The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
Country singer Travis (Dennis Quaid) and his younger sister Amanda (Kristy McNichol) travel to Nashville, Tennessee to find fame as singers. After getting into trouble with the law, Travis is sentenced to work detail at a prison farm. Amanda falls in love with Conrad (Mark Hamill), who tries to help Travis.
The film earned $14.9M 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 Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1981) showcases meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Ronald F. Maxwell's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 52 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Travis Child performs in a small bar while his sister Amanda manages his career, showing their struggling-artist life on the road and their close sibling bond before fame arrives.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Travis becomes entangled with his ex-girlfriend who is now married to a corrupt local businessman, triggering dangerous jealousies and setting up the central conflict that will derail his career dreams.. 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.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The affair between Travis and the married woman is exposed, and the husband's violent rage escalates. What seemed like manageable drama becomes genuinely dangerous, raising the stakes significantly., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Travis is arrested and charged with murder. The corrupt local system frames him, and their dreams of music stardom die. Amanda faces losing her brother to prison or worse., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Amanda confronts the corrupt forces and executes her plan to save Travis. The truth comes out about the murder and the conspiracy. Justice is served through her determination and sacrifice., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia'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 Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia against these established plot points, we can identify how Ronald F. Maxwell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia within the drama genre.
Ronald F. Maxwell's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Ronald F. Maxwell films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Ronald F. Maxwell filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Ronald F. Maxwell analyses, see Gettysburg, Gods and Generals.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Travis Child performs in a small bar while his sister Amanda manages his career, showing their struggling-artist life on the road and their close sibling bond before fame arrives.
Theme
A music industry figure warns Amanda about the corrupt nature of the business: "Everybody wants something from you in this town." This establishes the theme of loyalty versus ambition.
Worldbuilding
Travis and Amanda travel through the South chasing his music career. We see their dynamic: she's protective and driven, he's talented but reckless. They return to their Georgia hometown where old relationships and tensions resurface.
Disruption
Travis becomes entangled with his ex-girlfriend who is now married to a corrupt local businessman, triggering dangerous jealousies and setting up the central conflict that will derail his career dreams.
Resistance
Amanda tries to keep Travis focused on his music career and away from trouble, but he's drawn into the local drama. She debates whether they should leave town immediately or pursue a nearby opportunity.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Travis's career begins to take off with performances and recordings, delivering on the promise of his talent. Meanwhile, the romantic triangle intensifies and local corruption becomes more threatening to their plans.
Midpoint
The affair between Travis and the married woman is exposed, and the husband's violent rage escalates. What seemed like manageable drama becomes genuinely dangerous, raising the stakes significantly.
Opposition
The corrupt forces in town close in on Travis. Amanda fights to protect him and salvage his career, but his reckless choices and the powerful enemies they've made make everything harder. The music dream slips away.
Collapse
Travis is arrested and charged with murder. The corrupt local system frames him, and their dreams of music stardom die. Amanda faces losing her brother to prison or worse.
Crisis
Amanda grapples with the devastating reality that everything they worked for is destroyed. She must decide whether to flee, accept defeat, or fight a system more powerful than her.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Amanda confronts the corrupt forces and executes her plan to save Travis. The truth comes out about the murder and the conspiracy. Justice is served through her determination and sacrifice.
Transformation
Amanda and Travis are separated by the consequences of their choices. She has saved him but at great cost. The image mirrors the opening but shows how their innocence and partnership have been transformed by violence and loss.