Howl's Moving Castle

Reviewed by Angie Quidim
July 2005

Screenplay: Hayao Miyazaki

The story begins as a young hatter named Sophie has her life changed when a handsome wizard walks out of the air to save her from her country's military. Then an evil witch transforms her into an old woman, claiming that she had stolen the heart of the one she wants. Unable to face her family in such a condition, Sophie runs away in search of a way to become young again.

Along the way, Sophie helps a turnip headed scarecrow, who repays her by leading her to the moving castle owned by the dreaded wizard Howl. There she befriends Howl's apprentice Markl, Howl's fire demon Calcifer, and eventually, Howl himself. Sophie then becomes the castle's cleaning lady in an effort to not only find the solution to her problem but to save Howl from his own terrible secrets as well. Sophie learns many lessons from being in that castle and unwittingly as teaches family values to the broken home. Howl slowly adjusts to this strange old woman when he realizes one night that he had befriended her before.

A wonderful family story with familiar elements of classic fairy tales that make it a timeless classic. Each character learns a little bit about themselves and each other as they are made to live together in some interesting circumstances. The evolution factor is very high in Howl's Moving Castle as the basic lessons of being kind and knowing your place are everlasting.

English voices include:

Christian Bale  as Howl
Emily Mortimer  as Sophie Hatter (young)
Jean Simmons as Sophie Hatter (old)

Billy Crystal  as Calcifer
Lauren Bacall  as Witch of the Waste

Blythe Danner  as Madam Suliman
Crispin Freeman as Prince Turnip
Jane Alan as Honey
Jena Malone  as Lettie
Josh Hutcherson  as Markl
Liliana Mumy as Madge
Mark Silverman as King