Howl's Moving Castle (DVD, 2006, 2-Disc Set)

Though 'Howl's Moving Castle' ('Hauru-no Ugoku Shiro') may not be Miyazaki's best film, it is still far more enjoyable than many other films, Japanese or American, animated or not. I for one very much enjoyed watching it, and I love the film for its interesting characters and the rich textures of the designs, especially the fantasy world itself where witchcraft and humans' mundane works can be seen side by side. And the titular six-legged castle that really walks among the wilderness is something you never see except in his films.

Miyazaki's new film is based on a book of the same title written by Diana Wynne Jones. The film's story is told from the viewpoint of a 18-year-old girl Sophie, who is working at a milliner's shop every day. But she can hear the sound of bloody battles from the distance, and it is clear that this beautiful country, where witches and wizards live among humans, is going to see another war sooner or later.

But apparently Sophie is still leading an ordianary life until her uneventful routine days are suddenly broken by one accidental meeting with wicked 'Witch of the Waste,' who turns her into an old woman with a curse. Seeking for her place to live, Sophie goes to the wilderness where, the townspeople say, a young wizard named Howl wanders. In fact, Sophie encounters Howl's Moving Castle in the foggy moutainside, and she decides to hop in. There, forbidden to talk about her curse, she starts a new life with young and handsome Howl, who speaks to her kindly like a prince, but at times acts like a spoiled child.

[MIYAZAKI'S LOVE STORY] You will be impressed with many fantastic and colorful images created by Miyazaki. You might find an anti-war message deep in the film's story, but will find the romantic relations between Sophie and Howl is the most touching and impressive part of the film. Sophie's romantic feeling towards Howl is expressed in a unique way (which I don't disclose here), and Miyazaki, as usual, is very good at drawing the character of this independent heroine. One interesting thing is, probably this is the first case in which Miyazaki attempted to show a love story in his films. And a kiss too.

I must say that not everything works in 'Howl's Moving Castle.' I haven't read the original book, but it is obvious that Miyazaki made changes. Not that I'm blaming them. But the story is sometimes told too hurriedly, and when you think something (actions or whatever) will start, it ends abruptly. Howl's character is full of contradictory traits, that's good, but his complicated personality could have been more effective and convincing with more detailed episodes about, say, his mentor magician (and politician) Madam Suliman or Witch of the Waste.

(If I am not mistaken, 'Howl's Moving Castle' is a rare case for Miyazaki who prefers to use his own stories, and this is the first time he adapts someone else's story in 15 years, last time being 'Kiki's Delivery Service. But 'Kiki's' story written by Eiko Kadono is not long -- I know, I read -- while 'Howl's' story is, I think, much longer. Maybe these facts have soemthing to do with my complaint.)

Greatly helped by Jo Hisaishi's beautiful score, 'Howl's Moving Castle' is full of imaginative power, with one strong heroine you can relate to (though she is 90-years-old), plus memorable supports including fire damon Calcifer, (not a bad guy at all), and ubiquitous Prince Turnip who always appears at the right moment. Flawed, to be sure, but enjoyable fantasy tale with a healthy amount of humor and lots of imagination.

Howl's Moving Castle is Hayao Miyazaki's finest work. (You may recognize
the name from his 2001 film Spirited Away). Howl's Moving Castle also
premiered as the first Japanese animation entry at the 61st Venice International Film Festival in 2004, where it received the Golden Osella Award.

The story is based on a book by Diana Wynne Jones and is set in the 19th century. The mysterious lands where science and magic blend together are beautifully drawn, reminiscent of old England during the war. Right away one
is mesmerized by the amazing artistry of the film and is eager to follow the author wherever he may go.

The story begins when an 18 year old hat-maker, Sophie, is turned into an old woman by the "Witch of the Wasteland". Soon, she encounters the magical Howl and his moving castle, powered by the fire spirit Calcifer, (voiced by
Billy Crystal), as well as a turnip-headed scarecrow and many characters.

Forbidden to talk about her spell, Sophie can't return home so she takes charge of the castle, cleaning it from top to bottom and becoming a part of the
odd assortment of beings that collectively make it their home. Even Howl himself starts to see the inner beauty of Sophie and soon trusts her with his secrets.

Amidst the war-torn lands, these characters must all struggle with their own demons (whether personally or physically). Watching these characters develop is almost like a story within a story. One truly becomes caught in the magical tale that Hayo Miyazaki so artfully spins.

A perfect Saturday afternoon movie. It takes you on a magical voyage to different lands with engaging characters and a good story. I highly recommend this movie. I would venture to say that younger children would not have the patience to follow such a long story, and some of the magical images may be upsetting.

HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE has quickly become my favorite film from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. Tempted by the cover art alone, I purchased this prior to viewing it and was simply blown away by the beautiful animation, timeless yet fantastical love story and the superb voice acting.

Starring the voices of superstars Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall, Blythe Danner and Billy Crystal, you couldn't have found a better cast to bring Miyazaki's characters to life in the English version of the film. Billy Crystal's performance as Calcifer the fire demon is priceless and undeniably funny, and Lauren Bacall brings power to The Witch of the Waste that makes the character detestable and yet almost endearing in her wickedness.

HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE follows the story of young Sophie, who finds herself irrevocably mixed up with the wizard Howl when he rescues her from being harrassed by soldiers on the street. Jealous of her friendship with Howl, The Witch of the Waste puts a curse on her that turns her into an old woman. As Sophie travels to the Waste to find a way to break the spell, she is led to Howl's castle by a scarecrow, and finds that her adventure is just beginning as she is caught up in political intrigue, magic and excitement!

With its parade of unusual and magical characters and brilliant storytelling, interwoven plotlines and that special charm that only Miyazaki can provide, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE is one that viewers both young and old will enjoy!

Katie Galloway
Movie Magic USA

Howl's Moving Castle was my first Myazaki movie and I found it to be far more enjoyable than many other films of this genre (animated). I completely enjoyed watching it, and I love the interesting characters; The Turnip Head Scarecrow was my favorite, and of course he is hanging around for a good reason, because we find at the end of the movie that he too, was cursed; and because Sophie was so kind to him he will ultimately end the wars...but I am getting ahead of myself.

The film is based on the book of the same title written by Diana Wynne Jones. The film's story is told from the viewpoint of 18-year-old Sophie, who works at a hat shop. But she can hear the sound of bloody battles from the distance, and it is clear that the beautiful country, where witches and wizards live among humans, is going to see another war sooner than later.

But daily life goes on for the ordinary town folks until Sophie's routine days are suddenly thrown into turmoil when the Witch of the Waste turns her into an old woman with a curse that Sophie cannot tell any one about; she is left with the task of discovering how to reverse the spell. Sophie leaves because she cannot face her friends as an old woman, nor can she explain the condition she is in; so she goes out into the wilderness to find the Wizard Howl, who she believes is the only person who can and will figure out that she is cursed and help her.

The love story is very sweet, the depth of Howl's own curse is very poignant and involved; The fact that both Sophi and Howl discover love and help end the wars that ravage the lands is very well described. This is geniune fairy tale stuff and it is told in the truest Miyazaki way. This film has made me curious enough about his works so I had to watch a few of his earlier films; I'm sure you will enjoy them just as much; [Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Kiki's Deliver Service, et al] are just a few that I have seen so far and highly recommend.

This is one of Miyazaki's best films. Like his others: Kiki's Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro, this movie is perfect. Set in war times in the early 1900's a young female named Sophie works in a hat shop her father left her when he passed away, and she was left to take care of the hat shop. Sophie encounters many different charecters in the movie; Howl being the main charecter, enchants Sophie by "rescuing" her from 2 soldiers. Howl is a wizard and apprentice to an off charecter Madame Sullivan.


Sophie is turned into an old woman by the Witch of the Wastes, and she couldn't stay at the hat shop because of her mother finding out. So she seeks out the Witch of the Wastes to find a way to break the curse that was placed on her. Along the way she meets a scarecrow whom she calls Turnip-Head. After meeting this strange scarecrow she comes across Howl's Moving Castle (Hauru No Ugoku Shiro). She enters the castle and the adventure begins to turn her back into an 18 year old female. Howl's apprentice Markl and the fire demon Calcifer join in the movie to help Sophie out.

Markl's mean at first but after a few hours he gets use to Sophie. But Calcifer... doesn't like her much. While she was cooking breakfast one morning Calcifer chimes in with this: Here's a curse for you: May all your bacon burn. Howl comes in from a battle tired and worn out. He sees Sophie cooking breakfast and he asks her who hired her to clean and she tells him Calcifer. Many battles follow and it's a timeless tale.

Excellent art work and voice acting. Soundtrack is excellent as well. If you want to check out more from the movie just look it up in the Ebay search engine. I hope you find this review helpful. It's one of my favorite movies. Oh and if you're obbsessed with it like I am; get the picture book and art book. The art book contains the full script to the movie and the picture book contains beuatiful artwork from the movie. I give this movie a 10/10