Okay, here is a template and an example of how to write a movie plot summary in English. You can adapt the template to any movie you choose.
Template for a Movie Plot Summary
Introduction:
Start with the movie's title and a brief mention of the genre.
Introduce the main setting and the main protagonist (the main character).
Rising Action:
Describe the inciting incident – the event that kicks off the main conflict.
Explain the main problem or challenge the protagonist faces.
Briefly mention the key characters who are part of the story and their relationships to the protagonist (allies or antagonists).
Outline the main sequence of events that build tension and lead towards the climax. Focus on the protagonist's attempts to solve the problem or achieve their goal.
Climax:
Describe the most intense and crucial moment of the story. This is where the main conflict comes to a head. What happens? What choices does the protagonist make?
Falling Action:
Explain the immediate consequences of the climax. How does the conflict resolve, or what happens right after the biggest moment?
Resolution:
Describe the ending of the story. How is the main problem solved? What is the final outcome for the protagonist and other key characters? Provide a brief sense of closure.
Conclusion (Optional):
You can end with a brief statement about the movie's overall theme or impact.
Example: Summarizing "The Shawshank Redemption"
Introduction:
"The Shawshank Redemption" is a powerful drama film based on a Stephen King novella. Set primarily in the 1940s and 1950s, the story follows Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and her lover.
Rising Action:
The inciting incident occurs when Andy is sentenced to life imprisonment in the harsh Shawshank State Penitentiary. Upon arrival, he is met with cruelty from the guards, particularly Warden Norton, and bullying from fellow inmates like the feared Captain butler. Despite the bleak environment, Andy retains his dignity and finds a small ally in Ellis "Red" Redding, a long-term inmate and prison contraband supplier. Andy uses his intelligence and financial skills to help the prison staff with taxes and accounting, gradually earning a degree of tolerance, though not respect, from some. He faces constant suspicion and hardship, but remains determined to maintain hope.
Climax:
The climax occurs when Andy, having spent nearly 20 years maintaining a secret, finally executes his plan. Using the knowledge he gained about the warden's finances, he masterminds a complex scheme to embezzle the warden and other corrupt guards. In a dramatic confrontation, Andy reveals his plan and escapes Shawshank during a thunderstorm, leaving the stunned guards behind.
Falling Action:
After his escape, Andy is tracked down by the police. However, instead of being hailed as a hero for exposing the corruption, he is offered a deal: go back to prison for a shorter sentence or face the possibility of the original murder charges being reinstated in a new trial. True to his principles and his desire for freedom, Andy chooses to start a new life, settling in a small coastal town where he buys a bakery.
Resolution:
The film concludes several years later. Red, who had been paroled and kept in touch with Andy, travels to the town to visit him. He finds Andy living a quiet, happy life with his partner, and the two share a final, poignant conversation. The final shot shows Andy raising a glass in celebration, symbolizing his ultimate triumph over the oppressive system and his enduring hope. The film ends on a deeply hopeful and redemptive note.
Conclusion:
"The Shawshank Redemption" is often cited as one of the greatest films ever made, celebrated for its themes of hope, friendship, perseverance, and the potential for redemption even in the darkest circumstances.
Remember to:
Keep it concise – a plot summary is not an essay.
Focus on the main events, not every tiny detail.
Use clear and objective language.
Avoid giving away major twists if you want people to watch the movie!
