alr

The Castle of Cagliostro
(Rupan sansei: Kariosutoro no shiro)

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
With Yasuo Yamada, Eiko Masuyama, Kiyoshi Kobayashi.
Japan, 1979, DCP, color, 100 min.
Japanese with English subtitles.

In his first feature film, Miyazaki unleashes the adventurous, shapeshifting antics of Arsène Lupin III, apparently a grandson of Maurice Leblanc’s notorious “Gentleman Burglar." Like the original, Lupin is a master thief, cunning sleuth and outrageous daredevil. He is also a carefree comedian who uses unconventional methods to outwit his opponents and win the hearts of damsels in distress. While dashing off with a Fiat-full of cash from Monte Carlo, he discovers that it is all counterfeit. Resolving to get to the source of the fake bills, Lupin and his partner are instantly embroiled in an action-packed face-off with the nefarious Count of Cagliostro. They must rescue the Count’s imprisoned fiancée while eluding his longtime foe, Inspector Zenigata, as well as the castle’s endless traps and surprises. Although worlds away from Miyazaki’s dazzling tales to come, this high-spirited, irreverent spectacle provides creative, witty and very mischievous entertainment for those not afraid of a little darkness running through the veins of their childrens’ comic heroes.
Age recommendation: 10+

Part of film series

Read more

Weekend Matinee

Current and upcoming film series

Read more

Jean-Pierre Bekolo, 2024 McMillan-Stewart Fellow

Read more

The Practice (and Other Works) By Martín Rejtman

Read more

Chronicles of Changing Times. The Cinema of Edward Yang

Read more
Gene Hackman crouched beside a toilet with audio equipment

From the HFA Collection...

Read more

Being In a Place. Rediscovering Margaret Tait