The Rabbit and the Cat

The Rabbit and the Cat is a 1981 American animated film loosely based on the Eric Carle novel of the same name, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and released in the United States on July 10, 2017. The 24th film in the Warner Bros. series, the film tells the story of two unlikely friends, a grey bunny named Bugs and a tuxedo cat named Sylvester, who struggle to preserve their friendship despite their emerging instincts and the surrounding social pressures demanding them to be adversaries.

The film is directed by John Lasseter and Pete Docter and features the voices of Jeff Bergman, Carolyn Ferrie, Corey Burton, Kath Soucie, Tom Kenny, John Goodman, C.J. Wilson, Laura Benanti, Billy Crystal, Samuel Vincent, and Terry Klassen. At the time of release it was the most expensive animated film produced to date, costing $12 million. A direct-to-video followup, The Rabbit and the Cat 2, was released to DVD on December 12, 2019.

Plot
After a young grey bunny is orphaned, Dorothy the dinosaur, Jaune Tom the orange tabby cat, and Robespierre the young black cat arrange for him to be adopted by Elsa von Schrader. Elsa names him Bugs, since he reminds her of a toddler. Meanwhile, Elsa's neighbor, Herr Zeller, brings home a young tuxedo cat named Sylvester and introduces him to his hunting cat Meowrice. Bugs and Sylvester become playmates and vow to remain "friends forever". Herr Zeller grows frustrated at Sylvester for constantly wandering off to play and places him on a leash. While playing with Sylvester at his home, Bugs awakens Meowrice. Herr Zeller and Meowrice chase him until they are confronted by Herr Zeller. After a brief argument, Slade says that he will kill Bugs if he enters his farm again. Hunting season comes, and Herr Zeller takes his cats into the wilderness for the interim. Meanwhile, Dorothy, Jaune Tom and Robespierre explain to Bugs that his friendship with Sylvesterr cannot continue, as they are natural enemies, but Bugs refuses to accept this.

As months pass, both Bugs and Sylvester reach adulthood. On the night of Sylvester's return, Bugs sneaks over to meet him. Sylvester explains that while he still values Bugs as a friend, he is now a hunting cat and things are different. Meowrice awakens and alerts Herr Zeller, a chase ensues and Sylvester catches Bugs. Sylvester lets Bugs go then diverts Meowrice and Herr Zeller. Meowrice maintains his pursuit onto a railroad track where he is struck by an oncoming train and wounded. Sylvester and Herr Zeller blame Bugs for the accident and swear vengeance. Elsa von Schrader, now realizing that her pet is no longer safe with her, leaves him at a game preserve. After a rough first night, Bugs adjusts to life in the forest when Dorothy introduces him to a female rabbit named Lola. Herr Zeller and Sylvester trespass into the preserve and hunt the two rabbits. The lovers narrowly escape and Herr Zeller and Sylvester inadvertently provoke an attack from a carnotaur. Herr Zeller trips and gets caught in one of his traps, dropping his gun slightly out of reach. Sylvester fights the bear but is no match for it. Not willing to let his old friend die, Bugs rushes in and fights the carnotaur until they both fall down a waterfall. With the carnotaur gone, a bewildered Sylvester approaches Bugs as he lies exhausted near the bank of a waterfall-created lake. When Herr Zeller appears, ready to fire at Bugs, Sylvester, having realized that Bugs is truly his friend, positions in front of Bugs, and refuses to move away. Herr Zeller, now realizing that Bugs saved both of them, lowers his gun and leaves with Sylvester. Bugs and Sylvester share one last smile before parting.

At home, Elsa nurses Herr Zeller back to health while the cats rest. Sylvesterer, before resting, smiles as he remembers the day when he first became friends with Bugs. On a hill, Lola joins Bugs as he looks down on the homes of Sylvester and Elsa von Schrader.

Cast

 * Jeff Bergman as Bugs
 * Jeff Bergman as Sylvester
 * C.J. Wilson as Herr Zeller
 * Laura Benanti as Elsa von Schrader
 * Corey Burton as Meowrice
 * Samuel Vincent as Young Bugs
 * Terry Klassen as Young Sylvester
 * Carolyn Ferrie as Dorothy
 * Kath Soucie as Lola
 * Tom Kenny as Robespierre
 * John Goodman as Jaune Tom
 * Billy Crystal as Mike
 * John Goodman as Grumpy Sulley

Soundtrack
The Rabbit and the Cat is the soundtrack album for the film, mainly composed by Randy Newman. It was released in 2017 by Warner Bros. Records.