HAYAO MIYAZAKI - THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO (1979)

A Miyazaki Movie Review

PRE-STUDIO GHIBLI

The Castle of Cagliostro (5 DEC 1979)

Rupan Sansei: Kariosutoro no Shiro

Imagine if James Bond met anime...well this basically the result.

The "Lupin III" franchise started out as comics for a magazine called Weekly Manga Action in 1967. The huge success of the series immediately prompted Monkey Punch, the author, to continue, although confused of its success. Later, it also made him give the rights to make a standalone series to a company called TMS Entertainment. After all that the franchise was born, it spawned seven televised animated series and films. As you can see the movie poster above, this is the 3rd movie of the Lupin III film series --- AND debut movie of the legendary anime director Hayao Miyazaki. Known for massive hits like SPIRITED AWAY (2001), MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1988) and CASTLE IN THE SKY (1986). If it weren't for this movie STUDIO GHIBLI wouldn't exist at all. I can't imagine a world without Miyazaki's movies.

In a time where anime was uncommon since Japan was still recovering from its losses from the Second World War, the country slowly got itself back on the track. I never knew what the heck I was supposed to expect from this movie, given the era in which this movie was produced. Besides, anime was still good at the time. I'm not trying to be narrow-minded by saying old school anime are better than the ones we have at this age.

When the manga was given an adaptation in 1977 you know what to expect, it was still a success because Lupin. Here's the interesting part, a good chunk of the first anime series were directed by Miyazaki himself. The increase of views on televesion led to the creation of the first theatrical Lupin movie known as "The Mystery of Mamo" and released a year after the debut of the first anime TV series. I am not reluctant to give this movie a 9.9/10. So good, I can't even stop myself from replaying it twice.

With only a budget of  ¥500 million, Miyazaki and his crew maximized the potential of the low budget. Anime during the 1970s-1980s are notorious for having limited animation, the characters' faces remain static while their mouth gets the most attention though with only basic lip sync. It is rare to see anime during that period of time to have detailed backgrounds, characters and of course --- high quality animation. Most anime series are also television only. The trend only faded away in the 90s after the introduction of AKIRA in 1988.

Anyway, let's get into the real deal. ---

Jigen and Wolf

• THE PLOT: the story was really well done. A lot of techniques were used to give impacts to the story. From empathy w/ the secondary character to complete disconnection of Wolf to the audience when he went to the ruins of a castle wrecked years before his second arrival. Massively entertaining at times to downright exciting, kudos to Miyazaki's unique style of storytelling. Its plot is generally easy to follow for the most part. His movies usually feature strong women, obvious example is Fujiko. The on-and-off lover of Lupin. When he saves her from occasional ordeals she, Fujiko, takes advantage of the situation to land Lupin in situations that he would deem unfavorable thus allowing her to take what Lupin originally intended to steal. On the other hand, Clarisse, she isn't your typical damsel-in-distress. Sure at the first time we get to see her speak you know her voice alone will tell you she needs help from a knight in shining armor... that's not the case. You just take a look at her past, she's just trying to survive unnecessary situations yet it always get her off-guard.

• THE CINEMATOGRAPHY: Just as beautiful as the art style, it manages to convey the feelings of the scenes through the camera shots the movie offers. It make use a lot camera angles to let the viewers see the entirety of the fictional country of Cagliostro. Awespiring of the gargantuan size of the castle to depressing being in the dungeons filled with those who conspired against Cagliostro (though they're dead). Many of them are fitting and some are rather unnecessary. It never fails to impress. I would say that one of the best shots of the movie where Jigen and Wolf attempts to dispose a band of henchmen sent by the Count himself. Main reason for that is Wolf wanting to steal Clarisse. Hence, the car chase... the most epic. Even better than Indiana Jones having a silly fistfight with a ripped shirtless Nazi soldier on a wing of a plane.

Wolf and Clarisse

• THE SETS: Every single thing is believable, paired with the brilliant voice acting it makes the diverse world so immersive. On the plus side, the Count owns high tech security inventions like motion detectors (that's some pretty elaborate security, huh?). I mean, they're just beautiful... it really captures my attention. What else kind of phrase I should use to describe them. Inspired by a lot of real life existing genius builds of architecture. The grasslands look like its the middle of Sweden, the town just like the 7th century towns of France or England and, of course the Castle itself. The landscapes are also useful for actual architecture. In short, lush and detailed, pleasant to the eye.

The Castle of Cagliostro (literally)

• THE EDITING: Damn, it look as though it was Miyazaki who did pretty much every aspect. It fits his vision as a perfectionist. Trimmed down to the most important of scenes, truly a masterpiece and a good way to kill your 95-minute relaxation.

Now this is what you call an elaborate chase scene. Take notes filmmakers, especially you Michael Bay.

• THE ACTING: I can describe with only one word ---- now... this is epic.

Now this is just straight up cute you know.

FYI: I OWN THE 1991 STREAMLINE TRANSLATION. Majority will say the Animaze / Manga translation is superior ( + Solid Snake as Wolf) yet each dub are good in their own right.

To top it all up this film, I assure you, will never you down whenever you watch it for any reason. Be it entertainment, analysis or just anything else. Indeed a real influence on the director's later works like Nausicaa or Totoro. A hallmark movie, an underappreciated classic and a must watch for all anime and filmmaker folks. Certainly an intellectual like me would bring this up. It introduced the movie world to Miyazaki.

The other works of Hayao Miyazaki.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Castle in the Sky (1986)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Porco Rosso (1992)
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Spirited Away (2001)
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea(2008)
The Wind Rises (2013)

NAUSICAÄ  OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND
Kaze no Tani no Naushika

CASTLE IN THE SKY
Tenkū no Shiro Rapyuta

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO
Tonari no Totoro

KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE
Majo no takkyūbin

PORCO ROSSO
Kurenai no Buta

PRINCESS MONONOKE
Mononoke-hime

SPIRITED AWAY
Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi

HOWL"S MOVING CASTLE
Hauru no Ugoku Shiro

PONYO ON THE CLIFF BY THE SEA
Gake no Ue no Ponyo

THE WIND RISES
Kaze Tachinu

PS: Want free anime, just email me and give me your flash drive. Just promise to keep it a secret, okay.

Email: 25caser7casimir@gmail.com

SOURCES: wikipedia, google images.