Rupan sansei: Kariosutoro no shiro (The Castle of Cagliostro) (Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro) poster & wallpaper
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Bob Bergen, Eiko Masuyama, Goro Naya, Kôhei Miyauchi, Yasuo Yamada

Although Lupin III is a hugely successful animated series on television and film in Japan and the U.S., The Castle of Cagliostro is distinguished by its director, Hayao Miyazaki, who would later direc... read more read more...t such animated classics as Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Mononoke Hime. The daring thief, Lupin, pulls off a heist in a Monte Carlo casino, only to discover the money is counterfeit. He traces the fake bills to the small country of Cagliostro, where the evil Count is generating counterfeit money and distributing it worldwide. Lupin heads to Cagliostro with his partners in crime, a retired gangster, a modern-day samurai, and a beautiful female thief. There, they meet Princess Clarice, who is being forced into a marriage with the Count, and they also find themselves on the trail of a hidden treasure. The character animation is in the classic style of the Lupin III films, but is enhanced by Miyazaki's love of beautiful, detailed settings, and the storybook kingdom of Cagliostro would be echoed by his later films. This film is the favorite of fans worldwide, and stands alone as well as an installment in an ongoing series. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, Rovi

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86% liked it

11,392 ratings

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90% liked it

10 critics

G, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki

Release Date: January 1, 2000

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DVD Release Date: April 25, 2000

 

Stats: 793 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (793)

  • fb100002384654145
    March 2, 2012
    fb100002384654145
    The animation is a little dated and underwhelming when compared to Miyazaki's later works, but "Castle of Cagliostro" remains a wildly fun action/adventure flick that is sure to entertain people whether they are fans of anime or not. This is the first film directed by acclaimed ... read morefilmmaker Hayao Miyazaki and his signature grand vision can easily be seen in the level of detail in the film's settings. The way Miyazaki sets up scenes allows the audience to fully appreciate the film's colorful sets and action sequences. The film is based off the Lupin III manga series, however, no knowledge of the source material is required to understand the story. Aside from seamlessly blending comedy and drama, the film is also very action-packed. The movie contains action sequences that put most live action movies to shame, they are very well shot and overwhelmingly entertaining to watch. Combined with the movie's colorful and memorable characters, and "Castle of Cagliostro" ends being one of the greatest animated adventure movies ever made.
  • fb1216165431
    October 4, 2011
    fb1216165431
    Lupin III: Castle Of Cagliostro features the wild adventure of world famous thief Arsene Lupin III. A Hayao Miyazaki work, Lupin III: Castle Of Cagliostro tells of a mystery haunting the Castle Of Caglistro with meritorious themes on passion and compassion.
  • deano
    July 4, 2011
    deano
    One of the greatest animated adventure movies of all time that comes from director Hayao Miyazaki (his directorial feature debut) in the late 1970s before Studio Ghibli founded in 1985. It is funny, romantic, dramatic, action-packed: everything! This movie is heavily based on sig... read moreht gags, and just setting up characters in the right place at the right time to generate something hilarious. It is based on Japanese Manga series (comic book). I like two characters are Lupin III, the world's greatest thief and Inspector Zenigata, a Japanese Interpol inspector who is so devoted to capture Lupin III.
    Miyazaki's attention to detail is what truly elevates this beyond typical animation quality. There are enough moments of quietness and atmosphere to balance out the loud scenes. A strong sense of setting also comes from the imaginative "photography". Too many animated movies disorientate the audience with frenetic direction and over-indulgence, but The Castle of Cagliostro works so much better by taking its time and choosing the best angles to cover the action. His trademark flying machines and overeating scenes make their first big screen appearance here.
  • fb100000257973100
    May 22, 2011
    fb100000257973100
    Before Myazaki became the mega animated king he became, he was known in the Anime underground for making one of the many films in the famous Lupin the III franchise: The Castle Of Cagliostro. Now, for those not familiar with Lupin the III, it is just the tale of a thief who gets ... read morecaught up in these bizarre plots that requires them to steal treasure from around the world. Now, while the plot may not be as weird as the plots of the film Myazaki would later make, this is easily his most crazy film and the only one that would be best for older teenagers to watch due to the violent nature and language used in this film. Now, lets get to the aspects. Now, this being the first film that Myazaki directed and written, one must excuse the flaws that he had as he tried to keep true to the Lupin that people love. As such, the direction of this film is mostly good in terms of pacing. But in character development and parts of the plot, not so much. There are a few parts that could have been chopped out, but for the most part it is acceptable. Now, the animation is something that is done on purpose: being crude and roughly drawn. Why, you might ask. Well, like all animated adaptations, they have to keep with the source material. While this is understandable, I would have personally like it if they did enhance some parts. But seeing as how this was made in 1979, I guess that this could slide. Now, the voice actors in the version I saw actually done a good job. But, there are none that stand out to me. The script for this film is actually pretty good for an early anime film. If you like stories that deal with trapped princesses, corrupt governments, and dark histories, then the script is something that you would enjoy. Overall, this is a film for the most hardcore of Myazaki and Lupin the III fans, but not really for the casual viewer.
  • 3niR
    February 15, 2011
    3niR
    It was okay. A bit funny. But didn't blew me away.
  • ajaymuthecooldevils
    October 7, 2009
    ajaymuthecooldevils
    I think there's no need to have a lot of money on CGI to make a great animated movie... This movie answer it.... It has a great story, too great I thought... Even Danny Ocean would acknowledges that Wolf is better than him.... Pretty, and very shocked that this movie made in the ... read moreyear 1979 because the animation was great if this movie was make in that year.... Very very love the story... Great debut from Hayao Miyazaki... He is a winner when it comes to an animated movies...
  • newvogueravyn
    September 13, 2008
    newvogueravyn
    Okay, so it's not as serious as Miyazaki's films usually are, but it still possesses that essential quality that marks one out: its heart is good. Its architecture and scenery is beautifully drawn as usual, and even if it wasn't based on original material it makes for great ent... read moreertainment.
  • kiriyamakazou
    July 2, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    Castle of Cagliostro may be directed by the great Mitazaki but this certainly isn't in the same league as his Studio Ghibli works. Perhaps it's adapting somebody elses material or being part of a TV and movie saga that dampens his creative side. Whatever the case the film is stil... read morel a vastly enjoyable caper. The animation hasn't degraded in quality too badly over the years and there are plenty of inventive action sequences and a rather interesting plot. It's certainly not Miyazaki's finest and so should be watched as part of the series or on its own merits rather than as a comparison to his later work.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    August 11, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    Cliffhanger!
  • DragonEyeMorrison
    February 25, 2007
    DragonEyeMorrison
    A very fun ride from start to finish, Miyazaki knows how to combine action and heart.

View All Rupan sansei: Kariosutoro no shiro (The Castle of Cagliostro) (Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

This one should fare nearly as well with animation fans of any age, provided they are unwavering in their devotion to the form and do not think 100 minutes is an awfully long time. Full Review

Tim Brayton
March 3, 2010
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

A lot of fun, thanks largely to the breezy character of Lupin at the center. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
September 25, 2009
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

The modulation from capper suavity to brisk Dumas-like derring-do is quicksilver Full Review

Steve Biodrowski
February 5, 2009
Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter

The second Lupin anime feature, is widely regarded as the thief's best outing... Full Review

Jean-François Vandeuren
September 18, 2008
Jean-François Vandeuren, Panorama

Une première oeuvre stimulante, mais mineure dans une filmographie aussi stellaire que celle de ce grand rêveur qui allait changer à jamais la face du cinéma d'animation Full Review

Philip Martin
September 1, 2006
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

...makes up for the lack of mysticism with a cracking, breakneck pace. Full Review

Walter Chaw
October 9, 2002
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

Missing is a sense of completion and the deeper examination of themes that one will come to associate with the director's work. Full Review

Marc Savlov
January 1, 2000
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle

Sure, it's no great triumph of moviemaking, but it is entertaining, and a more or less plausible way to kill 95 minutes on a Saturday afternoon. Full Review

Marc Fortier
January 1, 2000
Marc Fortier, Reel.com

Cagliostro is a film first, and an anime second.

Christopher Null
January 1, 2000
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Rather crudely animated and a lot more lifeless than you'd think. Full Review

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