Test your knowledge of The Rescuers Down Under with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of The Rescuers Down Under (1990). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


In the stunning Outback, a young boy named Cody finds himself in a remarkable adventure when he rescues and befriends a rare golden eagle named Marahute. This majestic bird not only shows him her nest and eggs but also gifts him one of her precious feathers as a token of their bond. However, danger looms when Cody unwittingly falls into an animal trap set by the cunning poacher Percival C. McLeach, who is infamous for having killed Marahute’s mate and is actively sought by the Australian Rangers. In a bid to save a mouse who has been used as bait, Cody finds himself in peril. Upon realizing that Cody possesses Marahute’s feather and quite possibly knows her location, McLeach decides to kidnap the boy, tossing his backpack into a float of crocodiles to make it seem as though Cody has met a gruesome fate.

The situation escalates as the courageous rescued mouse races to an RAS outpost to alert them about Cody’s abduction. This prompts an urgent telegram to be dispatched to the Rescue Aid Society headquarters in New York City. Here, the esteemed agents, Bernard and Miss Bianca, are reluctantly pulled away from what was supposed to be a moment for Bernard to propose to Bianca. Their mission entails finding Orville, the albatross who previously assisted them, only to discover he has retired and his brother Wilbur has taken over the flying duties. Despite the bitter winter weather, Wilbur is determined to help them reach Australia, motivated by his disdain for child abduction. Upon arrival, they encounter Jake, a lively hopping mouse who serves as the local operative for RAS. Flirtatious and charming, Jake quickly finds himself smitten with Bianca, much to Bernard’s concern. Consequently, Jake takes on the role of their “tour guide” while they search for Cody.

After a minor fiasco that results in Wilbur bending his spine while trying to assist, he ends up in a dilapidated ambulance. Although terrified of a surgery involving dangerous instruments, Wilbur bravely straightens his back and takes to the sky once again to find his friends. Meanwhile, at McLeach’s hideout, Cody stands firm against the poacher, refusing to reveal Marahute’s location. In a sinister ploy, McLeach deceives Cody into believing that Marahute has been harmed, knowing it will compel him to return to her nest.

Eventually, McLeach ensnares both Cody and Marahute, along with Jake and Bianca. However, in a twist of fate, Bernard manages to hide Marahute’s eggs from McLeach’s grasp. Taking his captives to the treacherous Crocodile Falls—a notorious waterfall where he previously discarded Cody’s backpack—McLeach plots a horrifying end for Cody, intending to sacrifice him to the crocodiles lurking below. Just as hope seems lost, Bernard, now riding a razorback pig he has tamed using a horse whispering technique learned from Jake, arrives to thwart McLeach’s villainous plan.

The chaotic climax ensues as McLeach tries to shoot the rope holding Cody above the ravenous crocodiles, but his scheme backfires when Bernard ingeniously tricks Joanna, McLeach’s accomplice, into crashing into him. As the crocodiles turn on McLeach and Joanna, the situation spirals into chaos, leading McLeach to a desperate swim for the shore—that ends with him tumbling over the waterfall to a fitting demise. Bernard then jumps into the water, holding Cody long enough for Jake and Bianca to rescue Marahute, who swoops in just in time to save them both.

In the aftermath of their harrowing ordeal, Bernard finally musters the courage to propose to Bianca, who joyfully accepts his offer. Jake, observing their new bond, salutes Bernard with newfound admiration. With their adventure behind them, the group prepares to return home safely, unaware that Wilbur is still sitting on Marahute’s eggs, which are about to hatch—leading to unexpected antics as one of the eaglets gives Wilbur a little bite, leaving him bewildered.

Timeline

Track the key events of The Rescuers Down Under (1990) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Cody rescues Marahute

In the stunning Outback, a young boy named Cody finds and rescues a rare golden eagle named Marahute. Their bond deepens as Marahute shows Cody her nest and gifts him a precious feather, marking the beginning of their extraordinary friendship.

Outback

Cody falls into a trap

While trying to save a small mouse used as bait, Cody unwittingly falls into an animal trap set by the notorious poacher, Percival C. McLeach. This sets off a chain of events that quickly spiral into danger for both Cody and Marahute.

McLeach's scheme

The cunning McLeach learns about the feather Cody possesses, realizing it could lead him to Marahute. He decides to kidnap Cody, tossing his backpack into a pool of crocodiles to create the illusion that the boy is no longer alive.

Crocodile float

Rescue Aid Society alerted

As the mouse Cody rescued races to alert the RAS about his abduction, an urgent telegram is dispatched to the society's headquarters in New York City. This prompts Bernard and Miss Bianca to prioritize the rescue mission, interrupting their personal plans.

New York City

Wilbur steps in

In the middle of a bitter winter, Bernard and Bianca discover that Orville has retired and his brother Wilbur is now responsible for flying them to Australia. Wilbur is determined to help them despite the challenging weather conditions and the serious nature of the mission.

Greeting local operative

Upon arriving in Australia, Wilbur, Bernard, and Bianca meet Jake, a lively local operative. Jake's flirtatious nature quickly complicates matters as he sets his sights on Bianca, leading Bernard to feel a bit jealous while they strategize to find Cody.

Australia

Wilbur's back injury

During the search for Cody, Wilbur encounters a minor mishap, causing him to injure his back in the process. Despite his fear of surgery, he bravely admits he needs to fix himself to help his friends continue their rescue mission.

Cody stands against McLeach

Inside McLeach's hideout, Cody shows remarkable courage by refusing to divulge Marahute's location despite McLeach's intimidation tactics. McLeach uses deception, claiming Marahute is in danger, hoping to manipulate Cody into compliance.

McLeach's hideout

Cody and Marahute captured

In a dramatic turn of events, McLeach manages to capture both Cody and Marahute, as well as Jake and Bianca. As they become prisoners, the situation grows increasingly dire, with Bernard secretly hiding Marahute’s eggs from the poacher.

Crocodile Falls

The plot at Crocodile Falls

McLeach takes his captives to the treacherous Crocodile Falls, known for its lethal crocodiles. With malicious intent, he plans to sacrifice Cody to the predators lurking below, showcasing the extent of his villainy.

Crocodile Falls

Bernard's heroic arrival

Just when it seems all hope is lost for Cody and Marahute, Bernard arrives riding a razorback pig he has trained. His entrance disrupts McLeach’s plans and brings a glimmer of hope to the seemingly hopeless situation.

Chaos ensues

In a frantic climax, Bernard tricks Joanna, McLeach's accomplice, into crashing into him while he attempts to shoot the rope holding Cody. As chaos reigns and crocodiles turn on McLeach, the situation quickly spirals out of control.

Crocodile Falls

McLeach's demise

Amidst the chaos, McLeach is chased by the crocodiles and ultimately tumbles over the falls to his demise. Bernard's quick thinking saves Cody, while Jake and Bianca work together to rescue Marahute at the last moment.

Crocodile Falls

Bernard proposes

After the harrowing adventure, Bernard finally finds the courage to propose to Bianca, who is thrilled to accept. This romantic moment adds a happy closure to their perilous journey.

Unexpected hatchling antics

As the group prepares to return home, they discover Wilbur has been guarding Marahute's eggs. Just as they are about to leave, one of the eaglets hatches and gives Wilbur a little bite, leading to unexpected hilarity.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring The Rescuers Down Under (1990) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Cody

Cody is a young, adventurous boy with a strong sense of courage and a deep appreciation for wildlife. His determination to rescue Marahute highlights his bravery, showing that he's willing to confront danger to protect his newfound friend. Cody's innocence and connection with nature propel the story forward, illustrating the bond between humans and animals.

👦 Kid 🦅 Wildlife Lover 💪 Brave

Bernard

Bernard is a dedicated and slightly nervous agent of the Rescue Aid Society who cares deeply for Bianca. His journey evolves from an anxious suitor to a brave hero who takes risks to save Cody and Marahute. His cleverness and determined spirit shine through during key moments, especially in his final confrontation with McLeach.

🐭 Hero 💘 Romantic 🤔 Anxious

Miss Bianca

Miss Bianca is a confident and charming agent dedicated to wildlife rescue and supporting Bernard. Her resourcefulness and quick-thinking enhance their quest, and she provides a contrasting dynamic to Bernard’s cautious nature. Bianca's strength and determination are vital to their success, as she balances her affections for Bernard with the needs of their mission.

🐭 Intelligent 💖 Supportive 🌟 Charismatic

McLeach

Percival C. McLeach is the antagonistic poacher, cunning and ruthless in his pursuit of Marahute. His obsession with capturing the eagle drives the narrative conflict and demonstrates the perilous consequences of greed and exploitation of nature. As a foil to the protagonists, McLeach's villainous intentions highlight the film's themes of bravery and environmental protection.

🚨 Villain 🦺 Cunning 👀 Greedy

Jake

Jake is a lively and charismatic hopping mouse who adds a playful dynamic to the group. He acts as a local operative for the Rescue Aid Society, guiding Bernard and Bianca in Australia. His flirtatious attitude and bravery in supporting Cody's rescue reflect the camaraderie among the characters, showcasing the theme of friendship.

🐭 Playful 🥰 Flirtatious 🌟 Resourceful

Setting

Uncover the settings of The Rescuers Down Under (1990), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The movie takes place in a contemporary setting, reflecting the technological and social norms of the time. Themes of adventure, wildlife conservation, and friendship resonate throughout, providing a timeless appeal despite its era.

Location

Outback, New York City, Crocodile Falls

The Australian Outback is a vast, rugged interior region known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife. It serves as the backdrop for Cody's adventure and Marahute's nest, emphasizing the connection between nature and the characters' quest. New York City, contrastingly, represents civilization and the base for the Rescue Aid Society, showcasing the characters' journey from urban life to the wild. Crocodile Falls is a treacherous waterfall notorious for danger, representing the climax of the adventure.

🌏 Australia 📍 City

Themes

Explore the core themes of The Rescuers Down Under (1990). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🦅

Adventure

Adventure is a central theme as Cody embarks on a journey filled with unexpected dangers and friendships. His bond with Marahute the eagle exemplifies the importance of bravery and companionship in overcoming obstacles. The quest to save Cody illustrates the intimate connection between humans and nature, leading to thrilling escapades and personal growth.

⚔️

Courage

Courage is embodied in several characters throughout the film. Bernard and Bianca demonstrate bravery as they confront challenges in pursuit of their mission. Cody's determination to protect Marahute showcases resilience in the face of danger, highlighting the theme that true bravery often comes from love and loyalty.

🤝

Friendship

Friendship is pivotal in the narrative, as the bond between Cody, Marahute, and the RAS agents drives the storyline. Through teamwork, the characters navigate perilous situations, reinforcing the idea that cooperation and trust among friends can lead to overcoming great adversities.

© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.