The Soldier
The Russians steal a nuclear device and are stating that unless the Israelis pull out from the West bank, they will detonate it, which they have planted in an oil field and if it should go off; 50% of the World's oil will be contaminated. And the Israelis are unwilling to cooperate and the Americans knowing that they can't allow this are making preparations to force the Israelis off the West bank. The President then calls the Director of the CIA to do something about this. The Director assigns the agent who works outside the official channels codenamed the Soldier. He starts by trying to see if the Russians are indeed behind it but the Russians have him marked for termination. When he tries to contact the Director, the Russians placed a bomb in his office that leaves the soldier with no one but his team and the Israelis to help him.
Working with a tight budget of $5.5M, the film achieved a steady performer with $6.3M in global revenue (+16% profit margin).
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 Soldier (1982) exemplifies meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of James Glickenhaus's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 28 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 Opening establishes the Soldier as an elite CIA operative in a world of Cold War espionage and covert operations.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when KGB-backed terrorists detonate a bomb in Saudi Arabia and threaten to destroy oil fields with nuclear weapons unless Israel withdraws from the West Bank, creating an international crisis.. 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 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: The terrorists reveal they have more resources and backup plans than anticipated, and the Soldier discovers a mole or complication that raises 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 66 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A team member dies or the mission appears to fail completely, with the nuclear threat still active and time running out. The Soldier faces potential death or capture., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 70 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The finale: The Soldier executes his counter-strike, infiltrating the enemy stronghold, confronting the terrorist leaders, and neutralizing the nuclear threat in a climactic action sequence., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Soldier's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Soldier against these established plot points, we can identify how James Glickenhaus utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Soldier within the action genre.
James Glickenhaus's Structural Approach
Among the 2 James Glickenhaus films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Soldier takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete James Glickenhaus filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more James Glickenhaus analyses, see Shakedown.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening establishes the Soldier as an elite CIA operative in a world of Cold War espionage and covert operations.
Theme
A superior states that sometimes you have to fight fire with fire, foreshadowing the moral ambiguity of fighting terrorism with extreme tactics.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Soldier's world: CIA operations, his elite team, the ongoing Cold War tensions, and the methods of covert warfare.
Disruption
KGB-backed terrorists detonate a bomb in Saudi Arabia and threaten to destroy oil fields with nuclear weapons unless Israel withdraws from the West Bank, creating an international crisis.
Resistance
The Soldier and his team assess the threat, debate options with CIA leadership, and prepare for an unauthorized counter-operation against the terrorists.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The Soldier and his team execute daring operations across multiple countries, engaging in the action-packed espionage and combat the audience came for—car chases, shootouts, and covert infiltrations.
Midpoint
False defeat: The terrorists reveal they have more resources and backup plans than anticipated, and the Soldier discovers a mole or complication that raises the stakes significantly.
Opposition
The KGB and terrorists close in on the Soldier's team, picking off members and forcing them into increasingly desperate situations. Both sides escalate their tactics.
Collapse
A team member dies or the mission appears to fail completely, with the nuclear threat still active and time running out. The Soldier faces potential death or capture.
Crisis
The Soldier processes the loss and contemplates the cost of his methods, facing his darkest moment before finding new resolve.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: The Soldier executes his counter-strike, infiltrating the enemy stronghold, confronting the terrorist leaders, and neutralizing the nuclear threat in a climactic action sequence.