Once Upon a Forest
This animated wildlife film provides an environmental friendly message that humans are a malicious, careless breed. Three cherubic little animals have to rescue their friend who has been overcome by poisonous gas.
The film disappointed at the box office against its tight budget of $13.0M, earning $6.6M globally (-49% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the animation 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%)
Once Upon a Forest (1993) reveals meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Charles Grosvenor's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 11 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 The peaceful forest of Dapplewood is introduced, where young animals live in harmony. We meet the three "Furlings" - Abigail the wood mouse, Edgar the mole, and Russell the hedgehog - learning about nature from their teacher Cornelius.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 8 minutes when A tanker truck overturns on the nearby road, releasing toxic gas that sweeps through Dapplewood. Michelle is caught in her home and poisoned by the fumes, falling into a coma. Her parents and other animals are killed. The forest paradise is shattered.. 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 18 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Abigail, Russell, and Edgar make the active choice to leave the safety of Dapplewood and journey into the dangerous world beyond to save their friend Michelle. They depart with Cornelius's map and blessings, crossing into unknown territory., moving from reaction to action.
At 36 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The Furlings successfully reach the meadow and find the healing herbs they need. It seems like a victory - they've accomplished their quest. However, the celebration is premature as they now face the equally dangerous journey home, and time is running out for Michelle., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 52 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Furlings become separated and lost during a harrowing escape from danger. They lose the medicine and face what seems like certain failure. Each believes they've let Michelle down and that their friend will die because of their inadequacy. The weight of their failure crushes them., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 56 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The Furlings reunite and realize that together they can overcome anything. They recover the medicine and synthesize everything they've learned on their journey - Abigail's determination, Russell's ingenuity, and Edgar's courage. With Willy's help, they devise a final plan to rush home., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Once Upon a Forest'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 Once Upon a Forest against these established plot points, we can identify how Charles Grosvenor utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Once Upon a Forest within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The peaceful forest of Dapplewood is introduced, where young animals live in harmony. We meet the three "Furlings" - Abigail the wood mouse, Edgar the mole, and Russell the hedgehog - learning about nature from their teacher Cornelius.
Theme
Cornelius teaches the young Furlings about the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of courage and determination when facing adversity. The lesson about how "everything in nature depends on everything else" establishes the film's environmental and friendship themes.
Worldbuilding
The idyllic world of Dapplewood is established through the Furlings' lessons and play. We meet Michelle, a young badger and friend to the group. The forest community is shown as safe, nurturing, and protected from the human world beyond.
Disruption
A tanker truck overturns on the nearby road, releasing toxic gas that sweeps through Dapplewood. Michelle is caught in her home and poisoned by the fumes, falling into a coma. Her parents and other animals are killed. The forest paradise is shattered.
Resistance
Cornelius discovers that Michelle can only be saved by special healing herbs that grow in the distant meadows beyond the forest. The three Furlings debate whether they can make such a dangerous journey. They've never left Dapplewood and face fears about the unknown world.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Abigail, Russell, and Edgar make the active choice to leave the safety of Dapplewood and journey into the dangerous world beyond to save their friend Michelle. They depart with Cornelius's map and blessings, crossing into unknown territory.
Mirror World
The Furlings encounter Willy, a wise-cracking bird who initially seems unreliable but becomes an unlikely guide. His character represents the theme of unexpected friendship and courage coming from surprising sources. He challenges their sheltered worldview.
Premise
The Furlings journey through various adventures in the outside world - encountering human construction equipment, crossing dangerous rivers, and navigating unfamiliar terrain. Each challenge tests their individual skills and growing friendship, delivering on the premise of small animals on a big adventure.
Midpoint
The Furlings successfully reach the meadow and find the healing herbs they need. It seems like a victory - they've accomplished their quest. However, the celebration is premature as they now face the equally dangerous journey home, and time is running out for Michelle.
Opposition
The return journey becomes increasingly perilous. The Furlings face a violent thunderstorm, hostile humans, and the physical toll of their journey. Their individual fears and weaknesses surface. The herbs are nearly lost multiple times, and doubt creeps in about whether they'll make it back in time.
Collapse
The Furlings become separated and lost during a harrowing escape from danger. They lose the medicine and face what seems like certain failure. Each believes they've let Michelle down and that their friend will die because of their inadequacy. The weight of their failure crushes them.
Crisis
The separated Furlings each face their darkest moment alone, confronting their individual fears and sense of failure. They process the possibility that Michelle will die and that their journey has been for nothing. This is their emotional low point.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The Furlings reunite and realize that together they can overcome anything. They recover the medicine and synthesize everything they've learned on their journey - Abigail's determination, Russell's ingenuity, and Edgar's courage. With Willy's help, they devise a final plan to rush home.
Synthesis
The Furlings make a desperate final push back to Dapplewood, using all their newfound skills and courage. They work as a unified team, supporting each other through the last obstacles. They reach Michelle just in time and administer the medicine. Michelle recovers, and the forest begins to heal.
Transformation
The Furlings are celebrated as heroes, but more importantly, they've transformed from sheltered, fearful children into brave, capable individuals. The forest of Dapplewood is being restored. The closing image shows the friends together, forever changed by their journey, understanding their place in the greater world.