DVD (ages 12+)
Brief Description: The light is fading, balance between the world of the living and the dead has been lost, and the world is out of sync. A young prince named Arren murders his father and takes his sword, and becomes a vagabond who meets with an Archmage named Sparrowhawk. Together they travel to the city of Hortown where Lord Cob wants to challenge Sparrowhawk and prove he has achieved eternal life. They stay on the outskirts of the city with Sparrowhawk's friend Tenar who is watching over a young girl named Therru. The showdown between the two magicians doesn't occur as Sparrowhawk's powers are negated when he enters Lord Cob's castle. The ultimate battle between good and evil occurs between Lord Cob and the two kids. In a frightening and powerful climax, the viewer learns whether or not eternal life is desirable after all.
Awards: In Japan, the movie was awarded "Worst Movie" in Bunshun's Raspberry Awards; Goro Miyazaki won "worst director."
Personal Opinion: I found the film mystifying, violent, and strange. I thought the visual elements of the film were fantastic - the sweeping landscapes and detail in nature, but the story was bizarre and quite frightening in the end. I hadn't realized how poorly the Japanese movie market received the film before viewing it, or I wouldn't have selected it for my project! I liked the character of Tenar, and thought Timothy Dalton did a good voice for Sparrowhawk, but Prince Arren was too bizarre to appreciate, at least for me, in his rage moments and his kindness. I never really understood his motives for murdering his father. Too many loose ends, too much violence and frightening images made this an unpleasant movie experience. Not jumping to recommend to anyone but those who are enchanted with anime and want to compare Goyo's work to his father's. I had such high expectations after seeing all the work that Hayao Miyazaki has done...
Programming/Curriculum: I would compare the two Miyazaki styles using this film and either "Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind" or "Princess Mononoke" which both have a more violent edge - to see how the styles of the two directors differ. Also, an anime festival might include this film along with a discussion over refreshments.
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