The Palace
During Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty, Chen Xiang enters the palace and meets the maid Liu Li who is the same age as her. The two girls become best friends. Liu Li desires to achieve something in life, and she wants to encounter the prince to become the future queen. Even if it means she has to betray and frame Chen Xiang. Yet as chance would have it, Chen Xiang falls in love with the 13th Prince and after many twists and turns, the two lovers can finally find their happiness together.
The film earned $8.1M 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 Palace (2013) demonstrates strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Pan Anzi's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 55 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening image establishes the protagonist's ordinary world and daily routine within the palace setting.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when An unexpected event disrupts the established order, threatening the protagonist's position or forcing them to confront a new reality.. 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The protagonist makes an active choice to engage with the new circumstances, committing to a course of action that changes everything., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat A false defeat or revelation that raises the stakes significantly, marking the point where everything becomes more difficult., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The protagonist's darkest moment containing a whiff of death—loss of position, hope, relationship, or sense of self., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. New insight or information allows the protagonist to synthesize their learning, enabling them to see the path forward clearly., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Palace's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Palace against these established plot points, we can identify how Pan Anzi utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Palace within the history genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional history films include Operation Finale, The Importance of Being Earnest and Tora! Tora! Tora!.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening image establishes the protagonist's ordinary world and daily routine within the palace setting.
Theme
A supporting character states the thematic premise about power, duty, or transformation that will guide the narrative.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the palace world, key relationships, hierarchies, and the protagonist's place within this system.
Disruption
An unexpected event disrupts the established order, threatening the protagonist's position or forcing them to confront a new reality.
Resistance
Period of resistance and debate as the protagonist grapples with the disruption, possibly receiving guidance from a mentor figure.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The protagonist makes an active choice to engage with the new circumstances, committing to a course of action that changes everything.
Mirror World
Introduction of a key relationship or subplot that reflects the theme and will teach the protagonist what they truly need.
Premise
The protagonist explores their new reality within the palace, experiencing the promise of the premise as they navigate changing dynamics.
Midpoint
A false defeat or revelation that raises the stakes significantly, marking the point where everything becomes more difficult.
Opposition
Opposition intensifies as antagonistic forces close in and the protagonist's flaws or mistakes compound the pressure.
Collapse
The protagonist's darkest moment containing a whiff of death—loss of position, hope, relationship, or sense of self.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul where the protagonist processes the loss and confronts their deepest fears before finding new resolve.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
New insight or information allows the protagonist to synthesize their learning, enabling them to see the path forward clearly.
Synthesis
The finale where the protagonist executes their plan, confronts opposition, and resolves the central conflict of the narrative.
Transformation
Closing image that mirrors the opening but demonstrates the protagonist's transformation and their new understanding.