From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms at www.clickok.co.uk/

The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero's Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more...

EXAMPLE: The Last Emperor, Academy Award Winner Best Film, 1987 - Hero's Journey [basic deconstruction]

FADE IN: images of China; context: Manchuria.

Going on a journey: the train.

Meeting the hero: the emperor gets off the train.

Meeting the Mentor: the governor gets off the train.

Creatures of the World: the communists.

Rules of this World: no talking, obey the guards.

Hero's status: people recognise him.

Warning / danger of the Journey: the Emperor tries to kill himself.

Pushed to the Call: open the door.

New World: Old China.

Call to Adventure: the boy prince is to be transferred immediately to the Forbidden City.

Leaving the Old World and Old Self: I give you my son.

Refusal of the Call: the boy prince cries.

Creatures of the New World: the various types in the Forbidden City; the half moon hats.

Meeting the Mentor: the boy meets the old Empress Dowiger.

Pushed to the First Threshold: the Empress decides that he will be the new Emperor.

Goodbye / Death to the Old World / Old Self: the Empress dies.

First Threshold from afar: the Emperor on the throne.

Threshold Marker: the yellow curtain.

Outer Cave: the soldiers and eunuchs kow-towing.

Middle Cave: the cricket and the old man.

Refusing the Inner Cave: can we go home today; not yet.

Inner Cave: being bathed, he can do anything he wants.

Resisting the Transformation: running to the wet nurse and crying, "I want to go home."

Pushed to the Belly of the Whale: saved from slitting his wrists; you are a criminal you must be judged.

Belly of the Whale: meeting his brother and mother; I have never met any other children; playing with his little brother.

Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: breast feeding from the wet nurse.

Physical Separation: you're not the Emperor anymore. There's a new emperor; watching the car arrive.

Physical Separation: the wet nurse is forced to leave.

Resisting the Trials and Transformation: running after the Governor.

World of the Transformation: all the prisoners lined up.

Transformation Mentor [in the camp]: the governor.

Rules: you will write the story of your life and confessing.

New Self: new clothes.

Meeting the Transformation Mentor [in old china]: Johnston arrives.

Warning: the soldiers barricading the way.

Mentor and Hero meeting: the Emperor and Johnston shake hands.

Forced to the Trials: now we start.

Trial and Transformation 1:

Outer Cave: the first lesson; are you a gentleman.

Middle Cave: having lunch; I'm angry.

Transformation: Johnston given the hats.

Trial and Transformation 2:

Outer Cave: Johnston gives the bike.

Middle Cave: Mother dies.

Inner Cave: Trying to get out of the Forbidden City; the door is blocked.

Transformation: Throwing the mice at the door.

Trial and Transformation 3:

Outer Cave: Rescued from the Roof.

Middle Cave: Transformation: needing glasses.

Resistance to the Transformation / Inner Cave: the Emperor cannot have glasses.

Pushing the Transformation / Inner Cave: Johnston threatens the eunuchs.

Trial and Transformation 4:

Outer Cave: Emperor gets a wife.

Middle Cave: I want a modern wife.

Inner Cave: wedding night.

Mid Point: I wanted reforms.

Transformation: cutting off his hair.

Asking for an inventory.

The threesome.

The burning of the stores.

Expelling the Eunuchs.

When did your friendship with the Japanese begin?

New Self: dressed in the tennis gear.

Forced out of the World of the Transformation: the Japanese arrive.

Resistance: I always thought I hated it here and now I'm afraid to leave.

New Self: becoming a playboy.

Meeting the Oracle: wife #2 is nothing outside the city, she wants a divorce.

Foreshadow of the Atonement: the Japanese keep tabs on the Emperor.

Antagonism: the Japanese have taken the city.

Resisting the Sword: no one divorces me.

Seizing the Sword: wife #2 escapes; freedom.

Meeting the Shape Shifter: Eastern Jewel arrives.

Near Death Experience: our ancestor's graves have been decimated and the Empress has been hacked to death.

Goodbye to the Old Self / Mentor: saying goodbye to Johnston.

Reward: becoming an Emperor again.

Atonement with the Father: the general arrives; the Emperor is a puppet.

Apotheosis: still using other people as servants; put in the cell with the other collaborators.

Ultimate Boon: the arms have been taken away; the Emperor stands up for a free China.

Denial / Disgust: the Empress is pregnant by the chauffeur; you still think I'm your servant don't you; walking to the far side; stop pretending; I let it happen; they killed the baby and the chauffeur.

Magic Flight: the Empress is taken away; pursuing her.

Shape Shifter Revealed: Eastern Jewel is having an affair with the Japanese man.

Rescue from Without: watching the film.

Crossing the Return Threshold: the Empress returns.

Master of the Two Worlds: the Emperor is a gardener now; leave me alone; you only want me because I'm useful to you.

Inner Challenge Resolved: the Emperor graduates; is free.

Resisting the Freedom to Live: trying to save the governor from the Maoists.

Freedom to Live: going back to the Forbidden City.

Learn more