Nausica of the Valley of the Winds (1984) Kaze no tani no Naushika

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Pre-dating Princess Mononoke by 13 years, this is Miyazakis first stab at an adventure where environmental issues are at the forefront. Set at some future date with the Earth decimated by mans disregard for nature and for himself. Nausicas world is a mixture of overgrown, dense and highly toxic jungles populated by mutated insects including the giant woodlouse like Ohms, vast desert like wastelands and a few small areas where the last vestiges of humanity cling precariously to life. 

Nausica, princess of the Valley of the Winds is the vibrant eco friendly heroine who is desperately searching for a solution to the toxic jungles before they overgrow and sweep away the last survivors. While she is taking positive action, other societies who refuse to learn the lessons of the past are scheming to rid the earth of the jungles by their own means and to take control of everything.

This sweeping adventure takes us over, through and under the toxic jungles, which appear to be inspired by the artistic visions of Roger Dean, skimming over the desert wastelands and soaring up through vast electrical storms when the action is taken into the sky. The Valley of the Winds itself appears to be the one place on Earth where sanity still exists. Rather than looking to expand and occupy others lands and hold dominion over the other races, the people of the valley are intent on keeping the jungle at bay and living a life of self-dependency. 

All this though comes to an end when a huge transport aircraft crashes into the valley leaving a sole survivor and a huge object of unknown origin. The peace that the people of the valley have known and enjoyed is over as a tug of war begins between the other states over possession of this strange and obviously incredibly powerful device. It will take a true hero/heroine to save the day, luckily for them, they have Nausica.

Nausicaa isn't some sort of super hero, she is fallible and all too human, becoming more than a little uncomfortable with some of her own rash actions and decisions. This adds something to the story giving the viewer the opportunity to empathise with her character. 

The plot and artwork are more simplistic than any of Miyazakis recent films but that doesnt detract from this true classic of anime. The message is clear and the story literally flies along only dragging its heels slightly towards the end. Princess Mononoke may be more graphically complex but both are equally relevant in their ecological intentions. 

A top recommendation, quite suitable for most ages and a cgi free zone which makes the animation all the more impressive.

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rated PG

R2 Pal dvd available from Optimum Releasing. R1 ntsc dvd available from Walt Disney Home Entertainment.