The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
After successfully crossing over (and under) the Misty Mountains, Thorin and Company must seek aid from a powerful stranger before taking on the dangers of Mirkwood Forest--without their Wizard. If they reach the human settlement of Lake-town it will be time for the hobbit Bilbo Baggins to fulfill his contract with the dwarves. The party must complete the journey to Lonely Mountain and burglar Baggins must seek out the Secret Door that will give them access to the hoard of the dragon Smaug. And, where has Gandalf got off to? And what is his secret business to the south?
Despite a major studio investment of $250.0M, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug became a solid performer, earning $958.4M worldwide—a 283% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, demonstrating that audiences embrace innovative storytelling even at blockbuster scale.
Nominated for 3 Oscars. 19 wins & 90 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 Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) exhibits meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Peter Jackson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The company flees through Mirkwood, exhausted and pursued. Bilbo and the dwarves are separated from Gandalf, vulnerable in a hostile world where they must rely on themselves.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 20 minutes when Gandalf leaves the company at the edge of Mirkwood, removing their protector. "Do not stray from the path," he warns. The dwarves must now face the journey without their wizard, and Bilbo must step into a larger role.. 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.
The Collapse moment at 121 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Smaug, enraged and unstoppable, declares he will destroy Lake-town and all who helped the dwarves. "I am fire. I am death." The dragon launches toward the innocent town, and the company realizes their quest has unleashed devastation upon the innocent. All seems lost., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 130 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Bard escapes imprisonment in Lake-town, preparing to face Smaug with the black arrow. New hope emerges as different storylines converge: the hero who can kill the dragon, the wizard who understands the true threat, and the dwarves who must choose between gold and redemption., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Jackson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug within the adventure genre.
Peter Jackson's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Peter Jackson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.3, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Jackson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Peter Jackson analyses, see King Kong, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The company flees through Mirkwood, exhausted and pursued. Bilbo and the dwarves are separated from Gandalf, vulnerable in a hostile world where they must rely on themselves.
Theme
Beorn warns them: "I don't like dwarves. They're greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own." The theme of greed versus compassion, blindness versus seeing clearly, is stated.
Worldbuilding
The company seeks refuge with Beorn, then enters the dark forest of Mirkwood. We see the dangers ahead: giant spiders, wood elves, and the corruption of the forest. Gandalf departs to investigate the growing darkness, leaving the company without their guide.
Disruption
Gandalf leaves the company at the edge of Mirkwood, removing their protector. "Do not stray from the path," he warns. The dwarves must now face the journey without their wizard, and Bilbo must step into a larger role.
Resistance
The company struggles through Mirkwood, becoming lost, enchanted, and attacked by giant spiders. Bilbo debates using the ring's power, uncertain of his ability to save his friends. He resists becoming the hero they need.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The fun adventure promised: imprisoned by elves, a thrilling barrel escape down raging rapids while fighting orcs, meeting the charming smuggler Bard, and sneaking into Lake-town. The company navigates obstacles using wit and teamwork, moving ever closer to the Mountain.
Opposition
Bilbo enters the Mountain alone and confronts Smaug. The dragon's power and cunning nearly destroy them all. Meanwhile, darkness closes in from all sides: orcs attack Lake-town, Gandalf discovers Sauron's return, and Thorin's dragon-sickness begins to show. Everything intensifies.
Collapse
Smaug, enraged and unstoppable, declares he will destroy Lake-town and all who helped the dwarves. "I am fire. I am death." The dragon launches toward the innocent town, and the company realizes their quest has unleashed devastation upon the innocent. All seems lost.
Crisis
Bilbo and the dwarves watch helplessly as Smaug flies toward Lake-town. They are trapped in the Mountain, unable to stop the destruction they've caused. The weight of their actions—and Bilbo's part in them—creates a dark moment of reckoning.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Bard escapes imprisonment in Lake-town, preparing to face Smaug with the black arrow. New hope emerges as different storylines converge: the hero who can kill the dragon, the wizard who understands the true threat, and the dwarves who must choose between gold and redemption.
Synthesis
Smaug attacks Lake-town in a firestorm of destruction while Bard prepares his shot. Gandalf battles the Necromancer, revealing Sauron. Tauriel and Legolas fight to save Kili. Multiple threads culminate as heroes rise to face impossible odds, setting up the final film's resolution.
Transformation
Smaug descends upon Lake-town, fire and fury incarnate. The cliffhanger ending shows the dragon at full power, the town in flames, and our heroes facing their greatest test. Unlike the beginning where Bilbo was protected, he now stands in the center of catastrophe.