Stories need stakes, something that the protagonist is either trying to make happen or working to avoid happening. Those can be big—think about any of the recent superhero movies where a giant sky laser is threatening to bring down (fill in the blank invading army)—or more personal, involving family, relationships, jobs and the like.
For Decades, Nazis Were Hollywood's Ultimate Villains, the Polar Opposites of Any American Hero
A look back at how big-screen marketers embraced fascist foes
