Hauru no ugoku shiro (2004)

Director:

Hayao Miyazaki

Writers:

Hayao Miyazaki (screenplay)
Diana Wynne Jones (novel)

Release Date:

20 November 2004 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Fantasy | Romance

Plot:

When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking home.

Plot Keywords:

Castle | Witch | Demon | Wizard | Fire

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 8 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Chieko Baisho	...	Sofî (voice: Japanese version)
Takuya Kimura	...	Hauru (voice: Japanese version)
Akihiro Miwa	...	Arechi no Majo (voice: Japanese version)
Tatsuya Gashuin	...	Karushifâ (voice: Japanese version)
Ryûnosuke Kamiki	...	Marukuru (voice: Japanese version)
Mitsunori Isaki	...	Koshô (voice: Japanese version)
Yô Ôizumi	...	Kakashi no Kabu (voice: Japanese version)
Akio Ôtsuka	...	Kokuô (voice: Japanese version)
Daijiro Harada	...	Hin (voice: Japanese version)
Haruko Kato	...	Sariman (voice: Japanese version)
Jean Simmons	...	Grandma Sophie (voice: English version)
Christian Bale	...	Howl (voice: English version)
Lauren Bacall	...	Witch of the Waste (voice: English version)
Blythe Danner	...	Madame Suliman (voice: English version)
Emily Mortimer	...	Young Sophie (voice: English version)

Also Known As:

Howl's Moving Castle (International: English title) (UK) (USA)

MPAA:

Rated PG for frightening images and brief mild language.

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX | Dolby Digital EX (English-language version) | SDDS (English-language version) | DTS-ES (English-language version) | DTS-ES

Certification:

Mexico:A | Finland:K-7 | Australia:PG | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Zurich) | Canada:G (British Columbia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Argentina:Atp | Portugal:M/6 | Netherlands:MG6 (DVD rating) | Peru:PT | South Korea:All | Malaysia:U | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | New Zealand:PG | USA:TV-PG (cable rating) | France:U | Singapore:G | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | USA:PG | Ireland:G | Brazil:Livre | Germany:6 (bw)

Company:

Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Trivia:

The license number on the first car Sofie's mother rides is 667.

Quotes:

Young Sophie: They say that the best blaze burns brightest, when circumstances are at their worst.
Calcifer: Yeah, but no-one really believes that. Come on, let's be honest.

Movie Connections:

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Soundtrack:

Sekai no Yakusoku

A poetic anti-war cartoon.

In a time of war and falsity here it is a dancing poetry from Japan against all the cruelty and pain. The moving castle leads us to a magic place where life has a strong value and elderly people have an important role to play. Also in an apparent hostility or in a scarecrow, Hayao Miyazaki gives us the chance of finding a friend and not letting the dream go down. The perfect technique and the emotional stream are in complete harmony. If the jury of the Venice Film Festival had been more far-seeing, it would have given a more prestigious prize to this masterpiece.