The Ambushers
Without a doubt, there's a mole in the secret Intelligence and Counter Espionage agency. Right after the successful launch of the first state-of-the-art USAF flying saucer, the powerful tractor beam of a nefarious criminal organisation forces the experimental vessel to crash-land in the lush Central-American jungles. As a result, having no recollection of the mysterious incident, the amnesiac test pilot, Sheila Sommers, will have to join forces with the spy extraordinaire and suave photographer, Matt Helm, and travel to sun-kissed Acapulco to shed light on this thorny case. Nevertheless, their luxurious Mexican resort is rife with deadly traps and crafty double-agents, bent on stopping the prying intruders. Will Matt and Sheila unearth the dangerous conspiracy? Can they retrieve the top-secret spacecraft?
Despite its tight budget of $4.0M, The Ambushers became a financial success, earning $10.0M worldwide—a 150% 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%)
The Ambushers (1967) exemplifies deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Henry Levin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Matt Helm relaxes in his comfortable photographer's studio surrounded by beautiful models, living his playboy lifestyle as a cover for his secret agent work.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when McDonald briefs Matt on the crashed flying saucer mission and reveals that the only survivor, Sheila Sommers, has amnesia - the government needs the disc recovered before enemies find it.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Matt and Sheila depart for Acapulco, Mexico, actively choosing to enter the dangerous world of international espionage and the hunt for the missing experimental aircraft., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Matt discovers the flying saucer hidden at the brewery compound but is captured by the villains, revealing the true scope of the conspiracy to use the disc as a weapon - false defeat., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Matt appears to be defeated, trapped in the villain's brewery compound while the weaponized flying saucer is being prepared for launch against the United States - all seems lost., demonstrates 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 79% of the runtime. Matt escapes using his wits and spy gadgets, rallies Sheila to his side, and realizes he must board the flying saucer itself to stop the villains - combining his playboy charm with his agent skills., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Ambushers'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 The Ambushers against these established plot points, we can identify how Henry Levin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Ambushers within the action genre.
Henry Levin's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Henry Levin films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Ambushers exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Henry Levin filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Henry Levin analyses, see Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Matt Helm relaxes in his comfortable photographer's studio surrounded by beautiful models, living his playboy lifestyle as a cover for his secret agent work.
Theme
McDonald warns Matt that appearances can be deceiving and trust is earned, not given - foreshadowing the film's central conflict about deception and loyalty.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Matt Helm's dual life as photographer and ICE agent, introduction of his handler McDonald, and the reveal of a missing experimental flying saucer that crashed in Mexico.
Disruption
McDonald briefs Matt on the crashed flying saucer mission and reveals that the only survivor, Sheila Sommers, has amnesia - the government needs the disc recovered before enemies find it.
Resistance
Matt initially resists taking the dangerous Mexican assignment, meets the troubled pilot Sheila Sommers, and reluctantly accepts the mission to recover the flying saucer and protect her.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Matt and Sheila depart for Acapulco, Mexico, actively choosing to enter the dangerous world of international espionage and the hunt for the missing experimental aircraft.
Mirror World
Matt meets the mysterious and seductive Francesca Madeiros at the brewery compound, who represents both romantic possibility and thematic deception - she may be ally or enemy.
Premise
Matt operates in Mexico using his charm and gadgets, investigates the brewery cover operation, flirts with danger and women, survives multiple assassination attempts, and slowly uncovers the conspiracy.
Midpoint
Matt discovers the flying saucer hidden at the brewery compound but is captured by the villains, revealing the true scope of the conspiracy to use the disc as a weapon - false defeat.
Opposition
The villains tighten their grip, Matt endures elaborate death traps, Sheila's loyalty is tested, and the conspiracy to weaponize the saucer accelerates toward a deadly launch deadline.
Collapse
Matt appears to be defeated, trapped in the villain's brewery compound while the weaponized flying saucer is being prepared for launch against the United States - all seems lost.
Crisis
Matt regroups in captivity, processes the betrayals and deceptions, and must find inner resolve to overcome impossible odds before the saucer launches.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Matt escapes using his wits and spy gadgets, rallies Sheila to his side, and realizes he must board the flying saucer itself to stop the villains - combining his playboy charm with his agent skills.
Synthesis
Matt infiltrates and boards the flying saucer, battles the main villain in aerial combat, prevents the attack on the United States, and rescues Sheila while destroying the conspiracy.
Transformation
Matt returns to his photography studio with beautiful women, seemingly unchanged but having proven himself capable of genuine heroism beneath the playboy facade - the world is safe again.