Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1985)

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 Amazon.com

Considered to be Studio Ghibli's first film

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is a landmark anime film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film is based off of a manga by the same name that was made by Miyazaki.

The film takes place one thousand years after the "Seven Days of Fire." This catastrophe destroyed human civilization and most of Earth's original ecosystem. A few scattered human settlements survive, but they are isolated from each other by the Sea of Decay (a lethally toxic jungle of fungus that is swarming with giant insects).

Nausicaa is the princess of the Valley of the Wind, and she possesses an unusual gift for communicating with the giant insects in the Sea of Decay (where she will go, while wearing a mask, to conduct scientific research). The valley is threatened when another state unearths a God Warrior embryo; the God Warriors were one of the giant, biological weapons used in the ancient war. The embryo is stolen by another state, and this state's ship crashes into the valley while transporting the embryo. The people of the valley are forced into armed resistance, and Nausicaa must find a way to bring a resolution to the situation.

This DVD release contains two DVDs. The second DVD just includes the storyboard version of the film. The first disc contains three extras: a "Behind the Microhpone" documentary (interviews with the English dub cast), a documentary entitled "The Birth of Studio Ghibli," and the original theatrical and TV trailers for Nausicaa. The documentary was very informative, but I was disappointed that Disney decided to overdub English over the Japanese audio, instead of leaving the Japanese audio and putting subtitles on the screen.

The film is wonderfully done, and utilizes its environmental undertones well. The writing, storytelling, lush animation, and music combine together to make this film a masterpiece. July 2, 2008

An epic tale that deserves your attention.

This is one of the better animated films I've seen. The art is spectacular, the voice work is well done, and the story is fairly mature while still accessible. Some of the music in the soundtrack is questionable, but that's the 1980's for you. Other, more traditional symphony-made parts of the soundtrack are fantastic. Definitely a great film if you're into anime, Studio Ghibli, or Miyazaki. June 30, 2008

The begining of a legacy. (Volume 1: Part 1)

My best friend of 22 years was one of the first people that began ranting and raving about Studio Ghibli films and around that same time Spirited Away had just won the 2nd Oscar for Best Animated Film in Academy Awards history. Being a fan of the more popular anime shows and movies such as Dragon Ball Z and Akira I knew that these magical films would soon be seen.

In 1984 the very first film by this group of talanted animators was born. 'Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind' tells a story of a far off future where a strange toxic jungle is engulfing the entire planet Earth. Through time there were many battles between the insects and surviving human kingdoms trying to keep both worlds far from one another. Then there is the kingdom of the valley of the wind ruled by Princess Nausicaa a fearless and caring girl who had always been able to find the beauty in everything, even the toxic jungle. Suddenly her kingdom is invaded by one of the most ruthless of human kingdoms. Saying they are there to protect her people she along with a cunning young prince find that the humans are hatching a plot that only Nausicaa can prevent.

Thanks to Walt Disney Studios, particularly John Lasseter of Pixar these unbeleiveable films are now available in the U.S. for all to enjoy. I was blown away by the creativity of Hiayo Miyazaki's first film and the famous actors they brought it in play the English voices. Unfortunatly I felt that the movie just dragged on a little too much. I don't think this will be a Studio Ghibli film I would own myself. Still, it is a movie that should be seen. You will be amazed at the specticle and grandure of this film and be very anxious to see what else Studio Ghibli has to offer a true film fan. June 8, 2008

WHERE'S MIYAZAKI?!

After seeing almost all of Miyazaki's films I watched this one and... WHAT HAPPENED?! I was expecting another great film and this one! NOT GREAT! The animation was weird, the story pretty pointless, and the characters are annoying! I'm giving this puppy a 2/5 because I respect Mr. Miyazaki enough to not give him a one (even if I did hate it) lol! I guess it's just a matter of opinion. :D
June 6, 2008

Child hood memories

I very much enjoyed this story, i have been looking for it for a long time, and to find it and watch it was very pleasurable. April 7, 2008

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