1997
After poachers kill her mother and a baby gorilla's mother, a young girl named Jill raises the gorilla, Joe, into adulthood in Africa. Twelve years later, zoologist Gregg O'Hara convinces Jill to move the now-giant Joe to a California conservancy for his protection, but the poacher Strasser tracks them and agitates Joe into a rampage. Jill, Gregg, and veterinarian Cecily free Joe, but Strasser intercepts them, leading to a chase through Los Angeles where Joe escapes and causes further chaos before arriving at an amusement park. At the park, Joe rescues a child from a burning Ferris wheel, Strasser is killed, and Joe, Jill, and Gregg return to Africa where a new wildlife preserve is dedicated in Joe's name.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Mighty Joe Young opens with Jill and Ruth observing gorillas in Africa.
Open full beat sheetJill Young is listed as Protagonist. Naturalist and researcher, raised in the Pangani forest, deeply bonded with Joe. In the parsed data, Jill Young is connected to 63 scenes, 172 dialogue lines, 176 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
63 scenes / 172 dialogue linesGregg O'Hara is listed as Field Zoologist. Strong, handsome, and dedicated researcher who helps Jill. In the parsed data, Gregg O'Hara is connected to 58 scenes, 152 dialogue lines, 153 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
58 scenes / 152 dialogue linesJoe is listed as Giant Gorilla. A massive, rare mountain gorilla with a gentle nature, raised by Jill. In the parsed data, Joe is connected to 42 scenes, 94 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
42 scenes / 0 dialogue linesStrasser is listed as Antagonist. A ruthless poacher with a prosthetic hand, seeking revenge on Joe. In the parsed data, Strasser is connected to 32 scenes, 50 dialogue lines, 53 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
32 scenes / 50 dialogue linesGarth is listed as Antagonist. Strasser's henchman. In the parsed data, Garth is connected to 27 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
27 scenes / 18 dialogue linesHarry Ruben is listed as Conservancy Director. Director of the California Animal Conservancy. In the parsed data, Harry Ruben is connected to 19 scenes, 55 dialogue lines, 58 text mentions, first appearing around scene 40.
19 scenes / 55 dialogue linesCecily Banks is listed as Veterinarian. Chief veterinarian at the conservancy. In the parsed data, Cecily Banks is connected to 17 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 28 text mentions, first appearing around scene 40.
17 scenes / 27 dialogue linesPindi is listed as Local Guide. A shady local guide who assists Gregg. In the parsed data, Pindi is connected to 12 scenes, 38 dialogue lines, 41 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
12 scenes / 38 dialogue linesKweli is listed as Support. The camp manager who looks after Jill. In the parsed data, Kweli is connected to 10 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
10 scenes / 25 dialogue linesRuth Young is listed as Naturalist. Jill's mother, killed by poachers. In the parsed data, Ruth Young is connected to 5 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
5 scenes / 8 dialogue lineschar_12 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_12 is connected to 2 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 88.
2 scenes / 3 dialogue lineschar_11 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_11 is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 88.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue lineschar_20 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_20 is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 118.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue lineschar_21 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_21 is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 118.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesThe lush Pangani Mountains are introduced.
Ruth Young and her daughter Jill observe a gorilla family, including a baby named Joe.
Jill Young, Joe, Ruth YoungNight falls over the mountains as something moves quickly through the forest.
Strasser and his men, accompanied by hunting dogs, move through the jungle.
Strasser, GarthThe sound of dog collars reaches the campsite.
Ruth tucks Jill into bed before being alerted by Kweli to the poachers.
Jill Young, Ruth Young, KweliRuth leads the trackers to confront the poachers.
Jill Young, Ruth Young, KweliStrasser and Garth track the gorillas.
Strasser, GarthJill leaves the hut to follow her mother.
Jill YoungThe poachers kill Joe's mother; Joe attacks Strasser.
Jill Young, Joe, Ruth Young, Strasser, GarthJill runs through the forest.
Jill YoungJill finds Joe; Ruth reunites with them, dying from her wounds.
Jill Young, Joe, Ruth Young, Strasser, GarthRuth's funeral.
Jill Young, KweliJill finds Joe in the woods.
Jill Young, JoeAerial view of the landscape.
Gregg O'Hara arrives 12 years later.
Gregg O'HaraGregg meets Pindi.
Gregg O'Hara, PindiGregg inspects the trackers and equipment.
Gregg O'Hara, PindiThe caravan travels up the mountain.
Gregg O'Hara, PindiThe team sets up camp.
Gregg O'Hara, PindiGregg and Pindi encounter a leopard, then Joe appears.
Joe, Gregg O'Hara, PindiJoe hears the engines and prepares to flee.
JoeGregg and Pindi lead a caravan of trackers to capture Joe, resulting in a chaotic chase and the destruction of the trackers' equipment.
Gregg O'Hara, Joe, PindiGregg tracks Joe into the forest and is attacked, but is saved by Jill.
Gregg O'Hara, Joe, Jill YoungGregg wakes up in the infirmary and talks to Kweli about his encounter.
Gregg O'Hara, KweliGregg discovers his camera tape is missing and spots Jill in the market.
Gregg O'Hara, Kweli, Jill YoungJill and Kweli discuss Gregg while Gregg watches them from across the street.
Jill Young, Kweli, Gregg O'HaraJill hikes through the forest while Gregg secretly follows her.
Jill Young, Gregg O'HaraJill summons Joe with a flashlight, and Gregg watches in awe.
Jill Young, Gregg O'Hara, JoeJill and Joe play hide and seek; Gregg is discovered and attacked by Joe.
Jill Young, Joe, Gregg O'HaraGregg tries to convince Jill that Joe needs to be moved to a preserve.
Jill Young, Gregg O'HaraStrasser meets with Anderson to discuss animal relocation.
StrasserStrasser hides his true nature from Anderson.
Strasser, GarthStrasser reveals his illegal poaching operation to Garth.
Strasser, GarthPindi calls Strasser to report the giant gorilla.
Pindi, StrasserJill confronts poachers in the village, leading to a tense standoff until Kweli intervenes.
Jill Young, Kweli, StrasserKweli confronts Jill about her dangerous behavior and urges her to consider the American's offer.
Kweli, Jill YoungJill agrees to go to California with Gregg to protect Joe, after testing Gregg's intentions.
Jill Young, Gregg O'HaraJill and Joe run through the forest.
Jill Young, JoeJill and Joe look out over the mountain valley.
Jill Young, JoeHarry and Cecily discuss the unexpected arrival of a giant gorilla.
Harry Ruben, Cecily BanksJill and Gregg drive toward Los Angeles, with Jill anxious about Joe in the trailer behind them.
Jill Young, Gregg O'HaraA boy sees Joe in the trailer and is astonished.
JoeJoe arrives at the conservancy and meets Harry and Cecily.
Jill Young, Gregg O'Hara, Harry Ruben, Cecily BanksJoe emerges from the trailer into his new habitat.
Jill Young, Joe, Harry Ruben, Cecily Banks, Gregg O'HaraJill and Gregg discuss their frustration with Harry's rules.
Jill Young, Gregg O'HaraJoe is lonely in his new habitat.
JoeGregg and Joe share a moment of connection.
Gregg O'Hara, JoeCecily and Harry discuss Gregg's absence.
Cecily Banks, Harry RubenCecily and Harry discuss Gregg's absence and the upcoming visit from the Chairman, Elliot Baker.
Cecily Banks, Harry Ruben, PindiHarry and Cecily show Elliot Baker Joe's habitat, but Joe is missing.
Harry Ruben, Cecily Banks, PindiJill hears an alarm and rushes out.
Jill YoungJill and Gregg rush toward the habitat.
Jill Young, Gregg O'HaraJoe is agitated, but Jill calms him down by playing hide and seek.
Jill Young, Gregg O'Hara, Cecily Banks, Harry Ruben, JoeBaker instructs Harry to put Jill in charge of Joe.
Harry Ruben, PindiJill celebrates with Gregg, while Joe and Gregg share a moment of jealousy.
Jill Young, Gregg O'Hara, Cecily Banks, JoeGregg visits Jill to say goodbye before leaving for Africa.
Jill Young, Gregg O'HaraGregg leaves and Jill calls after him.
Jill Young, Gregg O'HaraStrasser sees a news report about Joe and Jill and plots revenge.
Strasser, GarthHarry gives a tour to VIPs while Garth infiltrates the group.
Harry Ruben, GarthJill and Gregg reconcile and agree to have dinner.
Jill Young, Gregg O'Hara, Harry Ruben, Cecily BanksGarth triggers Joe's trauma using a poaching collar.
Garth, JoeBaker dismisses Jill's concerns about Joe's agitation and tells her to prepare for the party.
Jill Young, Harry RubenJill and Gregg have dinner, but are interrupted by an emergency alert.
Jill Young, Gregg O'HaraJill encounters Strasser, who manipulates her by claiming to be an old friend of her mother and offering a preserve for Joe.
Jill Young, StrasserJoe is on a rampage.
JoeA tent is set up for the party.
The team watches Joe's rampage.
Gregg O'Hara, Jill Young, Cecily Banks, Harry RubenThe party begins; Strasser and Garth plot to use the dog collar to provoke Joe.
Jill Young, Joe, Gregg O'Hara, Strasser, Garth, Harry RubenJill calms Joe down.
Jill Young, Joe, Gregg O'HaraStrasser and Garth provoke Joe with the dog collar, causing him to rampage.
Joe, Strasser, GarthJill tries to convince Baker to postpone the benefit.
Pindi, Jill YoungJoe crashes the party, causing chaos.
Jill Young, Joe, Gregg O'Hara, Strasser, Harry Ruben, Cecily BanksNews reports cover the aftermath of Joe's rampage.
Harry RubenAn officer guards the bunker.
Jill and Gregg visit Joe in his holding cell.
Jill Young, Joe, Gregg O'Hara, Harry RubenJill and Harry argue about Joe's future.
Jill Young, Gregg O'Hara, Harry RubenJill, Gregg, and Cecily break Joe out of the bunker.
Jill Young, Joe, Gregg O'Hara, Cecily BanksJoe is loaded into a trailer; Strasser appears to take them to the airport.
Jill Young, Joe, Gregg O'Hara, Strasser, Harry Ruben, Cecily BanksJill enters the trailer and finds Garth driving while Strasser sits beside her.
Jill Young, Strasser, GarthI've come to talk with your Mr. Baker. You see, I am here for Joe. And, in a way, for your mother, too. I believe she would agree with me -- a magnificent wild animal like Joe needs more space -- like the Raha Preserve I run in Botswana.
Dear Cecily: I promised to write you when Joe was settled and now I finally can. We finally dedicated the Joe Young Wildlife Park last week and it was one of the happiest days of my life. At last I have kept my promise to my mother.
How long do you think Joe will stay free here? I'm telling you there's gonna be a hunt starting on this mountain tomorrow. And I don't expect they'll give it up until one of them bags the prize. You should think about it.
That field zoologist, Dr. O'Hara, had a theory -- and Joe's blood work confirms it. The gorillas in the Pangani carry a recessive gene that pops up every four or five generations with this rare form of gigantism.
I always had a suspicion that the legend coming out of the Pangani forest might have some truth to it. It was just a hunch -- sort of a gut feeling -- but I sent my field zoologist to check it out.
The word is out. It's done. I'm not the only one who saw him, remember? Rare animals mean big money and Joe's as rare as they come. It's going to be tough to protect him here. Maybe impossible.
Not for long. Just trying to buy you a little time, that's all. With more of these bastards arriving every hour, I suggest you get Joe as deep into the jungle as you can -- as fast as you can.
When was the last time you laid eyes on something so unique, so spectacular, that it literally took your breath away? Well, prepare yourselves, for tonight you will have such an experience.
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