Ferdinand

Story

Casa del Toros is a premier ranch where matadors come from all over Spain to select the bulls they will fight in the ring. Ferdinand (voiced by Colin H. Murphy and John Cena) is different from all the other bulls at Casa del Toros. For example, Valiente (Jack Gore and Bobby Cannavale), Guapo (Jet Jurgensmeyer and Peyton Manning) and Bones (Nile Diaz and Anthony Anderson) all push, shove and fight each other constantly, trying to be tough and impressive. Ferdinand, however, refuses to fight. He is friendly, compassionate and caring. He loves flowers and cares for the one flower that grows in the bull pen.

When Ferdinand’s father is chosen to fight, he tells his son that he will be back and that he will show Ferdinand the secrets to being a great fighter. But Ferdinand doesn’t want to fight and his father never comes back. In horror and sadness, Ferdinand runs away and finds himself on a train that takes him to another part of Spain. There he’s found by a friendly farmer who takes him home to his young daughter Nina (Julia Saldanha and Lily Day).

Nina showers Ferdinand with love, and slowly he becomes part of her family. He grows up on the farm surrounded by flowers and friends and is happier than he has ever been. But after being stung by a bee at a flower festival, Ferdinand inadvertently destroys the town and is captured and returned to the Casa del Toros.

His size is beyond anything the men at the ranch have ever seen, but Ferdinand still refuses to fight. When he decides to escape with the help of his new friend Lupe (Kate McKinnon), he learns the truth: that no bull ever wins, and he sacrifices himself to save the others.

In the ring Ferdinand is finally able to answer the question that he asked his father so long ago: ‘Is it possible to be a champion without having to fight?’

Themes

Cruelty to animals, particularly during bullfights; sending bulls to the slaughterhouse when they do not perform as expected.

Violence

Ferdinand has frequent violence. For example:

The bulls constantly push, shove and fight one another, trying to prove who is toughest.
Valiente deliberately crushes the flower that Ferdinand cares for. Valiente wants to punish Ferdinand for his father being chosen by the matador.
Ferdinand accidentally destroys a small town because he’s so big and he can’t stop knocking things over or breaking them.
Ferdinand is captured, tied with ropes and forced into the back of a truck while Nina tries to tell everyone that he isn’t dangerous.
The ranch hands poke Ferdinand with long sticks to get him into the pen.
Three little hedgehogs use their quills like spears and throw them at other animals.
Three horses in an adjoining pen often insult the bulls and fight each other with their hooves. They wind up in a tangled mess
There are images of matadors about to stab bulls and a huge wall lined with bull horns.
Cars get smashed as the animals escape the ranch in a truck.
Ferdinand is finally captured while helping his friends escape. He is forced to the ground, tied with ropes and taken away to the bullfight.
Ferdinand sends the matador flying through the bullring.
The matador slashes Ferdinand and threatens him with spears.

Sexual references

Ferdinand has some sexual references. For example, Lupe looks Ferdinand up and down when they first meet and comments on his ‘flanks’ in a suggestive way.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Nothing of concern

Nudity and sexual activity

Nothing of concern

Product placement

Nothing of concern

Coarse language

Ferdinand has insults and name-calling throughout.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Ferdinand is an animated adventure about staying true to yourself no matter what comes your way. By doing this, you can be an inspiration for others. Although it’s aimed at young audiences, there is a simple truth in this movie’s message that will touch the hearts of everyone who sees it.

Although the movie has a G rating, children under seven years might be scared by some scenes, so parental guidance is recommended for this age group.

Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include:

kindness and compassion for all living things
the true nature of strength
forgiveness and courage.

You could also talk with your children about the following issues:

Bullfighting still exists as a celebrated sport in some parts of the world. What are the animal rights issues related to this?
Many animals, not just bulls, are sent off to be slaughtered when they have outlived their ‘usefulness’.
Ferdinand is an excellent example of how to overcome bullying, teasing and hostility by choosing to respond with kindness and humour.