The Grand Budapest Hotel Summary

Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel unfolds through a series of nested narratives. The film begins with a young girl visiting the grave of a famous author. This author then recounts how he came to write his celebrated novel, detailing a chance encounter decades earlier.

In 1968, the Young Writer stays at the now dilapidated Grand Budapest Hotel. He meets the hotel’s enigmatic owner, Zero Moustafa. Zero agrees to share his incredible life story, transporting the narrative back to the hotel’s golden age in 1932.

Act I: The Golden Age and a Shocking Inheritance

Chapter 1: M. Gustave and Zero’s Apprenticeship

The story truly begins in 1932 at the magnificent Grand Budapest Hotel. Gustave H. serves as the impeccably fastidious concierge, renowned for his charm and discreet liaisons with wealthy, elderly female guests. A young, eager lobby boy, Zero Moustafa, arrives seeking employment. M. Gustave takes Zero under his wing, teaching him the intricate art of hotel service and the importance of discretion.

Their daily routines are punctuated by the arrival of Madame D., a very old and incredibly wealthy patron. M. Gustave dedicates himself to her every whim, providing companionship and comfort. Zero observes this unique relationship, learning about M. Gustave’s complex character. This period establishes the hotel’s grandeur and the escalating political tensions in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka.

Chapter 2: The Reading of the Will and a Heist

Madame D. unexpectedly dies two weeks after her stay, leading M. Gustave and Zero to her family estate. Her death sets in motion a dramatic chain of events. At the reading of her will, it is revealed that Madame D. has bequeathed a priceless Renaissance painting, “Boy with Apple,” to M. Gustave. This infuriates her greedy son, Dmitri, who believes M. Gustave seduced his mother for her fortune.

Fearing Dmitri’s wrath, M. Gustave and Zero discreetly abscond with the painting. They manage to escape the estate with the valuable artwork, intending to keep it safe. This act of defiance marks a significant turning point, thrusting M. Gustave into direct conflict with Madame D.’s powerful family.

Want the full analysis? Try H1 Club free for complete notes, sample answers, and examiner insights.

Act II: Escape, Imprisonment, and Unlikely Alliances

Chapter 3: M. Gustave’s Imprisonment and Zero’s Loyalty

Dmitri frames M. Gustave for Madame D.’s murder, leading to his swift arrest. M. Gustave is incarcerated in a harsh prison, where he maintains his refined demeanour despite the squalor. Zero, demonstrating immense loyalty, remains devoted to clearing M. Gustave’s name. He works tirelessly, seeking ways to help his mentor from the outside.

Inside the prison, M. Gustave forms an unlikely alliance with a group of hardened criminals. He uses his charm and wit to orchestrate a daring escape plan. Zero, with the help of his fiancée Agatha, plays a crucial role in providing the necessary tools for the breakout, showcasing their unwavering bond.

Chapter 4: The Escape and the Search for Proof

The prison escape is a meticulously planned and chaotic affair, highlighting M. Gustave’s resourcefulness. He and his fellow inmates manage to flee the prison, embarking on a perilous journey across Zubrowka. The authorities, led by the ruthless Jopling, Dmitri’s henchman, pursue them relentlessly.

M. Gustave and Zero must now locate a hidden codicil to Madame D.’s will. This document, they believe, will exonerate M. Gustave and expose Dmitri’s treachery. Their quest takes them to various locations, including a remote monastery, where they narrowly escape Jopling’s clutches. Their pursuit of justice becomes increasingly desperate.

Act III: Resolution and the Hotel’s Enduring Legacy

Chapter 5: Confrontation and Revelation

The climax unfolds at the Grand Budapest Hotel, where M. Gustave, Zero, and Agatha confront Dmitri. A chaotic shootout ensues within the hotel’s elegant halls, further escalating the tension. During the turmoil, the hidden codicil is finally discovered, revealing Madame D.’s true intentions.

The codicil states that if Madame D. were murdered, her entire fortune, including the Grand Budapest Hotel, would pass to M. Gustave. This revelation completely exonerates M. Gustave, exposing Dmitri’s villainy. Justice is served, albeit through a tumultuous and violent sequence of events.

Chapter 6: The Aftermath and Zero’s Inheritance

In the aftermath of the conflict, M. Gustave is tragically killed during a border crossing, a casualty of the escalating war. Zero, now married to Agatha, inherits Madame D.’s vast fortune and the Grand Budapest Hotel, as stipulated in the codicil. He dedicates himself to preserving the hotel’s legacy, maintaining its grandeur and M. Gustave’s memory.

The narrative returns to 1968, where the elderly Zero Moustafa concludes his story to the Young Writer. He explains that he keeps the hotel running not for profit, but as a tribute to M. Gustave and the golden era they shared. The film closes with the Young Writer reflecting on the profound impact of Zero’s tale, understanding the enduring power of memory and storytelling.

Related Pages

• The Grand Budapest Hotel Study Guide
• Themes in The Grand Budapest Hotel
• Key Moments in The Grand Budapest Hotel
• Key Quotes in The Grand Budapest Hotel