The Edge
The plane carrying wealthy Charles Morse crashes down in the Alaskan wilderness. Together with the two other passengers, photographer Robert and assistant Stephen, Charles devises a plan to help them reach civilization. However, his biggest obstacle might not be the elements, or even the Kodiak bear stalking them -- it could be Robert, whom Charles suspects is having an affair with his wife and would not mind seeing him dead.
Working with a mid-range budget of $30.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $43.3M in global revenue (+44% profit margin).
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 Edge (1997) reveals meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Lee Tamahori's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 57 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Charles Morse arrives at remote Alaskan lodge for his wife Mickey's photo shoot, showing his wealth and intellectual detachment from the physical world. He's a man of books, not action.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Bob convinces Charles to fly with him to find a Native American man for the photo shoot. Charles agrees despite misgivings, setting in motion the journey into the wilderness.. 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 22% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The plane strikes birds and crashes into a remote lake. The pilot dies. Charles and Bob are stranded hundreds of miles from civilization with minimal supplies. The survival story truly begins., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The bear attacks their camp, killing Stephen (the assistant) brutally. False defeat: they realize they cannot outrun the bear, and it will hunt them until they're dead. The stakes become life or death., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Bob, wounded and dying, finally confesses he was having an affair with Mickey and planned to kill Charles. The emotional betrayal compounds the physical danger. Bob begs Charles to leave him to die., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Charles constructs an elaborate spear trap and lures the bear into it. They kill the bear through ingenuity and teamwork. Bob dies from his wounds. Charles is rescued and returns to civilization, transformed., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Edge's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Edge against these established plot points, we can identify how Lee Tamahori utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Edge within the action genre.
Lee Tamahori's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Lee Tamahori films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Edge takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Lee Tamahori filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Lee Tamahori analyses, see xXx: State of the Union, Next and Along Came a Spider.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Charles Morse arrives at remote Alaskan lodge for his wife Mickey's photo shoot, showing his wealth and intellectual detachment from the physical world. He's a man of books, not action.
Theme
Charles reads aloud from his book: "What one man can do, another can do." This becomes the film's central thesis about human capability and survival through determination.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the lodge setting, Charles's marriage tensions with Mickey, photographer Bob Green's suspicious behavior, and subtle hints of an affair. Charles is passive, observing but not confronting.
Disruption
Bob convinces Charles to fly with him to find a Native American man for the photo shoot. Charles agrees despite misgivings, setting in motion the journey into the wilderness.
Resistance
The plane flight into deep wilderness. Charles remains uncertain but passive. The pilot and Bob debate navigation. Tension builds as they venture further from civilization.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The plane strikes birds and crashes into a remote lake. The pilot dies. Charles and Bob are stranded hundreds of miles from civilization with minimal supplies. The survival story truly begins.
Mirror World
Bob and Charles must work together despite their mutual suspicion. Their relationship becomes the mirror for the theme - what they can accomplish through cooperation versus the rivalry that threatens them.
Premise
The survival adventure unfolds: navigating by compass, finding water, Charles using his book knowledge to problem-solve. The enormous Kodiak bear is introduced as a stalking threat, hunting them relentlessly.
Midpoint
The bear attacks their camp, killing Stephen (the assistant) brutally. False defeat: they realize they cannot outrun the bear, and it will hunt them until they're dead. The stakes become life or death.
Opposition
Charles and Bob are pursued relentlessly by the bear. Bob's resentment of Charles grows. They fall into a ravine, suffer exposure, and Bob is severely injured. Charles must lead while suspecting Bob wants him dead.
Collapse
Bob, wounded and dying, finally confesses he was having an affair with Mickey and planned to kill Charles. The emotional betrayal compounds the physical danger. Bob begs Charles to leave him to die.
Crisis
Charles processes Bob's betrayal while tending his wounds. He must decide: abandon Bob to the bear, or save the man who plotted to kill him. Charles chooses mercy and humanity over revenge.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Charles constructs an elaborate spear trap and lures the bear into it. They kill the bear through ingenuity and teamwork. Bob dies from his wounds. Charles is rescued and returns to civilization, transformed.