Heartwarming, enchanting and beautifully crafted, this magical cartoon fantasy ushered in a new era of dazzling animation! "Gorgeous to look at" (Times). The Secret of NIMH will "delight kids everywhere" (Newsweek).
This animation extravaganza is based on Robert C. O'Brien's award-winning story of Mrs. Brisby, a timid mouse who becomes a heroine in spite of herself. Struggling to save her home from Father Fitzgibbon's plow, Mrs. Brisby gets help from a colorful menagerie of local critters including a wonderfully klutzy crow, a wise owl, and some highly intelligent rats. You'll be mesmerized by the Oz-like kingdom of the rats, their charming leader Nicodemus and the climatic showdown between two swashbuckling "ratversaries!"
The fun, drama and suspense of this delightful tale are brought to life by the voices of Dom DeLuise, Jogn Carradine, Derek Jacobi, Hermoine Baddeley and Elizabeth Hartman. With the music of Oscar winner Jerry Goldsmith beautifully underscoring every mood, The Secret of NIMH is sheer delight! Share it with someone you love.
Title: The Secret of NIMH
Release: July 2, 1982
Genre: Animated-Family
MPAA Rating: G
Based On: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
Writer: Don Bluth, Will Finn, Gary Goldman, & John Pomeroy
Director: Don Bluth
Music By: Jerry Goldsmith
Produced By: Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, & John Pomeroy
Distributed By: MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
Run Time: 82 minutes
The Secret of NIMH was the first feature film for the Don Bluth studio and in my opinion it’s one of the very best animated classics. I’ve always loved this movie so much. It has all the action, drama, and even comedy you would find in a live-action movie but because it’s animated I think it’s even more entertaining. When I was younger, I picked up the books it was based off of by Robert C. O’Brien and his daughter and although it’s been probably ten years I still remember bits and pieces of the books. I think it’s time for a reread!
Some would argue that, "because it has so many characters and involves them in so many different problems that there's nobody for the kids in the audience to strongly identify with" but I heartily disagree! That’s one of the reasons I’ve always liked The Secret of NIMH because it featured such strong, distinctive characters that are voiced by very talented actors such as Derek Jacobi (Nicodemus), Dom DeLuise (Jeremy the crow), and the late Elizabeth Hartman (Mrs. Brisby).
This was actually the first Don Bluth film where Dom DeLuise voiced a character and because Bluth liked him so much he went on to voice three more characters in his later films, Tiger (An American Tale), Itchy (All Dogs Go to Heaven), and Stanley (A Troll in Central Park). He even did the voices for his characters in follow-up sequels (an almost unheard of practice), including the direct-to-video sequel The Secret of NIMH: Timmy to the Rescue.
~ I own a VHS copy of this film, there has been a release of a "special edition" DVD but since it has no bonus features other than the original trailer (it also comes with a booklet), I’m not buying. Note: Quote from Roger Ebert’s review of the movie.
Find NIMH Online
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NIMH ArchiveTrailer:
Related Reviews
Book
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
Don Bluth
The Animated Films of Don Bluth by John Cawley
Banjo the Woodpile Cat (1979)
Xanadu (1980)
An American Tale (1986)
The Land Before Time (1988)
Thumbelina (1994)
The Animated Films of Don Bluth by John Cawley
Banjo the Woodpile Cat (1979)
Xanadu (1980)
An American Tale (1986)
The Land Before Time (1988)
Thumbelina (1994)
Dom DeLuise- Jeremy
An American Tail (1986)- Tiger
Yes, this movie is a total classic, I agree. Since I was a kid, though, it has always creeped me out. It's intense for an animated movie.
ReplyDeleteThe scene with the giant owl was always one of my favorites. Creepy, but animated beautifully.
I am so glad I still have kids. I use them as an excuse to watch these types of movies. I worry when they no longer want to watch with me...lol!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best animated films that ever will be. The animation is absolutely gorgeous and never gets old or goes out of style, as an artist myself this film inspired me so much as a child! Particularly the owl with all his cobwebs and the glowing points of light in a mostly dark rich background. This movie affected me emotionally as well because i almost died of pneumonia when i was little and my Mom was a single mother to me and my little sister. Everytime i see this movie its an intense experience i cant describe. Definitely on my list of top ten "childrens" films of all time.
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