A Reel 40: THE SECRET OF NIMH

“We can no longer live as rats. We know too much.”

This month marks the 40^th anniversary of THE SECRET OF NIMH.

Based on the beloved children’s novel Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien, and the first film directed by animation legend Don Bluth, THE SECRET OF NIMH was a modest box office hit, an award winner, and over time has earned a reputation as one of the finest animated films of all time. It followed the efforts of Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse, who needs to move her family and their home out of a field before plowing time. Her adventures take her through twists and turns, including a hierarchy of intelligent rats, family secrets, and dark magic. 

The film was first offered to Walt Disney Productions as far back as 1972, but it was turned down. In 1979, animator Don Bluth famously left Disney with 11 other animators to form Don Bluth Productions, with the intent of reviving the classical animation style of Disney. The new company had a goal of concentrating on strong characters and story, while experimenting with new techniques. The result on screen was a stunning presentation of fluid motion and lighting techniques. 

The casting process had a focus on the traits of each character. Oscar-nominated actress Elizabeth Hartman would be cast as Mrs. Frisby, and she would be joined by comedy legend Dom DeLuise, and well-regarded actors such as Peter Strauss, Derek Jacobi, Arthur Malet, John Carradine, and a young Wil Wheaton. The music was conducted by Jerry Goldsmith. 

Upon release, THE SECRET OF NIMH received critical acclaim, and would win Best Animated Film at the 10^th annual Saturn Awards. At the box office, it would perform better in its opening week than other titans of 1982 including POLTERGEIST, ROCKY III, and STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN. It would have an even more successful run on home video.

*

There were two animated films in the late 1970’s and late 1980’s that shocked this blogger into a new consciousness. The first was WATERSHIP DOWN (1978), and the second was THE SECRET OF NIMH. WATERSHIP DOWN was shocking (rabbits clawing each other to death, with blood on the screen), but THE SECRET OF NIMH took it to a new level. Characters battled each other to the death with swords (again, the crimson color of blood a shock to see in a cartoon), and creepy imagery including an ancient owl, dark magic, and a big fuck-you spider were the stuff nightmares were made out of. Years later, when TOY STORY 3 (2010) was criticized for being too dark, this blogger could only chuckle. 

But it would be unfair for THE SECRET OF NIMH to have a reputation for being a scary movie only. It’s a story about a mom trying to save her family, and despite the darkness, has a sweetness to it that gives it a balance. Even by today’s standards, the animation is excellent, and the focus on characters and story sets a bar that can be seen in today’s films from Pixar and Disney Animation. THE SECRET OF NIMH is a bold trailblazer and a gem. 

 

“Courage of the heart is very rare. The stone has a power when it’s there.”

**

The year in film 1982 was a landmark for cinema. Read Reel Speak’s recap of the year HERE.