Valiant is a 2005 British computer-animated film produced by Vanguard Animation and Odyssey Entertainment, and released by Entertainment Film Distributors in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2005 and by Walt Disney Pictures in the United States on August 19, 2005. Set in May of the year 1944, it tells the story of a group of war pigeons during World War II. Reviews of Valiant were mixed and largely poor. The film is based on a story by Jordan Katz, George Webster, and George Melrod, and inspired by true stories of hundreds of pigeons that helped the soldiers in the war. At the end of the film, it says that of the 54 Dickin Medals awarded to animals, 32 of them went to pigeons.
In May 1944, 5 years since the declaration of World War II, three Royal Homing Pigeon Service war pigeons are flying across the English Channel with the White Cliffs of Dover in sight, carrying vital messages to Great Britain. Despite the poor weather conditions the pigeons have nearly reached their destination. They are, however, suddenly ambushed and attacked by a German enemy falcon called General Von Talon; two of the pigeons are instantly killed, yet the third is taken as a prisoner of war.
Plot
Set in 1944, Valiant is a woodland pigeon who wants to become a great hero someday. When he hears they are hiring recruits for the Royal Homing Pigeon Service, he immediately sets out for London. On the way, he meets a smelly but friendly pigeon named Bugsy, who joins him, mainly to get away from clients he cheated in a game of find-the pebble, and helps him sign up for the war.
Keywords: 1940s, airplane, animal, big-ben-london, bird, bunker, carrier-pigeon, cartoon-bird, cartoon-mouse, cartoon-pigeon
Meet the Flockers
Some pigeons eat crumbs, others make history.
Featherweight Heroes.
Von Talon: I'm a vegetarian.::Mercury: And yet you wear a leather cape.
Felix: [talking to Valiant about being in the RHPS] If it weren't for my wooden drumstick and this shrappnel in my poopdeck, I'd be out there right now!
Valiant: It's not the size of your wingspan that counts, no, it's the size of your spirit.
Felix: It's not the size of your wingspan that counts. It's the size of your spirit!
Lofty: Could you burp on cue?::Bugsy: Yeah, I can burp on all the letters, not just Q.
Valiant: [shouting] Quiet!
Charles De Girl: [to Valiant, Bugsy, Lofty, Toughwood, and Tailfeather] I won't lie to you - you will definitely be eaten by falcons.
Bugsy: I've got a doctor's note!
Von Talon: There will be awards, parades, and commemorative stamps!
Bugsy: How did you find us?::Charles De Girl: Well, the was the plane and the explosion. And the screaming, and the pleading. More screaming. The begging, the crying, the whining, whinging, yelling, boohooing...::Valiant: Yes, um, enough about that.::Bugsy: Definitely, yes.
There's a special place inside my skull
Where your DNA it codes my cerebrum
In full stuttering and drooling
My shredded throat will try to sing for you
What do you say? Would you marry me today?
The moon would gush all inside out
and my nightmares would go away
What do you say? Would you devote yourself today?
Like riding out a sinking ship as it lowers into the bay
Please stay.
The blood collects and flushes out your cheek bones
I've got this secret garden and you are the only one who knows
I'm stuttering and drooling
My shredded throat will try to sing for you
What do you say? Would you marry me today?
The moon would gush all inside out
and my nightmares would go away
What do you say? Would you devote yourself today?
Like riding out a sinking ship as it lowers into the bay
Please.
I'm cutting ties with all the jealous zombies
I need to feel your warm body on me
When the sun goes down and the shadows grow
Just trust in us and forever know
Please keep holding on to me
There's a special place inside my skull
Where your DNA it codes my cerebrum
In full stuttering and drooling
My shredded throat will try to sing for you
What do you say? Would you marry me today?
The moon would gush all inside out
and my nightmares would go away
What do you say? Would you devote yourself today?
Like riding out a sinking ship as it lowers into the bay
Please stay.
The blood collects and flushes out your cheek bones
I've got this secret garden and you are the only one who knows
I'm stuttering and drooling
My shredded throat will try to sing for you
What do you say? Would you marry me today?
The moon would gush all inside out
and my nightmares would go away
What do you say? Would you devote yourself today?
Like riding out a sinking ship as it lowers into the bay
Please.
I'm cutting ties with all the jealous zombies
I need to feel your warm body on me
When the sun goes down and the shadows grow
Just trust in us and forever know