Todorov's Theory Applied

Todorov claims that his theory can be applied to every film ever made. In most films this is the case. One film in which this theory is applied and exploited well in is 'Die Hard' starring Bruce Willis. Through my research I found that this film follows the steps very well and therefore i decided to break down specifically each stage and relate it to an event in the film.

These stages are prepared in the following way:

1. John McClane is going to his family to spend christmas with them and all in calm and everyone is very content. This is the Equilibrium.
2. Hans Gruber and his team of terrorists skilfully cease the Nakatomi building and take everyone inside hostage. This is the Disruption stage of the Todorov Theory.
3. McClane realises the disruption as he isn't in the room when everybody starts being taken hostage, he is therefore able to escape the initial terror and move up the building to safer territory. Later in the film, people outside realise that the disruption has taken place when a policeman's car is shot at form the building. This is the Realisation stage.
4. There are two attempt the resolve the issue. First, the police attempt to send in a SWAT team which fails. But finally it is resolved when McClane throws Gruber out of the window to his death. This is the  Restored Order stage.
5. Finally, the crisis is over and mcClane returns to his family and all of the other hostages are rescued and safer removed from the now burning building. This is the return to Equilibrium of which Todorov talks about in his Narrative Theory.

As you can see, Die Hard is a perfect example of Todorov's Theory being applied to a major film.