The Fourth Protocol
K.G.B. Agent Major Valeri Petrofsky has been reassigned at the request of the K.G.B. Chairman for a secret mission wherein he is sent to England to establish a residence near an American military base and receive various items from couriers from the U.S.S.R. John Preston is the top British spy catcher, currently at odds with his superior because he doesn't lick his boots. After he conducts an operation without his superior's permission which caused his superior some embarrassment, he is reassigned to the menial task of overseeing airports and ports. One day, one the couriers Petrofsky was expecting comes off of a freighter and has an accident which leaves him dead. Preston is informed by the pathologist that the man is not a seaman, so Preston goes through his things and finds that he was carrying something which he is told is an atomic bomb component. Preston now suspects that someone is bringing in parts for an atomic bomb, his superior doesn't want to let Preston be proven right, so he doesn't authorize further action and suspends Preston. But a man who works with Intelligence approaches Preston saying he might be right because a sleeper transmitter went active twice, once probably to alert Moscow that he is in place, and the second sent after the man's death probably to inform that the component he was delivering wasn't received. So the man offers to let Preston find the man who is bringing in the bomb. Back in the U.S.S.R., Petrofsky's boss is so disgruntled, that Petrofsky and so much of his department's resources are being taken by the Chairman for his op, that he calls his old friend, the Vice Chairman of the K.G.B., to find out what's going on, because he believes that the Chairman wouldn't be able to do any of these things without his friend's input. But his friend is just as incredulous as he is. So he tries to find out what the Chairman is up to.
Despite its small-scale budget of $6.0M, The Fourth Protocol became a commercial success, earning $12.4M worldwide—a 107% return.
1 nomination
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 Fourth Protocol (1987) exhibits meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of John Mackenzie's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
John Preston
Valeri Petrofsky
Irina Vassilievna
Sir Bernard Hemmings
Brian Harcourt-Smith
Borisov
Sir Nigel Irvine
Main Cast & Characters
John Preston
Played by Michael Caine
British MI5 officer investigating a Soviet plot to detonate a nuclear device in England
Valeri Petrofsky
Played by Pierce Brosnan
KGB agent sent to assemble and detonate a nuclear bomb on British soil
Irina Vassilievna
Played by Joanna Cassidy
Soviet general and hardliner who orchestrates the Fourth Protocol plot
Sir Bernard Hemmings
Played by Julian Glover
Director General of MI5 and Preston's superior
Brian Harcourt-Smith
Played by Ian Richardson
Ambitious MI5 deputy who seeks to undermine Preston
Borisov
Played by Alan North
KGB General who secretly opposes the Fourth Protocol plan
Sir Nigel Irvine
Played by Michael Gough
Head of MI6 who aids Preston in his investigation
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes John Preston, a seasoned MI5 officer, investigates a jewelry heist at a British aristocrat's home, demonstrating his methodical detective skills and positioning within the British intelligence hierarchy.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Preston discovers classified documents in the stolen goods indicating a high-level Soviet operation targeting Britain. His superiors dismiss his concerns, but the evidence suggests an imminent nuclear threat tied to the Fourth Protocol.. 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 indicates the protagonist's commitment to Preston commits to investigating the Soviet plot independently after being transferred to a lesser position. He chooses to pursue the truth despite career risks, crossing into direct opposition against both Soviet agents and his own bureaucracy., 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 Preston identifies the target area near the RAF base and realizes the scope of Plan Aurora: a nuclear detonation designed to appear as an American accident, destabilizing NATO. The false defeat reveals how close the Soviets are to success., 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, Petrofsky's handler Irina is killed, and Preston loses his primary lead. The bomb is nearly complete, time is running out, and Preston faces the possibility that he cannot stop the detonation. A colleague's betrayal is revealed., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Preston pieces together Petrofsky's location from accumulated evidence and witness accounts. He bypasses official channels entirely, taking direct action to confront the threat personally., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Fourth Protocol's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Fourth Protocol against these established plot points, we can identify how John Mackenzie utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Fourth Protocol within the thriller genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include The Warriors, Thunderball and Rustom.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
John Preston, a seasoned MI5 officer, investigates a jewelry heist at a British aristocrat's home, demonstrating his methodical detective skills and positioning within the British intelligence hierarchy.
Theme
A senior official remarks about the dangers of secrets within secrets, establishing the film's thematic concern with institutional betrayal and the question of who can truly be trusted in the intelligence world.
Worldbuilding
The Cold War intelligence landscape is established across London and Moscow. Preston's investigation uncovers evidence of a mole, while parallel scenes introduce KGB operative Valeri Petrofsky being selected for a covert mission codenamed Aurora.
Disruption
Preston discovers classified documents in the stolen goods indicating a high-level Soviet operation targeting Britain. His superiors dismiss his concerns, but the evidence suggests an imminent nuclear threat tied to the Fourth Protocol.
Resistance
Preston debates internally and with trusted colleagues about pursuing the investigation despite bureaucratic obstruction. Meanwhile, Petrofsky enters Britain under deep cover, and components of a nuclear device begin arriving through various smuggling routes.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Preston commits to investigating the Soviet plot independently after being transferred to a lesser position. He chooses to pursue the truth despite career risks, crossing into direct opposition against both Soviet agents and his own bureaucracy.
Mirror World
Preston's relationship with his estranged family is revealed, providing emotional stakes beyond the mission. His dedication to duty has cost him personal connections, mirroring the thematic isolation of intelligence work.
Premise
A tense cat-and-mouse game unfolds as Preston traces evidence of the nuclear smuggling operation while Petrofsky methodically assembles the bomb near an American airbase. The parallel investigations build suspense as both men demonstrate exceptional tradecraft.
Midpoint
Preston identifies the target area near the RAF base and realizes the scope of Plan Aurora: a nuclear detonation designed to appear as an American accident, destabilizing NATO. The false defeat reveals how close the Soviets are to success.
Opposition
Petrofsky eliminates witnesses and couriers to protect the operation while Preston races against time and institutional resistance. Internal MI5 politics and a suspected mole hamper Preston's investigation as the clock ticks toward detonation.
Collapse
Petrofsky's handler Irina is killed, and Preston loses his primary lead. The bomb is nearly complete, time is running out, and Preston faces the possibility that he cannot stop the detonation. A colleague's betrayal is revealed.
Crisis
Preston confronts the reality that institutional failures and betrayals have brought Britain to the brink of nuclear catastrophe. He must find another way to locate Petrofsky before it's too late.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Preston pieces together Petrofsky's location from accumulated evidence and witness accounts. He bypasses official channels entirely, taking direct action to confront the threat personally.
Synthesis
Preston races to the safehouse and confronts Petrofsky in a tense standoff. The bomb is armed and counting down. Preston must use all his skills to stop the detonation and neutralize Petrofsky before the device destroys the evidence of Soviet involvement.
Transformation
Preston successfully stops the bomb and eliminates Petrofsky. In the aftermath, he is vindicated but the operation is buried to prevent international incident. Preston returns to duty, unchanged but proven right—a quiet victory in a shadow war.