We Are Marshall
When a plane crash claims the lives of members of the Marshall University football team and some of its fans, the team's new coach and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive.
The film underperformed commercially against its respectable budget of $65.0M, earning $43.5M globally (-33% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the drama genre.
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%)
We Are Marshall (2006) demonstrates deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of McG's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 4 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 The Marshall University football team boards the plane after an away game, full of life and hope. Shows the vibrant community and team spirit before the tragedy.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The plane crashes, killing 75 people including players, coaches, and community members. The catastrophic event that destroys the status quo and plunges the town into grief.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The board votes to continue the football program. Jack Lengyel is hired as the new head coach. The active choice to rebuild and move forward rather than quit., moving from reaction to action.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The first game approaches. The team faces the reality that they will likely be destroyed on the field. The weight of representing the deceased becomes overwhelming. False defeat: they realize how hard this will actually be., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, After another crushing defeat, the team and community hit rock bottom. The question arises: is continuing the program just prolonging the pain? The death of hope - maybe they can't do this after all., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The realization that success isn't about winning games - it's about showing up, honoring the fallen by living fully, and giving the community hope. New synthesis: they can be terrible at football and still be victorious in what matters., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
We Are Marshall'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 We Are Marshall against these established plot points, we can identify how McG utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish We Are Marshall within the drama genre.
McG's Structural Approach
Among the 8 McG films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. We Are Marshall takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete McG filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more McG analyses, see Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Charlie's Angels and This Means War.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Marshall University football team boards the plane after an away game, full of life and hope. Shows the vibrant community and team spirit before the tragedy.
Theme
Red Dawson (assistant coach who didn't board the plane) or a community member states: "We are Marshall" - the film's central theme about collective identity and moving forward together.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Huntington, West Virginia as a football town where Marshall University is the heart of the community. Introduction of key characters and the deep connection between town and team.
Disruption
The plane crashes, killing 75 people including players, coaches, and community members. The catastrophic event that destroys the status quo and plunges the town into grief.
Resistance
The community debates whether to continue the football program. University President Donald Dedmon wants to suspend it. Students and community members push back. The debate over whether rebuilding is possible or disrespectful.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The board votes to continue the football program. Jack Lengyel is hired as the new head coach. The active choice to rebuild and move forward rather than quit.
Mirror World
Introduction of the remaining players and new recruits who will form the team. The relationships between Lengyel, Red Dawson, and the players begin to embody the theme of healing through action.
Premise
Building the new team from scratch with walk-ons and freshmen. Lengyel's unconventional coaching methods. The promise of the premise: can an undermanned, inexperienced team compete? Early practices and team bonding.
Midpoint
The first game approaches. The team faces the reality that they will likely be destroyed on the field. The weight of representing the deceased becomes overwhelming. False defeat: they realize how hard this will actually be.
Opposition
The team suffers devastating losses. The community's patience wears thin. Red Dawson struggles with survivor's guilt. Internal conflicts about whether they're honoring or dishonoring the dead. Pressure mounts from all sides.
Collapse
After another crushing defeat, the team and community hit rock bottom. The question arises: is continuing the program just prolonging the pain? The death of hope - maybe they can't do this after all.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul. Players, coaches, and community members process their grief and doubt. Lengyel and Red confront what this team really means beyond wins and losses.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The realization that success isn't about winning games - it's about showing up, honoring the fallen by living fully, and giving the community hope. New synthesis: they can be terrible at football and still be victorious in what matters.
Synthesis
The final game against Xavier. The team plays with heart and purpose. They achieve their first victory. The community heals not through forgetting, but through moving forward together. "We are Marshall."
Transformation
The team and community together at the memorial, united. Contrast to the opening: they've transformed grief into resilience, loss into legacy. The closing image shows a healed community that honors the past while living in the present.