Valiant Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A tiny pigeon with Napoleon complex joins the army to fight some German falcons, proving that even the smallest bird can deliver vital messages, mainly farts, for the war effort.

🍿 Valiant: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Pigeon’s Dream

In 1944, Valiant, a small wood pigeon, dreams of joining the Royal Homing Pigeon Service (RHPS) to aid Britain in World War II. He’s inspired by Wing Commander Gutsy, a war hero, and decides to travel to London to enlist. His determination showcases his courageous spirit, setting the stage for his adventure.

Enlistment and Training

In London, Valiant meets Bugsy, a street pigeon trying to evade some tough pigeons. To escape, Bugsy enlists alongside Valiant. They join Squad F, a group of unconventional recruits, and begin training under Sergeant. The training is rigorous, and the squad faces challenges as they prepare for their mission.

The Perilous Mission

Squad F is assigned a crucial mission to deliver a message from France. During the flight, their plane is caught in a dogfight, and they must parachute out. Gutsy seemingly dies in the crash, leaving Valiant and his team to continue the mission alone, facing the dangers ahead.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Valiant (Ewan McGregor): A small but determined wood pigeon who aspires to become a war hero by joining the Royal Homing Pigeon Service.
• Bugsy (Ricky Gervais): A smelly and opportunistic pigeon who becomes Valiant’s unlikely friend and sidekick.
• Von Talon (Tim Curry): The ruthless and menacing leader of the German falcon squadron, serving as the film’s primary antagonist.
• Gutsy (Hugh Laurie): A seasoned and respected Wing Commander who serves as an inspiration and mentor to Valiant.
• Sergeant (Jim Broadbent): The tough and demanding trainer responsible for preparing the new recruits for their dangerous missions.
• Mercury (John Cleese): A captured and resilient veteran pigeon who withstands interrogation to protect vital information.
• Victoria (Olivia Williams): The nursing dove who becomes Valiant’s love interest.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Valiant: “It’s not the size of your wingspan that counts, no, it’s the size of your spirit.” – Valiant says this to embody his determination and courage, despite being smaller than other pigeons.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $19,478,106
• Worldwide Gross: $61,746,888

💥 Valiant Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Valiant’ as a kid, and I loved the plucky little pigeon who wouldn’t give up. Watching it again, the animation might look a bit dated, but the heart is still there. The jokes are silly, perfect for a family movie night. While it’s not the most sophisticated animated film, it’s a fun, feel-good story that reminds me to believe in myself, no matter how small I am. I specially loved the part where Bugsy tries to avoid taking a bath; it’s hilarious! The training montages were also really fun to watch, reminding you of every underdog story you have ever seen.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for a G-rated animated film”
  • “Children interested in war stories with animal heroes”
  • “Fans of Ewan McGregor and Ricky Gervais”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild cartoon violence”
  • “War themes”
  • “Some potentially scary scenes with falcons”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While boasting impressive voice talent and visuals for its time, ‘Valiant’ suffers from a predictable storyline and lacks the sophisticated humor found in other animated films. It’s a harmless watch for kids, but adults may find it uninspired.
• Common Sense Media: “This movie delivers a light-hearted take on WWII with a focus on bravery and teamwork, making it suitable for younger audiences. However, the humor might be too simplistic for older kids, and parents may find the plot somewhat predictable.
• IMDb: “British send up of WW2 films is a tad slow to start but is a funny feel good movie. The voice cast is excellent and any Anglophiles out there will want to see this for the great voice cast which includes Ewan McGregor as Valiant, who is a wonderful hero, Ricky Gervais as Bugsy who is hysterical as the slob friend.

Audience Reactions

Kids loved the silly humor and the brave little pigeon.: The movie is family-friendly and has a positive message about courage and perseverance.

The all-star British voice cast brought so much life to their roles.: The voice acting was top-notch, making the characters memorable and funny.

Overall Consensus: A light-hearted, family-friendly film with a positive message, but may not appeal to older audiences seeking sophisticated humor or groundbreaking animation.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Despite the short running time, voicing the movie took over two years.”
• “The German falcons wear Pickelhauben, helmets used in WWI, which is an anachronism for WWII.”
• “The film draws inspiration from the real-life role of homing pigeons in World War II, particularly their use in delivering vital messages.”

🖥️ How to Watch Valiant?

Valiant is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or buy it on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for other streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Valiant, you might like these similar films:

• Chicken Run (2000): Both are British animated films that cleverly parody war movies with animal protagonists in a comedic fashion.
• The Great Mouse Detective (1986): Features animal characters in a historical setting with a mystery/adventure plot, appealing to a similar sense of old-fashioned adventure.
• Dumbo (1941): An underdog overcomes his physical limitations to achieve great things.

🛒 Valiant Related Products

• Valiant (2005) [DVD]: Relive Valiant’s heroic journey in this DVD edition. Includes bonus features like behind-the-scenes footage and character profiles, providing extra entertainment for fans.
• Royal Air Force Homing Pigeon Service T-Shirt: Show your support for the unsung heroes of WWII with this unique shirt, featuring the Royal Air Force Homing Pigeon Service logo.
• World War II Carrier Pigeons: A Historical Overview: This in-depth historical account explores the real-life role of carrier pigeons during WWII, detailing their missions and contributions to the war effort, expanding on the movie’s historical context.
• Valiant: Wings of Courage – Activity Book: Includes movie stills and trivia about making of movie, puzzles, and games.

🎧 Soundtrack

Valiant features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover” – performed by Ricky Gervais
• “Main Title” – performed by George Fenton

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Just Like Home. [Funny Scene]-Valiant. (HD)

Ever wondered what it’s like for a little pigeon to adjust to military life? This scene is hilarious, especially with the ‘home’ comforts! You gotta see how Valiant settles in – I almost choked on my drink laughing!

Valiant (2005) Bugsy Pranks Officer To Join RHPS (Royal homing pegion service)

This is how you get into the Royal Homing Pigeon Service! Bugsy’s prank on the officer is pure genius, and Valiant’s along for the ride. It’s a riot – trust me, you’ll love Bugsy’s antics.

✨ Rate