MOVIE REVIEW
The Secret of NIMH
G -     

Genre: Animation, Fantasy, Adventure
Year Released: 1982, 2024 Eureka Entertainment Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 22m
Director(s): Don Bluth
Writer(s): Robert C. O’Brien, Don Bluth, John Pomeroy, Gary Goldman, Will Finn, Ken Anderson
Cast: Elizabeth Hartman, Derek Jacobi, Arthur Malet, Dom DeLuise, Hermione Baddeley, Shannen Doherty, Wil Wheaton, Jodi Hicks, Ina Fried, John Carradine, Peter Strauss
Where To Watch: available December 9, 2024. Pre-order your copy here www.eurekavideo.co.uk

RAVING REVIEW: Don Bluth’s departure from Disney was not just a career move; it marked the birth of a new era in animation, evidenced by his groundbreaking project, THE SECRET OF NIMH. This film turned the animation world on its head by introducing mature themes and complex characters, diverging drastically from the shiny, simplified narratives that dominated the genre. With a storyline that embraced the shadows more than the sparkles, THE SECRET OF NIMH challenged viewers to find beauty and depth in the darkness of its animated world.

In this gripping tale, we meet Mrs. Brisby, a widowed field mouse entangled in a desperate fight for her family’s future. Her world, fraught with perils like illness and looming devastation, is miles away from the sanitized settings of typical animated fare. Her adventure becomes a saga of survival as she navigates a series of encounters with creatures like the sage Great Owl and the cryptic rat leader, Nicodemus. These interactions enrich the plot with intrigue and commentary, making the narrative a rich tale of conflict, community, and cunning.

The atmosphere in THE SECRET OF NIMH is charged with a tangible tension, brought to life by Bluth’s masterful manipulation of light and shadow, crafting scenes that draw viewers into Mrs. Brisby’s difficult journey. This choice elevates the film, setting it apart from its contemporaries and aligning it more with the gritty realism of animated dramas that dare to depict the harsher truths of existence.

Bluth’s film excels in its technical execution. Revering the art of traditional animation, Bluth resurrects the labor-intensive techniques of backlighting and rotoscoping, infusing his characters with a depth that resonates with authenticity. This old-school approach honors animation heritage and pushes boundaries, proving that traditional methods can still yield visually stunning results in the modern age.

Central to the story is Mrs. Brisby, a symbol of resilience and grit. Her arc does more than just propel the plot; it highlights the ethical dilemmas stemming from the secretive advancements of the rat society and their dark ties to the mysterious NIMH. This subplot adds ethical quandary and personal stakes that anchor the film’s broader themes.

Despite its groundbreaking achievements, THE SECRET OF NIMH is not flawless. Certain magical elements sometimes clash with the film’s generally realistic tone. Nonetheless, these minor missteps are dwarfed by the film’s overarching successes, which deliver a compelling blend of thematic complexity and visual splendor.

Since its debut, THE SECRET OF NIMH has grown in stature to become a cult classic. It is praised for its bold defiance of animation norms and pioneering role in ushering in a new storytelling age. Bluth’s film challenged the industry’s creative limits and demonstrated animation’s potential as a serious artistic medium capable of handling intricate narratives and profound themes.

Bluth’s critique of Disney’s creative stagnation post-Walt provided a critical impetus for change, spurring the animation industry to embrace riskier, more substantive storytelling approaches. Today, THE SECRET OF NIMH stands as both a relic of its time and a timeless film, continually inspiring audiences and animators to think outside the conventional confines of the genre.

THE SECRET OF NIMH is an audacious venture into the depths of animated storytelling, blending meticulous craftsmanship with a daring narrative. It is a testament to the transformative power of animation, encouraging a generation to re-envision what the medium can achieve. This film is a viewing experience and a call to creative arms, a reminder that the boldest stories often come from the bravest storytellers.

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[photo courtesy of EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT]

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