THE SECRET OF NIMH

US, 1982, 78 minutes, Colour.
Voices of Derek Jacobi, Elizabeth Hartman, Adam Malet, Dom De Luise, Hermione Baddely, John Carradine, Peter Strauss, Paul Shenar, Shannen Doherty.
Directed by Don Bluth.

The Secret of Nimh is directed by Don Bluth, who was an artist with the Disney Studios and who, after some difficulties with the studio, left with a group of artists to form their own company. This story is based on Robert C. O'Brien's Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nimh.

The film resembles Disney animated features. There is strong drawing of the animal characters, the animals being made very human, especially in their voices. An excellent cast led by Shakespearian actor Derek Jacobi characterises rats, owls and mice. Dom Deluise is excellent as the friendly crow, Jeremy.

The film has a complex plot, is a message animation story about conservation. An interesting example of American animation in the Disney tradition.

1. An entertaining film? For what audience: family, children?

2. The quality of the animation and its appeal? The drawing of the animals? Backgrounds, landscapes? Special effects? The editing and pace? The musical score?

3. The title and its meaning? The revelation of the secret? The message of the secret? Indication of themes?

4. The focus on Mrs. Brisby and her family? The mice? Their home in the fields, under the stone? The illness of Timothy? The threat of the cat Dragon? The intervention of Jeremy to save the medicine? Aunty Shrew and her warnings? The tractor ploughing up the field? The difficulty of moving with Timothy being sick? The Great Owl and his advice? Nicodemus, king of the rat colony? The colony in the rose bush? The respect for Mrs. Brisby's husband ionathan by the rats? Their decision to help her? The protests from Jenner? The revelation about Jonathan, his being a prisoner, the National Institute of Mental Health? The drug treatment? Nicodemus and his help? The opposition of Jenner? The `accidental' death' of Nicodemus during the move, his death? The sinking of Mrs. Brisby's home? The magic charm raising it? The Brisby family finding peace?

5. Nicodemus, the king of the rats, his dignity, his decision to help? The sadness of his death? The villainous Jenner, his opposition and protests, not wanting the move to Thorn valley, Jenner and his arranging Nicodemus' death, his being killed? Justin and his trustworthiness, the Captain of the Guard?

6. The comedy with Jeremy the Crow, Dom Deluise's humorous style? His helping the family? The Great Owl and his advice?

7. The flashbacks and the revelation about the National Institute of Mental Health. the animal experimentation, the heightened consciousness of the rats, the drugs? ionathan as victim? The rats' reverence for him?

8. An interesting story? Adventures? Comedy? Portrait of family? Good and evil? Saviour-figures? Magic?