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      The Secret of NIMH

      G Released Jul 30, 1982 1 hr. 22 min. Kids & Family Fantasy Animation List
      93% 68 Reviews Tomatometer 85% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score Mrs. Brisby (Elizabeth Hartman), a widowed mouse, must move her children out of their home in a field before the local farmer starts plowing. Unable to leave because her son is ill, Mrs. Brisby seeks the help of nearby rats, who have heightened intelligence after being the subjects of scientific experiments. She receives an unexpected gift from the elder rat, Nicodemus (Derek Jacobi). Soon Mrs. Brisby is caught in a conflict among the rats, jeopardizing her mission to save her family. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Apr 16 Buy Now

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      The Secret of NIMH

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      Critics Consensus

      The Secret of NIMH seeks to resurrect the classical style of American animation and succeeds, telling a mature story with rapturous presentation.

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      Audience Reviews

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      James M When you ask most people to name their favorite Don Bluth film they will probably say something like "The Land Before Time", "An American Tail", or even "Anastasia", but all of those pale in comparison to what I feel is his Magnum Opus- "The Secret of NIMH". This simple film of a mother going to do whatever it takes to save her sick son is spectacular. Elizabeth Hartman perfectly nails the role of Ms. Brisby as one who is scared, but becomes brave in facing the farmer's cat Dragon, going to meet the Great Owl, and even pleading with the Rats of NIMH all for the sake of her son Timmy. The score especially in the house raising scene gives me goosebumps everytime. Please Criterion give this film a 4k release!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/15/23 Full Review matthias s "The Secret of NIMH" is a charming animated flick that deserves more recognition. With its stunning visuals, enchanting music, and thought-provoking themes, it's a movie that will leave you captivated from start to finish. Just remember, it's a film best enjoyed by the young-at-heart rather than the very young. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/11/23 Full Review Gabriel C Spoilers! A cute but a flawed film. The first half of the film is great. The mystery, characters, and story was great. But after Mrs. Brisby met Nicodemus the film went down hill from there. Especially Mrs. Brisby. She becomes rude and selfish. It could have been a truly great film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/09/23 Full Review C.D Its beautiful, breathtaking animation and characters, particularly Mrs. Brisby, are what truly make Don Bluth's Magnum Opus one of the late 20th century's greatest masterpieces in animation. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/31/23 Full Review Kimmithy Definitely Don Bluth's best movie ever made. Visuals are fantastical as well as the animation looking fantastic. The voice acting is very solid. The characters are very likeable. The plot has good pacing. It has a sense of mystery and some action. It's a great adaptation based on Robert C. O'Brien's children's novel, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/28/23 Full Review Aaron B One of the best animated films of all time to be sure... on par with Walt Disney's and Hayao Miyazaki's best work. Honestly, I think Don Bluth kinda got lucky with this story, script and cast for his first theatrical feature (compared to his subsequent films... which were never quite as strong). His aesthetic is so distinct and awe-inspiring... and a little scary. It really reminded the world what an animated feature is supposed to be like. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Secret of NIMH

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      Critics Reviews

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      Rita Kempley Washington Post Sadly, The Secret of NIMH is beautiful but unbalanced: The animators gambled when they should have gamboled. Nov 11, 2021 Full Review Susie Eisenhuth Sydney Morning Herald Parents wistful for the world of mystery and magic fondly remembered from the best of the Disney cartoon features should hasten along to this rather endearing fantasy. Rated: 3/4 Nov 11, 2021 Full Review Neil Jillett The Age (Australia) This American full-length animated cartoon lives up to its publicity as a return to the meticulous artwork and storybook charm of the golden days of Disney. Nov 11, 2021 Full Review Stephen Silver Tilt Magazine Known for its beautiful hand-drawn animation style, one very unique to that time period and a far cry from the computer-generated style that would take hold in the Pixar era. (40th anniversary) Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 5, 2022 Full Review Richard Holliss Starburst I was certainly surprised and delighted with every aspect of the film, from its stunning visuals to the character voices and the story. Jul 29, 2022 Full Review Jack Zink South Florida Sun-Sentinel The Secret of NIMH does not dazzle so much as glow. It is a reverent, literate family tale that is a tribute to the art of storytelling as well as the process of animation. Nov 11, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Mrs. Brisby (Elizabeth Hartman), a widowed mouse, must move her children out of their home in a field before the local farmer starts plowing. Unable to leave because her son is ill, Mrs. Brisby seeks the help of nearby rats, who have heightened intelligence after being the subjects of scientific experiments. She receives an unexpected gift from the elder rat, Nicodemus (Derek Jacobi). Soon Mrs. Brisby is caught in a conflict among the rats, jeopardizing her mission to save her family.
      Director
      Don Bluth
      Executive Producer
      James L. Stewart, Rich Irvine, Mel Griffin
      Screenwriter
      Don Bluth, Will Finn, Gary Goldman, John Pomeroy
      Distributor
      United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
      Production Co
      Aurora, Don Bluth
      Rating
      G
      Genre
      Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jul 30, 1982, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Apr 25, 2012
      Sound Mix
      Dolby, Surround
      Aspect Ratio
      35mm, 1.66:1, Flat (1.85:1)
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