Nestled within the lush greenery of the South European countryside lies the majestic Castle of Cagliostro, a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences with its seamless blend of adventure, style, and charm. Directed by everyone’s favorite old man, Hayao Miyazaki himself, this was his first full-length directorial debut.
The long-running world of Monkey Punch’s Lupin the Third is fascinating in its own right. Lupin is a character that surprisingly many recognize, yet many lack any real contact with. Outside Japan, the movies and anime seemingly go unnoticed, as far as I’m aware. The most popular piece of work is, without a doubt, The Castle of Cagliostro, all the way from 1979.
This movie is very clearly a Miyazaki film. From the stylistic character animations for running to the Miyazaki-signature in-between moments, it shines through as a clear pillar in his body of work.
I think that nowadays, the term “Ghibli-feel” or “Ghibli-style” is mostly associated with beautiful landscapes and quiet, reflective actions and moments. But when you really think about it, most of the works from Studio Ghibli – and in this case, Miyazaki – are full of action and adventure. (Please forgive me for mixing the terms ‘Ghibli’ and ‘Miyazaki’ so shamelessly, but when talking about Ghibli, his works are usually in focus.)
Castle of Cagliostro is an excellent example of the masterful mix of action and calmness that Hayao Miyazaki’s works excel at. It is, without a doubt, an action/adventure movie. Lupin the Third thrives on that foundation, and this movie takes full advantage of it. One of the best car chase sequences I’ve ever seen is right here – one that even amazed directors at Disney. Then there’s the castle infiltration, a shootout on the highest tower, and just an overall sense of fun that makes this film such a joy to watch.
But then there are the beautiful, quiet, calm moments. The extremely cozy secret lookout spot in the ruins across the lake (I still don’t know why I have such a weak spot for lookouts like these), the very recognizable tire change scene, and probably my favorite opening credits from any Miyazaki film. These moments don’t just give the viewer a breather; they make the world feel real. Seeing Lupin (or was it Jigen?) slurp down some cup noodles, covered in a blanket, while keeping an eye on the castle across the lake makes the following infiltration scene feel all the more suspenseful – at least to me.
When it comes to the characters of Castle of Cagliostro, there’s not much need to delve into the main trio – Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon. They are the same characters who appeared in Lupin the Third: Part I and Part II a few years prior and have continued to appear in the countless movies and the anime since. That said, I do want to highlight the dynamic between Lupin and Jigen, which truly feels like that of two long-time friends. Their banter and teamwork are so effortless that watching them in action is such a joy.
On the other hand Fujiko Mine, the quintessential femme fatale (as much as I dislike that term), really stands out as her own character with her own motives. Her quick thinking and decisive actions constantly shake up Lupin’s plans in unexpected ways, making her presence in the film all the more exciting and actually meaningful. Also differing from her portrayal in the anime prior to this movie, the focus isn’t on her as a woman, rather as a rival.
The Castle of Cagliostro isn’t just a great Lupin film; it’s an essential piece of animation history. It set the stage for Miyazaki’s career, introduced so many to the world of Lupin the Third, and remains as charming and exciting today as it was in 1979. If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out.
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