Picspam: Mrs Brisby

[bibliodragon]

The Secret of NIMH contains one of my favorite animated heroines, Mrs Brisby. Even though it was made in the early 80s, it is still remains very unusual. Single parent households are not unique in animated films, it is pretty much a requirement, but what marks this one out is it is not the child who is the hero, dreaming of better things, but the recently widowed Mrs Brisby, a mature woman who's drive throughout the film is to simply keep her family alive. Her youngest son is deathly ill and cannot be moved, but with her home due to be ploughed up she must seek help, first from the terrifying Great Owl, eater of mice, and then the enigmatic Rats of NIMH.

This one is real nightmare fodder, with its impressively intense imagery of danger and death. This is driven home by how terrified Mrs Brisby is throughout, she is no brash, over confidant hero, but in spite of her obvious fear she does it all anyway. And that makes her all the more impressive in my eyes. She is also not an extrovert, large than life character, but quiet and unassuming, with a gentle voice and subtle character animation, who ends up saving the day for her family and for the intelligent and impressive Rats of NIMH.

Comments

[bibliodragon.livejournal.com]

Halfamoon gave be a good excuse to watch this again :D.

[nonnaminerva.livejournal.com]

OMG! I love this movie too!!

[bibliodragon.livejournal.com]

Watching all those Don Bluth movies during his terrifying 80s period probably had a lasting effect on my psyche, but I don't care. They are awesome!

[kirbyfest.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I've always loved Mrs. Brisby. She's an ordinary woman and an extraordinary character.

[bibliodragon.livejournal.com]

When I was younger I never really appreciated that about her, but she really is. I just liked her because she was so quiet like I was.

[pyrasaur.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever seen the animated version, but I'll have to check it out. Sounds like wonderful characterization.

[bibliodragon.livejournal.com]

Though it takes some liberties with the story (the usual cuts to make the running time, the Rats technology raised to the level of magic, and a more dramatic ending) it is remarkably close to the book. Plus the animation is beautiful.

[obsessive-a101.livejournal.com]

I need to re-watch this movie some day. I have only very faint memories of the Rats of NIMH, but even then, I think I was pre-occupied by the ethical issues of the scientists' experiments on animals. >>" Oh, and the one rat who had an eye-patch and scared me. (Unless I'm remembering the wrong movie...)

But yep... hmm... I really don't remember this movie much.

[bibliodragon.livejournal.com]

Hmm, maybe you're mixing it up with An American Tail? I think that one had a scary rat with an eye patch. That was also by Don Bluth, and just as full of nightmare fodder.