WHAT IS A MacGUFFIN?

A "MacGuffin" is a plot device used in stories, TV shows and films, usually thrillers. The "MacGuffin" is the object that drives the story forward and is of vital importance to both the heroes and villains. The details of the object or person are unimportant. The defining aspect of a MacGuffin is that the major players in the story are (at least initially) willing to do and sacrifice almost anything to obtain it, regardless of what it actually is. In reality, the specific nature of the MacGuffin may be completely unimportant to the plot.

Here are some famous "MacGuffins":


Probably the oldest "MacGuffin" is the Golden Fleese from "Jason and the Argonaughts".


Or perhaps Helen of Troy.


The most popular through the years has been the "Holy Grail", which has featured in the various King Arthur and Merlin films, as well as Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Fisher King, the Da Vinci Code and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.


In fact all the Indianna Jones films have a "MacGuffin". Also....


Private Ryan in "Saving Private Ryan"


R2D2 in "Star Wars"


The contents of the briefcase in "Pulp Fiction"


The mineral Unobtainium in Avatar.


The Maltese Falcon.


The one ring in "Lord of the Rings".


The power for the flux capacitor in "Back to the future"


On TV. Number 6's reason for resigning in "The Prisoner".....


and of course "The fallen madonna with the big boobies" from "'Allo 'Allo"