The Legend of Tarzan
Working with a enormous budget of $180.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $356.7M in global revenue (+98% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes John Clayton III (Tarzan) is now a civilized English lord living in London with his wife Jane, attending social functions and distanced from his jungle origins. He refuses invitations to return to Africa.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when John receives an official invitation from King Leopold to return to Congo as a trade emissary. Williams reveals evidence of Belgian slavery and atrocities, making John realize he cannot ignore the call to return.. At 10% 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 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 40% of the runtime—significantly early, compressing the first half. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: Jane is taken prisoner by Rom on his steamship. John is separated from her and left to die. Chief Mbonga has Tarzan at his mercy, ready to exact revenge for his son's death. The stakes are raised dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 73 minutes (61% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All seems lost when Rom reaches Boma with Jane and prepares to complete his mission to enslave thousands. Williams and John are far behind. The whiff of death: the implied doom of Jane and the Congolese people under Belgian brutality., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 66% of the runtime. The finale: Tarzan leads the wildebeest stampede to destroy Boma and free the enslaved people. He confronts Rom in a climactic battle aboard the ship. Jane escapes and helps. Williams rallies the freed Congolese. Rom is defeated and the Belgian operation collapses., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Legend of Tarzan's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Legend of Tarzan against these established plot points, we can identify how the filmmaker utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Legend of Tarzan within its genre.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
John Clayton III (Tarzan) is now a civilized English lord living in London with his wife Jane, attending social functions and distanced from his jungle origins. He refuses invitations to return to Africa.
Theme
George Washington Williams tells John: "You can't run away from who you are." The theme of identity and accepting one's true nature is established.
Worldbuilding
Flashbacks reveal John's origins as Tarzan raised by apes. Present-day London shows his polite society life. Belgian King Leopold's envoy Leon Rom is introduced seeking slaves and diamonds in Congo. Williams suspects Belgian exploitation.
Disruption
John receives an official invitation from King Leopold to return to Congo as a trade emissary. Williams reveals evidence of Belgian slavery and atrocities, making John realize he cannot ignore the call to return.
Resistance
John debates whether to return to Africa. Jane insists on coming, reminding him of their shared history in the jungle. Williams joins as he investigates Belgian crimes. They prepare for the journey, with John reluctant to embrace his Tarzan identity.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The promise of seeing Tarzan in the jungle unfolds. John begins reconnecting with his ape family and jungle abilities. Rom springs his trap, revealing he made a deal with Chief Mbonga to deliver Tarzan in exchange for diamonds. Jane is captured.
Midpoint
False defeat: Jane is taken prisoner by Rom on his steamship. John is separated from her and left to die. Chief Mbonga has Tarzan at his mercy, ready to exact revenge for his son's death. The stakes are raised dramatically.
Opposition
Rom transports Jane downriver as leverage. John must confront Mbonga and his past guilt over the chief's son's death. Williams witnesses the scale of Belgian slavery. John fully embraces his Tarzan identity to pursue Rom, but obstacles mount as Rom nears his destination.
Collapse
All seems lost when Rom reaches Boma with Jane and prepares to complete his mission to enslave thousands. Williams and John are far behind. The whiff of death: the implied doom of Jane and the Congolese people under Belgian brutality.
Crisis
John faces his darkest moment, processing that he may lose Jane and fail to stop the atrocities. He must dig deep and synthesize his two identities - the civilized man who understands politics and the wild Tarzan who commands nature.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: Tarzan leads the wildebeest stampede to destroy Boma and free the enslaved people. He confronts Rom in a climactic battle aboard the ship. Jane escapes and helps. Williams rallies the freed Congolese. Rom is defeated and the Belgian operation collapses.