The Presidio
Jay Austin is now a civilian police detective. Colonel Caldwell was his commanding officer years before when he left the military police over a disagreement over the handling of a drunk driver. Now a series of murders that cross jurisdictions force them to work together again. That Austin is now dating Caldwell's daughter is not helping their relationship.
The film earned $20.3M 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 Presidio (1988) exhibits precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Peter Hyams's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Lt. Col. Alan Caldwell commands the Presidio military base in San Francisco with strict discipline and traditional military values. His ordered world is defined by duty, honor, and military protocol.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when A military police officer is murdered on the Presidio base. The killing forces Caldwell's ordered world to collide with civilian law enforcement when SFPD detective Jay Austin is assigned to investigate.. 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 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Caldwell and Austin are forced into an uneasy partnership to solve the murder. Austin actively chooses to pursue the investigation despite his animosity toward Caldwell, knowing it will require working inside the military world he rejected., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Caldwell discovers Austin is dating his daughter, creating a major personal crisis. Simultaneously, the investigation reveals the conspiracy goes deeper than expected, raising the stakes. What seemed like progress now threatens to destroy both the case and any chance of reconciliation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The conspiracy strikes directly at them - either an attempt on their lives or a devastating revelation about someone they trusted. Austin and Caldwell face potential death and the possible failure of their investigation. Their inability to work together has brought them to the brink., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Caldwell and Austin achieve breakthrough understanding - combining Caldwell's military resources and knowledge with Austin's detective instincts. They discover the final piece of evidence or the identity of the mastermind. United for the first time, they commit to finishing this together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Presidio'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 Presidio against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Hyams utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Presidio within the action genre.
Peter Hyams's Structural Approach
Among the 14 Peter Hyams films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Presidio represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Hyams filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Peter Hyams analyses, see Timecop, Running Scared and The Musketeer.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Lt. Col. Alan Caldwell commands the Presidio military base in San Francisco with strict discipline and traditional military values. His ordered world is defined by duty, honor, and military protocol.
Theme
A character remarks about the clash between military authority and civilian law enforcement, foreshadowing the central conflict about respecting different codes of honor and finding common ground despite different methods.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the Presidio base, Caldwell's relationship with his daughter Donna, and the introduction of the tension between military and civilian jurisdictions. Jay Austin, a former MP turned SFPD detective, is shown as a rebellious contrast to Caldwell's rigidity.
Disruption
A military police officer is murdered on the Presidio base. The killing forces Caldwell's ordered world to collide with civilian law enforcement when SFPD detective Jay Austin is assigned to investigate.
Resistance
Caldwell and Austin clash over jurisdiction and investigative methods. Their shared history of conflict is revealed - Austin left the MPs after confrontations with Caldwell. Both men resist working together, debating their approaches to justice and authority.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Caldwell and Austin are forced into an uneasy partnership to solve the murder. Austin actively chooses to pursue the investigation despite his animosity toward Caldwell, knowing it will require working inside the military world he rejected.
Mirror World
Austin meets and becomes romantically involved with Donna Caldwell, not initially knowing she is the Colonel's daughter. This relationship becomes the emotional subplot that will force both men to see beyond their rigid positions.
Premise
Austin and Caldwell investigate the murder while clashing over methods - street-smart detective work versus military protocol. Austin's relationship with Donna deepens. The investigation reveals connections to a smuggling operation involving military personnel.
Midpoint
Caldwell discovers Austin is dating his daughter, creating a major personal crisis. Simultaneously, the investigation reveals the conspiracy goes deeper than expected, raising the stakes. What seemed like progress now threatens to destroy both the case and any chance of reconciliation.
Opposition
The antagonists actively work to sabotage the investigation. Caldwell forbids Austin from seeing Donna, intensifying personal conflict. Evidence becomes harder to obtain. Trust between the partners deteriorates as the criminals close in and attempt to eliminate the investigators.
Collapse
The conspiracy strikes directly at them - either an attempt on their lives or a devastating revelation about someone they trusted. Austin and Caldwell face potential death and the possible failure of their investigation. Their inability to work together has brought them to the brink.
Crisis
In the dark aftermath, Caldwell and Austin confront what their pride and rigid positions have cost them. Each man grapples with his own limitations and the realization that neither military discipline nor street justice alone will solve this case.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Caldwell and Austin achieve breakthrough understanding - combining Caldwell's military resources and knowledge with Austin's detective instincts. They discover the final piece of evidence or the identity of the mastermind. United for the first time, they commit to finishing this together.
Synthesis
Caldwell and Austin execute their plan, working in harmony by respecting each other's strengths. The final confrontation with the antagonists unfolds across the Presidio and San Francisco. They bring the criminals to justice through combined military and civilian cooperation.
Transformation
Caldwell accepts Austin's relationship with Donna and gives his blessing, showing he has learned to respect different approaches and let go of rigid control. Austin shows respect for military tradition. Two men who began as enemies part as allies, having bridged their divided worlds.