Save the Cat rankings

Three Kings script analysis

Three Kings script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Three Kings follows disillusioned soldiers who pivot from their sanctioned mission to looting hidden Kuwaiti gold, only to find themselves entangled in moral dilemmas and a daring rescue. The film balances heist thrills with the brutality of war, culminating in a redemptive finale at the Iranian border.

85 Save the Cat fit score 76% analysis confidence / 51 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

80%

Introduces cynical tone as Troy shoots a soldier in the desert.

Are we shooting people, or what?
2

Theme Stated

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 5% target

75%

Early question about killing highlights moral cost of combat.

Are we shooting people, or what?
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-5 / Pages 1-5 / 10% target

80%

Establishes characters, war context, camaraderie, and initial ennui.

4

Catalyst

Scene 6 / Page 6 / 12% target

78%

Discovery of a map pointing to hidden gold sets story in motion.

5

Debate

Scene 16 / Page 16 / 20% target

74%

Team questions morality and risks of pursuing theft during war.

6

Break into Two

Scene 20 / Page 20 / 25% target

80%

They commit to taking the gold from Bunker 2.

Listen to me: we leave you alone to kill your Shiites, but everything you took from Kuwait, that...
7

B Story

Scene 2 / Page 2 / 30% target

70%

Troy’s fantasy of his daughter introduces his personal stakes.

8

Fun and Games

Scene 14 / Page 14 / 40% target

75%

They raid a village bunker, showcasing the thrill of combat and looting.

9

Midpoint

Scene 20 / Page 20 / 50% target

82%

Finding gold and jewelry marks the story’s midpoint success.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 25 / Page 25 / 65% target

77%

Humvee hits a mine and the operation unravels.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 26 / Page 26 / 75% target

80%

Troy is captured and imprisoned, seemingly hopeless.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 27 / Page 27 / 80% target

76%

Troy’s failed calls intensify his despair.

13

Break into Three

Scene 41 / Page 41 / 85% target

79%

Archie’s team resolves to mount a daring rescue.

14

Finale

Scenes 42-44 / Pages 42-44 / 95% target

80%

Assault on bunker, rescue of Troy, and escape under fire.

15

Final Image

Scene 51 / Page 51 / 99% target

78%

Convoy stands at the border, a moment of triumph and uncertainty.