The Body of My Enemy
A man accused of murder discovers a trail of corruption leading to the powerful family of his former love. Going underground, he seeks allies in a town where trust is scarce.
Despite its tight budget of $2.6M, The Body of My Enemy became a box office success, earning $13.3M worldwide—a 421% return. The film's fresh perspective resonated with audiences, 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%)
The Body of My Enemy (1976) exhibits deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Henri Verneuil's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes François Leclercq is released from prison after serving seven years for a murder he didn't commit, returning to his hometown broken and vengeful.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when François discovers evidence that his conviction was orchestrated by people he trusted - his business partners framed him for their own crime. The betrayal runs deeper than he imagined.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Someone close to François is killed or seriously harmed as collateral damage in his revenge plot. He confronts the devastating cost of his obsession - his quest for justice has created new victims and may have made him no better than his enemies., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. François executes his final plan, confronting the mastermind behind his false imprisonment. The truth is revealed publicly, and he achieves justice through a combination of his street smarts and moral clarity, bringing closure to his ordeal., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Body of My Enemy's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Body of My Enemy against these established plot points, we can identify how Henri Verneuil utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Body of My Enemy within the crime genre.
Henri Verneuil's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Henri Verneuil films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Body of My Enemy exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Henri Verneuil filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Henri Verneuil analyses, see The Burglars.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
François Leclercq is released from prison after serving seven years for a murder he didn't commit, returning to his hometown broken and vengeful.
Theme
A former associate warns François that "revenge is a dish best served cold," but also that "the past never stays buried" - establishing the film's themes of justice, betrayal, and the cost of vengeance.
Worldbuilding
François returns to his industrial hometown, reconnects with old friends and enemies, and discovers how much has changed. His former lover has moved on, his business partner has become wealthy, and the town's power structure has shifted.
Disruption
François discovers evidence that his conviction was orchestrated by people he trusted - his business partners framed him for their own crime. The betrayal runs deeper than he imagined.
Resistance
François debates whether to seek legal justice or personal revenge. He reconnects with allies who can help him investigate, while wrestling with the wisdom of reopening old wounds versus moving forward with his life.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
François methodically investigates and manipulates his enemies, playing them against each other. He uses his knowledge of their secrets and weaknesses to turn the town's power structure on its head, enjoying the cat-and-mouse game.
Opposition
The conspirators strike back, threatening François and those he cares about. The stakes escalate as violence erupts, and François realizes his revenge is putting innocent people in danger. His flaws - pride and obsession - begin to work against him.
Collapse
Someone close to François is killed or seriously harmed as collateral damage in his revenge plot. He confronts the devastating cost of his obsession - his quest for justice has created new victims and may have made him no better than his enemies.
Crisis
François faces his dark night of the soul, questioning whether his revenge is worth the destruction it's caused. He must decide if he'll complete his mission or walk away, and what kind of man he wants to be.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
François executes his final plan, confronting the mastermind behind his false imprisonment. The truth is revealed publicly, and he achieves justice through a combination of his street smarts and moral clarity, bringing closure to his ordeal.