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) showcases strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of John Mackenzie's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-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.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes MI5 officer John Preston is introduced as a methodical, by-the-book intelligence agent investigating a break-in at a secure facility, establishing his professional competence in the world of Cold War espionage.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Preston discovers evidence of a high-level mole within British intelligence and uncovers signs of a Soviet operation smuggling nuclear weapon components into Britain, but his findings are dismissed and he is demoted by Harcourt-Smith.. 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.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Preston identifies the final component delivery but arrives too late to intercept it. Petrofsky now has everything needed to detonate the device. The false defeat: Preston realizes the bomb is complete and time is running out, but he still doesn't know the target location., 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, Preston's investigation is officially shut down and he is ordered to stand down. His ally is killed, and the mole's identity is revealed as Harcourt-Smith himself. Preston appears to have lost everything - his career, his support, and his chance to stop the bomb., illustrates 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 80% of the runtime. Preston leads an unauthorized raid on Petrofsky's location, confronts the Soviet agent, and prevents the detonation in a tense final confrontation. The conspiracy is exposed, Harcourt-Smith is removed, and the Fourth Protocol plot is dismantled., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Fourth Protocol's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 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 Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
MI5 officer John Preston is introduced as a methodical, by-the-book intelligence agent investigating a break-in at a secure facility, establishing his professional competence in the world of Cold War espionage.
Theme
A superior warns Preston that following the rules too closely can be dangerous: "Sometimes the game is more important than the players." This establishes the theme of institutional loyalty versus personal integrity.
Worldbuilding
The world of British intelligence is established, showing Preston's meticulous investigative methods, his strained relationship with his superior Harcourt-Smith, and the high-stakes political maneuvering within MI5 during the Cold War era.
Disruption
Preston discovers evidence of a high-level mole within British intelligence and uncovers signs of a Soviet operation smuggling nuclear weapon components into Britain, but his findings are dismissed and he is demoted by Harcourt-Smith.
Resistance
Despite his demotion, Preston continues investigating independently, gathering evidence of the Soviet plot while dealing with bureaucratic resistance. Meanwhile, Soviet agent Petrofsky arrives in Britain and begins assembling the smuggled components.
Act II
ConfrontationMirror World
Preston forms an alliance with MI6 agent Lyndhurst and begins working with contacts outside the official MI5 chain of command, entering a shadow world where loyalty and trust must be rebuilt outside institutional frameworks.
Premise
The cat-and-mouse game intensifies as Preston tracks the smuggled components while Petrofsky methodically assembles the nuclear device. The investigation reveals the scope of the "Fourth Protocol" - a secret clause allowing tactical nuclear operations to destabilize NATO.
Midpoint
Preston identifies the final component delivery but arrives too late to intercept it. Petrofsky now has everything needed to detonate the device. The false defeat: Preston realizes the bomb is complete and time is running out, but he still doesn't know the target location.
Opposition
Pressure mounts as Preston races to locate Petrofsky before detonation while fighting internal sabotage from the mole within MI5. Harcourt-Smith actively works to undermine Preston's investigation, and political forces align against him as the Soviet plan nears completion.
Collapse
Preston's investigation is officially shut down and he is ordered to stand down. His ally is killed, and the mole's identity is revealed as Harcourt-Smith himself. Preston appears to have lost everything - his career, his support, and his chance to stop the bomb.
Crisis
In his darkest hour, Preston must decide whether to obey orders and let the conspiracy succeed, or act alone against direct commands. He processes the betrayal and contemplates the cost of doing what's right when the institution itself is compromised.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Preston leads an unauthorized raid on Petrofsky's location, confronts the Soviet agent, and prevents the detonation in a tense final confrontation. The conspiracy is exposed, Harcourt-Smith is removed, and the Fourth Protocol plot is dismantled.