The Survivors
Sonny Paluso and Donald Quinelle are two unfortunate people who have just lost their jobs; Sonny's gas station has been blown away and Donald has just been fired by his boss's parrot! But that day, their lives change when they prevent a robber from holding up a bar, and they become heroes. Unfortunately, Jack (the robber) gets away, and when he sees Donald's face on the TV, he decides to go after them. In the meantime, Donald becomes obsessed with guns and leaves for the mountains to join a survivalist group...
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 Survivors (1983) showcases strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Michael Ritchie's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Donald Quinelle (Williams) at his corporate job; Sonny Paluso (Matthau) running his gas station. Both men are established in their ordinary working lives.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Donald is fired from his executive position; Sonny's gas station goes under. Both men lose their livelihoods on the same day.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Donald and Sonny decide to go to the police about the hitman, inadvertently putting themselves in danger and binding their fates together., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Jack Locke (the hitman) directly threatens them. The stakes escalate from abstract danger to real, immediate threat. Donald's paranoia intensifies., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Donald's paranoia and extreme behavior alienate Sonny completely. Their partnership collapses. They are isolated and vulnerable, having pushed away the one ally each had., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Donald and Sonny reconcile, realizing they need each other. They synthesize Donald's survivalist preparation with Sonny's common sense and humanity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Survivors'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 Survivors against these established plot points, we can identify how Michael Ritchie utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Survivors within the comedy genre.
Michael Ritchie's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Michael Ritchie films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Survivors takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Michael Ritchie filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Michael Ritchie analyses, see The Island, The Bad News Bears and Fletch.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Donald Quinelle (Williams) at his corporate job; Sonny Paluso (Matthau) running his gas station. Both men are established in their ordinary working lives.
Theme
Discussion about survival and what it takes to make it in tough economic times, foreshadowing the characters' journey.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Donald's corporate world and Sonny's small business. Both face economic pressures. Their worlds are separate but parallel.
Disruption
Donald is fired from his executive position; Sonny's gas station goes under. Both men lose their livelihoods on the same day.
Resistance
Donald and Sonny separately deal with unemployment. They meet during a robbery at a diner, where they witness masked hitman Jack Locke. They debate what to do about having seen his face.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Donald and Sonny decide to go to the police about the hitman, inadvertently putting themselves in danger and binding their fates together.
Mirror World
The developing partnership between Donald and Sonny represents the thematic counterpoint - two opposite personality types forced to work together for survival.
Premise
Cat-and-mouse games between the two unemployed men and the hitman. Donald becomes increasingly paranoid and survivalist while Sonny tries to maintain normalcy. Comic misadventures ensue.
Midpoint
Jack Locke (the hitman) directly threatens them. The stakes escalate from abstract danger to real, immediate threat. Donald's paranoia intensifies.
Opposition
Donald goes full survivalist, dragging Sonny into increasingly extreme preparations. Their friendship strains. The hitman closes in while their own conflict grows.
Collapse
Donald's paranoia and extreme behavior alienate Sonny completely. Their partnership collapses. They are isolated and vulnerable, having pushed away the one ally each had.
Crisis
Both men separately face their lowest point, processing their mistakes and recognizing what they've lost through fear and stubbornness.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Donald and Sonny reconcile, realizing they need each other. They synthesize Donald's survivalist preparation with Sonny's common sense and humanity.
Synthesis
The reunited duo confronts Jack Locke together, using both preparation and improvisation. Final confrontation and resolution of the hitman threat.
Transformation
Donald and Sonny in their new reality - still unemployed but transformed by their experience. They've survived not just the hitman but their own fears, now true partners and friends.