THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO

By: Janet Houck
Date: Thursday, August 31, 2006

This is a great special edition release from Manga Entertainment. The remastered film itself looks crystal clear; you go into viewing older films, especially animation, expecting dust and scratches. Happily, they've done a great job here.

Special features occupy one side of the double-sided DVD, and include the usual assortment of a photo gallery, the original Japanese theatrical trailer and trailers from Manga Entertainment (ranging from STREET FIGHTER II: THE ANIMATED MOVIE to GHOST IN THE SHELL: S.A.C. 2nd GIG). This release also includes an animatic of the entire film, which explains why this is a double-side DVD release, as you are receiving essentially two copies of the movie. As icing on the cake of an excellent DVD, we have an interview with Yasuo Ohtsuka, animator director for THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO. It reminded me greatly of interviews with comic book pioneers, such as Stan Lee and Gene Colan, who give great insights into how the industry was during their time, and lament at how it has changed; not necessarily for the worse, but simply changed from how it was back then. Now, there is a glut in animation, where studios tell the artists what to draw. Thus it is up to the independents, such as Miyazaki, to make quality, original animation. Ohtsuka also provides a lot of information on the history of the Lupin III franchise and details about the making of THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO, which was made in four and a half months. This interview raises this release from merely being a re-release to a true special edition.

In terms of audio options, we have English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Surround, and in mono, Japanese, French and Spanish. I'm disappointed that there is no Japanese surround sound channel, but with an older film, I'm willing to forgive. Subtitles are available in English, and the English dub is excellent (another worry with older titles); I wouldn't be surprised if it was re-recorded for this edition. In fact, I'd recommend the dub over the subtitles, as you'll miss some of the subtleties of Lupin action if you're constantly scanning below the screen.

Onto the film itself. The second animated Lupin III movie and first feature-length animated film from Hayao Miyazaki (HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, SPIRITED AWAY, PRINCESS MONONOKE), THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO has his touch all over it, but lacks the themes of man versus nature and the problem of pacifist action that are found in his later works. The Lupin III is as formulaic as the James Bond movies, with the ensemble cast of Jigen, the master gunslinger with the big fedora; the samurai Goemon; Fujiko, master spy, thief and Lupin's oftentimes love interest; Inspector Zenigata, who chases after Lupin across the world, always a step behind; and Lupin himself: womanizer, escape artist, comedian and master thief.

Miyazaki treats us to a world of visual beauty and playfulness, where the focus is more on telling a story, in setting the scenes and conveying emotion. Whereas most iterations of Lupin involve bright primary colors and a focus on sight gags and slapstick comedy (and this is not to say that Miyazaki doesn't include plenty of that), in THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO the colors are softer, and lines are muted. We are shown the film's architecture with a romantic ruined castle, a gazebo gently caressed by overgrown vines, and the starry garret room of Clarisse.

The plot itself is quite simple, as are all Lupin films. Lupin and Jigen travel to the tiny European nation of Cagliostro, in search of the mystery of the Goat Bills, legendary forged paper money that is nearly identical to its original and which have caused world wars and financial panic over 500 years. Along the way, they come across a bride involved in a car chase with unsavory folk... and only naturally, Lupin saves her. She is Princess Clarisse, the heir of the now-deceased Grand Duke, soon to be married against her will to the current regent, Count Cagliostro, who wishes to use Clarisse to fulfill an ancient prophecy and hidden treasure.

As in all Lupin films, he unravels the puzzle hiding the treasure, but this treasure isn't one that he can carry. Instead, Miyazaki's Lupin willing gives it to the whole of humanity to enjoy. Lupin has always had a soft spot for doing good, but he sheds his roguish airs in the end to reveal himself as a sentimental guy.

The music mostly blends in seamlessly with the movie; however, certain themes are repeated over and over, in bad 70s flute and synthesizer style. This was really the only element that took away from my enjoyment. Overall, this is a great film for Miyazaki fans and people new to animation/anime. It's fun, sentimental and beautiful, even after more than fifteen years. Experience Miyazaki and the Lupin III series in one of their best films!