Fistful of Dynamite follows the Hero's Journey template ....
1) Introduce the character of the hero (Rod Steiger). Establish context and minor allies (family).
2) Introduce character of supernatural aid (James Coburn) and his magical gift (dynamite).
3) Interaction between hero and supernatural aid. References to the back-story of the two (John in Ireland and Juan’s father’s attempt to rob the bank of Mesa Verde).
4) Refusal of the Call. Hero pushes for a journey (trip to Mesa Verde) but it is resisted (by the supernatural aid – who is aware of its true nature) while more back-story further establishes characters. The supernatural aid is ultimately persuaded to assist.
5) Beginning the journey. The hero and supernatural aid both start the journey together but supernatural aid disappears, like magic, leaving the hero to decide his intrinsic motivation (John disappears on the way to Mesa Verde – Juan has to decide whether to go it alone). There is more danger in going on the journey without the supernatural aid and a higher probability of failure. Another interpretation is that, if it is truly the hero’s destiny to travel this journey, then he will find the way alone.
6) Hero meets the Shape Shifter, who demonstrates his value. We meet Dr. Villega.
7) Crossing the First Threshold. Hero and allies (family) arrive at the First Threshold and witness the need for a hero (Juan et al arrive at Mesa Verde and is witness the horror of the crimes committed by the political class). This place is beautiful but unfamiliar and strange to them. Faith is tested (“God, are you sure this is Mesa Verdeâ€).
Transitional Place. Hero meets supernatural aid. Supernatural aid leads the hero into the Transitional State and Place, where the hero consciously states his intention to the journey. The Shape Shifter is present here. (Juan meets John in the cafe. John leads Juan into Dr. Villega’s underground meeting and the resistance movement, where Juan tells them not to worry: he will break into the bank).
9) Belly of the Whale. Juan rescues the prisoners from the bank, which is now a jail.
10) Confirmation of change. Supernatural aid tells the hero he has metamorphosed (John tells Juan he is a great hero of the revolution now). Confirmed by the reaction of others to him (people lift Juan into the air to celebrate).
11) Introduce the antagonist (we meet Gunther).
12) Rest break. Hero and supernatural aid begin to know each other (conversation in the camp) and the hero even has lessons for the supernatural aid (proving he is well able to be a mentor himself). Hero resisting the Ordeal. A foreshadow of the Ordeal (Juan notes that the poor, uneducated people are the ones that die in any revolution; the poor, uneducated people to die in this battle will be his children).
13) Enhancement of the antagonist.
14) Road of Trials. Hero is pulled into the trial. The Destruction of the bridge and Gunther’s army.
15) Meeting with the Goddess. Hero experiences love for the first time. (Juan experiences his love of his children for the first time – “he never counted them before,â€) after their death. He loses his old faith (pulls the Cross from his neck) and consciously ventures into the Ordeal (Juan seeks revenge knowing he will be captured). Symbolically, Juan ventures into the Ordeal for the sake of all children –the poor and uneducated.
16) Woman as Temptress. The sequence when Dr. Villega (Shape Shifter) is captured, tortured and made to betray his colleagues represents the hero’s temptation to stray from the quest and the weakness of physical flesh. Link to the supernatural aid’s (John’s) back-story. The Shape Shifter’s true nature is revealed.
17) Rebirth from death. At the point of death, the hero is saved (in this case, by the supernatural aid and his magical gift (dynamite)) and reborn. John rescues Juan from the firing squad.
18) Enhance the evil of the antagonist. Crimes committed by the antagonist.
19) Atonement with the Father. Hero becomes the father – supernatural aid transfers his power (John gives Juan the gun). Hero destroys that thing which holds power over him (the leader of the political class).
20) Apotheosis. By destroying the highest representation of the antagonist , the hero transcends to a new level of being (by shooting the leader of the political class, the transformation is complete - Juan is now a revolutionary leader on a level with Pancho Villa).
21) Ultimate Boon. Though the hero has gained material goods, they are insignificant compared to the spiritual rewards. (Juan cares little for the Jewels now, as demonstrated by his handling of them – he is less avaricious – the transformation from bandit to revolutionary).
22) Refusal of the Return (hero and supernatural aid will to go America instead of continuing with the revolution).
23) Rescue from Without - (the people capture Juan in their arms tempt his from the journey to America).
24) Crossing the Return Threshold. In the train with the general. Pancho Villa wants to meet Juan (confirmation of the Apotheosis and Ultimate Boon). The supernatural aid prepares for battle with the shape shifter (they meet Dr. Villega again). The final battle with the antagonist (Gunther) is prepared.
25) Supernatural aid and shape shifter battle.
26) Master of the Two Worlds. Final conflict. Antagonist destroyed. Juan kills Gunther et al.
27) Freedom to Live. With the antagonist destroyed, the hero is free from his chains. The supernatural aid disappears at the end of the journey (John dies).
Learn more…
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at
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