The Great Raid
Set in the Philippines in 1945 towards the end of WWII, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci and Captain Robert Prince, the 6th Ranger Battalion undertake a daring rescue mission against all odds. Traveling thirty miles behind enemy lines, they intend to liberate over 500 American Soldiers from the notorious Cabanatuan Japanese POW camp in the most audacious rescue ever.
The film financial setback against its considerable budget of $80.0M, earning $10.2M globally (-87% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the action genre.
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 Great Raid (2005) showcases strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of John Dahl's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 12 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Allied POWs suffer in brutal conditions at Cabanatuan camp under Japanese control. Major Gibson and others endure starvation, disease, and constant threat of execution.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Intelligence reveals the Japanese are executing POWs at camps as American forces advance. The window to save the 500+ prisoners at Cabanatuan is closing rapidly.. 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.
At 66 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: A Japanese battalion of 1,000 soldiers camps dangerously close to the prison. The mission appears impossible. The Rangers must delay, risking discovery and POW execution., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 99 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, POWs are lined up for what appears to be mass execution. Inside the camp, hope dies as prisoners face their darkest moment, believing they've been abandoned and will be killed before rescue arrives., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 106 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The raid unfolds with precision and chaos: Rangers storm the camp, guerrillas fight desperately to delay Japanese reinforcements, POWs struggle to survive the crossfire. The rescue succeeds through coordinated sacrifice and valor., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Great Raid's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Great Raid against these established plot points, we can identify how John Dahl utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Great Raid within the action genre.
John Dahl's Structural Approach
Among the 4 John Dahl films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Great Raid represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Dahl filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more John Dahl analyses, see Joy Ride, The Last Seduction and Rounders.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Allied POWs suffer in brutal conditions at Cabanatuan camp under Japanese control. Major Gibson and others endure starvation, disease, and constant threat of execution.
Theme
A POW states "We're not forgotten," establishing the theme of honor, duty, and leaving no man behind, even against impossible odds.
Worldbuilding
Three parallel storylines establish the world: Lt. Col. Mucci and the 6th Rangers training, POWs deteriorating in the camp, and Margaret Utinsky running an underground resistance network in Manila.
Disruption
Intelligence reveals the Japanese are executing POWs at camps as American forces advance. The window to save the 500+ prisoners at Cabanatuan is closing rapidly.
Resistance
Mucci receives orders for the dangerous rescue mission. He debates the risks with his officers, recruits Captain Prince, and wrestles with sending men 30 miles behind enemy lines with minimal support.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The promise of the premise: meticulous planning and reconnaissance for the raid. Rangers observe the camp, coordinate with guerrillas, face Japanese patrols, while POWs inside struggle to survive and Margaret works to aid them.
Midpoint
False defeat: A Japanese battalion of 1,000 soldiers camps dangerously close to the prison. The mission appears impossible. The Rangers must delay, risking discovery and POW execution.
Opposition
Pressure mounts from all sides: Japanese troops increase patrols, POWs grow weaker and face brutal treatment, time runs out as the enemy prepares to evacuate or kill prisoners. The Rangers' window narrows to hours.
Collapse
POWs are lined up for what appears to be mass execution. Inside the camp, hope dies as prisoners face their darkest moment, believing they've been abandoned and will be killed before rescue arrives.
Crisis
Mucci and the Rangers process the impossible situation. They must attack now despite overwhelming enemy forces nearby, or let 500 men die. The weight of command and sacrifice becomes clear.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The raid unfolds with precision and chaos: Rangers storm the camp, guerrillas fight desperately to delay Japanese reinforcements, POWs struggle to survive the crossfire. The rescue succeeds through coordinated sacrifice and valor.