The Great Mouse Detective

The Great Mouse Detective

Year: 1986

Runtime: 74 min

Language: English

Directors: John Musker, Burny Mattinson, David Michener

Budget: $14M

AdventureMysteryAnimationFamilyMusical

In Victorian London, a world populated by anthropomorphic mice, Basil, a brilliant detective, and his loyal assistant, Dawson, confront the sinister Ratigan. The cunning Ratigan plots to overthrow the Mouse Queen and seize control. This thrilling adventure showcases wit, bravery, and the power of friendship as Basil and Dawson work to thwart the villain's dangerous scheme and restore peace to the mouse kingdom.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Great Mouse Detective yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

The Great Mouse Detective (1986) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Great Mouse Detective (1986), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In the mysterious fog of 1897 London, a lively young mouse named Olivia Flaversham joyously celebrates her birthday alongside her single father, the talented toymaker Mr. Flaversham. However, their cheerful day takes a dark turn when a bat with a worn wing and a peg leg suddenly swoops in, abducting Olivia’s beloved father. Undaunted, Olivia embarks on a dangerous quest to seek assistance from the famed Great Mouse Detective, Basil, but she soon finds herself lost in the winding, unfamiliar streets of London. In her journey, she crosses paths with David Q. Dawson, a retired army surgeon mouse who has just returned from service in Afghanistan. Dawson, with his kindhearted nature, offers to help Olivia reach the celebrated detective.

Initially, Basil is too wrapped up in his own interests to lend an ear to the urgent pleas of Olivia and Dawson, brushing them off with a dismissive wave. The situation changes drastically when Olivia mentions the strange bat that stole her father—revealed to be Fidget, the loyal accomplice of the infamous Professor Ratigan, a villain that Basil has been earnestly pursuing. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Basil realizes that Ratigan has sinister plans for Mr. Flaversham, intending to create a mechanical replica of the revered Mouse Queen to seize the throne of Mousedom for himself. Despite his initial hesitation, Mr. Flaversham is forced to comply with Ratigan’s demands under the threat to his beloved Olivia.

As the adventure unfolds, Fidget unexpectedly appears at Basil’s window, only to inexplicably vanish, pushing Basil, Dawson, and Olivia to follow his trail. Their investigation leads them to a toy shop filled with random clockwork parts and toy soldiers’ attire. During their search, Dawson stumbles upon Fidget’s meticulously kept checklist, while Basil discovers a treacherous plan that involves stealing essential parts for Ratigan’s malevolent scheme.

When Fidget launches a sudden attack and captures Olivia, Basil and Dawson remain resolute to rescue her. Employing his keen deductive skills, Basil traces Fidget’s checklist back to the notorious “Rat Trap” tavern along the Thames. Disguising themselves as sailors, the duo infiltrates the tavern and follows Fidget to Ratigan’s hideout. However, things quickly spiral out of control as they are ambushed by Ratigan and his henchmen.

In a twist of fate, Basil, Dawson, and Olivia find themselves trapped in a perilous and convoluted mousetrap linked to a ferocious Rube Goldberg machine filled with lethal contraptions—all while the real Mouse Queen is held captive, awaiting a terrible fate in Buckingham Palace. But with a spark of inspiration from Dawson, Basil is able to identify the trap’s weakness and manages to escape along with his companions.

Meanwhile, at Buckingham Palace, Ratigan forces Mr. Flaversham to manipulate the mechanical Queen, while the true ruler faces a dreadful threat from Felicia, Ratigan’s clever feline companion. As the clockwork Queen declares Ratigan the ruler of Mousedom, Basil and his allies spring into action, rescuing both Mr. Flaversham and the real Queen. They confront Fidget and Ratigan’s other henchmen, leading to a chaotic chase that sends Felicia tumbling away from danger thanks to the intervention of Toby, a dog on their side. Ultimately, Basil captures the mechanical Queen just as it denounces Ratigan, leading to chaos as the onlookers realize his treachery.

However, Ratigan escapes with Fidget and Olivia aboard his airship, forcing Basil, Dawson, and Mr. Flaversham to construct their own makeshift airship from simple materials—a matchbox, balloons, and a Union Jack. They pursue Ratigan through the skies, resulting in an epic confrontation that sees Basil leaping aboard Ratigan’s dirigible as it spirals towards the iconic Big Ben. A fierce battle ensues inside the clock tower, where Basil outmatches Ratigan, liberating Olivia and ensuring her safe reunion with her father. In a final showdown, Ratigan’s hubris leads to his downfall as he tries to attack Basil; ultimately, the ticking clock spells his doom as the vibrations from the clock’s chime send him plummeting to defeat.

Upon their triumphant return to Baker Street, the trio excitedly recount their adventures. The Flavershams say their goodbyes, and although Dawson considers leaving, a new case arises, prompting Basil to introduce Dawson as his trusted partner. This moment solidifies Dawson’s decision to stay, ready to tackle future mysteries by Basil’s side.

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 11:22

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Whimsical Animal Adventures like The Great Mouse Detective

Clever animal protagonists face exciting challenges in charming miniature worlds.If you enjoyed the charming world of The Great Mouse Detective, you'll love these movies featuring clever animal heroes in exciting stories. Discover similar animated adventures where wit and friendship triumph in imaginative, miniature societies.

whimsicaladventurousplayfulcharmingcourageousdeterminedthrilling

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a clear hero's journey for an animal protagonist, often involving a rescue mission or a confrontation with a villain. The narrative is straightforward, focusing on themes of friendship, ingenuity, and good versus evil within a uniquely crafted animal society.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on anthropomorphic animal characters, a dominantly whimsical and adventurous tone, and a light emotional weight that makes them thrilling yet accessible for all ages.

Brilliant Detective Pursuits like The Great Mouse Detective

Eccentric genius detectives race against cunning villains in thrilling mysteries.Fans of Basil the detective in The Great Mouse Detective will enjoy these movies about brilliant sleuths. Find similar fast-paced mysteries where a clever hero confronts a cunning villain, relying on wit and invention to save the day.

thrillingtensedeterminedcourageouscleversuspensefulinventive

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves an intellectual duel between a detective and a villain. The story moves quickly from the initial crime or kidnapping through a series of investigative clues and inventive contraptions, building to a climactic, action-packed confrontation where brains ultimately defeat brawn.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a core narrative of a brilliant detective archetype, a fast-paced mystery plot with clear villains, and a tone that balances tension with playful cleverness, resulting in an uplifting and intellectually engaging experience.

Unlock the Full Story of The Great Mouse Detective

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Great Mouse Detective in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Great Mouse Detective is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Great Mouse Detective Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Great Mouse Detective with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Great Mouse Detective Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Great Mouse Detective

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Great Mouse Detective. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Great Mouse Detective

The Great Mouse Detective Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Great Mouse Detective that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Great Mouse Detective Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Great Mouse Detective

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Great Mouse Detective: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Great Mouse Detective