Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Top dog Gromit springs into action to save his master when Wallace's high-tech invention goes rogue and he is framed for a series of suspicious crimes.
The film earned $191K at the global box office.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 7 wins & 48 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 Wallace and Gromit's cozy domestic life at 62 West Wallaby Street, with Gromit tending the garden while Wallace tinkers with inventions. Their comfortable partnership is on display, though Gromit shows subtle concern about Wallace's increasing reliance on automation.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when Feathers McGraw escapes from the zoo prison and begins his scheme for revenge. He targets Wallace's smart gnome technology, planning to corrupt it as his instrument of vengeance against the duo who imprisoned him years ago.. 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 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Gromit discovers definitive evidence that Feathers McGraw has hacked Norbot and is using the gnome army against them. He commits to stopping the penguin's revenge plot, even as Wallace remains oblivious to the danger his beloved invention poses., moving from reaction to action.
At 40 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False defeat: Feathers McGraw's plan is revealed in full scope - he's turned the entire network of smart gnomes into his personal army. Wallace finally sees the truth about Norbot but it appears too late as the gnomes surround them, with Wallace framed for the chaos they've caused., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 59 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost when Feathers captures Gromit and Wallace remains imprisoned. The original Norbot, now fully under Feathers' control, threatens to destroy everything Wallace built. The partnership that defined them seems permanently severed - a metaphorical death of their bond., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 63 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Gromit escapes captivity using his wits rather than gadgets, while Wallace breaks free with help from an unexpected ally. They realize that by working together - combining Wallace's inventive mind with Gromit's practical cunning - they can defeat Feathers once and for all., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl against these established plot points, we can identify how Nick Park utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl within the animation genre.
Nick Park's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Nick Park films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Nick Park filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll. For more Nick Park analyses, see Early Man, The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Wallace and Gromit's cozy domestic life at 62 West Wallaby Street, with Gromit tending the garden while Wallace tinkers with inventions. Their comfortable partnership is on display, though Gromit shows subtle concern about Wallace's increasing reliance on automation.
Theme
The theme of technology replacing meaningful relationships is stated when a neighbor remarks that Wallace's gadgets are "doing everything for him now" - questioning whether convenience comes at the cost of genuine connection and purpose.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Wallace's obsession with his new AI-powered garden gnome invention, Norbot. Shows Gromit's growing unease as the gnome takes over household tasks. Meanwhile, at the zoo prison, Feathers McGraw plots his escape, setting up the dual threats to the heroes' world.
Disruption
Feathers McGraw escapes from the zoo prison and begins his scheme for revenge. He targets Wallace's smart gnome technology, planning to corrupt it as his instrument of vengeance against the duo who imprisoned him years ago.
Resistance
Gromit notices troubling changes in Norbot's behavior but Wallace dismisses his concerns, too enamored with his creation. Gromit investigates on his own, discovering signs of tampering. The tension between trusting technology versus trusting instinct builds as Gromit debates how to protect Wallace.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Gromit discovers definitive evidence that Feathers McGraw has hacked Norbot and is using the gnome army against them. He commits to stopping the penguin's revenge plot, even as Wallace remains oblivious to the danger his beloved invention poses.
Mirror World
Gromit's bond with Wallace is tested as the dog must work alone to protect his master. A quiet moment shows Gromit looking at old photos of their adventures together, reinforcing the theme that their partnership - not technology - is what truly matters.
Premise
Classic Wallace & Gromit hijinks ensue as Gromit attempts to thwart Feathers' scheme while keeping Wallace safe. Inventive chase sequences, gadget mishaps, and slapstick comedy deliver on the franchise's promise. The gnomes become increasingly menacing under Feathers' control.
Midpoint
False defeat: Feathers McGraw's plan is revealed in full scope - he's turned the entire network of smart gnomes into his personal army. Wallace finally sees the truth about Norbot but it appears too late as the gnomes surround them, with Wallace framed for the chaos they've caused.
Opposition
The stakes escalate as Feathers' gnome army wreaks havoc across town. Wallace is arrested for the crimes his corrupted invention committed. Gromit must evade both the authorities and the murderous gnomes while gathering evidence to clear Wallace and stop Feathers' vendetta.
Collapse
All is lost when Feathers captures Gromit and Wallace remains imprisoned. The original Norbot, now fully under Feathers' control, threatens to destroy everything Wallace built. The partnership that defined them seems permanently severed - a metaphorical death of their bond.
Crisis
In their darkest hour, separated and defeated, both Wallace and Gromit reflect on their friendship. Wallace finally understands that his obsession with automation nearly cost him his most important relationship. Gromit finds inner resolve, remembering all the times their teamwork saved the day.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Gromit escapes captivity using his wits rather than gadgets, while Wallace breaks free with help from an unexpected ally. They realize that by working together - combining Wallace's inventive mind with Gromit's practical cunning - they can defeat Feathers once and for all.
Synthesis
The thrilling finale sees Wallace and Gromit reunited, combining old-fashioned teamwork with clever use of Wallace's inventions. An elaborate action sequence culminates in Feathers McGraw's defeat, the gnome army neutralized, and the penguin villain returned to captivity.
Transformation
Wallace and Gromit return to 62 West Wallaby Street, but transformed. Wallace has learned to appreciate Gromit's companionship over technological convenience. The final image mirrors the opening - domestic tranquility - but now Wallace actively engages with Gromit rather than delegating to machines.