MUSEUM of DITHERED POSTERS

11/27/2023: THE SECRET OF NIMH (1982)

If you never watched The Secret of NIMH, or you remember it imperfectly like I did, you may believe that it's adapted from a book about intelligent rats who escaped from a lab in the United States. It is that, but it’s also a dark fantasy comparable to Jim Henson's visionary works like The Dark Crystal or Labyrinth(?). Seriously, what?

A humble mouse named Mrs. Brisby is in a pickle. Her son is too sick to leave the house, but if her family doesn't move soon the entire house will be destroyed by the farmer's plow. Mrs. Brisby's refusal to give up leads her to confront the most powerful beings in her storyworld. She also learns about her late husband’s mysterious past along the way, a riddle that embroils her in great political and spiritual conflicts.

Mrs. Brisby encounters, in no particular order: a mysterious old wizard who turns stolen electricity into magic; a reluctant, Pettigrewian henchman whose change of heart saves the day and costs him his life; a swordfight between two rats; a prophecy; a magical amulet; and several daring escapes.

As someone with weird taste, I often have to remind myself that my taste is different from my taste - for example, a movie I love versus one whose competence I can actually defend. Is it good or do I just like it? The Secret of NIMH is one of those few pieces that manages to accomplish both.

In fact, you may have noticed that I have no story notes whatsoever for The Secret of NIMH. One day I’ll provide the proper analysis this film deserves but today I just sat back and soaked it in. That says a lot. I’m the goddamned Picker-Aparter. Robert C. O’Brien (author) and Don Bluth (director) bamboozled me into just enjoying something. If that doesn’t convince you to go watch it, I don’t know what will.