Hauru no ugoko shiro

Hauru no ugoko shiro, a Japanese animated film based on the novel Howl’s Moving Castle penned down by Diana Wynne Jones was released in 2004 in Japan. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki and co-directed by Rick Dempsey the film was originally created in Japanese but has an english version as well. Hayao Miyazaki himself crafted the screenplay of the film.

The plot revolves around the life of Sophie. Sophie a young 18-year-old girl is cursed by the Witch of Waste, which turns her into an old woman. Trying to hide her wrinkled looks from the whole world Sophie leaves her job and flees away from her home. As she runs away in pursuit of a new place she takes refuge in a castle. Confiding herself in the castle she makes out that the huge monument belongs to Hauru, a magician. However as she moves in she finds out that she is not only the one to vacate the place, there is somebody else too who accompanies him. To her surprise she finds out a fire demon named Calcifer inhabited in the same place. As both of them meet they break off their secrets to each other. Sophie reveals the reason of her present condition stating her powerless condition to get back her looks. Calcifer in turns tells her about his state of captivity and states his desires of breaking away from the contract with Hauru. At this juncture both of them plan contract to help each other. Calcifer promises to help her getting back condition if only Sophie in turn helps him to crack the contract. Sophie agrees to do so yet she has no clue on how she would be able to accomplish the task. Hauru on the other hand falls in love with Sophie and as both them develop similar feelings for each other Sophie is seen later on helping aiding Hauru face Madam Sulliman his former teacher.
Hauru no ugoko shiro depicts the power of animation beautifully utilized to sketch a gripping story. The movie falls in the genre of animation. It combines all the required the ingredients necessary in an enthralling movie. Apart from being a story encompassing fantasy, adventure, romance it has a touch of sci-fi as well. The story is magical and funny too. With skillful and well-planned screen play the movie contains several other elements that makes it a worth watching. Moreover the voice adaptation and the use of music is perfect and depicts the talent of the music director who presents the most mesmerizing background score. Hauru no ugoko shiro went into the nomination table of the Oscars winning itself nomination seven categories, yet failed to win any. However the film has been honored with several other awards. Imdb

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