The Dirty Dozen
12 American military prisoners in World War II are ordered to infiltrate a well-guarded enemy château and kill the Nazi officers vacationing there. The soldiers, most of whom are facing death sentences for a variety of violent crimes, agree to the mission and the possible commuting of their sentences.
Despite its tight budget of $5.4M, The Dirty Dozen became a runaway success, earning $45.3M worldwide—a remarkable 739% return. The film's unique voice attracted moviegoers, demonstrating that 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 Dirty Dozen (1967) demonstrates deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Robert Aldrich's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 29 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Major Reisman witnesses a military execution, establishing his world of military discipline and the stakes of wartime justice. He's a hardened, unconventional officer in the U.S. Army during WWII.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 19 minutes when Reisman is given his mission: train twelve condemned military prisoners for a suicide mission in exchange for possible pardons. The assignment is nearly impossible and puts his career and life at risk.. 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 First Threshold at 38 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Reisman accepts the prisoners and takes them to a remote training camp. He makes his first deal with them: cooperate and train, or face immediate execution of their sentences. The mission officially begins., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 113 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The mission begins and immediately goes wrong—they parachute into France and one man dies on landing. The "whiff of death" is literal: Jiminez is killed, reminding everyone this is real and they will likely die., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 120 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale: gasoline is poured through ventilation shafts, grenades are dropped, and the château explodes, killing dozens of Nazi officers. The mission succeeds but at tremendous cost—most of the Dozen die as heroes., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Dirty Dozen's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Dirty Dozen against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Aldrich utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Dirty Dozen within the action genre.
Robert Aldrich's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Robert Aldrich films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Dirty Dozen takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Aldrich filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Robert Aldrich analyses, see Sodom and Gomorrah, The Longest Yard and The Frisco Kid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Major Reisman witnesses a military execution, establishing his world of military discipline and the stakes of wartime justice. He's a hardened, unconventional officer in the U.S. Army during WWII.
Theme
General Worden tells Reisman about the condemned prisoners: "They're garbage... the dregs." The theme emerges: can the worst of society be redeemed through purpose and leadership? Can throwaway men become heroes?
Worldbuilding
Reisman is briefed on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. We meet the military brass, understand the wartime context, and learn about Reisman's reputation as an unorthodox officer who gets results but breaks rules.
Disruption
Reisman is given his mission: train twelve condemned military prisoners for a suicide mission in exchange for possible pardons. The assignment is nearly impossible and puts his career and life at risk.
Resistance
Reisman meets the twelve prisoners one by one—murderers, rapists, thieves—each more dangerous and unstable than the last. He debates whether this mission is possible and how to handle these violent men.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Reisman accepts the prisoners and takes them to a remote training camp. He makes his first deal with them: cooperate and train, or face immediate execution of their sentences. The mission officially begins.
Premise
The training montage and bonding sequences deliver the promise of the premise: watching irredeemable criminals transform into a cohesive fighting unit through unorthodox methods, humor, and hard-won respect.
Opposition
Final preparations intensify. The Dozen face psychological pressure, doubts surface, and the reality of the suicide mission looms. They rehearse the complex attack plan. Tension builds between confidence and fear.
Collapse
The mission begins and immediately goes wrong—they parachute into France and one man dies on landing. The "whiff of death" is literal: Jiminez is killed, reminding everyone this is real and they will likely die.
Crisis
The Dozen infiltrate the château but the plan unravels further. Multiple men are killed in brutal firefights. Reisman must watch his men die while trying to complete the mission. Darkness and chaos reign.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: gasoline is poured through ventilation shafts, grenades are dropped, and the château explodes, killing dozens of Nazi officers. The mission succeeds but at tremendous cost—most of the Dozen die as heroes.
Transformation
Reisman and one surviving prisoner escape. In contrast to the opening execution scene, these condemned men died with honor and purpose, having transformed from "garbage" into soldiers who changed the course of the war.