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5 Plot Point Breakdown: Sherlock Holmes — A Game of Shadows (2011)

By Tony LaScala · September 17, 2012

Screenplay Genre: Action / Adventure / Crime

Movie Time: 129 Minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

PROFESSOR JAMES MORIARTY (Jared Harris) captures and kills IRENE ADLER (Rachel McAdams). (00:11:00)

2. LOCK IN (End of Act One)

After SHERLOCK HOLMES (Robert Downey Jr.) and Moriarty meet for the first time, Moriarty tells Holmes that he killed Irene and DR. JOHN WATSON (Jude Law) is next on his list. (00:37:17)

3. FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)

After Sherlock learns he’s been tricked and the bomb explodes at the hotel with the diplomats, Holmes and Watson decide to go to Berlin. (01:07:40)

4. MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)

Holmes dies and Watson uses the adrenaline to bring him back. (01:34:14)

5. THIRD ACT TWIST

Holmes reveals to Moriarty that he stole Moriarty’s little red book containing all of the information about his fortune and gave it to Scotland Yard, bankrupting Moriarty. (01:53:37)


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