Rating: PG13
Genre:
Fantasy
Theatrical Release: 10/29/1999(USA)
Release Date: 12/19/2000
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: English/French/Japanese
Sound: DD5.1
Run Time: 134 Minutes
Flags: Mild Violence, Questionable for Children, Suitable for Teens
Distributor/Studio: Miramax
This $20 million animated adventure/fantasy quickly became the highest grossing Japanese film in Japanese film history (making $150 million in Japan during its first seven months). Set in the 14th century, the ecology-themed epic was directed by
Hayao Miyazaki whose previous films were acquired by
Disney for U.S. distribution plus other territories.
Princess Mononoke depicts a mystical battle between Animal Gods of the forest and humans during Japan's Muromachi Period. Young Ashitaka receives a fatal infection after a demonic wild boar attacks his northern village. Seeking a cure, he sets out to locate the deer-like god Shishigami. Along the way, he sees the rape of the Earth by a mining village. The constant plundering by the village has brought the wrath of the Wolf God, Moro, who attacks the village along with San, a human who was raised by the wolf god. She communicates with the nature spirits -- which is why she is called Princess Mononoke ("spirits of things"). Ashitaka wants these opposing forces to co-exist, and he hopes to bring peace between San and the ironworks owner, Lady Eboshi. However, he is thwarted as higher powers, intent on killing the Shishigama, intrude, and a battle erupts over the future of all nature.
~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide