Babar: The Movie

Babar: The Movie, an animated adventure released in 1989, draws on the elephant characters from Jean de Brunhoff’s classic children’s book series. The film functions as the finale of the first season of the television show, with the second season beginning shortly after its release. Production involved a partnership between Canada’s Nelvana Limited, France’s Ellipse Programme, and the American Clifford Ross Company. In Canada, Astral Films handled distribution, while New Line Cinema did so in the United States; this was New Line’s second animated feature, following *The Mouse and His Child* (1977).

The story opens during Elephantland’s Victory Parade, where an older Babar recounts to his four children the events of his early reign. On his first day as king, Babar picks a name for the Annual Parade, only to be told by advisors Cornelius and Pompadour that a committee must first review the choice. His cousin Celeste then arrives, reporting that Rataxes, the rhinoceros lord, has attacked her home. The chancellors dismiss her, but Babar, wanting to impress Celeste and uphold his duty, orders an elephant army to mobilize immediately. Because of slow procedures and cautious advisors, the muster will take three days. Unwilling to delay, Babar leaves Arthur in charge and ventures alone into a dangerous jungle. He finds Celeste’s village burning; the rhinos are enslaving adult elephants to build a rhino city. Babar tries to intervene but is knocked out, and Celeste is thrown down a well. Waking the next morning, he rescues her, and they set out to free her mother and the other elephants from Rataxes. A monkey named Zephir gives them the location of Rataxes’ lair. Babar and Celeste confront Rataxes, who plans to invade Elephantland by twilight. After a chase through the rhinos’ hideout, they are imprisoned but escape with Zephir, returning to find Rataxes’ army camped outside the city. Disguised as rhino warriors, they infiltrate the camp to learn the attack plan, are discovered, and escape via a catapult, landing in a fountain to the surprise of Babar’s advisors. Rataxes declares Elephantland will be destroyed in an hour. To buy time, Babar orders Cornelius and Pompadour to distract Rataxes with committee procedures. The elephants build a giant float that scares off the rhinos.