Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

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Hayao Miyazaki, the Japanese animation director who wowed audiences worldwide with his award-winning film Spirited Away, brings another visually spectacular tale of imagination to the screen. Sophie is an 18-year-old girl who toils in the hat shop opened years ago by her late father. Often harassed by local boys, one day Sophie is unexpectedly befriended by Howl, a strange but flamboyant wizard whose large home can travel under its own power. However, the Witch of the Waste is displeased with Sophie and Howl's budding friendship, and turns the pretty young woman into an ugly and aged hag. Sophie takes shelter in Howl's castle, and attempts to find a way to reverse the witch's spell with the help of Calcifer, a subdued but powerful demon who exists in the form of fire, and Markl, who protects the four-way door which can instantly take visitors to other lands and dimensions. Howl's Moving Castle was released in North America by Walt Disney Pictures, who distributed the film both in its original Japanese and in a dubbed English version; the English-speaking voice cast includes Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Jean Simmons, Lauren Bacall, and Billy Crystal. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

119 mins

Complete Cast:

Director(s):

Hayao Miyazaki

Writer(s):

Hayao Miyazaki

Producer(s):

Toshio Suzuki

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

PG(Scary Moments, Suitable for Children)

Categories:

Foreign, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

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• 2005 - Howl's Moving Castle - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Score
• 2005 - Howl's Moving Castle - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Animated Feature
• 2005 - Howl's Moving Castle - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Animated Feature