Castle in the Sky

About Castle in the Sky

Directed by celebrated fine artist and director, Hayao Miyazaki, "Castle in the Sky" is a steampunk fantasy adventure that was originally released in 1986. The movie combines elements of magic, adventure, and technology set in a wonderful mystical universe. The plot centers around a young boy named Pazu who meets a girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky. The two then embark on a grand quest to discover the secrets of a castle floating in the sky while avoiding the pursuit of different factions longing for its power.

Making / Production

The film was produced by the Japanese animation film studio, Studio Ghibli, and was the first movie officially released under Ghibli's banner. The film showcases Hayao Miyazaki's love for flight and aviation, which as has been a recurring theme across most of his movies. Its production took over a year, with over 400 employees involved and over 700 hand-drawn animation cels used.

Actors

• Mayumi Tanaka as Pazu: Tanaka did a spectacular job giving life to Pazu, the film's protagonist, endowing him with a combination of bravery and innocence.
• Keiko Yokozawa as Sheeta: Yokozawa brought depth to Sheeta, expressing her gentle character which carried the narrative of the film wonderfully.
• Minori Terada as Muska: Terada's portrayal of the villain, Muska, was captivating and added much needed contrast to the film.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The word Laputa is derived from Jonathan Swift's novel "Gulliver's Travails", where it's used to describe a floating island city.
• "Castle in the Sky" was the first film produced and released by Studio Ghibli.
• The film's final script reportedly contained nearly 400 pages, which is twice the length of a conventional screenplay.

Awards

No specific awards to mention, but the film has gained considerable critical acclaim and cult status over the years.

Quotes

• "No matter how many weapons you have, no matter how great your technology might be, the world cannot live without love!" - Sheeta
• "I’ve never seen a real one. You’re like an angel that fell from the sky." - Pazu

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Joe Hisaishi. The music is woven beautifully into the scenes, enhancing the adventurous and fantastical tone of the film.
• The main theme, "Castle in the Sky", is a beautiful, haunting melody that echoes throughout the film, creating a captivating atmosphere.
• "The Girl Who Fell From the Sky" is another significant song from the soundtrack, capturing the essence of Sheeta's character perfectly.