Publisher: Optimum Releasing (UK)Format: Region 2 DVD, PAL, Japanese Dialogue and English Subtitles
Length: 82 minutes
Production Date: 1968
Currently in Print (as of writing): Yes
Story Outline: Set in iron age Scandinavia, the film follows a boy named Hols whom after fighting off a pack of silver wolves and accidentally waking up a rock giant named Mogue, he receives a weathered sword he has pulled from the giant's shoulder which was bothering the giant. On his deathbed, Hols father tells him to return to his home village which was devastated by a demon named Grunwald to take revenge. Hols sets off with his friend, a bear cub named Coro. However Grunwald was waiting for him. He offers Hols a chance to join him, but Hols refuses and Grunwald lets him fall down a cliff face to die. However Hols is saved by a group of villagers who welcome him with open arms. Hols decides to slay a monster pike which has been eating all the fish upstream. In retaliation Grunwald sends out his silver wolves to attack the village and in the ensuing chaos as Hols attacks to pack leaders, he meets a mysterious singing girl named Hilda who is alone in a deserted village. He invites her back to his adopted village, however strange occurrences begin and Hilda is not whom she seems.
Mini Review: This was Isao Takahata's (of Studio Ghibli fame) first feature film and naturally Hayao Miyazaki played a big part in the film's creation as well. The story goes that in the mid 1960's there was a labour dispute at Toei and this film was a result of what was going on. Yes, a socialist/unionist movie for kids. For a film made over 40 years ago, it's just flipping amazing. I first saw it as a fansub over a decade ago and didn't quite get it. Having seen it now on DVD in glorious widescreen, I now see what the fuss is all about. Apart from the talking animals and the songs, this is pretty much 100% Ghibli. The film feels slightly truncated perhaps due to the fact Toei asked that 30 minutes be cut from the runtime. The animation and story are wonderful, however I thought it came to a bit of halt in the middle for a while. Was also annoyed at the static animation in the wolves attack at the village scene. However the imagination gone into this film is amazing. Ice mammoths, ice wind wolves and stone giants. Just great. Annoyingly the songs, about half dozen of them, aren't subbed. Also the odd UK title comes from an old 1980 US English dub of the film called "Little Norse Prince Valliant", but the dub isn't included on the disc due to a legal dispute. Also some liner notes would have been great for this film, but all we get is the Japanese theatrical trailer.
Fantasic film, a lot better than many modern anime films. I give it 8 out of 10.
Remaining Backlog: 18 months (it's much easier this way than listing the number of discs).
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