The Castle of Cagliostro (1979): Miyazaki's Gentleman Thief Adventure

Why was The Castle of Cagliostro an influence on Pixar and the Disney Animation Renaissance?The Castle of Cagliostro combines the whimsical style of master animator Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) with the adventurous flair of an Indiana-Jones-style serial.Gentleman thief Arsene Lupin III and his sidekick, Jigen, journey to the tiny country of Cagliostro, where they fight to save young Princess Clarisse from Count Cagliostro and his men.Tricky gadgets, trap doors, clock towers, tricked-out Fiat 500s, and rooftop acrobatics await in this entertaining, romantic, and charming adventure.This review breaks down the film's extreme charm factor, how it executes enjoyable scenes, and the film's lasting impact and legacy across the animation landscape.Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Written by Hayao Miyazaki and Haruya Yamazaki. Starring Yasuo Yamada, Eiko Masuyama, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Makio Inoue, Góro Naya, Sumi Shimamoto, and Tarō Ishida.Connect with us on Bluesky:@not-ni-theaters.bsky.socialAnd to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com