North Face
Based on a true story, North Face is a survival drama film about a competition to climb the most dangerous rock face in the Alps. Set in 1936, as Nazi propaganda urges the nation's Alpinists to conquer the unclimbed North Face of the Swiss massif--the Eiger--two reluctant German climbers begin their daring ascent.
The film earned $6.8M at the global box office.
4 wins & 7 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%)
North Face (2008) exhibits precise narrative design, characteristic of Philipp Stölzl's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Toni Kurz and Andreas Hinterstoisser are working-class climbers in the Bavarian Alps, living simple lives as mountain guides and soldiers. Their world is defined by friendship, skill, and a love of climbing free from politics.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Toni and Andi learn that an Austrian team is attempting the North Face. The challenge is issued: will they let others claim the glory, or will they attempt the deadliest climb in the Alps? The old life of safe guiding is no longer enough.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Toni and Andi make the active choice to begin their ascent of the North Face despite warnings, poor weather forecasts, and Luise's pleas. They leave the valley and enter the vertical world of the Eiger, crossing into a realm of no return., moving from reaction to action.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: The weather turns catastrophic. What seemed like a challenging but possible ascent becomes a fight for survival. The climbers realize they must decide - push for the summit or retreat. The stakes shift from glory to survival., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 94 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Whiff of death: The climbers become trapped on the face during the retreat. Angerer dies from his injuries, then Rainer is strangled by the rope during a desperate abseil. Toni and Andi are left stranded, freezing, with no way down. Hope dies., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 101 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A rescue team reaches Toni through a window in the Eiger's tunnel. They lower a rope. Toni, barely alive, summons his last strength to attempt the connection. This is his final chance - new information (the rescue) enables one last action., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
North Face's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping North Face against these established plot points, we can identify how Philipp Stölzl utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish North Face within the adventure genre.
Philipp Stölzl's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Philipp Stölzl films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. North Face takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Philipp Stölzl filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Philipp Stölzl analyses, see The Physician.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Toni Kurz and Andreas Hinterstoisser are working-class climbers in the Bavarian Alps, living simple lives as mountain guides and soldiers. Their world is defined by friendship, skill, and a love of climbing free from politics.
Theme
A Nazi official tells the climbers: "The mountain doesn't care about your politics - it only cares if you're strong enough." This foreshadows the conflict between personal ambition, national propaganda, and the brutal indifference of nature.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to 1936 Germany, the unconquered North Face of the Eiger, the climbing community, and Luise (a journalist and Toni's former love interest). The Nazi regime is using the Eiger as propaganda - whoever conquers it will be a national hero.
Disruption
Toni and Andi learn that an Austrian team is attempting the North Face. The challenge is issued: will they let others claim the glory, or will they attempt the deadliest climb in the Alps? The old life of safe guiding is no longer enough.
Resistance
Toni and Andi debate whether to attempt the climb. Luise tries to dissuade Toni. They prepare equipment, face pressure from the military and media, and meet their Austrian rivals. The enormity and danger of the Eiger becomes clear.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Toni and Andi make the active choice to begin their ascent of the North Face despite warnings, poor weather forecasts, and Luise's pleas. They leave the valley and enter the vertical world of the Eiger, crossing into a realm of no return.
Mirror World
On the mountain, Toni and Andi encounter the Austrian climbers Kurz and Rainer. Despite national rivalry, they form a bond of mutual respect. This relationship represents the theme: shared humanity trumps politics when facing nature's indifference.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - we watch the climbers tackle the infamous face. Early successes, breathtaking climbing sequences, camaraderie between the teams. Below, Luise watches through a telescope, and tourists gather. The climb seems achievable.
Midpoint
False defeat: The weather turns catastrophic. What seemed like a challenging but possible ascent becomes a fight for survival. The climbers realize they must decide - push for the summit or retreat. The stakes shift from glory to survival.
Opposition
The mountain closes in. Avalanches, freezing temperatures, and exhaustion take their toll. Willy Angerer is injured by falling rocks. The teams decide to retreat, but the descent proves even more deadly than the ascent. Nature intensifies its assault.
Collapse
Whiff of death: The climbers become trapped on the face during the retreat. Angerer dies from his injuries, then Rainer is strangled by the rope during a desperate abseil. Toni and Andi are left stranded, freezing, with no way down. Hope dies.
Crisis
The dark night of the soul. Andi freezes to death during the night, leaving Toni alone on the face. Below, a rescue attempt is prepared, but the guides know it's likely futile. Toni hangs in his harness, barely conscious, waiting to die.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A rescue team reaches Toni through a window in the Eiger's tunnel. They lower a rope. Toni, barely alive, summons his last strength to attempt the connection. This is his final chance - new information (the rescue) enables one last action.
Synthesis
The rescue attempt unfolds in agonizing detail. Toni tries to connect to the rescue rope, but his frozen hands cannot tie the knot. The carabiner jams. After everything, he falls to his death mere meters from salvation, calling out "I'm done" ("Ich kann nicht mehr").
Transformation
Luise looks up at the Eiger, now a grave for Toni and his companions. The closing image mirrors the opening but transforms it: the mountain remains unconquered and indifferent, a monument not to human glory but to the tragic cost of ambition. The North Face wins.