While at War
July 18, 1936. Salamanca, Castilla and León (center to Spain). The Spanish army declares the state of war in the city, hoping to extend it to the rest of Spain and improve the unstable situation in the country after the proclamation of the Second Republic five years ago. An aging Miguel de Unamuno, not only writer and academic teacher but one of the most recognized intellectuals in Spain, disappointed with the Republic that publicly he helped to create, supports the new revolt in the hope to clean the country of the undesirable elements for desperation of his close friends teacher Salvador and priest Atilano, creating too many problems in his house where Miguel lives with his daughters María and Felisa, his housemaid Aurelia and his grandson Miguelín. At the same time that Salamanca's mayor Casto Prieto is arrested without cause apparent and his wife Ana asks help Miguel de Unamuno, the Joint Chiefs of Staff meet to decide the strategy to take the power, where the merciless one-eyed, one-armed and one-legged General Astray-Millán, General Franco's right-hand, proposes to elect the own Franco as leader despite the opposition of General Cabanellas, who fears Franco kills the Republic he loves to change it for a dictatorship. When Atilano is missed suddenly, his wife Enriqueta reports Miguel de Unamuno about his arrest while Salvador tries to alert him about the real intentions of the military revolution: turn Spain in a fascist state. Reluctant to believe it, when later Salvador is arrested in front of him, an ashamed and sad Miguel de Unamuno questioning himself and his posture about the revolution asks to meet Franco, named Chief of Staff of the Spanish Army with full powers politics and military after the Alcázar de Toledo's battle, to make a special request, being first-hand witness of the events that will change Spain forever.
Despite its small-scale budget of $4.7M, While at War became a solid performer, earning $12.3M worldwide—a 159% return.
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%)
While at War (2019) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Alejandro Amenábar's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Writer and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno presides as rector over the University of Salamanca, respected and comfortable in his intellectual life during the early days of the Spanish Civil War in 1936.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Unamuno's friends and colleagues are arrested by Nationalist forces. The violence and repression he thought would bring order begins targeting intellectuals and people he knows personally.. 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Unamuno decides to actively speak out and write against the atrocities being committed by the Nationalists, moving from passive doubt to active opposition despite the personal danger., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: Unamuno learns that his efforts to save friends have failed - several colleagues have been executed. His moral authority seems powerless against military force. The stakes become life and death., 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 (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Unamuno is removed from his position as rector and placed under house arrest. His influence dies, his career ends, and he faces the possibility of execution. His intellectual world has been destroyed., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Unamuno is invited to attend a ceremony at the university on Columbus Day. He realizes this is his final opportunity to speak truth publicly, synthesizing his intellectual duty with moral courage., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
While at War'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 While at War against these established plot points, we can identify how Alejandro Amenábar utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish While at War within the drama genre.
Alejandro Amenábar's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Alejandro Amenábar films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. While at War represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Alejandro Amenábar filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Alejandro Amenábar analyses, see Regression, The Others and The Sea Inside.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Writer and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno presides as rector over the University of Salamanca, respected and comfortable in his intellectual life during the early days of the Spanish Civil War in 1936.
Theme
A colleague discusses the nature of truth and the dangers of choosing sides blindly, foreshadowing Unamuno's moral crisis: "You will win, but you will not convince."
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Salamanca's academic world, Unamuno's relationships with faculty and Nationalist supporters, his initial support for Franco's uprising against the Republic, and the mounting tension as the war begins.
Disruption
Unamuno's friends and colleagues are arrested by Nationalist forces. The violence and repression he thought would bring order begins targeting intellectuals and people he knows personally.
Resistance
Unamuno debates with himself and others about his support for the Nationalists. He witnesses increasing brutality, arrests of Republican sympathizers, and begins questioning whether his intellectual support for Franco was a mistake.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Unamuno decides to actively speak out and write against the atrocities being committed by the Nationalists, moving from passive doubt to active opposition despite the personal danger.
Mirror World
Introduction of General Millán-Astray as the thematic counterpoint - a military man who embodies blind devotion to the cause and rejection of intellectual discourse, representing everything Unamuno is struggling against.
Premise
Unamuno navigates the dangerous middle ground of criticizing the Nationalists while protected by his reputation. He writes articles, gives speeches, and attempts to use his influence to save imprisoned colleagues.
Midpoint
False defeat: Unamuno learns that his efforts to save friends have failed - several colleagues have been executed. His moral authority seems powerless against military force. The stakes become life and death.
Opposition
Pressure mounts on Unamuno from all sides. Nationalists demand loyalty; Republicans see him as a traitor for his initial support. His family fears for his safety. Franco's forces tighten control over Salamanca.
Collapse
Unamuno is removed from his position as rector and placed under house arrest. His influence dies, his career ends, and he faces the possibility of execution. His intellectual world has been destroyed.
Crisis
Isolated in his home, Unamuno grapples with the futility of his resistance and the personal cost of his moral stance. He contemplates whether his words and ideas have any meaning in the face of violence.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Unamuno is invited to attend a ceremony at the university on Columbus Day. He realizes this is his final opportunity to speak truth publicly, synthesizing his intellectual duty with moral courage.
Synthesis
The climactic ceremony where General Millán-Astray gives a fascist speech praising death. Unamuno spontaneously delivers his famous rebuttal "You will win, but you will not convince," directly confronting military power with intellectual and moral truth. He is escorted out by Franco's wife, likely saving his life.
Transformation
Final image: Unamuno, broken and under house arrest, dies isolated months later. His transformation is complete - from a cautious intellectual who supported order to a man who sacrificed everything to speak truth. His words outlive him, but he dies in defeat.