The Last Unicorn
From a riddle-speaking butterfly (Robert Klein), a unicorn (Mia Farrow) learns that she is supposedly the last of her kind, all of the others having been herded away by the Red Bull. The unicorn sets out to discover the truth behind the butterfly's words. She is eventually joined on her quest by Schmendrick (Alan Arkin), a second-rate magician, and Molly Grue (Tammy Grimes), a middle-aged woman who dreamt all her life of seeing a unicorn. Their journey leads them far from home, all the way to the castle of King Haggard (Sir Christopher Lee).
The film earned $6.5M at the global box office.
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 Last Unicorn (1982) exhibits meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Arthur Rankin, Jr.'s storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 32 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Unicorn lives peacefully in her enchanted forest, immortal and content, believing herself safe and protected by the magic of her woods.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The Unicorn overhears that all the other unicorns are gone, possibly forever. This shatters her sense of security and isolation—she can no longer remain safe in her forest while her kind may be extinct or imprisoned.. 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 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Schmendrick frees the Unicorn from the carnival cage, and she actively chooses to accept his help and companionship. She commits to the quest to find the other unicorns, leaving immortal solitude behind., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The Red Bull attacks the Unicorn. To save her life, Schmendrick transforms her into a mortal human woman (Lady Amalthea). She is saved but loses her immortality and begins to forget who she truly is—a false victory that is actually a loss., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Lady Amalthea nearly succumbs entirely to mortal life, almost choosing to marry Lír and abandon her true nature forever. This is the death of her immortal self—she whispers she can no longer remember being a unicorn., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Amalthea/Unicorn discovers the secret passage to the Red Bull's lair and chooses to confront it, accepting she must reclaim her true form. Lír's love and sacrifice help her remember who she is—combining mortal courage with immortal purpose., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Last Unicorn's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Last Unicorn against these established plot points, we can identify how Arthur Rankin, Jr. utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Last Unicorn within the animation genre.
Arthur Rankin, Jr.'s Structural Approach
Among the 2 Arthur Rankin, Jr. films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Last Unicorn takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Arthur Rankin, Jr. filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Arthur Rankin, Jr. analyses, see The Hobbit.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Unicorn lives peacefully in her enchanted forest, immortal and content, believing herself safe and protected by the magic of her woods.
Theme
The butterfly cryptically tells the Unicorn, "You can find the others if you are brave." The theme of courage versus immortal complacency is stated—she must risk her eternal safety to discover the truth.
Worldbuilding
The Unicorn's world is established: she lives alone, speaks to woodland creatures, and discovers from hunters that she may be the last unicorn. The existence of the Red Bull is hinted at—a force that has driven all other unicorns away.
Disruption
The Unicorn overhears that all the other unicorns are gone, possibly forever. This shatters her sense of security and isolation—she can no longer remain safe in her forest while her kind may be extinct or imprisoned.
Resistance
The Unicorn wanders into the mortal world, is captured by Mommy Fortuna's Midnight Carnival, and meets Schmendrick the magician. She debates whether to trust mortals and risk her immortality by continuing her quest.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Schmendrick frees the Unicorn from the carnival cage, and she actively chooses to accept his help and companionship. She commits to the quest to find the other unicorns, leaving immortal solitude behind.
Mirror World
Molly Grue joins the quest and weeps upon seeing the Unicorn, lamenting "Where were you when I was young?" This relationship introduces the film's heart—the theme of loss, time, and the cost of innocence.
Premise
The trio travels to King Haggard's castle by the sea, where the Red Bull is said to dwell. The Unicorn explores what it means to be mortal, to quest, to have companions—the "fun and games" of the hero's journey.
Midpoint
The Red Bull attacks the Unicorn. To save her life, Schmendrick transforms her into a mortal human woman (Lady Amalthea). She is saved but loses her immortality and begins to forget who she truly is—a false victory that is actually a loss.
Opposition
As Lady Amalthea, the Unicorn struggles with mortality, forgetfulness, and growing love for Prince Lír. King Haggard becomes suspicious. The pressure mounts as she loses more of her true self each day, risking her quest and identity.
Collapse
Lady Amalthea nearly succumbs entirely to mortal life, almost choosing to marry Lír and abandon her true nature forever. This is the death of her immortal self—she whispers she can no longer remember being a unicorn.
Crisis
Molly and Schmendrick confront Amalthea about forgetting herself. There is grief and darkness as they face the possibility that the quest has failed—the last unicorn may choose mortality and love over saving her kind.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Amalthea/Unicorn discovers the secret passage to the Red Bull's lair and chooses to confront it, accepting she must reclaim her true form. Lír's love and sacrifice help her remember who she is—combining mortal courage with immortal purpose.
Synthesis
The Unicorn transforms back and confronts the Red Bull, discovering all the other unicorns imprisoned in the sea. She drives the Bull into the ocean, freeing her kind. King Haggard's castle falls, and Lír is mortally wounded but revived by the Unicorn's magic.
Transformation
The Unicorn returns to her forest, but she is forever changed—no longer truly immortal in spirit, as she alone among unicorns knows regret, loss, and love. She has saved her kind but can never be as she was.