The Wizard of Oz
When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy Gale and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical Land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, and on the way they meet a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Man who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who wants courage. The Wizard asks them to bring him the Wicked Witch of the West's broom to earn his help.
Despite its modest budget of $2.8M, The Wizard of Oz became a commercial juggernaut, earning $33.8M worldwide—a remarkable 1116% return. The film's unconventional structure attracted moviegoers, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
2 Oscars. 16 wins & 14 nominations
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 Wizard of Oz (1939) reveals deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Victor Fleming's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 3.0, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dorothy runs down a dirt road in sepia-toned Kansas, desperately trying to get home to protect Toto. Establishes her ordinary world: a struggling farm where she feels unheard and dreams of somewhere "over the rainbow.".. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Miss Gulch arrives with a sheriff's order to take Toto away to be destroyed. The external threat disrupts Dorothy's world and forces her to act - she runs away from home with Toto to protect him.. 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 16 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 15% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The tornado strikes. Dorothy cannot get into the storm cellar and is knocked unconscious in her bedroom. This involuntary threshold launches her into Oz - the house literally lifts her into a new world. The choice was made for her by fate., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 67 minutes (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dorothy watches the hourglass run out, believing she will die far from home, never seeing Aunt Em again. The "whiff of death" is literal - she faces her mortality and the death of her dream to return to Kansas. All hope seems lost., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 73% of the runtime. Dorothy says goodbye to her friends, clicks her heels three times repeating "there's no place like home," and returns to Kansas. She awakens surrounded by family and farmhands, integrating her journey's lessons. She applies her newfound appreciation for home., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Wizard of Oz's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Wizard of Oz against these established plot points, we can identify how Victor Fleming utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Wizard of Oz within the adventure genre.
Victor Fleming's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Victor Fleming films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 4.8, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. The Wizard of Oz takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Victor Fleming filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Victor Fleming analyses, see Gone with the Wind.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dorothy runs down a dirt road in sepia-toned Kansas, desperately trying to get home to protect Toto. Establishes her ordinary world: a struggling farm where she feels unheard and dreams of somewhere "over the rainbow."
Theme
Aunt Em tells Dorothy to "find yourself a place where you won't get into any trouble" - the thematic question of where Dorothy truly belongs and whether happiness can be found by running away or must be discovered at home.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Kansas farm life, Dorothy's longing for escape, Miss Gulch's threat to take Toto, the traveling fortune teller Professor Marvel, and Dorothy's belief that no one understands her. She sings "Over the Rainbow" expressing her deepest want.
Disruption
Miss Gulch arrives with a sheriff's order to take Toto away to be destroyed. The external threat disrupts Dorothy's world and forces her to act - she runs away from home with Toto to protect him.
Resistance
Dorothy runs away but encounters Professor Marvel, who (pretending to read a crystal ball) manipulates her into returning home by saying Aunt Em is heartbroken. Dorothy debates between her want (escape) and her responsibility (family). She chooses to return.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The tornado strikes. Dorothy cannot get into the storm cellar and is knocked unconscious in her bedroom. This involuntary threshold launches her into Oz - the house literally lifts her into a new world. The choice was made for her by fate.
Premise
Dorothy explores Technicolor Oz, meets the Scarecrow (brain), Tin Man (heart), and Cowardly Lion (courage) - each seeking externally what they already possess. They journey down the Yellow Brick Road singing and bonding. The fun "promise of the premise" of visiting Oz.
Opposition
The Wicked Witch intensifies her attacks: haunted forest, flying monkeys kidnap Dorothy, hourglass counts down to her death. The group infiltrates the witch's castle. Pressure mounts as the antagonist closes in and Dorothy faces mortality.
Collapse
Dorothy watches the hourglass run out, believing she will die far from home, never seeing Aunt Em again. The "whiff of death" is literal - she faces her mortality and the death of her dream to return to Kansas. All hope seems lost.
Crisis
Dorothy's friends attempt rescue. In defending the Scarecrow from fire, Dorothy throws water on the Witch, accidentally destroying her. The emotional processing of near-death transforms into unexpected victory, but Dorothy still doesn't understand her own power.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Dorothy says goodbye to her friends, clicks her heels three times repeating "there's no place like home," and returns to Kansas. She awakens surrounded by family and farmhands, integrating her journey's lessons. She applies her newfound appreciation for home.