2003
Aron Ralston, a solo outdoorsman, becomes trapped in Blue John Canyon when a boulder pins his arm. Over five days, he rations supplies, attempts to free himself, and records messages as his condition deteriorates. Facing certain death, Aron makes the agonizing decision to amputate his own arm with a multi-tool. After freeing himself, he navigates the canyon and is eventually rescued, recovering and continuing his adventurous life with a prosthetic.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Aron Ralston sets off alone into the canyons (Opening Image), strikes up casual camaraderie (Theme Stated, B Story), then becomes trapped by a boulder (Catalyst).
Open full beat sheetAron Ralston is listed as Protagonist. 27-year-old outdoorsman, fit, daring, and experienced climber. In the parsed data, Aron Ralston is connected to 50 scenes, 95 dialogue lines, 98 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
50 scenes / 95 dialogue linesRana is listed as Aron's acquaintance. Red-haired woman, former partner of Aron. In the parsed data, Rana is connected to 5 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
5 scenes / 13 dialogue linesKristi is listed as Hiker. Hiker encountered by Aron in Blue John Canyon. In the parsed data, Kristi is connected to 5 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
5 scenes / 7 dialogue linesMegan is listed as Hiker. Hiker encountered by Aron in Blue John Canyon. In the parsed data, Megan is connected to 5 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
5 scenes / 7 dialogue linesDonna Ralston is listed as Aron's mother. Aron's mother. In the parsed data, Donna Ralston is connected to 2 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
2 scenes / 6 dialogue linesErik Mejer is listed as Rescuer. Dutch hiker who finds Aron. In the parsed data, Erik Mejer is connected to 2 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 46.
2 scenes / 4 dialogue linesMark Von Eeckhout is listed as Aron's friend. Friend of Aron. In the parsed data, Mark Von Eeckhout is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMonique Mejer is listed as Rescuer. Dutch hiker who finds Aron. In the parsed data, Monique Mejer is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 45.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWayne is listed as Rescuer. Hiker with medical training who assists Aron. In the parsed data, Wayne is connected to 1 scene, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 46.
1 scenes / 2 dialogue linesSonja is listed as Aron's sister. Aron's sister. In the parsed data, Sonja is connected to 1 scene, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 35.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLarry Ralston is listed as Aron's father. Aron's father. In the parsed data, Larry Ralston is connected to 1 scene, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 29.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA montage of various large crowds and events.
Aron's truck drives on a freeway.
Aron RalstonAron drives his truck, intercut with title sequences.
Aron RalstonAron drives through the desert darkness.
Aron RalstonAron spots the road spur to Horseshoe and Blue John Canyons.
Aron RalstonAron arrives at the trailhead parking area.
Aron RalstonAron wakes up and prepares for his bike ride.
Aron RalstonAron bikes through the desert and crashes.
Aron RalstonAron meets Kristi and Megan.
Aron Ralston, Kristi, MeganAron shows the girls a hidden pool.
Aron Ralston, Kristi, MeganAron and the girls talk while drying off.
Aron Ralston, Kristi, MeganAron parts ways with Kristi and Megan.
Aron Ralston, Kristi, MeganAron descends into the canyon and gets his hand trapped.
Aron RalstonAron struggles to free his trapped hand from the boulder.
Aron RalstonAron attempts to shift the boulder and manages to drink some water.
Aron RalstonAron checks his watch and realizes the severity of his situation.
Aron RalstonAron takes stock of his supplies.
Aron RalstonAron attempts to chip away at the rock with his knife.
Aron RalstonAron drops his knife and struggles to retrieve it.
Aron RalstonAron continues to chip at the rock through the night.
Aron RalstonAron recalls a memory of hiking with Mark.
Aron Ralston, Mark Von EeckhoutAron sets up a rope system to take weight off his feet.
Aron RalstonAron observes a raven.
Aron RalstonAron recalls a memory of Burning Man with Rana and friends.
Aron Ralston, Rana, Mark Von EeckhoutAron records a video message for his parents.
Aron RalstonAron hears noises and thinks people are nearby.
Aron RalstonAron prays for guidance.
Aron RalstonAron struggles to open his water bottle.
Aron RalstonAron prepares for his day while listening to messages on his ansaphone.
Aron Ralston, Donna Ralston, Larry Ralston, RanaAron is trapped and immobile, observed by insects.
Aron RalstonAron attempts to build a pulley system to free himself.
Aron RalstonA rapid montage retracing Aron's journey to the canyon.
Aron RalstonClose-up shots of supplies inside Aron's truck.
Aron records a video message on Monday.
Aron RalstonAron addresses his sister Sonja in a video message.
Aron Ralston, SonjaA flash flood hits the canyon.
Aron RalstonAron experiences a nightmare and wakes up.
Aron RalstonAron watches old video footage of his friends.
Aron Ralston, Kristi, MeganAron drinks his stored urine.
Aron RalstonAron hallucinates a party scene.
Aron Ralston, RanaAron accidentally spills his water.
Aron RalstonAron records a video message on Tuesday.
Aron RalstonAron bandages his arm and misses the raven's flight.
Aron RalstonAron performs self-surgery to amputate his trapped arm.
Aron RalstonAron encounters hikers and is rescued.
Aron Ralston, Erik Mejer, Monique MejerAron is rescued by the Mejers and Wayne, then airlifted by a helicopter.
Aron Ralston, Erik Mejer, Monique Mejer, WayneAron boards the helicopter and is flown to safety.
Aron RalstonAron swims underwater, symbolizing his recovery.
Aron RalstonAron is in the hospital, reunited with his mother.
Aron Ralston, Donna RalstonAron faces the media.
Aron RalstonAron and Rana talk in the parking lot before a concert.
Aron Ralston, RanaAron is with his family and his son.
Aron Ralston, RanaGood morning everyone! It's 6:45 Tuesday morning in BJ Canyon. The weather is great! I figure by now that Leona, my housemate - Hi Leona! - has missed me hopefully since I didn't show up last night. Another hour and a half they'll miss me for not showing up for work. Hi Brion at work! Best case scenario is they notify the police and after a 24 hour hold they file a report, a missing persons report. Which means noon tomorrow it's official that I'm gone. I do still have the tiniest bit of water left. Well, actually, I've resorted...I've had a couple pretty good gulps of urine that I saved in my Camelbak. I sorta let it distill...it tastes like hell. So it's 70 hours since I left on my bike from Horseshoe Trailhead during which time I have consumed 3 liters of water and a couple mouthfuls of piss.
Aron, it's Mom. Hoping to catch you. Nothing urgent. Dad's in New York so it'll be a quiet weekend.
Well, all I can't figure out is what took you so long to cut it off and get one of these.
You behave Aron Ralston or we'll tell your mother all about where you lure girls...
We are the Mejers from Holland. You should stop and rest.
Yeah. We split up a while back when you were in hospital.
Shit missed it. 8:31AM. He's late and I still missed it.
...his love, the peace that passeth all understanding...
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