"Save the Cat" Beat Sheet

A Royal Night Out

IMDB describes this movie as “On V.E. Day in 1945, as peace extends across Europe, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret are allowed out to join the celebrations. It is a night full of excitement, danger and the first flutters of romance.”

Opening image:

It's black and white. You see Queen Elizabeth, not yet queen, looking over a group of people. A speaker comes on and says that its VE day. The entertainment companies are stated and so is the title: A Royal Night Out.

Theme stated:

I think it's a class separation. The mother feels that its is not okay for the girls to go out and party like normal people.

Set-up:

Elizabeth and sister runs to meet their mother and father. They meet with some important people. You don't see much of the conversation. You learn that the parents like Elizabeth more than the sister.

Catalyst:

The sister wants to go out into the town to celebrate with the rest of London.

debate: The girls bring it up to there parents. The parents say no. They have invited friend over to hear their father's speech. They never miss their father's speeches. The girls give reason for why it's important that they go: to learn how the people felt about the speech and to connect with the subjects.

This all happens in first 15 minutes.

Break into Two:

The girls get ready for the night out. They are escorted by guards and find out that their mother have sent them to a not so fun party.

B Story:

A soldier is introduced to the story when she sits next to him on the bus. He pays for her. She wants to stop the bus and he tries to help until the bus lurches and they fall off. Jack doesn't have the paper to be out in the town.

Fun and Games:

Elizabeth lost her sister and runs around town looking for her. She is accompanied by the soldier. Jack takes her into a bar. Then to some square. She loses Jack.

Midpoint:

Elizabeth is at the Castle and has a moment where it's midnight and she see people who are happy and people who are mourning. She gains insight to her subjects. She also meet Jack again and convinces him to help her find her sister for real this time. Its also at this time that the guards figure out that the princesses have disappeared.

Bad Guys Close In:

The guards are drunk thinking they have lost the princess but really they are all in the same building.

All is Lost: Elizabeth finds her sister. The red caps capture Jack. Elizabeth tell them to let go of him.  The only way to get them to listen to her she must tell them who she is.

Dark Night of the Soul (important decision/plan has to be made):

Elizabeth reveals herself to the party. And 'asks' Jack to salute her.

Break into Three:

She leaves the party. Before she can get all the way out, she asks Jack if she can visit his mother with him.

Final:

Elizabeth still dreams of being a normal person as Jack drives her to the palace. Jack eats breakfast with the family. The father seems to like him.

Final Image:

Jack makes it to the base on time with the help of Elizabeth. Jack and Elizabeth finally kiss. Jack runs to join the parade and Elizabeth returns to the castle.

My thoughts:

I found it strange that this story still follows the "save the cat" idea because this based off a true story. I found this story every similar to "Roman Holiday" starring Audrey Hepburn.