the movie has a very deliberate pace and really sets into a mood of its own. the princess is courted by suitors at a young age by knights or princes who are determined to win her hand in marriage for the wealth they would gain. they were tasked to retrieve certain magical items. the princes/knights all proclaim their greatness and she sees through them and calls them out for what they are -- thieves and liars. a sorcerer fools the king into allowing her to marry him and he takes her to his castle and locks her up in the dungeon because it is prophesied that he shall fall because of her. it's a definite fantasy that fits in well with medieval europe around the 10th century give or take a couple of hundred years. the animation is extremely fluid and detailed. the characters don't have the typical anime face and everyone has noses. the backgrounds are gorgeously painted and the use of computer animation is very limited and none of it is too obvious unless you're an animation aficionado or professional. it seems slow in spots but all in all, a solid story with little to offend anyone.
8 Reviews
First Movie of Sunao Katabuchi
himisyonikoku1 March 2018
Japanese Animation in recent years saw the rise of younger directors such as Makoto Shinkai (Your Name, 2016) or Mamoru Hosoda (Wolf Children, 2012).
If you like European "high-blow" movie, Katabuchi is for you. You will soon find that his understanding of classical movies and literature is extraordinary.
Princess Arete is his first full-length movie and has many good points. However, the slow development of the story might bore the viewers.
My Suggestion is to watch his more recent Mai Mai Miracle (2009) or In This Corner of the World (2016) first, since these movies are more entertaining. If you like these movies and want to know more about Katabuchi, you will enjoy this one.
If you like European "high-blow" movie, Katabuchi is for you. You will soon find that his understanding of classical movies and literature is extraordinary.
Princess Arete is his first full-length movie and has many good points. However, the slow development of the story might bore the viewers.
My Suggestion is to watch his more recent Mai Mai Miracle (2009) or In This Corner of the World (2016) first, since these movies are more entertaining. If you like these movies and want to know more about Katabuchi, you will enjoy this one.
Ibsen lite
hitchcockkelly25 January 2023
I enjoyed the film, although in many ways it's a dissatisfying story. Essentially, it's about an under-appreciated woman in a bad marriage told as a fairy tale. Princess Arete is raised in a high tower (pedestal), and her father exploits her suitors by making them scour the earth for treasure. She meets two of them, but one is a braggart and both are liars. She's eventually married off to a wizard who is really nothing more than a lazy layabout. He sits around with his servant, Grovel, doing nothing. (All he needs is beer and a remote.) He locks the Princess away, but her strength and stoicism drive him crazy, and he banishes her. It turns out he's nothing but a self-loathing brat with virtually no power who pines for the glory days when wizards ruled the world. (Think former high school football star.) The resourceful Princess leaves him to pursue her own adventures. I liked it, but it didn't cover a lot of new ground. Think of the movie as a metaphorical retelling of "Private Benjamin".
wonderful
Pookie-1010 May 2003
I can't believe there is not one comment or even rating for this film. This must be a real obscurity, even among anime' afficianados (which I'm not necessarily, but I've seen a fair amount) This was one of the most beautiful sword and sorcery animated fantasy films I've ever seen, right up there with "Laputa" and "Nausiica" Why has this film not received more attention or for that matter any type of domestic distribution (on DVD) or otherwise? I don't understand it, I basically will have no one to talk with about this film because NOBODY's seen it!! At least not in this country.
Awful film.
niallmurphy-3005114 February 2022
This film boasts some very good quality animation and the soundtrack is pretty good but the story is incredibly dull and boring. It might have worked better if it was made into a 45 minute OVA rather than this 105 minute snorefest.
One of the worst animes I've ever seen in my life
TooKakkoiiforYou_32124 November 2020
That I watched only because my favourite musician/artist of all times (Origa A.K.A. Olga Vitalev'na Yakolevka) sang a MASTERFUL song for the OST of this movie called Kurano Sonste (Red Sun). Too bad such song is completely underutilized in this movie, a throwaway for five minutes of nothing which strikes in comparison to its epicness. Other than that, hacky writing and hacky animation make of this a complete drag. Don't bother, believe me. Don't bother at all. Stick to youtube for hearing Kurano Sonste and you'll be better served.
Boring
stagedlined4664 January 2016
I really, really wanted to like this movie. And don't get me wrong, I understood the themes of the story, and I actually do like slow- paced animated movies. But Princess Arete was to slow!
In the first hour of this movie nothing at all happens. It only takes place in a handful of boring a dull settings that don't really immerse you in the world. And it seems like all the characters do nothing but sit around and talk about things. The animation is good, but very uninspired, it doesn't take risks, or do anything spectacular. And besides, animation is the pinnacle of visual storytelling, and its the best way to express imaginative and to tell immersive stories. When I see an animated movie that has such a dull atmosphere, I feel sorry for the people who worked on it.
Now the movie is not all bad. Like I said earlier, I did understand the theme of isolation and oppression, and at the very least the last twenty minutes actually had something happening, but its not enough to make up for the ninety minutes of nothing that came before it. I'm sure some people would like this movie, but I don't think I could recommend it to anyone.
In the first hour of this movie nothing at all happens. It only takes place in a handful of boring a dull settings that don't really immerse you in the world. And it seems like all the characters do nothing but sit around and talk about things. The animation is good, but very uninspired, it doesn't take risks, or do anything spectacular. And besides, animation is the pinnacle of visual storytelling, and its the best way to express imaginative and to tell immersive stories. When I see an animated movie that has such a dull atmosphere, I feel sorry for the people who worked on it.
Now the movie is not all bad. Like I said earlier, I did understand the theme of isolation and oppression, and at the very least the last twenty minutes actually had something happening, but its not enough to make up for the ninety minutes of nothing that came before it. I'm sure some people would like this movie, but I don't think I could recommend it to anyone.
Thought I was watching a 2020 film; how did I miss this masterpiece.
d_syboy5 April 2020
Amazing art style, very ghibli-like, and also miyazaki-like in terms of story and metaphors. The director and producer have worked with Hayao Miyazaki and I'm sure many others in the team have.
Definitely "swept under the rug". This film is a hidden gem. One that is up there with the ghibli giants.
For most viewers these days it could be hard to get through this film due to the slow pacing (yet your attention/curiosity is maintained!), not much music used, not your crisp 2K resolution HD video production like Ponyo, The Wind Rises, etc.(; this is more like older Ghibli movies and 'shows'... because it is 2001! not 2020!) The animation and its techniques are great, "ghibli" backgrounds are great. Doesn't have that Joe Hisashi music touch, but is great as it is; it's quiet moments aren't dull.
I hope people spread this film, as the message is important perhaps more so now than ever.
A magical film.
Definitely "swept under the rug". This film is a hidden gem. One that is up there with the ghibli giants.
For most viewers these days it could be hard to get through this film due to the slow pacing (yet your attention/curiosity is maintained!), not much music used, not your crisp 2K resolution HD video production like Ponyo, The Wind Rises, etc.(; this is more like older Ghibli movies and 'shows'... because it is 2001! not 2020!) The animation and its techniques are great, "ghibli" backgrounds are great. Doesn't have that Joe Hisashi music touch, but is great as it is; it's quiet moments aren't dull.
I hope people spread this film, as the message is important perhaps more so now than ever.
A magical film.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
