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.