Comments on: Structure: Raiders of the Lost Ark

By: jmiewald from California, United States

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:59:52 +0000

I am puzzled why you feel the break into Act 3 is the truck chase. I know it’s the proper amount of time but the story has not really changed direction at that point. I would say that Act 3 more accurately begins when Marion is captured by the Nazis on the submarine. At that point, the drive of the main character changes from pursuing the Ark (Act 2) to rescuing Marion (Act 3). The truck chase is part of the Post-Midpoint action which up until the boat scene is all about getting the Ark back after it was stolen.

By: Dave Gielicz from California, United States

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:31:11 +0000

I am no expert on perceiving a story’s structure. I wish I was better at reading through them, and I did take Robert McKee’s seminar to learn how. In it, he used ‘Raiders’ as an example of a seven act story. How exactly you discern that, I couldn’t tell you, but what’s encouraging is that perhaps it is a subjective study, and no one is an expert. Either that or somebody’s wrong.

By: storydude from New South Wales, Australia

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:41:23 +0000

Lukas, can you illuminate us by telling where and why you lay the act breaks in your six act structure? Thank you.

By: Lukas from Zurich, Switzerland

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:28:56 +0000

Hi there,
I read your act breakdown of “Raiders” with great interest. However, I disagree with your assessment that this is a classic three-act structure. I count more like six. So, I think this needs discussion in your article, otherwise I feel it is incorrect.

Thanks,
Lukas