Warrior/pacifist princess nausicaa desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet. Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 02/22/2005 Run time: 117 minutes
Hayao Miyazaki gained widespread attention in Japan for his complex ecological manga series, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1982), which he adapted for the screen two years later. One thousand years after a war devastated much of the Earth, humanity clings to existence at the fringes of a vast, polluted forest inhabited by monstrous insects. Only Nausicaä, the princess of the tiny realm of the Valley of the Wind, grasps the environmental significance of the forest. She sees beyond petty wars and national rivalries to the only viable future for the planet. In Nausicaä, Miyazaki began to explore elements he would develop more fully in his later films: daring, compassionate heroines; exciting flying sequences; colorful side characters; strong interpersonal relationships; and a call for an ecologically sustainable way of life. Nausicaä prefigures Sheeta in Castle in the Sky and Chihiro in Spirited Away, just as the rough and ready Asbel anticipates Pazu in Castle in the Sky and Ashitaka in Princess Mononoke. For years, Nausicaä was available in the United States only as the badly re-edited Warriors of the Wind. The new English dub from Disney presents the film in its entirety, with strong vocal performances by Uma Thurman, Patrick Stewart, Alison Lohman, and Edward James Olmos. (Rated PG: violence, frightening imagery) --Charles Solomon
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
A great introduction to anime!:
I bought this DVD with a little trepidation after reading some of the more critical reviews on Amazon. While I'm glad I read the criticisms before buying this DVD (I always find that critical reviews tell me more about the viewing experience I'm likely to have), I am really glad that they didn't put me off buying what is undoubtedly a masterpiece of anime and a wonderful introduction to the genre. Basically, the only anime I've seen until now (apart from a few episodes of various minor league TV shows)... more info
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind:
This movie is definately a must. There is a moral to the story regarding humans and nature, so sad for nature.
Anime 2 decades old still better than most anime of today.:
When I got this, I was weary about it looking dated due to it being over 20 years old. Nothing could be farther from the truth as the animation and storyline put to shame most other animated movies of today. Really awesome and entertaining movie.
An Early Yet Timeless Masterwork:
This was the second Hayao Miyazaki film I saw back around the 80s (the first was 'Castle of Cagliostro'). I first saw this film around 1986, two years after its release back in 1984. I found the structure and pacing of this story remarkable and very rare for an animated film at that time. The story and drama unfolds slowly, almost peacefully. Later, the drama and action unexpectedly builds to an unforgettable and jaw-dropping climax. "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" is a great motion picture, a cinema... more info
