Crisis
Bond processes his failure and regroups with Felix Leiter. He realizes he must locate the underwater cave system where the warheads are hidden. This is his dark night - facing the possibility that he's too old, too late, and the world will pay for his failure.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Bond synthesizes intelligence and realizes the warheads are in the Tears of Allah underwater cave. He combines his classic skills with new technology (underwater equipment), trust in allies (Felix and Domino), and his rekindled confidence. He has the information and resolve for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
Massive underwater battle at the Tears of Allah. Bond leads US Navy forces against Largo's men. Hand-to-hand combat with Largo on the Flying Saucer. Domino, empowered by Bond's trust, kills Largo with a spear gun, avenging her brother. The warheads are secured with seconds to spare.
Transformation
Bond and Domino embrace in tropical paradise, free and alive. Unlike the opening where Bond was a washed-up bureaucrat, he's now proven his worth - not through youth but through experience, adaptability, and human connection. The old guard still matters.