The Visitors
After a wizard's spell goes awry, 12th-century Gallic knight Godefroy de Papincourt, Count of Montmirail finds himself transported to 1993, along with his dimwitted servant, Jacquouille la Fripouille. Startled and perplexed by modern technology, the duo run amok, destroying cars and causing chaos until they meet Beatrice de Montmirail, an aristocratic descendant of the nobleman, who may be able to help them get back to 1123.
Despite its modest budget of $9.5M, The Visitors became a box office phenomenon, earning $98.8M worldwide—a remarkable 940% return. The film's unique voice attracted moviegoers, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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 Visitors (1993) reveals strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Jean-Marie Poiré's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes 12th century France: Knight Godefroy de Montmirail returns victorious from the Crusades, honored and beloved. He is at the peak of his feudal power, about to marry his beloved Frénégonde. Medieval world shown in all its glory and hierarchy.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The wizard gives Godefroy a potion before his wedding, but it's the wrong one. Under its hallucinogenic influence, Godefroy mistakes his future father-in-law for a bear and kills him with a crossbow. This catastrophic error ruins his wedding and damns his bloodline.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Godefroy and Jacquouille drink the time-travel potion and are hurled through the centuries. However, the wizard makes an error in the formula, and instead of going back a few hours, they are transported forward 800 years to 1993. They emerge in modern France, completely disoriented., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory: Godefroy locates the descendant of the wizard (a modern postman) and believes he's found the way home. Meanwhile, Jacquouille discovers he has a descendant who is wealthy (his bloodline rose from peasantry), which inverts the medieval class structure. Stakes are raised as both realize the future offers different possibilities., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jacquouille steals the potion ingredients and flees, choosing freedom in the modern world over returning to medieval serfdom. Godefroy realizes he may be trapped forever in this alien future, unable to return and fix his mistake. His identity, purpose, and entire world are lost - a metaphorical death of his medieval self., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Godefroy gains new resolve and understanding. He accepts help from Béatrice (his descendant, representing the future) and synthesizes medieval determination with adaptation to modern methods. He tracks down Jacquouille using modern techniques and recovers the potion ingredients. Ready for the final confrontation with his fate., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Visitors's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Visitors against these established plot points, we can identify how Jean-Marie Poiré utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Visitors within the fantasy genre.
Jean-Marie Poiré's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jean-Marie Poiré films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Visitors represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jean-Marie Poiré filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional fantasy films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Conan the Barbarian and Batman Forever. For more Jean-Marie Poiré analyses, see The Visitors: Bastille Day, The Visitors II: The Corridors of Time.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
12th century France: Knight Godefroy de Montmirail returns victorious from the Crusades, honored and beloved. He is at the peak of his feudal power, about to marry his beloved Frénégonde. Medieval world shown in all its glory and hierarchy.
Theme
A character remarks on the eternal nature of nobility and bloodlines, suggesting "descendants carry the honor of their ancestors." This establishes the theme of class structure, heritage, and how times change people and values.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of medieval France, feudal hierarchy, Godefroy's relationship with his servant Jacquouille, the upcoming wedding to Frénégonde, and the customs and brutality of the 12th century. Shows the rigid class system and Godefroy's place at its top.
Disruption
The wizard gives Godefroy a potion before his wedding, but it's the wrong one. Under its hallucinogenic influence, Godefroy mistakes his future father-in-law for a bear and kills him with a crossbow. This catastrophic error ruins his wedding and damns his bloodline.
Resistance
Godefroy seeks the wizard Eusæbius to undo the curse and travel back in time to prevent the murder. The wizard prepares the time-travel potion, explaining the risks. Jacquouille accompanies his master. Preparations and incantations for the temporal journey.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Godefroy and Jacquouille drink the time-travel potion and are hurled through the centuries. However, the wizard makes an error in the formula, and instead of going back a few hours, they are transported forward 800 years to 1993. They emerge in modern France, completely disoriented.
Mirror World
Godefroy encounters Béatrice, his direct descendant who lives in his former castle (now a hotel). She represents the evolved, modern version of nobility - educated, independent, running a business. This relationship will teach Godefroy about how the world has changed and challenge his medieval values.
Premise
Fish-out-of-water comedy as medieval knight and peasant navigate 1990s France. Godefroy terrorizes modern people with his sword, doesn't understand cars, plumbing, or electricity. Jacquouille discovers modern pleasures and begins to enjoy his freedom from feudal servitude. Mistaken identities, cultural clashes, and escalating chaos.
Midpoint
False victory: Godefroy locates the descendant of the wizard (a modern postman) and believes he's found the way home. Meanwhile, Jacquouille discovers he has a descendant who is wealthy (his bloodline rose from peasantry), which inverts the medieval class structure. Stakes are raised as both realize the future offers different possibilities.
Opposition
Complications multiply: Jacquouille doesn't want to return to medieval servitude and sabotages efforts to go home. The modern wizard descendant is incompetent and struggles to recreate the potion. Godefroy's medieval behavior causes increasing property damage and legal problems. Béatrice's fiancé grows suspicious. The jewels needed for the return potion are difficult to obtain.
Collapse
Jacquouille steals the potion ingredients and flees, choosing freedom in the modern world over returning to medieval serfdom. Godefroy realizes he may be trapped forever in this alien future, unable to return and fix his mistake. His identity, purpose, and entire world are lost - a metaphorical death of his medieval self.
Crisis
Godefroy experiences despair in this modern world where he doesn't belong. He confronts the reality that his servant has become his equal (or better) in this era. Dark night wrestling with the possibility of permanent displacement and the death of his old life and mission.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Godefroy gains new resolve and understanding. He accepts help from Béatrice (his descendant, representing the future) and synthesizes medieval determination with adaptation to modern methods. He tracks down Jacquouille using modern techniques and recovers the potion ingredients. Ready for the final confrontation with his fate.
Synthesis
Finale: Godefroy reclaims the stolen items, the potion is completed, and the time portal is opened. Jacquouille chooses to stay in the modern era (servant becomes free man). Godefroy returns to the medieval past but takes a modern descendant with him by mistake, creating new chaos. The time-travel mission is completed, though imperfectly.
Transformation
Closing image mirrors the opening: Back in the 12th century, Godefroy prevents the murder of his father-in-law and secures his wedding to Frénégonde. However, the wrong person has traveled with him (modern descendant now trapped in medieval times), creating a comedic inversion. The class hierarchy is restored but subtly undermined, suggesting times and people inevitably change.