Propp's Narrative Roles;
Protagonist (Hero) - Character who's story/quest it is
Antagonist (Villian) - Chatacter(s) who blocks the protagonist from from achieving their goal
Princess (Damsel in distress) - Something/something that needs to protected or saved
Helpers - Help the protagonists to achieve their goals
Mentor (Father figure) - Provides guidance, counselling and knowledge
Gift givers (Donors) - Gives a specific object to the protagonist
Quest giver - Sets protagonist off on quest
Anti-Hero - Has the characteristics which are unheroic and possibly immoral but inside they are on the forces of good
False hero - Appears to be heroic, but it turns out they are actually an antagonist.
Protagonist (Hero) - Character who's story/quest it is
Antagonist (Villian) - Chatacter(s) who blocks the protagonist from from achieving their goal
Princess (Damsel in distress) - Something/something that needs to protected or saved
Helpers - Help the protagonists to achieve their goals
Mentor (Father figure) - Provides guidance, counselling and knowledge
Gift givers (Donors) - Gives a specific object to the protagonist
Quest giver - Sets protagonist off on quest
Anti-Hero - Has the characteristics which are unheroic and possibly immoral but inside they are on the forces of good
False hero - Appears to be heroic, but it turns out they are actually an antagonist.
Applying Propp's Narrative Roles to Mission Impossible 4;
Ethan Hunt; Protagonist
Angent Carter; Helper
Agent Dunn; Helper
Agent Brandt; Helper
Bodgan; Princess
The Secretary; Mentor/Gift Giver/Quest giver/Helper.
Antoly Sidorov; Anti-hero/Antagonist
Kurt Hendricks; Antagonist
Sabine Moreau; Antogonist
In 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol' The Secretary plays many roles in Propp's theory. Although not a main character his presence is essential in the film as he fulfils multiple roles and his character helps the story to progress. I believe that the Secretary is a Father Figure and Helper as being Ethan's boss he teaches and guides Ethan in his missions, and he presents Ethan with the knowledge he needs to compete these missions. Ethan looks to the Secretary for help and support during the film, and despite the fact that the Secretary is sent to arrest Ethan for a terrorist attack he had been framed of committing, he puts his job position and his safety at risk in order to help Ethan in his quest. As well as this, the Secretary gives Ethan and his team the location of the specialist equipment they need for their mission to be a success, making him a Gift Giver. The Secretary also provides Ethan and his team with the Ghost Protocol mission, which is the journey on which we follow the Protagonist during this film, and this therefore makes the Secretary a Quest Giver as well, and makes his character crucial to the plot.
I believe Antoly Sidorov to have qualities of both an Antagonist and also an Anti-Hero. Sidorov works for the Russian government as an agent, and believes Ethan to be guilty of a terrorist attack on the Russian monument known as 'The Kremlin.' Nonetheless, we know that Ethan was framed by the main Antagonist, Kurt Hendricks. On multiple occasions Sidorov tries to prevent Ethan from completing his mission, meaning that he is seen as an Antagonist for most of the film. However, Sidorov is part of the government and his intention is to prevent Antagonists from doing bad, and by the end of the film he becomes aware that himself and Ethan are both on 'the same side' as Ethan captures Hendricks, making Sidorov a potential Anti-Hero.
Although Agent Brandt is a Helper to the Protagonist in the film, I believe that he also has characteristics of a False Hero after a plot twist. However, I believe that these characteristics are revoked quite soon after as he redeems himself by staying loyal to the mission. To begin with we believe Brandt is an analyst, but during a fighting scene we see him forced into combat. Ethan confronts him about his fighting skills, and we find out that Brandt was once a field agent but resigned after the person he was protecting was killed, and we later find out that this was Ethan's wife. For this brief period in the film the audience view Brandt as a False Hero as he lied to the rest of his team and was partly responsible for the Protagonist's pain. Nonetheless, Ethan actually explains that his wife is still alive, and her death was faked in order to protect her. Brandt no longer feels guilty and continues with the mission, fulfilling his role as a Helper.
I believe Antoly Sidorov to have qualities of both an Antagonist and also an Anti-Hero. Sidorov works for the Russian government as an agent, and believes Ethan to be guilty of a terrorist attack on the Russian monument known as 'The Kremlin.' Nonetheless, we know that Ethan was framed by the main Antagonist, Kurt Hendricks. On multiple occasions Sidorov tries to prevent Ethan from completing his mission, meaning that he is seen as an Antagonist for most of the film. However, Sidorov is part of the government and his intention is to prevent Antagonists from doing bad, and by the end of the film he becomes aware that himself and Ethan are both on 'the same side' as Ethan captures Hendricks, making Sidorov a potential Anti-Hero.
Although Agent Brandt is a Helper to the Protagonist in the film, I believe that he also has characteristics of a False Hero after a plot twist. However, I believe that these characteristics are revoked quite soon after as he redeems himself by staying loyal to the mission. To begin with we believe Brandt is an analyst, but during a fighting scene we see him forced into combat. Ethan confronts him about his fighting skills, and we find out that Brandt was once a field agent but resigned after the person he was protecting was killed, and we later find out that this was Ethan's wife. For this brief period in the film the audience view Brandt as a False Hero as he lied to the rest of his team and was partly responsible for the Protagonist's pain. Nonetheless, Ethan actually explains that his wife is still alive, and her death was faked in order to protect her. Brandt no longer feels guilty and continues with the mission, fulfilling his role as a Helper.