SKYFALL Analysis: Story Structure, Themes, and Easter Eggs Explained | Screenwriting 101

In this episode, we go scene-by-scene to break down the three act structure of the James Bond classic, Skyfall -- written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and John Logan -- in order to analyze its themes, story structure, and character arcs.
Rent or buy Skyfall: • Skyfall
Check out the rest of my film analysis videos and plot breakdowns:
🔹 Skyfall: • SKYFALL Analysis: Stor... ​
🔹 Parasite: • PARASITE Analysis: Sto... ​
🔹 Us: • US Analysis: Story Str...
🔹 Doctor Strange: • DOCTOR STRANGE Analysi... ​
🔹 Soul: • Pixar's SOUL Analysis:...
🔹 Bridesmaids: • BRIDESMAIDS Analysis: ...
🔹 Nightcrawler: • Video
THREE ACT STRUCTURE OF SKYFALL
🔸 1 - 2 •••••••••• Teaser
🔸 2 - 21 •••••••• Meet the Hero
🔸 21 •••••••••••• Inciting Incident (Challenge From the Universe)
🔸 21 - 38 ••••••• Resistance
🔸 38 ••••••••••••• End of Act 1 (Challenge Accepted)
🔸 38 - 51 ••••••• New World, New Rules
🔸 51 - 68 ••••••• Dangers & Responsibilities
🔸 68 ••••••••••••• Midpoint (False Victory)
🔸 68 - 103 •••••• Roll Downhill
🔸 103 ••••••••••• End of Act 2 (Rock Bottom)
🔸 103 - 115 •••• Ride Into Battle
🔸 115 - 135 •••• Climax
🔸 135 - 138 •••• Resolution
One of the best ways to teach yourself screenwriting is to break down screenplays of films you like. Here at ClassAct, that's exactly what we do -- using classic principles of three act structure, we break down movies and their screenplays scene-by-scene, so that we might learn some new techniques for our own screenwriting journeys.
SKYFALL
Written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, & John Logan
Directed by Sam Mendes
CLASSACT
Written, Directed, Edited by Wigham Foothill
Music by Wayne Jones, Biz Baz Studio, Konrad OldMoney, DJ Williams, MK2, Aaron Kenny
CHAPTERS
00:00​ Intro to SkyFall
00:35​ Plot Points Overview
00:49 0 - 2 | Teaser
01:14 2 - 21 | Meet the Hero
02:48 21 | Inciting Incident (Challenge From the Universe)
03:38 21 - 38 | Resistance
04:23 38 | End of Act 1 (Challenge Accepted)
04:47 38 - 51 | New World, New Rules
06:27 51 - 68 | Dangers & Responsibilities
07:05 68 | Midpoint (False Victory)
07:25 68 - 103 | Roll Downhill
08:40 103 | End of Act 2 (Rock Bottom)
09:03 103 - 115 | Ride Into Battle
10:02 115 - 135 | Climax
10:57 135 - 138 | Resolution

[@napsbrickrailways2290]

I love how in this film the villain destroys what 007 owns instead of it being 007 destroying the villains lair and life like literally every other bond film. And the part where the astin Martin exploding angers 007 is sick.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Exactly! SKYFALL is so refreshing and different in that way -- it's about stripping everything away from Bond so that he becomes the most basic, "essential" version of himself.

[@ohauss]

@@ClassActFilmSchool If in order to do that, you have to turn the villain into the most ridiculously exaggerated Bond villain ever, a combination of the invulnerability of "Jaws" and "Renard", the inside knowledge and combat prowess of Alex Trevelyan and the genius of Blofeld, Drax and Dr. No. all thrown into one pot, that's rather hollow.

[@harryyyyyyyyyyy7273]

*Aston

[@crackheadspeeddevil7247]

How can u even call the Aston Martin exploding part as sick. Thats the best revenge part in Bond history. The bgm and what follows next.

[@batman4452]

Just watched this EPIC montage....kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIaUqKmLq72fibs LOVE DANIEL CRAIG STILL CAN'T GET OVER NO TIME TO DIE!

[@alexduran1967]

Still the best looking Bond movie of all time. The cinematography in this film is amazing. Also, great villain, good backstories, an emotional center. Definitely a top five Bond film in general.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

OBVIOUSLY I agree :)

[@fruzsimih7214]

Roger Deakins. Best cinematographer EVER.

[@AndyFerguson]

I beg to differ … they went to the most beautiful place on the planet (Glen Coe and Glen Etive) and made it look ordinary . The Turkey scenes are no better than Taken 2, which they ripped off. The Chinese scenes where done with the second unit or in a studio. There are plenty of better looking JB movies - CR for starters and the colours in QOS are incredible.

[@ompatel5570]

@@AndyFerguson casino Royale does not look better. This movie used more dynamic colors.

[@ProuvaireJean]

Great analysis. I think maybe the only way Skyfall could have been significantly improved is if it was the last of the Daniel Craig movies. It was a bit weird seeing Bond portrayed as an aging relic when he was only reintroduced two movies ago in Casino Royale.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Man, totally agree with you Jean. It's such a great "end of the series" kind of movie.

[@mahrezbahri791]

Ikr. It really felt like the end of a saga, that funneling sensation that makes us think the hero's gonna die or hang up. Skyfall is so amazing

[@iwillheadlockyournan731]

it defo prematurely aged his character

[@tuneablestar1712]

I think part of the point of the final scene is the idea that, yes, 007 has lost a step, but that it's okay given that he's now both wiser and more trusting of the people around him. I think it's actually the perfect mid-point movie, because although he might be over-the-hill, he still has more to give, now with a renewed vigour. I think this is exemplified through the painting of the British fleet in M's office.

[@iwillheadlockyournan731]

@@tuneablestar1712 very good point

[@DilRyeMaster]

“Yes Mum..” I always liked this small bit and glad you put it in. Yeah, it’s Bond being a bit cheeky but she’s also been the closest thing he’s ever had to a mother figure. It adds a lot more weight to the scene when he loses her.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Dude yesssss

[@kurthellis]

sure, but i think all the judie dench m movies going back to goldeneye everyone in mi6 calls her mum

[@stevkyt2374]

It's mam.

[@tfinnan6523]

It’s mam how he addresses her it’s just the accent

[@peenweinerstein9968]

They’re saying ma’am….

[@leonking525]

Ok. This was impressive. On previous occasions, I have heard others describe this as the greatest Bond move of all times and repeatedly and vehimetely disagreed with them. However, after listening to your extremely detailed analysis of the story arc, I now understand how one could reach that conclusion. Thank you.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

What a huge compliment, Leon - very glad you got something from it! I think so many other Bond movies are great, too…this one’s just my personal fave.

[@4Everlast]

Skyfall is to Bond, what T2 is to terminator, perfectly polished, but damn that Casino Royal is something else.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Agreed, Dino, agreed.

[@dogguyful]

Dino, yeah man. Casino Royale is a classic 007.

[@ivandovranic5834]

So weird that Spectre ended up being a botch, after this one being so good. But where this one had focus, Spectre amounts to stuffing all your ideas in cannon and lighting the fuse.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Couldn’t agree more. For me (and I think Sam Mendes has said this too), it’s really just an issue of the film being a little rushed

[@corysekine-pettite1783]

Yep. Great breakdown. This movie is gold. Can't wait to see Craig's final Bond film...

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Agreed! And man, Cory, yeah I'm literally salivating for NO TIME TO DIE

[@rifz42]

I just hope they spent this extra time to making something better than what was shown in the trailer. I don't want to see Bond retired and the new 007 taking up most of the movie. Craig's screen time better be more than 10 mins.

[@briancherry8088]

@@rifz42 I agree about the new 00. If this is a "007" movie rather than a "Bond" movie, I know a lot of fans will be disappointed. Say what you will about the out-of-date alcoholic womanizing character... fan's love a flawed character.

[@blabbermouth777]

Same. Hope it is as good as Specter or or better.

[@rifz42]

@@blabbermouth777 I would wait a few weeks after release and check reviews. I hope too, but there's very little chance that it's not going to be a train wreck.. see this kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ2bdmCZhbSbmqM

[@MyCandyBlue137]

OMG!! I used to notice that Skyfall was obviously presented “The old ways are the best” until you bring up the sequence 007 meet Q and received a gun and radio from Q. But I missed this point. One of the most old-fashion gadget is RADIO. Subtly!! I love the way they keep everything in the same theme ex. Title, Tone film, OST

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Me too! It's my favorite thing about the film, how every little detail swirls around that theme

[@MyCandyBlue137]

@@ClassActFilmSchool Why don’t you make Casino Royale Analysis? I think the bond fan absolutely love it, I’m the one in that. Your clip was valuable for people who interested about art & social.😀😀

[@user-kv6ki9ge2z]

Skyfall is my second favorite Bond film. Casino Royale is number one. Would be great to see a breakdown Casino Royale too.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Man I can’t wait until we inevitably do a Casino Royale breakdown - that’s a much weirder and (arguably) more complex plot, too.

[@SPORT2932]

I totally agree. Casino Royale has everything to make a great Bond film.

[@kurthellis]

@@ClassActFilmSchool it is more complex! it has to introduce bond from scratch and his universe from scratch. then have him actually fall in love then to be betrayed and then to realize she was with him the entire time... to say nothing about the main plot with main baddie

[@hrushikeshgouda4965]

finally someone did this. skyfall is my favourite bond film. period.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Right?!

[@kabokuti]

This is a GREAT breakdown. Great editing. Really well explained. Rally good! Looking forward for future episodes.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Many thanks, Juan -- hope it was helpful and glad you enjoyed!

[@gregoryambres1897]

"The World is not enough." "Family motto."

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Totally did not know this, my mind is blown

[@FernandoDaniel7]

@Joseph Autumn In The World Is Not Enough, after Bond is captured by Elektra: Elektra: I could have given you the world. Bond: The world is not enough. Elektra: Foolish sentiment. Bond: Family motto.

[@michaeladkins6]

@@FernandoDaniel7 Its such a perfect place to start

[@SJKPJR007]

My wife gave my favourite breakdown of this movie. "So she (M) dies after all that anyway!". Nail firmly on head.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha, brilliant.

[@kurthellis]

M's goal wasnt to live. her goal was to "get the job done" and she did it!

[@rsvjr12]

Fucking awesome video. Finally someone that appreciates this film as much as I do. BEST BOND FILM, FULL STOP.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Right?!?

[@AlexanderMacAoidh]

Sean Connery films

[@Ryuk45]

It's funny how Skyfall is the most financially successful and one of the most critically lauded Bond films, yet a particularly venomous and loud subculture within the fandom crying about it endlessly has started to convince people that it's unpopular

[@jimgreen7477]

@@AlexanderMacAoidh Which Connery films?

[@forgottozhonya957]

I never understood skyfall after watching it 2 times. This video is so informative and well produced. Hope to see more of your content.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

That's super kind of you! Glad to know you found it helpful...SkyFall took me a BUNCH of watches before I started to get a handle on it.

[@mrmeerkat1096]

@@ClassActFilmSchool I enjoyed your review of this movie with the time stamps and break down. I wanted to ask about Ms death. I thought she had a heart attack with the stress of the situation. I didn't know she had been shot. Did they cut that scene do you know?

[@marcokrueger3399]

@@mrmeerkat1096 She is shot when inside the house. She hides behind a pillar, the guy is far away, she shoots at him, he shoots back and hits her thigh. Bond comes in, shoots the guy and asks her: "You hurt?" and she say's: "Only my pride. I never was a good shot" Before that, you can see blood on her hands. Unfortunately, I can't tell you the exact minute right now, all I wrote was how I remember the movie from watching it at least 50 times. I just love it!

[@mrmeerkat1096]

@@marcokrueger3399 thanks for replying to my comment mate. I like the movie better after watching this video. Before then I was 50/50 with it. My favourite especially from the Craig era is casino royale. I also think QOS is underrated. I don't like spectre and I have high hopes for no time to die.

[@jalabi99]

Dame Judy Dench is still my favorite M but I am eager to see what Ralph Fiennes brings to the role.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

You and me both man, you and me both

[@gregmize01]

DAMN JUDY DENCH

[@gsd4me00]

As an upcoming M he proved in the court shootout that he is not just a desk warrior.

[@jalabi99]

@@gsd4me00 agreed!

[@TheJuliatedy]

When M died , my heart died . Buried all my love for 007 .

[@mbizozo6271]

Skyfall is also my favourite Bond film. Never really knew why exactly, this helps answering that question.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Me too man, me too

[@cyrildewaha]

I got your video in my recommendations a few months ago but instead of watching it, I just saved it to my "watch later" playlist until I decided to watch it now. And it was super cool! I really liked your analysis, there are things I would never have thought about even after watching the movie probably 10 times. So really great job from you, you deserved a like and a subscriber.👍🏻

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha, that’s awesome Cyril. Glad you found the analysis helpful and appreciate the sub!

[@creativityreimagined]

This is a MAGNIFICENT breakdown!!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Much appreciated, man! Glad it was helpful for you.

[@therollingcam682]

Loved the way you broke down and explained the film..way to go!!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Thanks man! Hope it was helpful.

[@therollingcam682]

@@ClassActFilmSchool very much! Keep going bro..love from India!

[@s0unds0fMast3r]

Excellent analysis! I just saw this movie recently, I loved it. I also appreciate your thorough synopsis. Well done, sir!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Thanks, Stephen! Glad you enjoyed.

[@paulpiacentini]

Thanks for taking the time to analyse this movie. I have lodged at the South end of Glencoe a few times. There was always fresh tales of dead mountaineers. In one particular case it was three instructors who never made it back to my lodge after a fall at buachaille etive mor. The pyramid mountain. Sublime, beautiful and deadly. Just like Bond. Did Sam Mendez intend the reflection? Perhaps it's not important when you consider the depth of history around those parts of Scotland. Ironically, even though Fleming resisted Connery in the role. There's a road up there that's been renamed Skyfall Pass or something. The mountains do not care about that, or expert mountaineers or anyone. QED. Cheers.

[@joecooper3073]

My favourite Bond film, love all the gadgets and more classic Bond tropes Spectre brought back but this one is so special, the characters really go through an arc and a learning process and seeing the DB5 reveal never fails to excite me like it did the first time I saw it. Also, the ending is so well done, Bond walking in from the roof top past the stand where Connery threw his hat, the reveal of Moneypenny, then doing through the padded leather door into the office and addressing the new M for the first time. Utter perfection

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Preach

[@luissantiago847]

Wow. This is a great video. I really hope to see even more movie breakdowns from this channel.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you found it helpful, Santiago!

[@mariskabezuidenhout613]

your channel is so underrated. Great video

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Appreciate that, Mariska! Glad you found it helpful.

[@JohnDoe-dq1lq]

I rewatched recently Skyfall after your analysis and I think this movie would have worked so much better as the final Brosnan movie. There is new Q, this is last film with Judy Dench, it was a great closure after Goldeneye where Bond had to fight with rouge agent now he has to protect M after another agent wants her dead, and finally we would have a truly older agent in a new digital world after 9/11. After this a reboot with newer, younger agent would be a spot on

[@saltysurfer]

Beautifully constructed analysis. Thank you. I strongly look forward to further, future videos

[@saltysurfer]

Also I would happily sit down to an analysis of any original trilogy Star Wars film

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Super kind of you! And bigtime yes, I’m definitely planning to get some Star Wars up on here soon.

[@sophieli9631]

love your breaking down, such a high quality video

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Very kind of you, Sophie! Glad you enjoyed.

[@woodglove]

Your format is awesome!!!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Appreciate that, @woodglove!

[@khathide22nd]

Wow, this is amazing. I subscribed before I even reached the 3 minute mark. Thank you for loving movies as much as I do

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Too kind of you, Sphu. Thanks for the support!

[@ryanhill5137]

Lovely analysis. Truly insightful about the deeper themes this Bond film aimed to explore

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Appreciate that, Ryan! Glad you enjoyed.

[@Theuploader5555]

I am truly shocked that you only have 5k subs. Give it a year and change and you’ll be at a million :)

[@elaiooos7590]

Great video. Keep making more of these

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Much appreciated, @elaiooos. Definitely will do!

[@A0A4ful]

Good breakdown! In the 50 plus years of the 007 franchise, it was good to see 'Casino Royale' getting back to basics, on what a Govt intelligence agency assassin is all about. Just an employee on the job to save the country/Queen/world. The first 25 years of the franchise got carried away by the gadgets (which is what we all went to see in the first place), but recovered steadily to not lose sight of the original objectives. Being a fan of this long running franchise, I sometimes wish they put an end to it, so that it can be revered an era of films. But again, sometimes I don't.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

I will admit…I do worry that after Craig, Amazon will make an algorithmic choice on the next person to fill the suit and we’ll get something extremely mainstream and uninteresting. But until then…NO TIME TO DIE!

[@TheDude-vx6wn]

Loved these act analysis videos, super educational. I'm going to share with my writer community on Twitter. Thank you!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you found it helpful, man ! And that's super kind of you to share with your community. I'm @ClassActFilm on Twitter and always happy to hear youor suggestions if there's a movie you'd like to see broken down (tomorrow we're doing Soul from Pixar).

[@damonmosier3651]

I just finally watched this film last night. The character arcs are as great as you say, but man... what a Rube Goldberg-ian plot! hahaha. Bad Guy does A knowing they will do B so he can do C, knowing they will do D, so he can really do E instead... that is a lot of "correctly guessing the steps" just to attempt something as mundane as shooting her with a pistol. "I'm gonna plant this bomb beneath the subway, just in case MI6 moves to the underground, Bond captures me on my island, Q happens to plug in my computer at the same time M is testifying in front of Parliament, at the exact moment Bond happens upon me while I am on this ladder just as a train happens to be passing overhead." He was a very interesting villain though. And I understand that Bond films love to indulge in their extravagant villainous plots, so it was way better than most of the outlandish Bond plots. But the "gritty realism" of the Craig films kind of lulled me into expecting villains to have less fantastical plans but I guess I should have known better. Goldeneye is still my favorite Bond film, but maybe I'm biased because I played the shit out of the game on N64 back in the day :P I do like your breakdown though!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Wait, is that THE Damon Mosier?!?! I KNOW THAT GUY

[@damonmosier3651]

@@ClassActFilmSchool maaaaaaaybe ;)

[@Cwitchy]

Thanks to the all mighty algorithm, I get to watch this awesome video, keep up the good work!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you found it helpful, @Cwtchy!

[@Darth_Vader258]

Casino Royale is still my FAVORITE Bond movie although I didn't watch the older Bond movies.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

I go back and forth everyday

[@cinemaipswich4636]

I like the depth of the villain's character. He's not some guy stroking a cat. Indeed all major actors fill out their roles with rigor.

[@graemewilson7975]

Great breakdown of great bond movie. Succinct. Thoughtful

[@bossyvich]

just rewatched skyfall and this showed up in my recommendations; definitely subscribing, about to binge your channel :P

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha, nice! Glad you found it helpful - feel like I should have done a Spectre one to swing us into No Time

[@bossyvich]

@@ClassActFilmSchool youre right, but i do think passion is often better motivation for creativity than opportunism. plus the end product is often more substantive. finding a balance there would be ideal.

[@wombatsrest9895]

This is litterly the best analysis video Ive ever seen.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha, that’s super kind of you. I’ll be putting up more of them soon :)

[@aljpelayo2120]

awesome format of analysis

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Thanks Al! Glad you found it helpful.

[@MrAndyFlick]

Pure genius, love your work.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Thanks, Andy! I’ll keep them coming.

[@johnward5404]

Great video thanks for the insight.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

No problem, John -- glad you found it useful! Will keep them coming.

[@markbeames7852]

Brilliant breakdown. Beautifully done, Mr. Act. Class Act. Let's hurry up and get into "No Time To Die."

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha, thanks Mark. Can’t come soon enough :)

[@thormusique]

Thanks for this, mate! Excellent analysis, and I do agree that all these things make it probably the finest Bond film of the lot. And actually, I would put Casino Royale as a fairly close second; that one was definitely my favourite till Skyfall came along. The dramatic arcs of both films are really quite masterful. Cheers!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you found it helpful! And yeah, I honestly go back and forth on CASINO ROYALE and SKYFALL basically everyday :)

[@Reapologist]

I sense a diamond of a channel here...

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Nobody look at me, I will fail you all...

[@ELMS]

Just found your channel. It’s excellent! I’ve subscribed.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Appreciate that, man! Glad you found it helpful

[@garethaustin3137]

Great video! One little thing that I would challenge, and I'd be interested to see what people think. You say that when M dies, we see Bond cry for the first time. I believe that we have seen Bond cry one other time before: In Pierce Brosnan's "Goldeneye", Bond discovers that his former special forces buddy, Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean), whom he believed to be dead, had actually betrayed Bond, faking his own death and pursuing a life of crime and villainy. As Bond holds at gunpoint the man he had always thought to be a loyal friend, and Trevelyan delivers a mocking monologue, Bond's eyes appear to glisten with tears.

[@sizwebuth]

This was fantastic!!!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Hey, thanks Sizwe! Glad you found it helpful.

[@RGK93]

For fuck's sake, can we ever talk about Skyfall without people bringing up Casino royale?! Skyfall is a great 007 film and stands on it's own. I also love how Skyfall turns around the action film formula and makes it work: Usually the action keeps getting bigger and bigger until we get to the big climatic action scene. While here we start with the big action scene and the action keeps getting smaller and smaller to the point of the climax being pure suspense. Good analysis!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

So truuuuueeee. I love that the final showdown with the big bad is so contained and personal.

[@spyrakas]

That's because for years there is a rivalry between Casino Royal and Skyfall fans about which one of them is the best.

[@brunobilandzija1823]

excellent channel =) thank you!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Very kind of you! Glad you’re enjoying them.

[@jacobbeeson2983]

Not just the best Bond film, but one of the best of its year and decade

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

I ain’t arguing with that, Jacob :)

[@jhwheuer]

Very well done, thank you

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@nostradamuskk]

Brilliant analysis. Cant thank you enough. Can you please do similar ones for Character Arcs?

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you found it helpful, Anoop! Funnily, by studying in this way I'm actually learning a lot about character arcs. Maybe in the future I can do one that purely strips away the "plot" elements and just follows the internal journey of the character...

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Great video Wigham!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Much appreciated, guys. Just checked out the Parasite episode, big fan! Subscribed, keep them coming.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@ClassActFilmSchool Same to you! Your production quality is fantastic! Keep grinding your videos will probably blow up faster than ours!

[@duncanhaines3826]

Well done!

[@yidingliu8663]

As one of the 90s, Skyfall is the first Bond film that I actually watched in a cinema. Completely shocked by what I watched. Was expecting a Comedic spy thriller, being read to Tennyson instead.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha dude, what a first Bond movie to see in the theater. That opening chase sequence alone…

[@Q2Japan]

Damn, looking forward to more videos from ya!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Too kind of you! I’ll keep them coming.

[@shreyashthapar1362]

what an EPIC ANALYSIS!!! very Informative (for every person interested in screenwriting)!! please do make more such videos..

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Very glad you found it helpful, Shreyash!

[@miguelponcedeleon117]

Awesome breakdown!! You just got my sub!! :)))

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Hey, appreciate that Miguel!

[@marvelprince]

Thanks for this breakdown ! I love the Craig Bond films overall (minus Spectre) and I think Skyfall is the best of the bunch

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Agreed! Counting the minutes until I finally get to see NO TIME TO DIE.

[@bruceputman1921]

Perhaps the most telling moment in this story is the question of country during the word association exam. It was a test of loyalty and who he was. As a Scotsman, Bond knows the history of English betrayal to his birth country, and is still bitter about his own perceived betrayal by M. However, he immediately replies England. This demonstrates his loyalty to Country which convinces them to bring him back. Failing the other parts of the test was irrelevant, he was was loyal to England. However, in his heart was the the true answer, Scotland. This movie more than any other tested and showed the soul of Bond. A Scotsman loyal to his Country above all.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Bruce, this comment is the ultimate win

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

That is the sickest observation I have ever heard about this movie

[@emart125]

New fave channel dude

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha, hey man, that's an honor! I'll keep them coming -- appreciate the kind words.

[@CharlesTerrenceHarper]

Well done my friend. Best of the Daniel Craig era for the reasons (Thematic) that you mention. I think though if those themes resonate with a person, that person would like it more.

[@tompicken490]

incredible video

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Much appreciated, Tom! Glad you found it helpful.

[@nilsen5109]

Woooo 🤯 that's great New subscriber ❤️

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha, appreciate that Nil! I’ll keep them coming.

[@luigi_border]

Great channel, thanks. Skyfall is fantastic

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Appreciate that, Guilherme! And agreed…Skyfall belongs up there with the best of them

[@Silverlobo1992]

Always love when he replies yes ma’am, sounds like Yes Mum

[@JacobMcAllister]

These videos are awesome! I would love you to break down a more unconventional Hollywood film, something non-linear or less plot-heavy. Pulp Fiction, Memento, Whiplash, The Social Network, would all be really cool breakdowns.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Love it, man. And agreed! It'll take a hot second to build, simply because I have to make new custom animations for the unconventional plot arcs. But it's in the works :)

[@JacobMcAllister]

@@ClassActFilmSchool Awesome, can't wait!

[@acquis0921]

How the hell does this only have 7000 views

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

I ask myself that everyday...

[@mordeckai]

This would probably be my second favorite craig movie after Casino Royale, while I get the reasoning behind the story, I can't help but find the final act in the Skyfall lodge to be kinda lackluster, kinda "Bond meets Home Alone"

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha it is 100% James Bond meets Home Alone

[@diobrando6729]

I can't believe people didn't like that, I personally through it was cool. Even though it was clearly copying home alone, it is cool idea cause it's an old man doing kid like stuff.

[@gregoryambres1897]

"There's NOTHING going on, Stuart!" 🤣

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

“Just get on the 10 and get outta here!”

[@dogguyful]

"Skyfall 007" and "die another day" are the only Bond movies that opens with James Bond losing or getting caught/wound/shot. All other Bond movies opens with James escaping narrowly from a situation with very slim chance of survival.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Interesting man, I never even noticed that

[@ethanm5820]

Need you to grab a time machine, jump back a couple years, and then make 100 of these so I can binge them all right now.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

This is exactly what I will do if I ever get my hands on a time machine, and nothing else

[@deatheater4805]

loved it

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Agreed

[@zharkomurarcaliev7022]

Absolutely CORRECT

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

🤜

[@gunghovagabond]

Glad I wasn't the only one that saw it

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Me too, me too

[@kingunda5013]

I love Skyfall. My 2nd favorite James Bond movie of all-time behind only SPECTRE. I thought Skyfall was the best, then I rewatched all four Daniel Craig movies in the last 4 days. I realized Spectre had the most layers in its storyline.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Dang man, I gotta check out SPECTRE again!

[@kingunda5013]

@@ClassActFilmSchool Anytime you have Blofeld as the main villain, things always get elevated insofar as danger and ruthlessness are concerned. Spectre ties up everything from the previous 3 daniel craig movies. This time you really get that feeling of Bond against the world kind of thing. The institution MI6 itself gets attacked. And you see the whole team, Bond, M, Q, Moneypenny and Tanner in action. And then finally, we get to see James Bond doing the unthinkable: choosing love over career in the end. Just amazing to watch.

[@SPORT2932]

Interesting. I hated Spectre. The only Craig Bond film I don't own. I thought Madeline was miscast. Too young looking. Hated the way it had set pieces for Hinx to kill Bond (car chase, train fight) with no purpose because Blofeld would want that prize. So those scenes were meaningless. Then Bond and Madeline walk willingly into Blofeld's lair. Why? I can't bear to watch it again.

[@kingunda5013]

@@SPORT2932 Based on your reply, I can see why you didn't quite understand the complexity of the story. It would just be a waste of time explaining to your shallow mind the significance of each of those scenes you pointed out in your reply. You dont like it. We dont really care. Life goes on.

[@maxfieldnuckels9075]

@@kingunda5013 While I don’t see much merit in his points, it’s still one of the worst Bond films, and I don’t feel the need to talk about it for hours like I’m capable of, because I don’t see this going anywhere. But hopefully you find out for yourself

[@thaoremchan9234]

great channel

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful

[@jhjhjhjhjhjhify]

It's an extraordinary film when you think about it. It's the highest grossing Bond film even when you adjust Thunderball's earnings for inflation. The latter film makes sense that it'd do well in this area - it's a big budget film, full of spectacle and was advertised as such. Skyfall on the other hand is a more grounded, rather dark Bond adventure. Generally Bond films of this ilk such as License to Kill etc. don't do as well in this regard. It also did some genuinely interesting things with the formula: there wasn't really a Bond girl, Bond fails his mission in almost every sense, and it gave us an insight into how flawed Bond could be as a person and agent etc. But it also retained a lot of the elements that makes the film series so distinctive, including Bond's sense of duty, the gadgets, exotic locations etc. It's a genuinely entertaining film, and despite what it's doing it never feels depressing or weighty, which Spectre and No Time To Die can feel like at times.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Love this

[@sloan785]

More james bond movie structure analysis please.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

If only there was enough time in the day to do them all...

[@DodaGarcia]

Amazing

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Thanks Doda. Glad you found it helpful!

[@DodaGarcia]

@@ClassActFilmSchool Sure did! I like creating fictional narratives for my music videos, but not being a writer it’s difficult to know what makes for a story that’s compelling (especially in the span of a song). So this kind of analysis helps me a lot in understanding the thinking behind the story beats, thank you for the great content!

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Dude that’s super cool. Real glad the breakdowns help - I actually think doing story driven stuff for music vids is a whole art unto itself. Props.

[@5cloudwalker]

Well said 😊👍

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Thanks!

[@fruzsimih7214]

There are many amusing, entertaining 007 movies, but Skyfall is really a good film in its own right.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Truth

[@nicknewman7848]

Well observed. Also, the use of Turner's painting in the National Gallery is (apart from the obvious) symbolic of the end of an era in England and the beginning of the photographic age. Out with the old in with the new or changing times vibes. Judi's Tennyson speech (which I'm amazed you didn't include) is thematically appropriate because of it's theme's about adventuring and never going home, longing for a home you never really had and accepting your past and your fate. That's why Mendes was a good choice he brought heritage, Englishness and a certain intelligence that we hadn't really had before. The cinematography helps too. It has its plot flaws, but it's a high point in the series.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Whoa, Nick! Killer observations -- what's the deal, are you a filmmaker yourself? Or just a Bond genius?

[@nicknewman7848]

@@ClassActFilmSchool I'm a musician that likes art, history and film. I studied film music. I'm also a Bond, Star Wars and LOTR genius ;) Oh, and when M goes to see Mallory for the first time there is a bell 'tolling' in the background. I'll leave that interpretation up to you. Skyfall has artistic depth because it's about rebirth and death, not about a space lazer controlled by a megalomaniac.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

@@nicknewman7848 that just blows my mind. The great films are like that -- every time you watch, you find another layer to peel back. I'll have to steal your expertise when we inevitably do a STAR WARS breakdown!

[@nicknewman7848]

@@ClassActFilmSchool Be my guest. I'll check out your other vids and leave my opinions all over those as well seeing as you were so nice about it.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

​@@nicknewman7848 Keep 'em coming man, I watched Skyfall CLOSELY and didn't pick out any of those. Bravo.

[@halflbobeef]

And you missed the best part about the film, the villain’s plot finally works out (killing M). 1 out of 23 attempts (the number of Eon films at its release) gives a ~4% success rate for all other Bond villains to strive for, showing there is hope in their hair brained schemes, even if they involve things like an implausibly timed subway train. This movie’s plot is a call to arms for all other crack pots to soldier on.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

🤯🤷🏻‍♂️

[@gunachaitanya5534]

Amazing... I am your subscriber number 151

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Very kind of you, Guna. Hope you find the breakdowns helpful, and always happy to hear your suggestions if there are films you'd like to see broken down.

[@vj.92]

Just fount out this channel. I have to say this is amazing. Can you do Mission Impossible Fallout....???

[@1965kings]

Although I all ready have experienced NTTD, I would love if you could breakdown NTTD for Daniel Craig's Bond. Casino Royal is by far the best bond movie with an air as Sean Connery's Bond. Daniel Craig is very talented and has range of characters he can muster. I would love to see him at a Broadway production and shake his hand.

[@lastpme]

Man you are good 👍🏿

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Haha, appreciate that man - glad you found it helpful

[@StanvilleBrown]

This was a great characters breakdown! Could you do Steve Rogers from the MCU next?

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you found it helpful, Stanville! I'm definitely planning to do a bunch of Marvel movies in the future -- including, of course, Captain America. Stay tuned!

[@StanvilleBrown]

@@ClassActFilmSchool awesome!

[@West3720]

"a new broom sweeps clean but the old broom knows where the dirt is"

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

A broom in the hand is worth two brooms in the bush.

[@pete7049]

Its a movie that has grown on me that I enjoy rewatching, but when I first saw it I hated it. It was like 1 part Mission Impossible NOC list MacGuffin, one part Dark Knight Rises aging hero who lost a step making a come back, one part Joker's plan to get captured in the Dark Knight, mixed with one part adult version of Home Alone. Two things I didn't like were that Bond clearly wasnt up to task, failing the exams, but somehow is back to top dog (rat?) by the end of the movie just because, and the other being that after knowing his apartment was sold, he didn't account for the fact that the same might have been done with the family estate when formulating his epically reckless plan to use M as bait. I mean he could have laid the breadcrumbs, stored her some place else where she wouldn't have been found and she would still be alive.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Totally hear that, Pete. It’s so neat how many folks have consistently brought up the comparison with TDK / HOME ALONE - I think personally, it’s all about the character journey that the filmmakers decided on for Bond and M in this particular story. I can get onboard with Bond bringing her to his old estate for the “last stand” because for both of them, this is a story about letting go of the glory days of their past - in that way, for me it feels so poetic for M to pass away and symbolically leave the job of “protecting England” in the next person’s hands…while at the same time Bond has to let go of the mentor who gave him strength and made him the great agent he once was.

[@pete7049]

Yeah, it is better for the movie she is there for sure. Maybe if there had been a scene where he is taking her to some random place to wait it out while he fights Silva and she orders him to take her along figuring its better to be in the fight than wait it out scared. Then it takes away the recklessness of him putting her in that situation.

[@jamesh550]

nice.thanks

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Glad you found it helpful, James!

[@justsaybobby]

Great breakdown. But I thought they ripped off the Dark Knight with the Jokers narrative of wanting to get caught. Also, the James Bond’s home sequence felt very “Home Alone” for me.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

Very fair, very fair. Personally I think it works for the character story they're telling, but you do bring up a good question...like, because the TDK did "purposely getting caught" so well, does that place an embargo on other movies doing it? Same with HOME ALONE -- because it's so iconic, does that mean no other movies can ever do "home-made boobie traps in a house" again? I'm actually kind of torn on it -- in one sense I can see how it feels derivative, but I feel like if the character journey of the story comes from a pure place, then the plot mechanics are justified (at least for me).

[@godinacape]

@@ClassActFilmSchool leading Silva and co to a remote place without no backup and that itself put M in harm' way just for setting up a home alone showdown. Questionable.

[@Morfe02]

thanks for the video but i dont like/understand that the bullet fragment cause the physical "fails" of the test so now the cant Miss and magicaly pass the PSYCHOLOGICAL test at least they can put some scenes with a rough fight because you know "old Bond"

[@sng3939]

Easily top 3 bond films of all time. It’s so so good.

[@ClassActFilmSchool]

This ☝🏻