Raining Cats and Frogs

Raining Cats and Frogs

Year: 2003

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: French

Director: Jacques-Rémy Girerd

AnimationFantasyAdventure

A worldwide flood turns the planet into a raging whirlpool, leaving only a ragtag band of survivors. Guided by Ferdinand, a modern‑day Noah, they battle the storm’s fury, protecting both people and the animals they’ve rescued, including strange rain‑falling cats and frogs. Their desperate trek becomes an epic struggle against nature’s onslaught.

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Timeline & Setting – Raining Cats and Frogs (2003)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Raining Cats and Frogs (2003). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Farm on a hill, Floating barn on floodwaters

The story centers on Ferdinand and Juliette on their hill-top farm, where a small pond and everyday farm life set the stage. When a massive flood hits, their home and the zoo-like collection of animals become a floating ark atop a huge tractor tire. The barn drifts through the rising waters as the survivors persevere by sticking together. As the waters recede, distant boats on other mountains reveal a world of survivors and ongoing journeys.

🏞️ Rural 🚜 Farm life

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:45

Main Characters – Raining Cats and Frogs (2003)

Meet the key characters of Raining Cats and Frogs (2003), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ferdinand Bauer (Michel Piccoli)

An experienced sailor and the barn's captain who keeps order and morale during the flood. He uses his nautical know-how to navigate the floating ark and protect everyone on board, balancing mercy with practicality.

🧭 Leader 🤝 Reliable ⚓ Captain

Juliette (Laurentine Milebo)

Ferdinand's wife and a caring presence on the farm. She helps look after Tom and Lili, offering stability and warmth amid the chaos of the flood.

🌿 Caregiver 🏡 Family 💪 Loyal

Tom (Kevin Hervé)

Ferdinand and Juliette's adoptive grandson, a curious observer who helps interpret the world around him and bonds with Lili during the ordeal.

🧒 Curious 🎯 Observant 🤝 Friend

Lili Lamotte (Coline Girerd)

A young girl taken in by Ferdinand and Juliette. She befriends the injured tortoise and grows close to Tom as they navigate the dangers of the flooded world.

👧 Child 💖 Compassionate 🤝 Friend

Madame Lamotte (Manuela Gourary)

A member of the Lamotte family, part of the household during the flood and the farm life that frames the story.

👵 Elder 🏡 Family

René Lamotte (Luis Rego)

A member of the Lamotte family whose presence grounds the family dynamics amid the extraordinary events.

👨 Family 🧭 Navigator

Le lion (Jacques Higelin)

The regal leader among the carnivores aboard the barn. He weighs decisions about feeding and safety as hunger and fear intensify.

🦁 Regal 🐾 Predator

Le renard (Bernard Bouillon)

A crafty carnivore who participates in the tensions over food and authority aboard the ark.

🦊 Cunning 🐾 Hungry

Le loup (Romain Bouteille)

Another carnivore on board whose actions reflect the strain of scarcity and pack dynamics during the flood.

🐺 Wild 🐾 Assertive

La girafe (Pierre-François Martin-Laval)

A tall, observant presence among the animals who becomes a resourceful ally when the children seek safety.

🦒 Tall 🧭 Helpful

La tortue (Anouk Grinberg)

Injured during the crocodile attack, the tortoise harbors a hidden plan that unleashes danger but also reveals the complexity of survival choices on the ark.

🐢 Survivor 🪤 Deceiver

Ferdinand (L'éléphant) (Michel Galabru)

The wise and patient elephant who carries many of the group’s burdens and embodies steadiness in crisis.

🐘 Wise 🧭 Leader

Lili Lamotte (L'éléphante) (Annie Girardot)

The elephant figure who provides gentle support within the family and aboard the ark.

🐘 Gentle 🧡 Protector

Le chat Bernard (Patrick Eveno)

A carnivorous cat aboard the ark who plays a pivotal role in the mutiny arc but ultimately aids in the escape of the children.

🐈 Agile 🐾 Strategic

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:45

Major Themes – Raining Cats and Frogs (2003)

Explore the central themes of Raining Cats and Frogs (2003), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Survival

A flood forces everyone to depend on one another to endure the disaster. Ferdinand, a seasoned sailor, acts as captain of the floating barn, coordinating the group’s safety. Food, shelter, and trust become scarce, yet the community learns to share and cooperate for the greater good. The crisis tests loyalties and highlights the strength found in collaboration.

🪤 Betrayal

The tortoise reveals a hidden alliance with the crocodiles, manipulating the carnivores and endangering the children. The carnivores briefly mutiny, turning on Ferdinand and the others. The deception exposes how appearances can mask dangerous motives. Ultimately, Ferdinand halts the violence and restores order, reinforcing leadership and trust.

🐘 Compassion

The story emphasizes care across species, as Ferdinand and Juliette adopt Lili and protect Tom and the animals. Bonds form between humans and animals, even with hungry predators learning to share. The rescue of the children and the decision to spare lives show mercy prevailing over fear. The end celebrates new life and family through the kittens and the rescued animals.

🔧 Resourcefulness

Ferdinand uses his maritime skills to steer the barn and devises a way to motorize the ark with a modified tractor engine, enabling a safe escape from danger. When hunger hits, resources are managed with 28 tons of potatoes turned into fries to feed carnivores and others, showing ingenuity under pressure. The group improvises tools and routes to stay afloat and reach dry land. The resilience and creativity of the crew highlight how ingenuity sustains life in crisis.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:45

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