Save the Cat rankings

The Wizard of Oz script analysis

The Wizard of Oz script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Dorothy’s mundane life on the Kansas farm is disrupted when Miss Gulch tries to take Toto, prompting Dorothy to run away and be swept into the magical land of Oz. There, she meets friends on the Yellow Brick Road, confronts the Wicked Witch, and ultimately discovers the power of home and self-reliance.

85 Save the Cat fit score 72% analysis confidence / 43 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

80%

Introduces Dorothy in her Kansas setting, speaking to Toto about Miss Gulch.

She isn't coming yet, Toto. Did she hurt you? She tried to, didn't she? Come on - we'll...
2

Theme Stated

Scene 6 / 5% target

75%

Dorothy sings of longing for a place “over the rainbow,” hinting that home is where the heart truly belongs.

Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high, There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-4 / Page 1 / 10% target

78%

Establishes Dorothy’s relationships with Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, farmhands, and her conflict with Miss Gulch.

4

Catalyst

Scene 8 / 12% target

82%

Miss Gulch seizes Toto, escalating Dorothy’s stakes and triggering her plan to flee.

That dog's a menace to the community. I'm taking him to the sheriff and make sure he's destroyed.
5

Debate

Scene 9 / 20% target

70%

Toto returns and Dorothy wrestles with staying or running away.

6

Break into Two

Scene 12 / 25% target

85%

The house is lifted by the cyclone, transporting Dorothy into Oz and a new world.

7

B Story

Scene 18 / 30% target

75%

Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, initiating her core friendships in Oz.

I haven't got a brain -- only straw.
8

Fun and Games

Scene 19 / 40% target

73%

Dorothy and the Scarecrow bond and enjoy their journey toward the Emerald City.

Wonderful! Why, if our Scarecrow back in Kansas could do that, the crows'd be scared to pieces!
9

Midpoint

Scene 28 / 50% target

80%

The group arrives at the Emerald City, achieving their major visible goal and earning an audience.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 24 / 65% target

77%

The Wicked Witch plots with poisonous poppies, raising new external threats.

Poppies! Poppies! Poppies!
11

All Is Lost

Scene 35 / 75% target

82%

Dorothy is captured in the Witch’s castle, and her friends are in peril.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 38 / 80% target

78%

Trapped on the battlements, hope seems lost as the Winkies close in.

Where -- where do we go now?
13

Break into Three

Scene 39 / 85% target

85%

Dorothy accidentally melts the Witch, creating a breakthrough to return home.

14

Finale

Scene 42 / 95% target

80%

Dorothy says farewell to her friends and uses the magic slippers to journey home.

No. She had to find it out for herself. Now, those magic slippers will take you home in...
15

Final Image

Scene 43 / 99% target

88%

Dorothy awakens in Kansas, affirming there's no place like home.

-- there's no place like home -- there's no place like home --