Raiders of the Lost Ark is another successful story that follows the Hero’s Journey template almost by the book. Mirroring the Hero’s Journey template allows the screenwriter to write effective screenplays and stories.
1. Introduce the hero, his nature, his capabilities and his character in his Ordinary World.
2. Introduce the Shape Shifter [Belloq]. Hero’s inner challenge [the snakes].
3. Hero’s status [attractive to women]. Introduce a Mentor / Supernatural Aid. Develop Hero’s character.
4. Heralds (government agents) bring the Call to Adventure. Develop the Hero’s suitability to embark on the adventure.
5. Warnings (a form of Refusal) before embarking to the First Threshold [by the Mentor].
6. Journey to the First Threshold [to seek a magical gift]. Pursued by the antagonist [the Germans].
7. Introduce the character of the romantic challenge.
8. Hero meets and conflicts with his romantic challenge.
9. Develop the Antagonism [the Germans].
10. A Trial [Marion in danger]. Hero passes the Trial [rescues Marion]. Antagonism seizes the magical gift.
11. Belly of the Whale. Physical separation from the First Threshold [Marion will journey with Indy. On the plane].
12. Road of Trials. Meeting with a new mentor. Mentor guides the Hero [updates Indy of the journey, the Shape Shifter and the antagonisms]. Mentor warns the hero about the adventure.
13. Pursued by the Antagonist.
14. Separation. Enhance the hero’s back-story; Hero separates from romantic challenge. Conflict.
15. Feelings of loss at the separation.
16. Meeting with the Shape Shifter and Antagonist. Appreciation of each other’s abilities. Polarization. Restatement of the challenges.
17. Escape from the Antagonist.
The 106 stage Hero’s Journey and complete analysis of Raiders of the Lost Ark and other story structure templates can be found at
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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
