Movies - The Secret of NIMH

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	Movies - The Secret of NIMH

The Secret of NIMH (alternatively spelled "The Secret of N.I.M.H.") is a 1982 animated film adaptation of the Newbery-winning book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, written by American author Robert C. O'Brien. The title of the movie was later used for newer editions of the book. It was directed by Don Bluth, produced by Aurora Pictures, and released by United Artists.

Tagline: Right before your eyes and beyond your wildest dreams.

Plot

The film tells the story of a widowed field mouse, Mrs. Brisby (Elizabeth Hartman), who attempts to find help to save her son Timothy (Ian Fried). Tim has pneumonia, and therefore cannot leave the Brisby home to avoid the spring plowing. Mrs. Brisby travels to the home of Mr. Ages, a cranky hermit who is wise for a mouse. Mr. Ages creates a powdered medicine to help bring down Timmy's fever and tells Mrs. Brisby that she cannot move Timothy for at least three weeks, or the chill of the air could kill him. On her way back home, Mrs. Brisby discovers a crow tied up to a log with brightly colored string. The crow introduces himself as Jeremy and informs Mrs. Brisby of his intentions to use his string to create "a love nest for two" when he finds Ms. Right. Mrs. Brisby warns Jeremy about how his commotion could draw the attention of the farmer's cat, Dragon, but Jeremy flies up and is unintentionally spotted by Dragon. After a nasty escape scene with the cat, Jeremy finds Mrs. Brisby crying in a small hole. He enters to show her that he is well, only to find out that the reason shes crying was because during her escape she lost her son's medicine. Jeremy, to stop her from crying, begins to gloat about his escape from the cat and unknowingly returns Mrs. Brisby's medicine that she had dropped. Mrs. Brisby returns home to be greeted by Aunty Shrew, who has come to inform her that it is near moving day. The following morning, Mrs. Brisby travels outside, drawn toward a strange noise, and finds Aunty Shrew who tries to warn her to move her family before the plow starts.Too late they discover that the farmer has started the plow. Out of desperation, Mrs. Brisby tries to stop the tractor, (helped by Aunty Shrew) and manages to cut the power and drain the fuel before the plow reaches her home. After a debate with Aunty Shrew, Jeremy flies Mrs. Brisby to the lair of the Great Owl, a figure viewed as a sage and knowledgeable creature to the animals. Mrs. Brisby reluctantly enters (fearing that she may be eaten by the owl instead of advised), to find the Great Owl who quickly demands to know why she came. After telling her plight the Owl, he at first has little to tell her, other then to move her family, but, upon hearing of her late husband Jonathan's name, decides to stay and listen. Mrs. Brisby is at first confused about his knowledge of her husband but continues to give a heartfelt plea for help. The Owl (possibly moved by her plight and her concern) tells her to go to the lair of the rats of NIMH.

Comments and criticisms on the film

The film garnered critical acclaim for being one of the most vibrantly animated films ever made. This is surprising considering a handful of independent animators led by Don Bluth animated the entire film in a garage over the course of two years. The film was Bluth's answer to the growing lack of quality in feature animation predominantly released by Disney. Bluth believed the old techniques were being abandoned in favor of cheaper ones, and the only way animation could survive was to continue traditional production methods. Bluth and a few other animators left Disney to prove this. Bluth subsequently deployed many techniques used by Disney in legendary feature animations such as Sleeping Beauty, and experimented with several new techniques.

Despite good reviews, the film only did moderately well in the box office. The film was released around the same time as the Steven Spielberg blockbuster E.T.
. A major dispute between Aurora Productions, the studio which financed NIMH, and United Artists which had bought Aurora prior to the film's release and added scheduling and marketing difficulties, may also have affected NIMH's commercial success. The film was also found to be surprisingly scary and violent for many young children despite its MPAA "G" rating, and the Walt Disney Company originally rejected this project because it was perceived to be "too dark" and complicated to be a financial hit.

Nevertheless, the movie garnered a passionate cult following that arose from its successful home video release and also made quite an impact to the animation world in general. Steven Spielberg loved the film so much that he insisted he work with Don Bluth to create An American Tail
. Despite An American Tail's greater financial success, many consider The Secret of NIMH Bluth's best work.

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Movies - The Secret of NIMH

Plot

Comments and criticisms on the film

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