The Getaway
Carter "Doc" McCoy is a career robber, currently in his fourth year of a 10-year prison sentence at the Texas State Penitentiary. After his request for parole is denied although he's a model prisoner, Doc, unable emotionally to endure life inside, asks his loving wife Carol McCoy to contact crooked businessman Jack Beynon, a man with political connections, to secure his release in return for being "for sale" to Beynon. Beynon is able to get Doc released, the sale price being for Doc to plan and execute a robbery at a small bank branch in Beacon City, Texas where Beynon knows that $750,000 will be kept in the vault for the next two weeks. Rather than Doc using his own men for the job, Beynon directs that the only other people involved will be the men of his own choosing, Rudy and Frank. There are to be no casualties, which is all right with Doc who is not a murderer. After the robbery is completed and the monies divvied up accordingly, Doc and Carol will cross the border into Mexico to live out their lives away from capture. The robbery doesn't go according to Doc's plan, and Doc and Carol go on the run making their way into Mexico with their share of the loot. Various people are in their pursuit, some who know that they will try to cross into Mexico at one of the two major West Texas border crossings. Other bystanders get directly or indirectly involved in the proceedings; two of those people, seeming straight-laced couple Fran and Harold Clinton, get much more intimately involved than the others. Though it all, Doc and Carol must work through some of their own issues, which arise out of a revelation about Doc's release from prison.
Despite its modest budget of $3.4M, The Getaway became a runaway success, earning $36.7M worldwide—a remarkable 996% return. The film's distinctive approach connected with viewers, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
1 win & 2 nominations
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 Getaway (1972) reveals strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Sam Peckinpah's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 3 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Doc McCoy confined in prison, denied parole. Establishes his desperation and imprisonment as the status quo that must change.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Doc is released from prison after Carol makes a deal with Benyon. His freedom comes at the price of pulling off one more job.. 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 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Doc and crew execute the bank robbery. The heist begins, committing them to a criminal path with no turning back., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Doc discovers Carol slept with Benyon to secure his release. The trust between them shatters. Doc confronts the true cost of his freedom as Benyon double-crosses them., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Cornered at the El Paso hotel with Rudy closing in and their relationship at its breaking point. They face seemingly insurmountable odds with nowhere left to run., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 97 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Doc and Carol reconcile and unite against their common enemies. They choose their partnership over everything else and prepare for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Getaway'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 Getaway against these established plot points, we can identify how Sam Peckinpah utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Getaway within the action genre.
Sam Peckinpah's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Sam Peckinpah films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Getaway represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sam Peckinpah filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Sam Peckinpah analyses, see Convoy, The Osterman Weekend and Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Doc McCoy confined in prison, denied parole. Establishes his desperation and imprisonment as the status quo that must change.
Theme
Carol visits Doc in prison and discusses making a deal with corrupt politician Benyon. Theme of compromise and moral corruption for freedom is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Doc's prison life, his relationship with Carol, the corrupt parole system, and the criminal underworld. Carol makes the deal with Benyon to secure Doc's release.
Disruption
Doc is released from prison after Carol makes a deal with Benyon. His freedom comes at the price of pulling off one more job.
Resistance
Doc reunites with Carol and learns the terms of his release. He must rob a bank for Benyon. Doc debates but realizes he has no choice, assembles the crew, and plans the heist.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Doc and crew execute the bank robbery. The heist begins, committing them to a criminal path with no turning back.
Mirror World
During the getaway, Rudy kills Jackson. Doc realizes the crew cannot be trusted and that Carol's deal with Benyon may have deeper costs than expected.
Premise
The getaway unfolds with escalating complications: crew betrayals, pursuit by police, and the revelation that Benyon expects more than just money. Doc and Carol on the run together.
Midpoint
Doc discovers Carol slept with Benyon to secure his release. The trust between them shatters. Doc confronts the true cost of his freedom as Benyon double-crosses them.
Opposition
Doc and Carol's relationship deteriorates as they flee. Rudy pursues them with increasing violence. The couple must navigate their broken trust while evading multiple threats.
Collapse
Cornered at the El Paso hotel with Rudy closing in and their relationship at its breaking point. They face seemingly insurmountable odds with nowhere left to run.
Crisis
Doc and Carol must decide whether to trust each other again or face certain death separately. They confront their betrayals and choose survival together.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Doc and Carol reconcile and unite against their common enemies. They choose their partnership over everything else and prepare for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
Doc and Carol execute their escape plan, eliminate Rudy in a violent shootout, and make their way to the Mexican border. Final confrontation and escape to freedom.
Transformation
Doc and Carol successfully cross into Mexico together, free but forever changed. They have paid the price for freedom through violence and betrayal but remain united.