Skyjacked
A Vietnam vet bomber hijacks a Boeing 707, forcing the crew to fly to Russia amidst tensions and stereotypes of the early 1970s.
Despite its small-scale budget of $1.7M, Skyjacked became a solid performer, earning $6.5M worldwide—a 285% return. The film's innovative storytelling attracted moviegoers, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Skyjacked (1972) exhibits deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of John Guillermin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Captain Henry 'Hank' O'Hara
Jerome K. Weber
Angela Burdick
First Officer Mike Fuller
Sergeant Ben Puzo
Jane
Main Cast & Characters
Captain Henry 'Hank' O'Hara
Played by Charlton Heston
Veteran airline captain who must manage a hijacking crisis while keeping passengers safe and trying to outsmart a desperate hijacker.
Jerome K. Weber
Played by James Brolin
Troubled Vietnam veteran suffering from PTSD who hijacks the plane, demanding to be taken to the Soviet Union.
Angela Burdick
Played by Yvette Mimieux
Divorcee passenger who becomes involved in the crisis and develops a connection with the captain during the ordeal.
First Officer Mike Fuller
Played by Mike Henry
Young co-pilot who assists Captain O'Hara during the hijacking and helps maintain control of the aircraft.
Sergeant Ben Puzo
Played by Roosevelt Grier
Security officer aboard the plane who attempts to intervene during the hijacking situation.
Jane
Played by Susan Dey
Flight attendant who must keep passengers calm while dealing with the dangerous hijacking situation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Captain Henry O'Hara prepares for a routine domestic flight from Oakland to Minneapolis, confident and in control of his aircraft and crew.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Jerome Weber pulls a gun and takes control of the aircraft, demanding the plane be flown to Anchorage, Alaska and then on to the Soviet Union.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to O'Hara makes the active choice to comply with Weber's demands and sets course for Anchorage, committing to navigate this crisis rather than risk passenger lives., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Weber forces the plane past Anchorage toward the Soviet Union; the stakes escalate dramatically as military jets scramble and the situation becomes international., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A passenger dies during the crisis, bringing the "whiff of death" into the cabin and forcing everyone to confront the deadly reality of their situation., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. O'Hara synthesizes his understanding of Weber's psychology with his piloting expertise, realizing he must take decisive action to end the hijacking before more lives are lost., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Skyjacked'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 Skyjacked against these established plot points, we can identify how John Guillermin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Skyjacked within the action genre.
John Guillermin's Structural Approach
Among the 6 John Guillermin films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Skyjacked represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Guillermin filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more John Guillermin analyses, see Death on the Nile, King Kong and The Towering Inferno.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Captain Henry O'Hara prepares for a routine domestic flight from Oakland to Minneapolis, confident and in control of his aircraft and crew.
Theme
A passenger discusses the unpredictability of human behavior and how you can never truly know what someone is capable of under pressure.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of the diverse passengers boarding the flight, each with their own stories: a senator, a pregnant woman, a jazz musician, and the troubled Vietnam veteran Jerome Weber among others.
Disruption
Jerome Weber pulls a gun and takes control of the aircraft, demanding the plane be flown to Anchorage, Alaska and then on to the Soviet Union.
Resistance
O'Hara must assess the situation, debate options with his crew, and determine how to handle the armed hijacker while keeping passengers safe and maintaining control.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
O'Hara makes the active choice to comply with Weber's demands and sets course for Anchorage, committing to navigate this crisis rather than risk passenger lives.
Mirror World
O'Hara begins psychological engagement with Weber, attempting to understand the troubled veteran and find common ground that might defuse the situation.
Premise
The tense cat-and-mouse game unfolds as O'Hara manages the hijacking, deals with passenger needs, fuel concerns, and attempts to outthink Weber while maintaining hope for a peaceful resolution.
Midpoint
Weber forces the plane past Anchorage toward the Soviet Union; the stakes escalate dramatically as military jets scramble and the situation becomes international.
Opposition
Conditions worsen as fuel runs critically low, passenger tensions rise, Weber becomes more unstable, and O'Hara's options narrow with Soviet airspace approaching and military intervention looming.
Collapse
A passenger dies during the crisis, bringing the "whiff of death" into the cabin and forcing everyone to confront the deadly reality of their situation.
Crisis
O'Hara faces his darkest moment of doubt, questioning whether his decisions have led to unnecessary death, while Weber spirals deeper into psychological breakdown.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
O'Hara synthesizes his understanding of Weber's psychology with his piloting expertise, realizing he must take decisive action to end the hijacking before more lives are lost.
Synthesis
O'Hara executes his plan to bring the aircraft down safely while confronting Weber, coordinating with authorities, and protecting his passengers through the final confrontation.
Transformation
The aircraft safely on the ground, O'Hara emerges transformed—no longer just a confident pilot, but a man who has faced human darkness and preserved life through wisdom and courage.