Tarzan
Despite a substantial budget of $130.0M, Tarzan became a solid performer, earning $448.2M worldwide—a 245% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kala the gorilla loses her baby to Sabor the leopard. Establishes the loss and need that will drive her to adopt Tarzan.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Adult Tarzan defeats Sabor, finally earning respect from the gorillas. However, this victory is disrupted by the arrival of humans (Professor Porter, Jane, and Clayton) - the first humans Tarzan has ever seen.. At 10% 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 21% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Tarzan makes the active choice to visit the humans at their camp despite Kerchak's explicit orders. He crosses into their world, leaving the gorilla territory behind., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 41% of the runtime—significantly early, compressing the first half. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: Tarzan takes Jane to see the gorillas, breaking Kerchak's greatest rule. Jane is overjoyed and accepted by the gorillas. Tarzan feels he can have both worlds - but this sets up the coming betrayal., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (62% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tarzan leaves with the humans, abandoning his family. Clayton's men attack and cage the gorillas. Kerchak is shot protecting the family. Whiff of death: Tarzan's choice has led to the destruction of his gorilla family., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 66% of the runtime. Synthesis moment: Tarzan realizes his identity isn't about being gorilla or human - it's about protecting his family. He takes his father's knife and returns to save the gorillas, combining both worlds., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Tarzan's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Tarzan against these established plot points, we can identify how the filmmaker utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Tarzan within its genre.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kala the gorilla loses her baby to Sabor the leopard. Establishes the loss and need that will drive her to adopt Tarzan.
Theme
Kerchak tells Kala that the human baby "will never be one of us." The central thematic question: Can Tarzan belong to a world he wasn't born into?
Worldbuilding
Kala finds and adopts baby Tarzan after his parents are killed. Young Tarzan grows up struggling to fit in with the gorilla troop, constantly trying to prove himself despite being different.
Disruption
Adult Tarzan defeats Sabor, finally earning respect from the gorillas. However, this victory is disrupted by the arrival of humans (Professor Porter, Jane, and Clayton) - the first humans Tarzan has ever seen.
Resistance
Tarzan debates whether to approach the humans. He saves Jane from baboons, experiences attraction and curiosity. Kala warns him to stay away, but his fascination grows. He struggles between his gorilla family and his human nature.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Tarzan makes the active choice to visit the humans at their camp despite Kerchak's explicit orders. He crosses into their world, leaving the gorilla territory behind.
Mirror World
Jane begins teaching Tarzan about human civilization. She becomes the mirror showing him his true identity - she represents the human world he's been denied and the connection he's been missing.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Tarzan learning to be human. He discovers human culture, music, and connection with Jane. The playful "Strangers Like Me" sequence shows Tarzan exploring his humanity and falling in love.
Midpoint
False victory: Tarzan takes Jane to see the gorillas, breaking Kerchak's greatest rule. Jane is overjoyed and accepted by the gorillas. Tarzan feels he can have both worlds - but this sets up the coming betrayal.
Opposition
The humans must leave. Jane asks Tarzan to come to England. Clayton manipulates Tarzan into revealing the gorillas' location by exploiting his desire to keep Jane. Kerchak banishes Tarzan after discovering the betrayal.
Collapse
Tarzan leaves with the humans, abandoning his family. Clayton's men attack and cage the gorillas. Kerchak is shot protecting the family. Whiff of death: Tarzan's choice has led to the destruction of his gorilla family.
Crisis
Tarzan's dark night aboard the ship. Kala reveals his true past - shows him his human parents' treehouse. Tarzan must process who he really is and what family truly means.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis moment: Tarzan realizes his identity isn't about being gorilla or human - it's about protecting his family. He takes his father's knife and returns to save the gorillas, combining both worlds.
Synthesis
The finale battle. Tarzan, Jane, and Porter fight Clayton and free the gorillas. Tarzan uses both human intelligence and gorilla strength. Clayton dies in the vines. Kerchak dies but accepts Tarzan as his son and makes him leader of the family.
Transformation
Mirror of opening: Where Kala once chose between species to save a baby, Jane now chooses to stay in the jungle with Tarzan. Tarzan stands as leader of his family, finally belonging - not as gorilla or human, but as himself.