Howls Moving Castle

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Film Description

The animated adventure from Hayao Miyazaki, in which an 18 year-old girl is swept off her feet by the enigmatic wizard Howl and finds refuge in his magic castle. Turned into an old woman by a jealous witch, she embarks on an incredible odyssey to try and lift the curse. A spectacular adventure for children and adults alike.

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DVD Extras

Optional English or Japanese Soundtracks.

Technical Details

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6 Stills

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Reviews & Articles

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Review by Alex Davidson on 26th January 2006

Once again Hiyao Miyazaki has created a film of astonishing imagination. Thriving on the more fantastic moments of Diana Wynne Jones' source novel, passages of his film may prove bizarre for fans of conventional animation, yet will delight the many admirers of his previous masterpiece Spirited Away.
Sophie, a young girl living in an unspecified European town, is transformed into an old crone by a spiteful witch, and must travel to meet up with Howl, an allegedly wicked wizard, to break the curse. Along the way she meets Turniphead, an enchanted mute scarecrow (prompting the typically quirky line "It was a pleasure meeting you, even if you are my least favorite vegetable") and Calcifer, a cantankerous flame who fuels the moving castle as it tramples randomly through the wilderness.
The animation is frequently breathtaking; the ramshackle castle is beautifully realised, whilst Miyazaki shows his flair for the grotesque in the unforgettable scene where the witch climbs multiple stories of stairs to reach the palace. Repeated viewings are needed to figure out the byzantine plotlines towards the climax, yet this is one film where repeated viewings will be a definite pleasure.

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Review by Matty on 16th November 2005

I loved this film. The artists who managed to animate such a long feature, are, may I say, amazing! Also, with someone who has an amazingly gorgeous voice, Christian Bale, it was a hit to me. I loved the whole changed aspect. Alright, it wasn't as complex as the book, but never the less, it was marvellous. Well done for yet another amazing film!

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Collections & Lists

This film is part of the following Film Collections

Studio Ghibli Films

Including: Grave of the Fireflies, Howls Moving Castle, Kikis Delivery Service, Laputa: Castle In The Sky, My Neighbour Totoro, My Neighbours The Yamadas, Nausicaä Valley Of The Wind, Pom Poko, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke.

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This film is part of the following Customer Film Lists

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As Japanese animation is winning increasingly large audience, and cult cartoon series continue to excite contemporary spectators, this list offers an ideal start to world animation novices - all of these accessible films offer an ideal introduction.

Colours and hues by Cat McFarlane

I have always loved epic movies, fantasy movies, and as a child of course loved Disney. As I've grown older, I've ‘rediscovered’ the type of movies I love, both due to the special effects now being used that weren't thirty or forty years ago, that take away any restrictions to the imagination and story-telling, and also due to finding out how great it is to learn a language later in life and when you choose to do this, rather than having to as part of the school timetable! Regarding special effects, to see stories that I loved to read e.g. Tolkein, brought to life, is still a magical experience each time I watch the movies. Regarding the language-learning side of things, to rediscover, in spanish, movies I have loved in english, adds another richness to the enjoyment of the movie. Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ was the first movie I watched with spanish dubbing and english subtitles, but to since then also discover spanish movies, and a fresh set of talented actors and directors, has expanded my love of movies in a way I hadn’t expected. To me, movies are anything from a wonderful escape to an exciting learning tool, as well as just to relax and enjoy for example the beautiful way a film is animated or directed, or to be fascinated at how a movie is created.

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