Can a pacifist bull survive the ring without fighting his way to freedom?
In short: Ferdinand is a gentle, flower-loving bull who rejects the violent tradition of bullfighting. After being captured and forced back to a training ranch, he must lead a misfit group of animals on a daring escape across Spain. This animated adventure challenges expectations about strength, courage, and the cost of survival.
Released in 2017 and directed by Carlos Saldanha, Ferdinand is a computer-animated feature loosely based on the 1936 children's book The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson. The film centers on a massive bull who prefers smelling flowers to fighting. After a series of misunderstandings leads to his capture, he finds himself back at the Casa del Toro, a ranch where bulls are trained for the matador's ring. Unlike his peers, Ferdinand refuses to engage in the violent training, eventually discovering the grim reality that bulls are destined for slaughter regardless of their performance.
The narrative follows Ferdinand's attempt to escape alongside a colorful cast of characters, including a goat named Lupe, three hedgehogs, and several other bulls. The film explores themes of non-violence and individuality, culminating in a climactic scene at the Las Ventas bullring. When Ferdinand refuses to fight, he inadvertently humiliates the matador, El Primero. By choosing to spare his opponent, Ferdinand becomes the first bull to survive a bullfight, ultimately finding a peaceful life at a flower farm with his original owner, Nina.
While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it achieved international success, grossing $307.5 million worldwide against a $111 million production budget. It secured nominations for Best Animated Feature at both the 90th Academy Awards and the 75th Golden Globe Awards. The project was produced by Blue Sky Studios, which later shut down in 2021. The film's score, composed by John Powell, marked his final work for the studio. Today, the film remains available for audiences on Disney+, following the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company.
The production process was marked by several scheduling shifts. Originally slated for April 2017, the release date was moved multiple times before finally hitting theaters on December 15, 2017. Despite underperforming domestically in the United States and Canada—where it opened against Star Wars: The Last Jedi—the film's international performance ensured its status as a notable entry in modern animation. The voice cast features John Cena as the titular bull, supported by actors including Kate McKinnon, Bobby Cannavale, and David Tennant.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ferdinand (film)
- Also: Wikidata — Ferdinand · CC0
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