The Burglars
In Athens a collection of emeralds is successfully stolen by a team of robbers, led by safe-cracker Azad. Things go smoothly until they miss the ship by which they planned their escape; a police chief pursues Azad while he waits for the next ship to set off.
The film earned $33.0M at the global box office.
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 Burglars (1971) exemplifies precise plot construction, characteristic of Henri Verneuil's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-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 Azad and his crew complete a successful jewel heist in Athens, establishing them as skilled professional thieves operating in their element.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Corrupt police detective Abel Zacharia discovers the heist and begins his pursuit, threatening to destroy the crew's escape plans and claim the emeralds for himself.. 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 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Azad makes the active choice to stay and fight Zacharia rather than flee, committing to a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with the corrupt detective., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Zacharia captures one of Azad's crew members and gains crucial information, shifting the power dynamic and turning the hunter into the hunted. The stakes dramatically escalate., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A crew member dies during Zacharia's pursuit, bringing literal death and forcing Azad to confront the true cost of his choices. Everything seems lost., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The explosive finale featuring a spectacular car chase through Athens and the final confrontation with Zacharia, where Azad must outwit the corrupt cop once and for all., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Burglars's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Burglars 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 Burglars within the action 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 Burglars exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Henri Verneuil filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Henri Verneuil analyses, see The Body of My Enemy.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Azad and his crew complete a successful jewel heist in Athens, establishing them as skilled professional thieves operating in their element.
Theme
A character remarks about trust and betrayal in their line of work, foreshadowing the central conflict between criminals and the corrupt cop who pursues them.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of the crew members, their relationships, and the criminal underworld of Athens. We see their celebration and plans to fence the stolen emeralds.
Disruption
Corrupt police detective Abel Zacharia discovers the heist and begins his pursuit, threatening to destroy the crew's escape plans and claim the emeralds for himself.
Resistance
Azad and crew debate their options while Zacharia closes in. They must decide whether to abandon the emeralds, fight back, or attempt to escape with their prize.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Azad makes the active choice to stay and fight Zacharia rather than flee, committing to a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with the corrupt detective.
Premise
The cat-and-mouse game delivers on its promise: thrilling chases through Athens, clever schemes, narrow escapes, and escalating confrontations between Azad and Zacharia.
Midpoint
Zacharia captures one of Azad's crew members and gains crucial information, shifting the power dynamic and turning the hunter into the hunted. The stakes dramatically escalate.
Opposition
Zacharia tightens his grip, using his police authority ruthlessly. Azad's options narrow as the crew faces betrayals, close calls, and the detective's increasingly violent methods.
Collapse
A crew member dies during Zacharia's pursuit, bringing literal death and forcing Azad to confront the true cost of his choices. Everything seems lost.
Crisis
Azad processes the loss and must decide whether to abandon everything or make one final stand. He faces his darkest moment of doubt and despair.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The explosive finale featuring a spectacular car chase through Athens and the final confrontation with Zacharia, where Azad must outwit the corrupt cop once and for all.