The Man from Laramie
Mysterious Will Lockhart delivers supplies to storekeeper Barbara Waggoman at Coronado, an isolated town in Apache country. Before long, he's tangled with Dave Waggoman, vicious son of autocratic rancher Alec and cousin of sweet Barbara. But he sticks around town, his presence a catalyst for changes in people's lives, searching for someone he doesn't know...who's been selling rifles to the Apaches.
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 Man from Laramie (1955) showcases precise narrative design, characteristic of Anthony Mann's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 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 Will Lockhart arrives in the town of Coronado with a freight wagon, presenting himself as a simple teamster hauling supplies. His calm, determined demeanor masks a deeper purpose as he surveys the harsh New Mexico landscape.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Dave Waggoman and his men violently confront Lockhart at the salt flats, burning his wagons, shooting his mules, and brutally rope-dragging him through a fire. This savage attack reveals the Waggomans' lawless cruelty and hardens Lockhart's resolve.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Lockhart makes the active choice to stay in Coronado and investigate who has been selling repeating rifles to the Apaches, revealing his true mission: avenging his brother's death in a massacre enabled by those weapons. He commits to seeing justice done regardless of the danger., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat In a shocking act of brutality, Dave Waggoman captures Lockhart and shoots him point-blank in the hand, permanently maiming him. This false defeat raises the stakes dramatically and transforms the conflict from investigation to survival and personal vendetta., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Vic Hansbro murders Dave Waggoman to silence him, staging it to look like an accident or Apache attack. The death of Alec's biological son represents the ultimate collapse of the Waggoman dynasty and forces the truth about Vic's rifle-running into the open., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Lockhart synthesizes the evidence and commits to bringing Vic Hansbro to justice through legitimate means rather than simply killing him. Alec Waggoman, finally seeing clearly despite his blindness, supports Lockhart's pursuit of his treacherous adopted son., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Man from Laramie's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Man from Laramie against these established plot points, we can identify how Anthony Mann utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Man from Laramie within the drama genre.
Anthony Mann's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Anthony Mann films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Man from Laramie takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Anthony Mann filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Anthony Mann analyses, see El Cid, The Fall of the Roman Empire and Raw Deal.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Will Lockhart arrives in the town of Coronado with a freight wagon, presenting himself as a simple teamster hauling supplies. His calm, determined demeanor masks a deeper purpose as he surveys the harsh New Mexico landscape.
Theme
Kate Canaday warns Lockhart about the Waggoman family's iron grip on the territory, stating that some men think they can own everything and everyone, but their reach always exceeds their grasp in the end.
Worldbuilding
The power dynamics of Coronado are established: the Waggoman empire dominates the region, the blind patriarch Alec struggles to control his volatile son Dave, and tensions simmer beneath the surface. Lockhart collects salt from Waggoman land, unknowingly triggering conflict.
Disruption
Dave Waggoman and his men violently confront Lockhart at the salt flats, burning his wagons, shooting his mules, and brutally rope-dragging him through a fire. This savage attack reveals the Waggomans' lawless cruelty and hardens Lockhart's resolve.
Resistance
Lockhart debates his next move while recovering. Kate Canaday becomes a guiding figure, providing context about the Waggomans and advising caution. Lockhart visits Alec Waggoman's ranch seeking compensation but finds himself drawn deeper into the family's dysfunction. He learns Vic Hansbro manages operations while Dave acts recklessly.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Lockhart makes the active choice to stay in Coronado and investigate who has been selling repeating rifles to the Apaches, revealing his true mission: avenging his brother's death in a massacre enabled by those weapons. He commits to seeing justice done regardless of the danger.
Mirror World
Barbara Waggoman enters Lockhart's story as a romantic possibility and moral counterweight. Her decency contrasts with her family's corruption, representing the hope that not everything in this world is tainted by greed and violence.
Premise
Lockhart investigates the rifle trade while navigating the Waggoman power structure. He discovers Vic Hansbro's suspicious activities, witnesses Dave's escalating instability, and forms an alliance with Kate Canaday. The mystery deepens as Lockhart pieces together clues about the arms dealing operation.
Midpoint
In a shocking act of brutality, Dave Waggoman captures Lockhart and shoots him point-blank in the hand, permanently maiming him. This false defeat raises the stakes dramatically and transforms the conflict from investigation to survival and personal vendetta.
Opposition
The opposition intensifies as Lockhart recovers and continues his investigation with renewed determination. Vic Hansbro works to eliminate evidence, Dave grows more unhinged, and Alec Waggoman faces the collapse of his legacy. Lockhart closes in on the truth while the Waggoman family tears itself apart from within.
Collapse
Vic Hansbro murders Dave Waggoman to silence him, staging it to look like an accident or Apache attack. The death of Alec's biological son represents the ultimate collapse of the Waggoman dynasty and forces the truth about Vic's rifle-running into the open.
Crisis
The revelation of Dave's murder and Vic's betrayal devastates old Alec Waggoman. Lockhart must decide whether to pursue vengeance or justice. The community reels as the full scope of Vic's treachery—selling rifles that caused countless deaths—becomes clear.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Lockhart synthesizes the evidence and commits to bringing Vic Hansbro to justice through legitimate means rather than simply killing him. Alec Waggoman, finally seeing clearly despite his blindness, supports Lockhart's pursuit of his treacherous adopted son.
Synthesis
The finale unfolds as Lockhart pursues Vic into the rocky wilderness. A violent confrontation ensues where Vic is ultimately killed, either by Lockhart or through the consequences of his own actions. Justice is served for the cavalry massacre, including Lockhart's brother. Alec Waggoman faces the ruins of his empire.
Transformation
Lockhart prepares to leave Coronado, his mission complete. His wounded hand symbolizes his transformation—scarred but healed, having chosen justice over pure vengeance. Barbara's presence suggests hope for the future, and Lockhart rides out a changed man who found closure without losing his soul.