Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Latest
    • 3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)
    • 3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)
    • 3625. Ode To Joy (2019)
    • 3624. One Chance (2013)
    • 3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)
    • 3622. The Polka King (2017)
    • 3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)
    • 3620. Friendzone (2021)
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Home
    • Blog
      • All Posts
      • Best Of The Year
        • Best Of 2015
        • Best Of 2016
        • Best Of 2017
        • Best Of 2018
        • Best Of 2019
        • Best Of 2020
        • Best Of 2021
        • Best Of 2022
      • The Decade In Review
      • Box Office Analysis
      • James Bond
      • Oscars
      • RANKED
      • Star Wars
      • The Big Questions
      • Top 10
      • World Cinema
    • Ratings
      • Top 250
      • Top 100 Foreign Films
      • Bottom 50
      • 0 – 1.9
      • 2 – 3.9
      • 4 – 5.9
      • 6 – 7.9
      • 8 – 10
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Anthology
      • Animation
      • Christmas
      • Comedy
      • Crime
      • Documentary
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Film-Noir
      • History
      • Horror
      • Kids’
      • Musical
      • Psychological
      • Romance
      • Sci-Fi
      • Short
      • Silent
      • Sport
      • Superhero
      • Survival
      • Thriller
      • Western
    • Release Year
      • 2020s
      • 2010s
      • 2000s
      • 1990s
      • 1980s
      • 1970s
      • 1960s
      • 1950s
      • 1940s
      • 1930s
      • 1920s
    • Country
      • Afghanistan
      • Argentina
      • Australia
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Brazil
      • Cambodia
      • Canada
      • Chile
      • China
      • Colombia
      • Costa Rica
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • East Timor
      • Faroe Islands
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Georgia
      • Greece
      • Hong Kong
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Iran
      • Iraq
      • Ireland
      • Israel
      • Italy
      • Japan
      • Latvia
      • Lebanon
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Mexico
      • New Zealand
      • Nigeria
      • North Korea
      • Norway
      • Paraguay
      • Peru
      • Philippines
      • Poland
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • South Africa
      • Soviet Union
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • Syria
      • Taiwan
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Uganda
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Uruguay
      • Vietnam
      • Zambia
    • About
    The Mad Movie Man
    You are at:Home»Review»2645. The Castle Of Cagliostro (ルパン三世 カリオストロの城) (1979)

    2645. The Castle Of Cagliostro (ルパン三世 カリオストロの城) (1979)

    0
    By The Mad Movie Man on August 13, 2019 1979, 6 - 7.9, 90-99 mins, Action, Animation, Aug 19, Comedy, Japan, Movies Of 2019, Review
    7.3 Simple adventure fun
    • Acting 7.4
    • Directing 7.4
    • Story 7.1
    • User Ratings (0 Votes) 0

    Starring: Yasuo Yamada, Sumi Shimamoto, Tarō Ishida

    Director: Hayao Miyazaki

    Running Time: 99 mins


    The Castle Of Cagliostro is a Japanese film about a thief who, after a robbery gone wrong, heads to a secluded kingdom in Europe, where he faces off against a powerful Count as he attempts to save a young woman from being forced into marriage.

    Notable as the directorial debut of the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, The Castle Of Cagliostro is certainly worth a watch for any film lover – and a fascinating insight into the birth of one of the 20th Century’s best filmmakers. Featuring gorgeous animation throughout, as well as moments of wondrous imagination, Miyazaki’s handywork is clear, while the film’s light-hearted and easy-going adventure story makes it an undeniably enjoyable watch at the same time.

    So, there are two things to look at when you watch The Castle Of Cagliostro. On the one hand, it’s an interesting watch to see where Miyazaki and the legendary Studio Ghibli started from, and on the other, it’s a nice, easy-going film to sit back and relax to, with a simple, sweet and funny story that’ll remind you of one of those cartoons you used to watch on a Saturday morning on TV.

    We’ll start with the latter there, because in and of itself, it’s arguable that The Castle Of Cagliostro isn’t a masterpiece, and is in fact something rather more lightweight than what Miyazaki later came to be known for. Of course, it’s not fair to use hindsight in criticism, but if you go into this film expecting a Miyazaki masterpiece, then you’ll likely come out disappointed.

    Saying that, though, the film’s fun and light-hearted nature is a delight throughout, and with a story that effectively follows the same plot as the Super Mario games – an Italian hero has to save the princess from the castle – it’s a movie that’s really easy to sit back and smile to.

    With a simplistic and fluffy adventure story, The Castle Of Cagliostro is harmless, cheery fun, told in similar style to twenty-minute cartoon serials on the television, something that you’ll find difficult not to be charmed by.

    However, one of the main reasons that Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli came to such acclaimed filmmakers is that their animated films were so much more than extended cartoon serials. Featuring stunning emotional depth and boundless imagination, so many of their films stand as timeless masterpieces of animation, whereas The Castle Of Cagliostro – as fun and nice as it is – isn’t quite on the same level.

    Miyazaki’s touch is clear here, and although he doesn’t quite have the same control over the entire film (as this is part of a pre-existing franchise about the main character), his capacity for astonishing imagination shines through at moments, even if this movie does feel a lot more simplistic and down-to-earth compared with the movieis of Ghibli.

    The constraints on Miyazaki are perhaps even more apparent when you compare this fairly mellow adventure movie with what is considered his first classic: Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind, a film covered in head to toe with crazy and awe-inspiring fantasy and imagination. So, while the visual beauty of a Miyazaki film is there to see with The Castle Of Cagliostro, those expecting to see something a little more like Nausicaä may find themselves a little short-changed.

    Overall, though, it’s difficult not to like The Castle Of Cagliostro. It may not be an all-time masterpiece of animation, but with an easy-going, upbeat story that features good humour and fun adventure, it’s more than enough to make you smile. What’s more, with the hallmarks of the great Miyazaki’s talent in development, it’s a riveting watch as an important stepping stone for what came next, which is why I’m giving it a 7.3.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    The Mad Movie Man, AKA Anthony Cullen, writes articles and reviews about movies and the world of cinema. Since January 1st, 2013, he has watched and reviewed a movie every day. This is the blog dedicated to the project: www.madmovieman.com

    Related Posts

    7.1

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    Follow Me Online!
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Tumblr
    New Releases
    5.3
    January 17, 2022

    3620. Friendzone (2021)

    7.1
    January 10, 2022

    3612. The Lost Daughter (2021)

    8.0
    January 7, 2022

    3609. Licorice Pizza (2021)

    7.2
    January 7, 2022

    3608. Lamb (2021)

    7.4
    December 30, 2021

    3599. The King’s Man (2021)

    6.3
    December 29, 2021

    3598. The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

    8.4
    December 28, 2021

    3597. West Side Story (2021)

    6.3
    December 27, 2021

    3596. Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

    Recommended Movies
    8.5
    Review
    February 8, 20140

    448. 8 1/2 (1963)

    8.2
    Review
    April 29, 20170

    1739. Crayon Shin-chan: The Adult Empire Strikes Back (クレヨンしんちゃん 嵐を呼ぶ モーレツ!オトナ帝国の逆襲) (2001)

    8.2
    Review
    September 16, 20130

    286. King Kong (1933)

    8.6
    Review
    July 20, 20150

    1030. Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)

    8.0
    Review
    September 24, 20210

    3489. Chocolat (2000)

    Popular Posts
    7.1
    January 24, 2022

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8
    January 23, 2022

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9
    January 22, 2022

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    7.4
    January 21, 2022

    3624. One Chance (2013)

    6.3
    January 20, 2022

    3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)

    7.5
    January 19, 2022

    3622. The Polka King (2017)

    6.0
    January 18, 2022

    3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)

    © 2022 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.