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Released:
1984Director:
Hayao MiyazakiRating:
PGThe story unfolds one thousand years after the Seven Days of Fire, the event that brought about the ultimate destruction of industrial society, and the few remaining human tribes struggle to survive, clinging to the slowly shrinking areas that are still suitable to live in.
“Kaze no Tani no Naushika” was theatrically released before Studio Ghibli was officially founded, but it's usually listed as one of the studio's productions because it was so important in the formation of the studio.
Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s own manga of the same name, Nausicca tells the story of the Princess of one of the few remaining human settlements, The Valley of The Wind. Life is not easy with the remaining water reservoirs poisoned with acid, and with the “Sea of Corruption” spreading across the land, the name by which the vast forests of toxic flora and fungi, guarded by giant, lethal insects is known. These threats do not constrain the surviving tribes from continuing to fight each other, as much for power as for terrain and supplies. They remain oblivious to the gruesome and dangerous remnant from ancient times waiting to be resurrected…
“Nausicaa,” in its atmosphere and settings, stands apart from the Ghibli films that immediately followed, perhaps being the closest to the later “Princess Mononoke.” However, it firmly establishes Miyazaki’s view of the world. He strongly opposes the idea of eternal duality, expresses a strong anti–war stand, a special care for the environment and cultivating a respect for life in all its forms.
The plot of the anime had its genesis in the first 16 chapters of Miyazaki’s own manga (around two volumes), which was the extent of what had been published when the production began (manga chapters were regularly released from 1982 to 1994). The events and concepts of the manga were altered and simplified to develop a consistent story that would fit into a regular movie timespan. I heartily recommend reading the original source, to get a wider view on the presented world; its culture, history and all the described situations, and to see the wonderful drawings that later were turned into the film’s moving, colorful scenes. The thing that I miss the most in the transition to film is the mother–child relationship between Nausicaa and the God Warrior.
The soundtrack was composed by Joe Hisaishi, marking the beginning of the long–lasting collaboration between him and Miyazaki, with Hisaishi composing the music for all of the Miyazaki’s following productions.
I’ve placed Nausicaa in my top 3 of Miyazaki’s films, as difficult as it can be to determine such list. I absolutely recommend reading the manga as well as watching the anime. I’m completely in love with the mood, the visuals and the story of both. Enjoy.
