The Rescuers Down Under
Movie, 1990, The Disney Renaissance, Set in The Australian Outback
The Rescuers Down Under is #2 of 20 in release order and #16 of 20 in chronological order in the Disney Animated Classics.
The story
A lawless poacher wants to capture a majestic and rare golden eagle, so he kidnaps the boy who knows where to find the bird. Not to worry -- the Rescue Aid Society's top agents, heroic mice Miss Bianca and Bernard, fly to Australia to save the day. Accompanying the fearless duo are bumbling albatross Wilbur and local field operative Jake the Kangaroo Rat.
The Rescuers Down Under recap
In the Australian Outback, a boy named Cody frees a giant golden eagle, Marahute, from a poacher's trap. The poacher, Percival McLeach, wants the eagle, illegal to hunt, and captures Cody when he finds one of her feathers, then takes the boy to his hideout to make him reveal where she nests. A mouse caught in another trap sends word to the Rescue Aid Society in New York, and its best agents, Bernard and Miss Bianca, are sent to help. Bernard has been trying all evening to propose to Bianca. They fly to Australia on Wilbur the albatross, and are guided through the Outback by Jake, a kangaroo mouse who flirts with Bianca. Wilbur hurts his back and is taken to a mouse hospital, which he flees. McLeach, who has already convinced the rangers that Cody is dead, lets the boy go after telling him Marahute has been shot, then follows him to the nest with his pet goanna, Joanna, and captures the eagle, Cody, Jake and Bianca. Bernard hides the eggs and leaves Wilbur to guard them.
The Rescuers Down Under ending explained
McLeach falls to his death over a waterfall, and Bernard finally proposes to Bianca, who accepts. At Crocodile Falls, McLeach hangs Cody over the water. Bernard arrives riding a razorback hog he has tamed, disables McLeach's truck and tricks Joanna into knocking McLeach into the river. McLeach fights off the crocodiles but is swept over the falls. Jake and Bianca free Marahute, who catches Cody and Bernard. Back at the nest, the eggs hatch under Wilbur.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch The Rescuers Down Under
The Rescuers Down Under is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes 85%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Little Mermaid, before Beauty and the Beast.
- Chronological order: after The Nightmare Before Christmas, before A Goofy Movie.
What to watch before The Rescuers Down Under
The Little Mermaid (1989), which The Rescuers Down Under (1990) continues.
Cast
- Bob Newhart as Bernard (voice)
- Eva Gabor as Miss Bianca (voice)
- John Candy as Wilbur (voice)
- Tristan Rogers as Jake (voice)
- Adam Ryen as Cody (voice)
- George C. Scott as McLeach (voice)
- Wayne Robson as Frank (voice)
- Douglas Seale as Krebbs (voice)
- Frank Welker as Joanna / Marahute (voice)
- Bernard Fox as Chairman / Doctor (voice)
- Peter Firth as Red (voice)
- Ed Gilbert as Francois (voice)
Directed by Mike Gabriel, Hendel Butoy.