The Beastmaster
Dar, the son of a king, is hunted by a priest after his birth, he is rescued from a cult ritual by his newly adopted father and taken to be raised in a humble village where he learns he has the ability to communicate with animals. When he becomes a grown man, his new father and village home are murdered by the priests followers. Dar begins his quest for revenge, befriending several animals along the way.
Working with a limited budget of $8.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $14.1M in global revenue (+76% profit margin).
1 win & 2 nominations
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 Beastmaster (1982) exhibits carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Don Coscarelli's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 58 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Dar
Kiri
Maax
Seth
Tal
King Zed
Main Cast & Characters
Dar
Played by Marc Singer
A warrior prince born with the ability to telepathically communicate with animals, seeking revenge against the sorcerer who destroyed his family.
Kiri
Played by Tanya Roberts
A slave girl and love interest who joins Dar on his quest for vengeance and freedom.
Maax
Played by Rip Torn
The evil high priest and sorcerer who sacrifices children and seeks to control the kingdom through dark magic.
Seth
Played by Josh Milrad
A young warrior boy who befriends Dar and helps him fight against Maax's forces.
Tal
Played by John Amos
Seth's older brother and guardian, a skilled warrior who initially distrusts Dar but becomes his ally.
King Zed
Played by Rod Loomis
The rightful king and Dar's biological father, imprisoned and tormented by Maax.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes King Zed's kingdom at peace; his queen is pregnant with the prophesied heir who will destroy the evil priest Maax.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Maax's Jun horde attacks Dar's village, slaughtering everyone including his adoptive father. Dar's peaceful life is destroyed.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Dar actively chooses to journey to the city to confront Maax, leaving his wilderness sanctuary behind to enter the world of men., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: Dar and his allies successfully free the captive children from the pyramid and believe they've thwarted Maax's plans. Stakes raised as Maax becomes aware of the threat., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dar's beloved panther Ruh is killed by the winged devourers while protecting him. Literal death of his closest companion. Dar is devastated and his powers seem insufficient., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Dar realizes he must combine his animal bond gifts with human allies and courage. He accepts his role as both beastmaster and rightful prince to defeat Maax., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Beastmaster's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Beastmaster against these established plot points, we can identify how Don Coscarelli utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Beastmaster within the action genre.
Don Coscarelli's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Don Coscarelli films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Beastmaster takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Don Coscarelli filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Don Coscarelli analyses, see Phantasm, Phantasm II.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
King Zed's kingdom at peace; his queen is pregnant with the prophesied heir who will destroy the evil priest Maax.
Theme
The witch tells Maax: "The child will be born with the courage of the eagle, the strength of the panther, and the cunning of the ferret." Theme of natural connection versus corrupt power.
Worldbuilding
Maax's witches transfer the unborn child into a cow to steal him; villager saves the baby and raises him as Dar. Dar grows discovering his ability to communicate telepathically with animals.
Disruption
Maax's Jun horde attacks Dar's village, slaughtering everyone including his adoptive father. Dar's peaceful life is destroyed.
Resistance
Dar wanders alone in grief, then bonds with his animal companions (eagle Sharak, ferrets Kodo and Podo, panther Ruh). He learns to trust his gifts and decides to seek revenge against Maax.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dar actively chooses to journey to the city to confront Maax, leaving his wilderness sanctuary behind to enter the world of men.
Mirror World
Dar rescues Kiri, a slave girl, from being sacrificed. She represents compassion and human connection, teaching Dar he cannot fight alone.
Premise
Dar uses his animal powers to infiltrate the city, rescues Seth and Tal from execution, discovers his true heritage as prince, and plans to stop Maax's ritual sacrifice of the children.
Midpoint
False victory: Dar and his allies successfully free the captive children from the pyramid and believe they've thwarted Maax's plans. Stakes raised as Maax becomes aware of the threat.
Opposition
Maax sends his death guards and winged devourers after Dar. The group is hunted through wilderness. Maax captures Kiri and King Zed to force a confrontation.
Collapse
Dar's beloved panther Ruh is killed by the winged devourers while protecting him. Literal death of his closest companion. Dar is devastated and his powers seem insufficient.
Crisis
Dar grieves Ruh's death and contemplates his failure. His friends rally him, reminding him of his destiny and the people who need him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Dar realizes he must combine his animal bond gifts with human allies and courage. He accepts his role as both beastmaster and rightful prince to defeat Maax.
Synthesis
Final assault on the pyramid temple. Dar leads coordinated attack with animals and human warriors. Confronts Maax in ritual chamber, defeats the death guards, and Maax is consumed by the winged creatures he summoned. King Zed and the kingdom are saved.
Transformation
Dar chooses to return to the wilderness with Kiri and his animal companions rather than claim the throne, having learned he belongs to nature. He is at peace with both his wild and human sides.