Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #999 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-03-27
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English, Japanese
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

DVD Description
While their mother recovers from an illness, Satsuki and her little sister Mei (voiced in English by Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning) get away from it all in an idyllic rural retreat. Far from the bustle of the city, they discover a mysterious place of spirits and magic, and the friendship of the Totoro woodland creatures.

Conceived as a family film devoid of conflict and suffused with the carefree pleasures of the summertime, My Neighbour Totoro sees Hayao Miyazaki create a parable of friendship and imagination populated with unforgettable characters.

A universal classic for all generations, My Neighbour Totoro shows Japanese animation`s famous Studio Ghibli at its very best, and is an elegy to two ever-fading miracles: the fairytale world of childhood and the disappearing countryside.

Customer Reviews

Not as good as Howls moving castle, more childish
I was hoping to get a great fairytale like story with a touch of darknes, but this story was much more childish, and I was a bit dissapointet.

An absolute must
Hayao Miyazaki is one of Japan's greatest animation directors. The entertaining plots, compelling characters and breathtaking animation in his films have earned him universal international acclaim from critics as well as public recognition in his home country, where he is sometimes called the "Walt Disney of Japan", but he hates that title. My Neighbour Totoro is a movie set in the still countryside of early 20th century Japan and focuses on a few days in the life of two sisters, Satsuki (about 10 years old) and Mei (about 5). They have just moved into a peaceful village with their father Tatsuo, a University professor who has to take the bus every night to work. Their mother Yasuko is recovering from an unknown condition at a hospital some three hours away. In between visits to the hospital to check on Yasuko, the two girls explore the great woodlands and forests around them. One day little Mei, who I can only describe as cute, loud and curious, bumps into a forest dwelling "spirit" named Totoro. He's like a huge cuddly bear but only the two girls can see him. But everyone else is open minded about their existence. Tatsuo and the locals do not admonish the girls for believing in spirits, they almost encourage it.

So what's so great about this film? It is a peaceful existence but there are moments of real, unforced drama. The girls are so endearing; Mei, the loudmouthed little critter who loves to explore and play, and Satsuki, the brave and courageous little girl who is maintaining a balancing act as a kind of mother to Mei whilst still being a playful kid herself. They are so real and likable. When the film is seemingly doing nothing, it is in fact developing the characters so that once moments of crisis occur we sit up and become genuinely worried about the outcome. In spite of the fantasy element, the movie seems so grounded in reality we really do get upset for the characters when things go wrong. And unlike many Disney movies, it lacks the assurance that "it'll all be alright in the end".

There are images from the film that won't leave my mind. The movie takes time to meditate on scenes of stillness and quiet. Like rainfall on a dusky sky outside the girls' house. Or the kid Kanta playing with a model airplane whilst sitting on his porch, arguing his way out of doing some chore his mother is yelling for him to do, from within the house.

This is a film made for everyone. Kids will love it and so will anyone else regardless of their age. This film just captures you so naturally, without trying and without even having much of anything to show you but a couple of excited young sisters exploring their new house, the forest that surrounds it and the cuddly spirit that inhabits it. Without doubt a must-see.

I love this film
My daughter who is three and a half loves this film! We play 'where is totoro hiding?' in the local woods since watching this film. The animation is beautiful and the characters are charming. Five Stars! Service was good too, no complaints.