Technically, it’s his weakest film (he was on a tight budget and schedule). But, the “Raiders of the Lost Ark”-like theme makes it his most fun and my favorite.
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I don't disagree. Notice I was merely comparing the animation of this fine film with his all his works alone. In all aspects (even on a technical scale) I hold it in a higher regard than almost all Japanese animated features.
shareThis movie is sooo cool and very unique from the rest of the Hayao Miyazaki collection. The characters are very memorable and funny, it was worth the 26.99 + tax that I spent. Very recommendable A+!!!!
shareOne of the greatest, most entertaining, hilarious, quirky, and original Lupin adventures, if not Japanese Anime of all time. From the very outset to the fast and furious ending, Lupin draws the viewer into a trance of sheer delight.
There is no validity for any allegiance given by force.
I love Miyazaki's current movies, does this movie bring the same excitement and fun that his others do?
shareI just saw Secret of Mamo, and I was kind of dissapointed. I've heard from lots of other people, including those in this forum, praise COC so I'm gonna try to see it. What do you have to say about Mamo??
shareMamo was pretty disappointing for me also, Cagliostro is a much better film. There's action, humor (it's a Lupin film, so that's expected), romance (sorta), great animation, one of the greatest chase scenes ever captured on film, so it deserves it's reputation as the greatest animated film of all time.
shareThis is one of Miyazaki's best films, no question.
shareHe took some already known wel established characters and was still able to create an entertaining movie and leave his mark on the franchise.
Why do I have to be Mr. Pink?
this is my favorite movie of all time great charecters moving story great animation (especially for the 70s!) comady and action if you like anime miayazaki or lupin iii(i love all three) than this movie is for you if not its still worth watching. if anyone doesnt watch it just cuz its animeted than they should not talk about movies
shareI kinda agree with animefanmg about the animation quality.. I watched the movie but I watched the undubbed version (helps to have translation text..lol). I thought COC was a farely decent movie.. I wouldn't expect everyone to like the film or any Lupin anything because it seems like most "anime fans" judge the animation aspect rather than the storyline. You have to keep in mind that a lot of anime was like that back then. I would not go as far as to say that it's that best anime of all time or best anime film of all time but I would say that it's the best of it's time..
Here's a lil trivia.. Did you know that the COWBOY BEBOP series was inspired by LUPIN THE 3RD? I guess Lupin The 3rd rubbed off of them since they also were able to release a movie.
Lupin's influence is pretty well ubiquitous in Japan. He's an influence on every 'cool' male main character, just about.
" Intelligence has nothing to do with religion." -- sonny_6237
For someone that has never seen anything Lupin or even heard about anything Lupin untill buying this movie (100% because it was made my Hayao Miyazaki) how do you think the enjoyment level would be? I have heard some mixed comments on this. Also I have read that this movie apealed 26 years ago so it isn't as good if you see it today; is this true?
shareIt's perfectly enjoyable on its own.
" Intelligence has nothing to do with religion." -- sonny_6237
this movie is absolutely amazing. stunningly detailed animation (for its time, and still impresses me today) its plot is by far the best miyazaki plot. its decidedly less 'kiddy' than miyazaki's other films, with a real cheeky adult sense of humour. but this is one of the very few movies that can TRULY be called "for the whole family", as its nearly impossible for all ages not to be swept up in its magic and adventure.
My favourite anime of all time. nuff said :)
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I watched this one last night. I was disappointed. The animation was not up to Miyazaki's normal standard. However my housemates, who do not normally like miyazaki, enjoyed this one more than Nausicaa.
The language was too adult for children but the content was too shallow for engaging adult dialogue. The female characters who are usually strong personalities in Miyazaki's films, seemed to me to be very weak and it was the male characters who drove the plot with very little contribution from the ladies.
There were moments which were pretty cool. The clocktower and lake at the end were impressive and nicely executed but.... the ending for me just wasn't satisfying. It gave me no sense of completion or catharsis.
Perhaps it seems as if I am being overly harsh. I did enjoy the humour and the pacing of the film, and suspended my disbelief over some of the more outrageous of Lupin's feats. I give this film 7/10, for pure enjoyment, but it did pale in comparison to the other miyizaki fims I have seen.
Castle of Cagliostro Miyazaki's best film in my opinion, the animation is still top notch to this day (hell it has what Spielberg calls the greatest car chase in film history), the storyline is simplistic but then when you look at classic films, especially for eras gone by, its typical, and I prefer not to say that its simplistic, rather concise. It's also really beautifully paced, the humor is fabulous and the action set pieces are brilliantly executed.
Just on to what Mouldyman said about "weak female characters". It is true to an extent, but then there are really only two female characters in the whole movie:
a - The Princess
b - Fujiko who is just about the blueprint for heady and strong female characters in Japanese animation.
And if you dislike film for only having 2 female characters, then you’re an idiot, for two reasons:
a - the characters and the character dynamic (the four main characters, Lupin, Jigan, Goemon and Inspector Zenigata are all male and Fujiko, the main female lead and is the type hard boiled femm fetale who will sleep with you, shoot you in the crotch, and then rip your hear out) this film is based off the comics of Monkey Punch that first published in the late 60's. The key protagonist; Lupin, is considered to be one of the most beloved cartoon characters in Japanese film history and has had several TV series, films, TV movies (which are made every year...yes, even this year), video games etc.
b - The Lupin character is essentially hard-boiled thieving womanizing pervert anti-hero. So Miyazaki couldn't completely change the character because he was already some what of an institution. And I think it would be ludicrous and a slap in the face to Monkey Punch and the fans of Lupin to turn around and appease some uncharacteristic and modern sense of morality.
And again just to nit-pick at Mouldyman's post..."It gave me no sense of completion or catharsis", it’s not meant to, the nature of Lupin character is such that he always leaves you wanting more.
I'm very defensive of this film because for me at least, it is along with The Crimson Pig the most important of Miyazaki's films.
This may not be as sophisticated and ambitious as later Miyazaki films, but it is a lot of fun. Unburdened by heavy themes, the movie races along, and it's filled with great adventure and humor that might appeal to action-movie fans who wouldn't be interested in "kids" movies like TOTERO or KIKI. So, it remains a personal faovrite of mine, even if it's not as impressive as PRINCESS MONONOKE.
READ MORE HERE: http://www.hollywoodgothique.com/castlecagliostro.html
the scene where Goemon slices Lupin's clothes and sorta mumbles "once again i have cut a worthless object" still cracks me up everytime i see it. it definitely great fun. up there with laputa and nausicaa as my faves. agreed that it is underrated for a miyazaki film, but cant make comparisons to other lupin films or the series as i avent seen them.
shareI think you need to see some of Miyazaki's work in the '60s or '70s to really put Cagliostro in context. I wrote a review about the film for my site almost two years ago, but now, after becoming far more familiar with the Lupin show from '71-'72, and just a better understanding of Miyazaki as a filmmaker, I have to say it's a great picture.
I'm struck by how economical everything is. A terrific number of tightly composed still shots, very little use of music. But you can see his love of action, and his love of movement; how people move around the screen, and how the camera becomes an active participant in the action. You can see how skilled Miyazaki had become by that time.
Heck, even the original Lupin III show was bloody brilliant. I think Miyazaki and Takahata were brilliant right out of the box.
The humor even connected with me this time. Usually, the jokes and sight gags went over my head. But this time, I think I've got it.
So, in the end, excellent movie. Very Pink Panther-ish. Great opportunity to show someone who only thinks of Miyazaki as some sort of Walt Disney veriant.
The animation is slightly dated(not in a bad way), and the story may not be as deep as his other movies, but I think "The Castle of Cagliostro" is a great debut film from Miyazaki. I watch it whenever I'm in the mood for escapist entertainment, which I think it's nearly perfect as. Now this is something else that I love about it. It is meant for entertainment, and it's full of action and very silly, but it's not STUPID(you know what I'm saying?). Why is it that so many American movies intended purely for escapism have to be so mind-numbingly dumb and frenzied(can anyone say "Sahara"?)? I don't know.
But anyway, I love "Castle of Cagliostro".
I am agree with most people here. "Cagliostro" is perhaps the weakest film from Miyazaki, but that doesn't means it's a bad one, just that it's subpar in comparison with his later works. The animation is simpler and "flatter" than in his most renowned movies. The plot is quite simple but entertaining enough. There are not much magic nor mysticism neither woeful monsters or a notorious moral message implied as in most of his films. In that sense is quite different from Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away or Nausicaä, just to name a few. Perhaps his most similar work is Porco Rosso.
Anyway you can see the talent of a young Miyazaki there. This is the work of a "master" in the making.
Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well I have others