The Secret of NIMH (1982)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Don Bluth

Writers:

Robert C. O'Brien (novel)
Don Bluth (story) ...

Release Date:

2 July 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Drama | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Right before your eyes and beyond your wildest dreams.

Plot:

To save her ill son, a field mouse must seek the aid of a colony of super-intelligent rats, with whom she has a deeper link than she ever suspected.

Plot Keywords:

Rat | Rose Bush | Owl | Farmer | Farm

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Derek Jacobi	...	Nicodemus (voice)
Elizabeth Hartman	...	Mrs. Brisby (voice)
Arthur Malet	...	Mr. Ages (voice)
Dom DeLuise	...	Jeremy (voice)
Hermione Baddeley	...	Auntie Shrew (voice)
Shannen Doherty	...	Teresa (voice)
Wil Wheaton	...	Martin (voice)
Jodi Hicks	...	Cynthia (voice)
Ian Fried	...	Timothy (voice)
John Carradine	...	Great Owl (voice)
Peter Strauss	...	Justin (voice)
Paul Shenar	...	Jenner (voice)
Tom Hatten	...	Farmer Fitzgibbons (voice)
Lucille Bliss	...	Mrs. Fitzgibbons (voice)
Aldo Ray	...	Sullivan (voice)

Also Known As:

Mrs. Brisby and the Rats of NIMH (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Brazil:Livre | Finland:K-10 (1982) | Finland:K-8/5 (1988) | USA:G | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-8 (1994) | South Africa:A | South Korea:All | Australia:G | Portugal:M/6 | France:U | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:U | West Germany:6

Company:

Aurora

Trivia:

Don Bluth, John Pomeroy and Gary Goldman all left Disney to pursue this project, which had originally been rejected by their former employer as "too dark" to be a commercial success. They were followed soon after by 20 other Disney animators, dubbed "The Disney Defectors" by the trade press.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: When Dragon leaps at Mrs. Brisby when she is climbing the tree, his left claw is shown covered by the base of a tree limb.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Nicodemus: Johnathan Brisby was killed today while helping with the plan.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Ratatouille (2007)

Soundtrack:

Flying Dreams

Dark, mystical story is for adults, but endured by children.

When I first saw this film, years ago, I was very afraid of many aspects it contained, yet I was also in love with it. As a cartoon, it captures the very familiar values that we have seen in such praised Disney films such as The Sword in the Stone". This one is much darker though, and because so, it also brings forth, a much scarier element that Disney will never have! Being based completely on archetypical formation, the "Secret Of NIMH" is based on the famed children's book "Mrs. Brisby and the rats of NIMH". As the book is very darling, and for children of all ages, the film is put together in a more mature, adult style, with intense moments. Later on in life, I realize that children watching this film is an amazing happening, if I knew then, what I know now about the film, I would have been completely overtaken by the film. Some things are better left unknown in childhood. Most kids today will not appreciate this film, for all the glory in which it was made. There were two direct-to-video sequels. Two. This is unacceptable for a movie of this type. The two latter films were made with light, fluffy, musical touches that did NOT capture anything this film did. The two latter films had NO business being made! The generation I grew up in was able to take this wondrous intensity we were given, today, things are much different, and movies like this one are hardly seen. The "toy story" genre has taken over, and most films that would, otherwise be like this one are laughably awful, without any real heart. Don Bluth was expressing his strong imagination for this one, most "pixar" company films are just money, and offer nothing for anyone except babies in cribs! This movie is a cartoon, a pure adventure, and a treasure full of heart! Don Bluth is a wonderful filmmaker!