Howl's Moving Castle

[percival]

Yesterday, my parents, who flew back to Germany today, treated us to something truly special: an evening of babysitting so that we could go out as a couple. We used our time wisely and saw Howl's Moving Castle. If you haven't seen this movie yet, and you like anime or fantasy, then go and enjoy. There were only three other people in the cinema when we saw it; what a waste!

The ending is rushed and not quite logical, but the animation and the characters are pure magic. Such beauty ... One of the real strengths of this movie is the way in which it depicts war. It doesn't show burning bodies and dying people, but it shows the enthusiasm that turns people into lemmings, the Hurrapatriotismus, the inhumanity of the battleship and the devastation of fire. Miyazaki's vision is very closely modelled on Germany going into World War I; I would say it is scarily accurate, from what I've read. My husband and I agree that we will use this movie to explain war to our daughter. (mincot, maybe passages from it might also be useful for your students?)

Comments

[piperx.livejournal.com]

I love Miyazaki. I think that movie was shown here for like, a week at most.

The parallel between the movie and Germany is very interesting. I may have to just skip the rental and buy it outright.

[in-the-blue.livejournal.com]

Curiously enough, the book it's based on has nothing to do with war. I can't decide if including that whole subplot was an unnecessary bit of silliness, biting social satire, or simply brilliant.

[erised1810.livejournal.com]

woe. antoehr bo kthat turne dinto amovy.

wow forthe way they treated war though. I'd deifnilt ygo for that method instead of the endless clashign of swords and..other sickening sounds. (wel ihaveto admit inoldfashoned tournament scenes..I like clashig nof swords)

[perceval.livejournal.com]

I would vote for "brilliant", because the depiction of the actual war is just so close to World War I, and for "silliness", because the resolution of this war was very, very far-fetched. Have bought the book, will read when baby allows ...

[atropos87.livejournal.com]

gryffin23 and I are going to see it tomorrow - I'm looking forward to it even more now :)