10 Greatest Movie MacGuffins Of All Time
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Alfred Hitchcock is credited with coining the term “MacGuffin” (sometimes spelled “McGuffin”), referring to any object or device that serves to drive the plot. Essentially, it is something that sets the plot in motion or directs it in a particular direction. Hitchcock utilized MacGuffins in his films, such as the birds in “The Birds” and Norman Bates’s mother in “Psycho,” to propel the narrative.
While Hitchcock popularized the term, MacGuffins have been a storytelling device in various works of fiction for a considerable time, featuring prominently in some of the greatest movies ever made. Here are the top 10 MacGuffins from these cinematic masterpieces.
Spoiler Alert: The discussion involves revealing details about the movies mentioned. If you haven’t seen them, proceed with caution. Particularly, exercise care with the first entry discussing “Citizen Kane” as we disclose the movie’s ending. Consider yourself warned.
10 Doug The Hangover
While immersed in the movie, many viewers might overlook the central role Doug plays in the actual hangover experiences of the characters. Doug is the catalyst for their presence in Vegas, as they were there to celebrate his upcoming wedding with a traditional bachelor party. Despite his limited screen time—only appearing at the start of the first act and briefly at the end—Doug is integral to the film’s plot.
The entire narrative revolves around the quest to find Doug. The bizarre situation of waking up with a tiger and a multitude of questions about the previous night’s events adds a comedic layer to the core plot, making “The Hangover” a delightful cinematic experience.
Doug serves as a prime example of a MacGuffin, a narrative device that, despite its infrequent appearances, propels the story forward.
9 The Death Star Plans Star Wars
The backstory of how the Rebels acquired the Death Star plans is finally unveiled in Rogue One, with the plans serving as a MacGuffin in that film as well. However, in the original Star Wars, these plans played a central role in propelling the story forward.
Following the boarding of the Tantive IV and the revelation that “the Death Star plans are not in the main computer,” the Empire becomes relentless in its pursuit of the schematics. Stormtroopers descend to the surface of Tatooine, leading to the tragic fate of Luke’s uncle and aunt, all in the quest for the elusive plans.
As the plans are transported across space, we are introduced to Han and Chewie. Eventually, they reach the Rebel Alliance, where the meticulous examination of the plans is crucial in identifying a weak point in the Death Star.
The significance of the plans as a MacGuffin is evident. If Vader had discovered them on the ship in the opening act, it would have marked the end. Holding Princess Leia hostage, the Empire would have swiftly eradicated the Rebel Alliance, as the crucial vulnerability information would never have fallen into enemy hands.
8 The Briefcase Pulp Fiction
The beauty of MacGuffins lies in the mystery surrounding them; often, knowing what they are is unnecessary. While the characters within the story may require that information to drive the plot, the audience can find intrigue in the mere acknowledgment of their importance.
Consider the iconic briefcase in Pulp Fiction. The contents of this enigmatic briefcase remain undisclosed, and, truthfully, it doesn’t matter. As viewers, all we need to grasp is that it holds significant value within the narrative.
Over the years, the Internet has buzzed with speculation about the briefcase’s potential contents. Fan theories range from a cache of diamonds stolen in Reservoir Dogs to Rudolph’s nose, O.J. Simpson’s other glove, Quentin Tarantino’s hoped-for Oscar, or even Marsellus Wallace’s soul (offering an explanation for the Band-Aid on the back of his neck). Tarantino himself has confirmed that there is no official explanation for the briefcase’s contents; it was intentionally crafted as an intriguing MacGuffin in the screenplay.
7 The Genesis Device And Star Trek II And Star Trek III
Commencing with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and culminating in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, the apparent driving force of the main plot might appear to be Khan’s fury towards Kirk and Kirk’s animosity towards the Klingons. However, the true linchpin of the narrative is the Genesis Device.
Originally conceived to birth new life, the Genesis Device is perceived by external entities, beyond Starfleet, as the ultimate weapon capable of obliterating entire planets and eradicating existing life forms. This device significantly influences Kirk’s life, leading to the encounter with his son. Furthermore, when the Genesis Device becomes instrumental in preserving Kirk’s existence, the Klingons, seeking its power, maliciously end up causing the death of Kirk’s son.
The Genesis Device plays a pivotal role in the revival of Spock when his body reaches the Genesis planet. This prompts the Enterprise crew to embark on an illicit mission, commandeering their ship to rescue their fallen and miraculously revived comrade. As MacGuffins go, the Genesis Device stands out as one of the most intriguing on this list.
6 Private Ryan Saving Private Ryan
Numerous instances involve individuals serving as MacGuffins, but few are as crucial as Private James Francis Ryan in the film bearing his name. Saving Private Ryan doesn’t primarily center on the Nazis or Operation Overlord; instead, the narrative revolves around Tom Hanks and his group of Rangers embarking on a mission to rescue the eponymous private from almost certain death.
Admittedly, Ryan holds significance in the storyline, but his actions upon being found constitute another stage in the MacGuffin mechanism propelling the tale to its poignant conclusion. When he refuses to abandon his unit and opts to stay with the Rangers, many of them meet their demise.
The narrative comes full circle with the old man in the cemetery, revealed to be Ryan. In a reflective moment with his wife, he questions whether he was a good man and led a virtuous life. Even serving as the story’s MacGuffin, Ryan is aware that his choices were instrumental in propelling the narrative forward.
5 The One Ring The Lord Of The Rings
In the realm of potent artifacts acting as MacGuffins, one need not search beyond the One Ring. This ring not only becomes the focal point of Sauron’s relentless pursuit throughout the series, encompassing both film trilogies and literary works, but it also possesses considerable inherent power. Unveiling its status as the most potent ring, it serves as the binding force for all others.
The Fellowship of the Ring undertakes a monumental quest to return the ring to Mount Doom for its destruction. This quest marks only the initiation of an adventure weaving together the destinies of all inhabitants of Middle-earth.
While The Hobbit novel doesn’t extensively explore the Ring’s origin or potency, Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy incorporates it into the narrative. However, in The Hobbit, the focal point—and more specifically, the Arkenstone upon which Smaug rests—becomes the MacGuffin of that trilogy.
4 The Holy Grail And Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade
A plethora of items, ranging from the Ark of the Covenant to the somewhat absurd crystal skulls, could have been chosen, as the treasure in any Indiana Jones film inherently qualifies as a MacGuffin. Opting for the Holy Grail from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, we select it as the quintessential MacGuffin for any aspiring treasure hunter. This choice stands out as a straightforward example, explicitly defined as the objective pursued by all characters in the film.
Initially sought by Indy’s father, the quest intensifies as we discover the Nazis, led by Adolf Hitler, also coveting the Holy Grail. Indiana Jones himself becomes entangled in the search, driven by the larger quest to locate his missing father. The Holy Grail, once found and its purpose fulfilled, is ultimately discarded, albeit unintentionally at first. When a MacGuffin fulfills its role in propelling the narrative, its fate becomes inconsequential, emphasizing its significance in the story’s inception.
3 The Maltese Falcon The Maltese Falcon
Classic films produced during the era when Hitchcock introduced the term “MacGuffin” feature noteworthy examples, with The Maltese Falcon’s iconic statuette standing out as one of the most well-known. In the film, the Maltese Falcon serves as the coveted item that drives the actions of the entire ensemble of characters. It’s not just the Falcon itself that qualifies as the MacGuffin; the pursuit of this object propels the narrative.
Upon discovering that the Falcon is a counterfeit, characters like Gutman and Cairo don’t respond with distress or anger. Instead, they find a sense of delight, realizing that the search can persist. The worldwide pursuit of the Falcon imbues their lives with meaning, and the prospect of continuing this quest brings genuine satisfaction to these characters.
What makes the Maltese Falcon intriguing is that its value is derived solely from the relentless pursuit by the characters in the book or film. The implied value encapsulates the essence of a perfect MacGuffin, reminiscent of the significance bestowed upon the briefcase in Pulp Fiction.
2 Letters Of Transit Casablanca
Casablanca isn’t merely a treasure trove of some of the finest lines in cinematic history; it also stands as one of the earliest instances of a MacGuffin subtly woven into the narrative, with the audience’s attention primarily fixated on the romance between Humphrey Bogart’s Rick Blaine and Ingrid Bergman’s Ilsa Lund. While viewers are absorbed in the love story, the characters in the movie are preoccupied with the elusive “letters of transit.”
Throughout the film, Rick’s driving force is ensuring the safety and security of his former lover. In the climactic conclusion, he compels Ilsa to board the plane after successfully securing the letters of transit, granting them the means to escape Nazi-occupied Morocco. Despite the gravity placed on these documents, obtained through the drastic measure of murdering two German couriers, the audience remains more captivated by the Rick-Ilsa romance, underscoring the letters of transit as one of the most cleverly integrated MacGuffins in cinematic history.
1 Rosebud Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane commences with the demise of Charles Foster Kane, who clutches a snow globe that plummets to the floor as he breathes his final word, “Rosebud.” The true MacGuffin in the film lies in the meaning of this enigmatic word, as it propels Jerry Thompson on a mission to unravel the mystery behind “Rosebud.”
The entire narrative hinges on Thompson’s relentless pursuit to decipher the significance of the word. However, the film concludes without Thompson ever unveiling the truth. Only the audience is privy to the revelation when the camera unveils the trade name of the sled, “Rosebud,” as it pans around Xanadu.
The sled, a childhood possession of eight-year-old Kane on the day he was separated from his home in Colorado, is dismissed as worthless and ultimately incinerated. This choice renders the question and MacGuffin perpetually unanswered within the film’s framework.
