The Queen's Corgi
This is about the adventure of Rex (Jack Whitehall), the British monarch's (Dame Julie Walters') most beloved dog, who loses track of his mistress and stumbles across a clan with dogs of all kinds confronting and fighting each other. During his epic journey to return to the Queen, Rex falls in love and discovers his true self.
The film earned $35.5M 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 Queen's Corgi (2019) exemplifies precise story structure, characteristic of Ben Stassen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 25 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rex lives a life of luxury as the Queen's favorite corgi in Buckingham Palace, enjoying privileges and special treatment above all other dogs.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Rex is accidentally thrown out of Buckingham Palace after a confrontation with Charlie goes wrong, landing him in the dangerous streets of London.. At 11% 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 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Rex decides he must journey back to the palace on his own terms, choosing to navigate the dangerous city rather than accept help or admit he needs others., moving from reaction to action.
At 41 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Rex and his new friends successfully overcome a major obstacle together, and Rex begins to see the palace in sight - a false victory as he believes he can return to his old life unchanged., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 62 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Rex's selfishness causes him to betray or abandon his friends when given a chance to return to the palace alone. He loses Wanda and the others who helped him, facing the death of these meaningful relationships., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 66 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Rex learns that his friends are in danger and realizes he must use his knowledge of the palace and his old connections to save them - choosing others over his own comfort., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Queen's Corgi'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 Queen's Corgi against these established plot points, we can identify how Ben Stassen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Queen's Corgi within the animation genre.
Ben Stassen's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Ben Stassen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Queen's Corgi represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Ben Stassen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Ben Stassen analyses, see The House of Magic, Fly Me to the Moon.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rex lives a life of luxury as the Queen's favorite corgi in Buckingham Palace, enjoying privileges and special treatment above all other dogs.
Theme
A character suggests that true nobility comes from how you treat others, not from your position or privilege - Rex dismisses this as he believes his status makes him superior.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of palace life, Rex's arrogant personality, his rivalry with other dogs, and the arrival of Charlie (President's dog) who threatens Rex's position as top dog.
Disruption
Rex is accidentally thrown out of Buckingham Palace after a confrontation with Charlie goes wrong, landing him in the dangerous streets of London.
Resistance
Rex struggles to survive on the streets, refusing to accept his new reality. He meets street dogs who offer help, but his arrogance prevents him from accepting assistance or adapting.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rex decides he must journey back to the palace on his own terms, choosing to navigate the dangerous city rather than accept help or admit he needs others.
Mirror World
Rex meets Wanda, a street-smart dog who becomes his unlikely companion and represents the values of loyalty, humility, and friendship that Rex needs to learn.
Premise
Rex's journey through London with Wanda and other street dogs, facing various obstacles and adventures while slowly learning what it means to be part of a community rather than above it.
Midpoint
Rex and his new friends successfully overcome a major obstacle together, and Rex begins to see the palace in sight - a false victory as he believes he can return to his old life unchanged.
Opposition
Charlie has solidified his position at the palace. Rex faces increasing dangers and realizes returning to the palace is harder than expected. His old attitudes cause friction with his new friends.
Collapse
Rex's selfishness causes him to betray or abandon his friends when given a chance to return to the palace alone. He loses Wanda and the others who helped him, facing the death of these meaningful relationships.
Crisis
Rex, alone and having achieved his goal of returning, realizes that his old life of privilege means nothing without genuine relationships and that he has become what he feared most - truly alone.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rex learns that his friends are in danger and realizes he must use his knowledge of the palace and his old connections to save them - choosing others over his own comfort.
Synthesis
Rex executes a plan to save his friends, confronts Charlie, and proves that true nobility comes from selfless action. He combines his palace knowledge with his new street-smart skills and values.
Transformation
Rex is back at the palace but transformed - he shares his position with others, treats all dogs as equals, and maintains his friendships with the street dogs, showing he has learned true nobility.