Valkyrie
A dramatization of the July 20, 1944 assassination and political coup plot by desperate renegade German Army officers against Adolf Hitler during World War II.
Despite a considerable budget of $75.0M, Valkyrie became a financial success, earning $200.3M worldwide—a 167% return.
3 wins & 11 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Stauffenberg serves in North Africa, disillusioned by Nazi war crimes. Opening voiceover reveals his moral conflict - a German officer who believes Hitler is destroying Germany.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Air raid in Tunisia - Stauffenberg is severely wounded, losing his left eye, right hand, and two fingers from his left hand. His military effectiveness appears ended.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Stauffenberg actively joins the conspiracy and proposes repurposing Hitler's own continuity plan (Operation Valkyrie) to execute the coup after assassination., moving from reaction to action.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False defeat: First assassination attempt aborted at the last moment because Himmler isn't present. Stauffenberg must fly back to Berlin with the bomb still in his briefcase. Stakes raise dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The bomb detonates at Wolf's Lair - but Hitler survives. Stauffenberg witnesses the explosion and believes Hitler dead, but the open-air conference room (moved from bunker) saved him. The conspiracy begins unraveling., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 97 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Stauffenberg accepts inevitable death but chooses defiance over escape. "Long live sacred Germany!" - synthesis of duty to country over regime. Transforms personal failure into moral victory., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Valkyrie'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 Valkyrie against these established plot points, we can identify how Bryan Singer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Valkyrie within the drama genre.
Bryan Singer's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Bryan Singer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.6, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Valkyrie exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Bryan Singer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Bryan Singer analyses, see X-Men, Superman Returns and The Usual Suspects.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Stauffenberg serves in North Africa, disillusioned by Nazi war crimes. Opening voiceover reveals his moral conflict - a German officer who believes Hitler is destroying Germany.
Theme
Early discussion among officers about duty: "We are sworn to serve the Führer, but we serve Germany." Establishes central question of where true loyalty lies.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Stauffenberg's character, his family life, military competence, and growing awareness of Nazi atrocities. Shows the underground resistance network already exists.
Disruption
Air raid in Tunisia - Stauffenberg is severely wounded, losing his left eye, right hand, and two fingers from his left hand. His military effectiveness appears ended.
Resistance
Recovery period. Stauffenberg is recruited by General Olbricht into the conspiracy. He debates whether a one-eyed, one-handed man can make a difference. Studies existing Operation Valkyrie protocol.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Stauffenberg actively joins the conspiracy and proposes repurposing Hitler's own continuity plan (Operation Valkyrie) to execute the coup after assassination.
Mirror World
Connection with General Friedrich Fromm, who represents political pragmatism - he won't join until success is certain. Introduces the moral counterpoint: those who wait vs. those who act.
Premise
The conspiracy develops. Rewriting Operation Valkyrie orders, recruiting conspirators, planning logistics, getting access to Hitler. The "heist movie" aspect as they manipulate the system.
Midpoint
False defeat: First assassination attempt aborted at the last moment because Himmler isn't present. Stauffenberg must fly back to Berlin with the bomb still in his briefcase. Stakes raise dramatically.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies. Second attempt planned. Increasing paranoia. Other conspirators waver. Time running out as the Gestapo investigates. Stauffenberg must initiate both assassination and coup simultaneously.
Collapse
The bomb detonates at Wolf's Lair - but Hitler survives. Stauffenberg witnesses the explosion and believes Hitler dead, but the open-air conference room (moved from bunker) saved him. The conspiracy begins unraveling.
Crisis
Berlin conspirators execute the coup despite uncertainty. Brief control of the city. Then confirmation arrives: Hitler lives. Fromm switches sides. The collapse accelerates as allies abandon the cause.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Stauffenberg accepts inevitable death but chooses defiance over escape. "Long live sacred Germany!" - synthesis of duty to country over regime. Transforms personal failure into moral victory.
Synthesis
Final confrontation and execution. The conspirators are arrested. Fromm orders immediate execution to hide his own involvement. Stauffenberg and co-conspirators are shot in the courtyard.
Transformation
Closing title cards reveal the conspiracy's legacy: over 200 conspirators executed, but they proved German resistance existed. Stauffenberg's "failure" becomes historical inspiration. His family survived.