The Hero's Journey

The Hero's Journey or Quest is a popular structure for movies. The stages of the hero's journey are outlined in Joseph Campbell's classic The Hero With a Thousand Faces.

William Vogler's book The Writer's Journey is based on Campbell's theories and breaks down the stages of the hero's journey as follows:

Stages of the Hero's Journey

1. Ordinary World

2. Call to Adventure

3. Refusal of the Call

4. Meeting with the Mentor

5. Crossing the First Threshold

6. Tests, Allies, Enemies

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave

8. Ordeal

9. Reward (Seizing the Sword)

10. The Road Back

11. Resurrection

12. Return with the Elixir

  Star Wars Wizard of Oz
1. Ordinary World Luke Skywalker on Farm Dorothy on Farm
 2. Call to Adventure Princess Leia's holograph Taking of Toto
3. Refusal of the Call   Refuses Obi Wan Kenobi Dorothy runs away
4. Meeting with the Mentor Obi Wan gives Luke light sword Good Witch Glenda
5. Crossing the First Threshold Joins Obi Wan Yellow Brick Road
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies Hans Solo, R2D2, Darth Vader Scarecrow, Tinman, Lion, Witch
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave Death Star (DS) Witch's castle
8. Ordeal   Trapped in trashmasher Trapped in castle
9. Reward (Seizing the Sword) Rescues Princess, gets plans to DS Broomstick and ruby slippers
10. The Road Back Darth Vader chases them Goes to see Wizard of Oz
11. Resurrection Another life and death battle Wizard says not enough
12. Return with the Elixir    Returns with Princess Returns to Kansas
The Hero's Journey Model by Act
Act I Act II   Act III

30 pages

Hero decides to act

Ordinary World

Call to Adventure

Refusal of the Call

Mentor

First Threshold

60 pages

The Action itself

Tests, Allies, Enemies

Approach to Inmost Cave

 Ordeal

Reward (Seizing the Sword)

30 pages

Consequences of Action

The Road Back

Resurrection

Return with the Elixir