This document provides an overview of the action genre of film. It discusses the typical plot elements involving a hero struggling against adversity to reach a goal while facing off against a villain. A brief history is given of how the genre evolved from early swashbuckling films and westerns to include war films, spy thrillers, urban crime films, martial arts films, and the rise of CGI effects. Some of the most influential directors and actors in action films are listed, such as Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. A typical 5-act structure for action movie plots is outlined. Finally, some major awards for action films are named.

1. Action
ABI LUM KIN

2. About the Genre
Action film genre is when the main protagonist end up in a series of challenges that usually will
include close combat, violence and frantic chases. Action films tend to have a hero struggling
against all odds to survive or reach a certain goal, working against typically a villain/s.
This genre is closely associated with thriller and adventure film genres.
Action Horror is a subgenre of Action that combines an evil force, event or supernatural
character of horror movies, with the classic fight scenes and chases of action movies.

3. History of Action
In the 1920’s to the 1930’s the predominant films were classic swashbuckling action movies,
where heroes would battle villains with swords or westerns. ’The Great Train Robbery’ is
sometimes considered the first action film.
The 1940’s saw action in the form of War and Cowboy films because of a change in culture
where these films became more realistic to the audience. Alfred Hitchcock was the first to
introduce the spy-adventure genre that evolved from aspects of action.
The James Bond films dominated the 60’s and their long running success introduced the
resourceful hero, a staple of modern day action film. The Bond films utilized fast cutting, car
chases, fist fights, weapons and gadgets.
During the 1970’s, gritty detective stories and urban crime began to shape the new action style
such as Dirty Harry. Martial arts films from Hong-Kong also became popular with Western
audiences and inspired films such as Bruce Lee’s Enter The Dragon.

4. History of Action
The 1980’s saw action film take over Hollywood as it was ‘the action era’ and by the end of the
80’s the influence of the successful action film was in almost every genre. The action comedy 48
Hrs was credited as the first ‘buddy-cop’ movie. Die Hard was a particularly influential film on
the development of action in the 80’s.
The 1990’s saw the growing revolution of CGI and the ‘real world’ setting began to give way to
new futuristic environments. The amount of sequels a film could have and film budgets rose in
the 1990s leading to an increasing number of filmmakers creating new technologies to beat
competition.

5. Directors
•Steven Spielberg (Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saving Private Ryan)
•Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2, Django Unchained)
•J. J. Abrams (Star Trek, Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
•John McTiernan (Die Hard, Predator)
•Don Siegel (Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz)
•James Cameron (The Terminator, Aliens)
•Lana and Lilly Wachowski (The Matrix)

6. Actors
•Bruce Willis
•Al Pacino
•Harrison Ford
•Arnold Schwarznegger
•Jason Statham
•Tom Cruise
•Uma Thurman
•Sylvester Stallone
•Scarlet Johansson
•Lucy Liu

7. Equilibrium
Typical equilibrium – the hero is at
home/work/school doing their
day to day business
Disruption
Hero finds out about hidden
power or quest and leaves to fix
an issue or acquire an object
but an enemy stands in the way
Recognition of Disruption
Devises plan to take down
enemy and acquire what the
hero set out to find
Attempts to Repair Disruption
Battle with the enemy in a
quest to gain what the hero
set out to find
Return to Equilibrium
Hero lives happily after
resolving the issue at
hand

8. Awards
•The Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Action Movie
•The Saturn Award for Best Action or Adventure Film