The film follows the story of Roger (played by Jeff Daniels) and Anita (played by Joely Richardson), two dog lovers who meet and fall in love. Their lives are turned upside down when their dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, also fall in love and have a litter of 15 puppies.
Their happiness is short-lived when the wicked Cruella de Vil (played by Glenn Close), a wealthy and fashion-obsessed heiress, becomes obsessed with the idea of making a fur coat out of dalmatian puppies’ pelts. She enlists the help of her bumbling henchmen, Jasper (played by Hugh Laurie) and Horace (played by Mark Williams), to steal the puppies.
When the puppies mysteriously disappear, Roger and Anita are devastated. However, they soon discover that Cruella is behind the theft and embark on a desperate mission to rescue their beloved pets.
With the help of Pongo and Perdita, as well as a network of sympathetic animals led by a wise old dog named Colonel (voiced by Frank Welker) and his cat friend Sergeant Tibbs (voiced by David Frankham), Roger and Anita set out to track down the stolen puppies and bring them home safely.
Their journey takes them through the bustling streets of London and the picturesque countryside, where they encounter various obstacles and challenges. Along the way, they form unlikely alliances and rely on their wits and resourcefulness to outsmart Cruella and her henchmen.
In the climax of the film, Roger, Anita, and their animal friends launch a daring rescue mission to infiltrate Cruella’s lavish mansion and free the captive puppies. With the help of Pongo and Perdita’s puppies, who have cleverly disguised themselves as dalmatian-spotted toys, they outwit Cruella and her henchmen and escape with the puppies.
In the end, Cruella is arrested for her crimes, and the stolen puppies are reunited with their parents and owners. Roger and Anita’s family grows even larger as they adopt all 101 dalmatians, finding happiness and fulfillment in their newfound role as parents to a large and loving family.
“101 Dalmatians” is praised for its charming performances, whimsical storytelling, and delightful depiction of the beloved characters from the original animated film. It remains a beloved classic among Disney fans of all ages, capturing the timeless magic of the original tale while adding its own unique twists and surprises.