Saving Mr. Banks
Author P.L. Travers looks back on her childhood while reluctantly meeting with Walt Disney, who seeks to adapt her Mary Poppins books for the big screen.
Despite a moderate budget of $35.0M, Saving Mr. Banks became a commercial success, earning $112.5M worldwide—a 222% return.
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%)
Saving Mr. Banks (2013) exemplifies strategically placed story structure, characteristic of John Lee Hancock's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.4, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes P.L. Travers in her London flat, rigid and controlled, surrounded by the world of Mary Poppins she created while haunted by childhood memories of Australia.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Travers' agent informs her she has no money left and must accept Disney's offer or lose her home. Financial reality forces her hand.. 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 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Travers enters the studio rehearsal room and the adaptation process officially begins. She chooses to engage, though reluctantly and combatively, crossing into the world of collaboration., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 95 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Travers refuses to approve the script, storms out, and returns to London. The deal collapses. In flashback, her father dies in her arms—the death that haunts everything., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Travers gives her approval and attends the Mary Poppins premiere. She watches the film, experiencing the healing transformation of her painful memories into art. She finally allows herself to feel and release the past., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Saving Mr. Banks's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Saving Mr. Banks against these established plot points, we can identify how John Lee Hancock utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Saving Mr. Banks within the comedy genre.
John Lee Hancock's Structural Approach
Among the 6 John Lee Hancock films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Saving Mr. Banks takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Lee Hancock filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more John Lee Hancock analyses, see The Blind Side, The Little Things and The Rookie.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
P.L. Travers in her London flat, rigid and controlled, surrounded by the world of Mary Poppins she created while haunted by childhood memories of Australia.
Theme
Travers' agent tells her, "You can't live in the past." The theme of reconciling painful memories and letting go is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establishing two parallel worlds: 1964 London where the financially struggling Travers refuses Disney's advances, and 1906 Australia where young Helen Goff adores her imaginative but alcoholic father. Travers is controlling, difficult, and protective of her creation.
Disruption
Travers' agent informs her she has no money left and must accept Disney's offer or lose her home. Financial reality forces her hand.
Resistance
Travers reluctantly travels to Los Angeles, resisting at every step. She meets Walt Disney, the Sherman Brothers, and Don DaGradi. She debates whether to give in, remaining defensive and controlling, setting impossible rules. Flashbacks show her father's decline deepening.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Travers enters the studio rehearsal room and the adaptation process officially begins. She chooses to engage, though reluctantly and combatively, crossing into the world of collaboration.
Premise
The "war" over Mary Poppins unfolds: Travers battles every creative choice—no animation, no red, no singing. The Sherman Brothers push back with charm and talent. Flashbacks reveal more of her father's magical qualities and tragic alcoholism, showing why she protects this story so fiercely.
Opposition
Travers discovers Disney plans to include animation despite her refusal. Her trust shatters. Flashbacks intensify: her father's firing, her family's poverty, her mother's attempted suicide, and the arrival of Aunt Ellie (the real "Mary Poppins"). Travers becomes more defensive and controlling as past trauma surfaces.
Collapse
Travers refuses to approve the script, storms out, and returns to London. The deal collapses. In flashback, her father dies in her arms—the death that haunts everything.
Crisis
Travers returns to London defeated and alone. Ralph (via tape recording) reminds her of connection. Walt Disney, understanding the deeper truth, follows her to London.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Travers gives her approval and attends the Mary Poppins premiere. She watches the film, experiencing the healing transformation of her painful memories into art. She finally allows herself to feel and release the past.