The Secret of Nimh Review

 

Don Bluth’s first feature film, The Secret of Nimh, adapted from Robert C. O’Brien’s novel Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, is considered a cult classic. Telling the story of a mother’s quest to help her sick son, it builds into a bigger conflict involving her late husband’s connection with super-intelligent rats. But will the dark tones combined with the emotive story of an unconventional protagonist still echo the same in the present?

 

We begin with Nicodemus, a rat connected with the titular NIMH, speak about Jonathan Brisby’s passing 4 years after their escape and what to do about his widow, unaware of their secrets

 

After the credits, we move to a farm, where Mrs. Brisby (name changed because of copyright concerns with the flying disc manufacturer) meets with Mr. Ages, asking him for medicine to help her youngest son, Timothy. He gives her a powder to treat his pneumonia symptoms and says he must stay in bed for three weeks, though Mrs. Brisby’s unsure about that, Mr. Ages shooing her out

 

She encounters Jeremy, a goofy crow (Dom Deluise) caught in string he’s collecting for a love nest. The pair escapes from Dragon, the farmer’s cat, Jeremy saving Timmy’s medicine. He asks her for advice about appealing to girls, but the mouse leaves him to go home.

 

Mrs. Brisby’s children, Martin, Theresa and Cynthia (Timmy still sleeping) talk briefly with Auntie Shrew, a neighborhood busybody who starts to leave after Martin antagonizes her. She tells Mrs. Brisby about the imminent moving day and departs, the children gathering around Timmy as their mother explains about his illness.

 

At the farmer’s house, a group of rats take a cable as he’s told about a call from NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) asking about odd behavior from the rodents

 

Moving day begins as the farmer starts his plow, Auntie Shrew fleeing with the children, while Mrs. Brisby tries to stop it. But the shrew has to intervene as the widow is too frightened to move.  

 

Auntie Shrew suggests visiting the Great Owl, Mrs. Brisby terrified of the idea. Jeremy takes Mrs. Brisby to the Great Owl, saying she’ll be fine, since he only eats at night.  After being beckoned in and saved from a spider, Mrs. Brisby asks for his assistance. He initially suggests moving her house away from the plow, but after learning she is Jonathan Brisby’s widow, he directs her to the rats, saying they have their ways

 

As Mrs. Brisby tries to get into the thorn bush, Jeremy interrupts. She convinces him that to appeal to a lady bird, he should show he’s good with kids, the raven leaving after nearly getting caught by Dragon

 

After entering the rose bush, amazed at the unknown technology, Mrs. Brisby is attacked by an imposing rat called Brutus. She escapes, running into Mr. Ages, who’s shocked that the Owl directed her here. Mr. Ages guides Mrs. Brisby down, saying she must keep this place secret. They’re “attacked” by Justin, captain of the guard, who takes them to the council, where a rat named Jenner decries the plan to move to Thorn Valley.

 

But when Jenner’s crony Sullivan says that Jonathan’s widow should leave and that the rats have no business helping her, Jenner stops him, hinting at some evil plan. The council agrees with his motion to help Mrs. Brisby, but Mr. Ages and Justin are suspicious

 

Meanwhile, Jeremy is tied up by Auntie Shrew, the kids freeing him after she leaves. But they’re skeptical, even when he reveals that their mother is trying to find a way to move their house, tying him back up

 

Mrs. Brisby learns from Nicodemus how Jonathan is a hero to the rats of NIMH, killed when drugging Dragon. He explains how the rats were captured and experimented on by NIMH, becoming intelligent, helped by Jonathan to escape.

 

Nicodemus gives Mrs. Brisby the amulet, saying that it has a special power when worn by one with courage in their heart.

 

The rats move to relocate Mrs. Brisby’s house, Jenner and Sullivan plotting to make an “accident” happen and kill Nicodemus, destroying the rats’ morale

 

Justin and Nicodemus explain that their plan is to live apart from the farmers, unable to live as rats with their knowledge.

 

Mrs. Brisby volunteers to drug Dragon’s food, Justin agreeing to meet her that night. She distracts Jeremy from the amulet, telling him to get string. But after getting the powder in the dish, Mrs. Brisby is caught by the farmer’s son and put in a cage. She manages to escape after learning that NIMH will bulldoze the rosebush that morning.

 

Meanwhile, the plan to move the Brisby house progresses, but Jenner cuts the supporting ropes, Sullivan hesitating as the house crashes down, Nicodemus killed by debris

 

As Mrs. Brisby arrives to warn the rats, Jenner dismisses her claims, moving to kill the widow. Justin intervenes as the stone glows, Jenner desiring its power. Sullivan throws Justin his sword, Justin managing to stab Jenner. Sullivan, with his last bit of strength, wounded after his insubordination, throws a dagger into Jenner’s back as he tries to attack Justin from above

 

When the house starts to sink, the rats move to help, but Mrs. Brisby, her courage galvanized by her children in danger, activates the amulet’s powers to lift it out of the mud and move it to safety

 

Time passes as we see the Brisby house, Timmy still recovering. Jeremy brings the string Mrs. Brisby asked for, meeting a girl crow as they fly off in the distance as the film ends

 

Mrs. Brisby is our protagonist, Justin more a support role, introduced late in the film, and Nicodemus a wise advisor and generally expositing plot points versus acting directly in the plot.

 

Antagonists vary in their importance, such as Dragon the cat and Jenner, as well as the humans in NIMH and the farmer. There isn’t a singular threat, but there’s still danger from each in context, unified and yet separate

 

The arc for our widow-turned-heroine works well, her initial fear overcome by a deep love for her family and inspired by others that believe in her as with her husband. With the danger thrust upon her, the choice to confront it shows her gaining true courage

 

Justin and Nicodemus are the primary representatives of NIMH’s positive effect on rats, the captain of the guard and a wise rat (with magic powers?) respectively. Justin is the most easygoing of the rats, but dedicated to the cause. There’s almost a tease of a romance budding between Mrs. Brisby and Justin, left at that

 

While Dragon is the antagonist for most of the film, along with Farmer Fitzgibbon, they pale in comparison to Jenner, a crafty rat with his own machinations and maintaining a façade of goodwill (his design fairly malicious in nature)

 

As for supporting characters, there’re Mr. Ages and Jeremy, as well as Auntie. Shrew and Mrs. Brisby’s children, though the latter 5 are more in the background, connected to Mrs. Brisby’s domestic life versus her journey into her husband’s past. Auntie Shrew is presented as annoying for the most part, but as a woman who’s likely had to survive on her own, it’s understandable that she wants Mrs. Brisby to stand up for herself, even if she’s gruff about it.

 

Mr. Ages functions as another connection to the rats of NIMH, a scientific old hermit and cantankerous compared to Justin.

 

Jeremy is mostly a goofball character, only helping occasionally, like getting Timmy’s medicine and occupying Mrs. Brisby’s kids.

 

The overarching theme is what a mother is willing to do for her family, growing more courageous in the process as a great mission connected to her husband is put before her, a fairly uncommon story of female agency in the face of danger.

 

Suffice to say, this is a good film, keeping things simple in spite of the setting’s science fiction/fantasy mix, using characters well and telling an effective story even if it feels flimsy at times with the conflicts shifting in importance, still centered around Mrs. Brisby, a stand out lead. Now as for the sequel…we’ll see how it fares next time.

Father Christmas 1991 Review

 

Another Raymond Briggs work, this time addressing Santa Claus from a British context, mostly from the name. This was something I watched, but didn’t maintain my interest, probably due to being a somewhat jaded teenager (not even realizing it was linked to The Snowman). But the premise is interesting with jolly old Saint Nick travelling around the world to get a vacation.

 

Santa returns from another Christmas night, getting his reindeer into their barn, the sleigh stowed away and his cat and dog fed. While warming himself by the fire, he speaks to the audience, aware that they’re probably confused as to what he does the rest of the year. Santa explains how there’s still tending to the reindeer, housework, shopping, all the normal stuff, not just sitting around.

 

We flashback to last year, Santa gets travel pamphlets together, deciding to travel to France (considering other locations like Canada or Holland), changing up the humdrum everyday life he has apart from Christmas

 

The next step is turning his sleigh into an RV, much more fitting for camping (to not get blown away by a storm). He takes his cat and dog to a kennel (because why take your pet with you?) and sets off, his reindeer pulling the RV (so it’s just for show?) narrowly avoiding a jet plane

 

Some camping happens, but then Santa goes into town (mocked by the locals while he shops for clothes), then eating at a fancy restaurant (with culture shock at no chips with his fish), also getting drunk and smoking cigars. He gets the bill, 1200 francs, but is more bothered by gastrointestinal distress (including a disturbing fever dream cut from the American version), moving to a proper camping ground, still rushing to the loo due to the runs.

 

Wanting a change of scenery (his reindeer drawing the campers’ attention), Santa then goes to Scotland (their pure water how whiskey is made?). He drinks at a pub, buys a kilt and then sleeps the night away, waking up with a hangover (because he was blitzed!).

 

But since it’s not raining, he tries to swim in the lake, quite frigid, and runs away from what looks like a shark (in Scotland?).

 

Changing locations again (very short lived stint in west UK), this time he heads to Las Vegas, getting himself a nice hotel (where does he get his money?), having a swim in the pool and dining quite well with a steak, fries and some grand desserts.

 

He stays for about a month (at least according to the newspapers), but is eventually suspected of being Santa Claus and leaves (having gambled, danced with cabaret girls and other Vegas entertainment)

 

Back home, Father Christmas retrieves the cat and dog and finally begins reading all the children’s letters, amused at the various names he’s called (Pere Noel, Santa Claus, etc) and also noting the various gift requests, including a pony (monkey in the American dub?). He also gets his suit out of the dry cleaners, the attendant thinking it’s for a fancy party

 

Christmas Eve soon arrives and Santa heads out (revealing he has false teeth), getting everything ready at home before he leaves. We get a song as he delivers gifts worldwide, focusing on a few instances, including one where he stumbles into a costume party (after sliding through a very odd chimney)

 

Afterwards, he finds a few places without chimneys (breaking into a trailer with a can opener) and then hangs out at the snowmen party

 

But with a slight retcon, it seems Santa forgot a present (the boy’s gift not addressed?), going to Buckingham Palace to do so (so Prince Harry and William?). He delivers it, running into the milk man (way dated reference), some of the corgis getting pushed away by the reindeer (pretty funny)

 

Santa then finishes up, setting up for Christmas lunch and taking a bath with a towel stolen from Nero’s Palace in Vegas.

 

He goes to bed, briefly commenting on some gifts he got from family (or elves in the American dub), including scotch, dubbed as cologne for American audiences, and wishing the audience a “merry blooming Christmas”. The credits roll, kids singing about how Father Christmas never sees the holiday morning, working so hard the night before

 

 

There are at least 3 cuts: the full UK version (hard to find on DVD, which has, instead the American version), one that’s probably for TV, cutting out some alcohol references or a scene where Father Christmas is on the toilet and the American cut that removes more stuff, particularly with the old man’s builder’s crack and the alcohol references. And most of the uses of “blooming” are cut, the American dub reduced to 4.

 

The British version of the character is much cruder, getting drunk and even making a few adult comments (insinuating something sexual about a woman on a French instructional tape using her tongue, cleaner in the American dub). He’s also fairly grumpy, like a cantankerous old man who’s good-natured, but a bit rough around the edges. This contrasts strongly with the American cut, a stereotype of Santa Claus as jolly, getting sad at leaving his animals behind more and more kid-friendly

 

There really aren’t other characters to speak of with any depth, just accessories in the plot to show our lead’s travels

 

Is it anything to write home about? Well, my memory was fairly different, since I think I watched the sanitized American version.  Not exactly something that will resonate entirely with kids, but nonetheless is amusing in the clever depiction of Santa as someone who just wants a break from his routine and responsibilities, getting back to them promptly when needed. More important in giving a British spin that is less common for American viewers, solid Christmas classic

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus 1985 Review

 

The first adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s novel, this ran a half hour shorter to fit a TV time slot (even though I also recall seeing the 2000 version on TV). But it has Rankin Bass’ well-known animation style, like the nostalgic Christmas specials. Will that cover for potential flubs in the narrative, though?

 

We start with Santa Claus flying through the air, a narrator noting that happy children enrich the world, shifting to Burzee in the past.

 

Tingler, a Sound Imp (supposedly original), announces the Immortals’ arrival to Ak

 

Queen Zurline and Ak discuss how they must convince the council before Santa expires (basically spoiling the end?). We see the various Immortals (including the Master of the Sound Imps) arrive, Tingler announcing their entrance, a chorus singing about immortality in the background

 

Ak explains that the Spirit of Death will soon visit Santa Claus, wanting his good deeds to continue by granting him the Mantle of Immortality.

 

We then hear Ak tell of Santa Claus’ life, first discovering the human baby (not shown in the 2000 version), tasking lioness Sheigra to nurse and nurture it

 

Necile is fascinated by the child, Immortals unfamiliar with such things, watching it from a distance. She sings about wanting to raise the baby, basically stealing it when Sheigra’s distracted

 

Understandably, the lioness is angry and Peter Knook (a Knook leader?) can’t pacify her. Necile begs mercy from Ak, the highest authority in the forest who saved the infant first

 

The Woodsman agrees, allowing Necile to raise the child, Sheigra to protect them

 

We see the child grow up, interacting with dangerous animals casually, like a cheetah and elephant (along with another song!). Claus (not called Nicholas yet?) learns various languages from Tingler (that joke of changing languages mid-speech quickly growing old)

 

Claus briefly discusses his growing up to Necile, who says she is his “mother”, having raised him, which he accepts (calling her mother).

 

Claus leaves with Ak to view the human world (no sash, just hanging onto him), invisible by magic. We see a squire being cruel to the serfs not meeting a turnip quota, even the lord of the land exceedingly callous, claiming the servants should be grateful for what they have (literacy “overrated”?).

 

As Claus hears about humanity’s inevitable mortality, Ak takes him to Japan, where children are training to be samurai, Claus thinking the education is too harsh for the innocents

 

The next location is in the Middle East, Claus seeing orphans begging, no one providing for them like Ak does for Claus

 

And finally, Claus sees two knights fighting, to prepare for war, where people are likely to die for some cause, good or bad.

 

Ak advises Claus that, since he is mortal, he should strive to make the world a better place than he found it, following his “star” (his destiny?)

 

Claus leaves, bidding the forest farewell, but promising to return, Tingler and Sheigra accompanying him.

 

The group arrives at the Laughing Valley of Hohaho, perpetually winter. They set up camp and then, abruptly, Santa gets the house (no fanfare) and grows up, interacting with kids in a montage.

 

Blinkie is also introduced bluntly, the cat butting heads with Sheigra a bit (jealous?). An orphan child, Weekum, stumbles into their area, recovering from the bitter cold. He inspires Claus to make a carving of Blinkie as a toy, since he wanted a cat like him

 

The kids all want one as well (singing about it), Santa inspired to keep going and assisted by the Ryls, Knooks and Wood Nymphs.

 

But the Awgwa king throws a rock through the window, threatening Claus’s life if he makes more toys. Tingler explains that Awgwas influence children to be bad (because they’re too innocent otherwise?) and can make themselves invisible (and intangible!)

 

That night, the Awgwas invade Claus’ house and take him to a cave, where a snake and spider threaten him. But he gets Knook assistance, the Awgwas stealing the toys instead (unable to be stopped 12 times!)

 

Claus tries again, Sheigra saving him from the Awgwas’ attack.

 

Ak, tired of the conflict, challenges the king, his protection only extending to the forest, not the Laughing Valley, the Awgwas not intimidated by Ak’s immortal status.

 

War begins, Claus held back by Peter Knook. Ak wields a silver axe, which destroys one of the monsters (with a kid-friendly laser), while a dragon’s fire is turned on him, a giant is shrunk and an ogre is turned into a flower, ending the conflict.

 

Peter Knook gives Claus reindeer to deliver the toys, since the Awgwas are eliminated, only asking they return by daybreak

 

Claus has to enter by chimney, giving the children extra gifts in socks left drying by the chimney, the parents thinking him a saint (no need to be invited), which leads to the kids deciding on the Santa prefix

 

Peter Knook is angry about Claus being late, but agrees to permit the reindeer once a year to help the children

 

With time fading fast, Santa decides to retrieve the toys the Awgwas stole, Peter Knook arriving somehow with the goods (no explanation!)

 

In the present, Ak explains how Santa has been delivering the toys for 50 years, bringing joy to many children

 

The mantle, only a single one in existence (how did the other immortals gain immortality?) is given to Claus by unanimous vote. Necile briefly greets Claus as he sleeps, welcoming him into the immortals as the film concludes with Santa promising to continue his great work

 

 

 

Claus is our lead, his development abrupt and dependent on others pushing him forward, unfortunately. Also, his being called special, yet praised for hard work feels contradictory even with the generosity shown and courage underpinning it. If he was normal and put in effort with major risk, it wouldn’t feel like he was handed success on a silver platter

 

Sheigra remains a presence throughout, contrasting strongly with the 2000 film where she has 2 major moments and then expires, seemingly immortal here

 

Our antagonists remain shallow, only unique in the designs contrasting to the modern adaptation’s stone monsters. And there’s seemingly just one named, like a collective, so somewhat less depth even

 

Necile is fleshed out more, understanding the transient nature of her being a mother to Claus, but nonetheless cares for him deeply, remaining passive mostly.

 

Tingler serves the function Wisk did in the 2000 film, the quirk of shifting languages just that and barely serving an educational purpose (how one says toy 3 ways, for instance)

 

There are some new characters, like the Commander of the Winds and Queen Zurline, playing off Ak; skeptical about his ideas or offering a different perspective (like Zurline mentoring Necile). Ak himself is a wise sage, but only acts when necessary and makes decisions as a leader must

 

Musical numbers seem to come out of nowhere, almost more to pad out the runtime versus adding substance for the narrative

 

All in all, with the limitations given, it’s serviceable, though the conflict is resolved rapidly and the framing device is a bit disorienting. We still have the moral, just muddled in places. Fun trivia, it was produced in part by Pacific Animation Studios, that also worked on Thundercats and was later bought by Disney

The Small One Review

 

The second work directed by Don Bluth after Banjo the Woodpile Cat, The Small One tells the tale of an underdog donkey and his owner, a boy that won’t give him up to just anyone. But what lesson will we learn in the relatively short runtime of this story?

 

After the intro squeezing all the credits in (Richard Rich assistant director here, Gary Goldman also involved), we meet our lead, simply called Small One, an aged donkey who’s more of a nuisance, though he and the boy that takes care of the livestock play briefly before heading out with the others

 

Gathering sticks with the boy’s father doesn’t go too well, the donkey needing help because he’s small and weak.  The father plans to sell Small One at the market tomorrow, not wanting him to suffer needlessly and doing so little work as a beast of burden

 

The boy asks to sell him, the father agreeing as we get a nice song about how the boy hopes Small One will get a special owner who cares about him

 

At the city, the boy is directed to the tanner, not realizing it until he’s told that Small One’s hide is all the man wants (dark, yet realistic and not exactly traumatizing, since the reality is more graphic in nature than just tanned hides, implying death, not showing corpses).

 

The pair flees, going through the market trying to sell Small One (without killing him). There’s another song featuring merchants (who steal from each other?), the boy directed to an auctioneer nearby

 

After trying to get sold, the auctioneer laughs at them, even trying to ride on Small One, but getting bucked off for his troubles (good riddance).

 

The two continue through the town, but the boy despairs at not being able to sell Small One

 

Suddenly, a man asks if Small One can be sold to him, needing a gentle donkey to take his expectant wife to Bethlehem.

 

The pair tearfully bids farewell as the featurette concludes with us seeing where the donkey goes, clearly insinuating that Small One took Mary and Joseph to the census in Bethlehem, his true purpose all along.

 

 

The characters are fairly flat for the most part, only our leads getting a sense of fleshing out, especially Small One, for not having any dialogue. And his owner, the boy, does show understanding of his flaws and, while resistant to selling him, just wants him to have a good home and someone who takes care of him in his golden years

 

As for the religious undertone, it’s pretty subtle and doesn’t bash you over the head with it, so it’s a really good and accessible holiday film, even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, since the message is more about kindness to even the smallest and least fortunate.

 

The essence of the story is how this relationship keeps the spirits of our leads up in spite of the difficulties they face, very relatable in terms of people with their own pets going through tough times of some form or another

 

Nothing groundbreaking, but sometimes a simple story can have great impact in terms of the message it conveys and sticks with people through their lives. I’d recommend it and you can find it on Disney +