The Great Mouse Detective Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Sherlock Holmes, but make him a mouse, and his archnemesis a surprisingly charismatic rat voiced by Vincent Price, who wants to replace the Queen with a wind-up toy.

🍿 The Great Mouse Detective: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Kidnapping of Hiram Flaversham

In Victorian London, young Olivia Flaversham’s toymaker father, Hiram, is kidnapped on her birthday. Desperate and alone, Olivia seeks the help of Basil of Baker Street, the renowned mouse detective. Along the way, she meets Dr. David Q. Dawson, a kindly mouse recently returned from military service, who accompanies her to Basil’s residence.

Basil’s Investigation Begins

Initially dismissive, Basil’s interest is piqued when Olivia mentions a peg-legged bat involved in her father’s abduction. He recognizes the bat as Fidget, a henchman of his arch-nemesis, Professor Ratigan. Driven by his rivalry with Ratigan, Basil agrees to take the case and sets out to find the kidnapped toymaker.

Following the Clues

Basil, Dawson, and Olivia follow a trail of clues, leading them to a toy shop where they discover toy soldiers missing their uniforms and clockwork toys stripped of their gears. Fidget ambushes them, kidnapping Olivia, but leaves behind a list. Basil’s knowledge of chemistry helps him deduce that the list originated from a seedy pub near the riverfront.

The Rat Trap Pub and Ratigan’s Lair

Disguised as sailors, Basil and Dawson infiltrate the Rat Trap, a pub filled with Ratigan’s henchmen. They follow Fidget through the sewers to Ratigan’s secret lair, where they find Olivia held captive. As they attempt to rescue her, they are captured by Ratigan, who reveals his plan to overthrow the Queen and become the ruler of all mousedom.

The Elaborate Death Trap

Ratigan subjects Basil and Dawson to an elaborate death trap involving a mousetrap, a gun, a crossbow, an axe, and an anvil, all set in motion by a record playing his song. However, Ratigan must leave to execute his plan at Buckingham Palace, leaving Basil and Dawson to face their doom.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Basil (Barrie Ingham): A brilliant but eccentric mouse detective residing in Baker Street who takes on the case of a kidnapped toymaker.
• Professor Ratigan (Vincent Price): The cunning and flamboyant criminal mastermind and Basil’s archenemy who plots to overthrow the Mouse Queen.
• Dawson (Val Bettin): A kind and loyal doctor who becomes Basil’s assistant and provides a grounded perspective to the detective work.
• Olivia (Susanne Pollatschek): A young Scottish mouse whose father is kidnapped, leading her to seek help from Basil.
• Flaversham (Alan Young): A master toymaker and Olivia’s father who is kidnapped by Ratigan to build a mechanical device.
• Fidget (Candy Candido): Ratigan’s peg-legged bat henchman who carries out his dirty work and often provides comic relief.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Professor Ratigan: “Oh, I love it when I’m nasty.” – Ratigan expresses his delight in his own villainy during the song ‘The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind.’
• Professor Ratigan: “Goodbye, so soon!” – Ratigan mockingly bids farewell to Basil and Dawson as he leaves them trapped in an elaborate death trap.
• Basil: “Precisely!” – Basil frequently exclaims this when he correctly deduces a fact or solves a clue.
• Professor Ratigan: “What was that, a R-R-R-rat?!” – Ratigan reacts with fury and violence to being called a rat, a term he vehemently despises despite his obvious rat-like features.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $14,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $38,625,550
• Worldwide Gross: $38,625,550

💥 The Great Mouse Detective Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie over and over again as a kid! The way they captured the Sherlock Holmes vibe, but made it mouse-sized, was so cool. Ratigan was terrifying but also weirdly charming, and Basil’s quirky personality always made me laugh. I think the scene where they are escaping the mousetrap and the clock tower are amazing!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Sherlock Holmes”
  • “Families with young children”
  • “Lovers of classic Disney animation”
  • “Those who enjoy mystery and adventure stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild cartoon violence”
  • “Some dark and suspenseful scenes”
  • “Brief depiction of bar setting”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “A delightful, if somewhat underrated, Disney gem, The Great Mouse Detective boasts a clever story, memorable characters, and impressive animation, all elevated by Vincent Price’s villainous performance.
• Common Sense Media: “This underappreciated Disney classic is a fun, fast-paced mystery with a genuinely menacing villain (voiced by Vincent Price) and a charming take on Sherlock Holmes. A bit dark for very young viewers.
• AllMovie: “A clever and entertaining take on Sherlock Holmes, The Great Mouse Detective features strong voice work, particularly from Vincent Price as the villainous Ratigan, and inventive animation. A hidden Disney treasure.

Audience Reactions

Vincent Price’s performance as Ratigan is legendary and steals every scene he’s in.: The villain is considered one of Disney’s best, adding depth and humor.

The detailed animation, especially the Big Ben sequence, is impressive and holds up even today.: Viewers admire its unique style and animation which provides excitement and adventure.

Overall Consensus: The Great Mouse Detective is a well-regarded Disney film known for its clever story, exciting climax, and Vincent Price’s unforgettable performance as Professor Ratigan, solidifying its status as a hidden classic.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Ratigan was originally designed to look thin and weak, but when Vincent Price was chosen to play the role, his appearance was changed to reflect Price’s imposing presence.”
• “The climactic Big Ben sequence was one of Disney’s first major uses of computer animation, blending CGI with traditional hand-drawn animation.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Great Mouse Detective?

The Great Mouse Detective is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Disney+, where it is included in their library of animated classics. For rental or purchase, check out services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Physical copies, including Blu-ray and DVD, are also widely available from retailers like Amazon and major department stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Great Mouse Detective, you might like these similar films:

• The Rescuers (1977): Features a similar theme of a secret society of mice carrying out heroic adventures.
• An American Tail (1986): Another animated film released the same year featuring mice characters in a historical setting, with adventure and overcoming obstacles.
• Sherlock Holmes (2009): A more modern, action-oriented take on Sherlock Holmes with a similar detective-solving-crime plot.
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988): Blends animation with live-action in a detective story with a colorful cast of characters

🛒 The Great Mouse Detective Related Products

• The Great Mouse Detective [Blu-ray]: Relive the classic adventure in stunning high definition with enhanced picture and sound quality for the ultimate viewing experience.
• Funko Pop! Disney: Great Mouse Detective – Ratigan: A Funko Pop figurine of Professor Ratigan, capturing his devious charm in classic Funko style. A great display item for Disney collectors.
• Disney The Great Mouse Detective: Basil Plush: A soft and cuddly plush toy of Basil, the Great Mouse Detective. Great to act out adventures from the film!
• The Great Mouse Detective Read-Along Storybook: An interactive storybook where kids and families can read and listen to the story of The Great Mouse Detective. Includes animation, sound effects, and voices from the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind” – performed by Vincent Price
• “Let Me Be Good to You” – performed by Melissa Manchester
• “Goodbye So Soon” – performed by Vincent Price

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

That time the Great Mouse Detective saw Jessica Rabbit singing / Disney Crossover

Ever wondered what would happen if Basil from ‘The Great Mouse Detective’ met Jessica Rabbit? This awesome mashup answers that question, and it’s way more fun than you’d expect! I never thought I needed this crossover, but now I can’t live without it.

The Great Mouse Detective – Disneycember

Want to know if ‘The Great Mouse Detective’ holds up? The Nostalgia Critic dives deep into this Disney classic and shares his honest thoughts. It’s a must-watch before your next re-watch, I guarantee you’ll see the movie in a new light!

The Great Mouse Detective (1986) but only the gay parts

Looking for a laugh? This video hilariously reimagines ‘The Great Mouse Detective’ in a way you’ve probably never considered. It is a bizarre interpretation, but surprisingly funny!

The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind (LIVE ACTION)

See Ratigan’s iconic song come to life in this surprisingly awesome live-action recreation! The effort and creativity that went into this is genuinely impressive. You need to check this out!

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