The Secret of NIMH (1982) - Full Reaction

They're obstinate buggers. Shakespeare even wrote a play about one in particular.

Larry Darrell

"What is a shrew?" Well Cassie, since you asked, shrews are 'insectivores' related to moles and hedgehogs. They're not related to rodents in any way. In fact, they're genetically closer to humans than rodents. I love answering questions about animals, in case you couldn't tell.

Richard Maurer

I grew up watching this movie. The magic and the colors blew me away. I liked it more than the Disney animated movies. I’m glad you liked it. This was another great reaction.

Ramah Mustangs

Hey! I think they used "The Vikings" (1958) as reference for the sworfight!

Ben Livingstone

Make Animation Great Again!

David Crabtree

If you enjoyed this film it's best on a book series the first book is the same name as the film and it's really good though there is no magic in the book it's all the rats figure out with their intelligence for the most part but still really good Justin is still a great character in it there's also an audio book that's good ask for a sequel there's no sequel to the film but as I say it's a book series I think there's three or four and yeah you do follow the rats into Thorn Valley The film doesn't really state it clearly But because Justin was experimented on their children with Miss Brixby are also intelligent I think they end up going to the valley later can't quite remember Anyway would recommend

Richard Ricketts

If you liked this movie, you should really check out The Last Unicorn. Another great 80s cartoon movie.

Steve Hernandez

Its not The Lord of the Rings but this is still a really nice movie and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I figured you would and that you would relate to Mrs. Brisby. Animated movies are largely for kids (in the US) but I hope this movie helped reinforce the idea that they can be enjoyed by adults too. You mentioned at one point that "rats are the worst" and they so actually quite cuddly. Domesticated ones at least. I can't do rodents (the smell) but my aunt keeps them and they are very friendly. And it's funny that you called Justin charming and handsome- my mom had a big crush on him as a teen. I guess it wasn't so crazy after all.

My_Cousin_Mose

I felt like the brave mama story would counter the dark tones. I am glad Cassie liked this one. Also a Jerry Goldsmith score is always great to have music wise!

Seven Coughlin

Totally forgot this ends with a Paul Williams song. Legend.

djKENTO

Well this was something, literally I've forgotten how good and yet somewhat dark this movie was! In a twisted kind of way, I felt like I was watching this movie for the first time as you were reacting to it lol! You know, when you're a kid, sometimes you tend not pay much attention to the story of an animated feature, you just want to see something either funny or surprising! Now as an adult myself, I found this movie to be very entertaining and interesting! One thing that blows me away is not only some of the voice cast, but the fact that composer Jerry Goldsmith did the music score for this movie, yes he did the music for Star Trek, but also did the music for FIRST BLOOD, AIR FORCE ONE, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS, TOTAL RECALL, THE BURBS, POLTERGEIST, and THE MUMMY! Just to name a few that you've reacted to on this channel lol, his work is so underrated! As for the cast, I was surprised on how many I recognized, the legendary Dom DeLuise as Jeremy the crow, that was no surprise because he did a lot of voice over work for many of Don Bluth's animated features, heck he was the voice of Tiger in AN AMERICAN TAIL! However, the great Sir Derek Jacobi who voices Nicodemus😱he was in GLADIATOR, the good Senator who wanted to help Maximus! You were right about Wil Wheaton, he was in Star Trek as Wesley, "shut up Wesley" lol🤣 He was also in STAND BY ME as Gordie! This must've been Shannen Doherty's debut into the film business before she got famous on BEVERLY HILLS, 90210! John Carradine who voices the Great Owl in this movie, he was in THE TEN COMMANDMENTS and is the father of David Carradine aka Bill from KILL BILL! Speaking of AN AMERICAN TAIL - FIEVEL GOES WEST, one voice actor in that movie I was blown away to know, it was also his last movie until he passed away, was James Stewart, yes the James "Jimmy" Stewart form IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE voiced the hound dog Wylie Burp, I'm not joking😱lol🤣 Anyway, I think I've rambled enough lol! Great reaction Cassie, I enjoyed every minute of it, thank you for getting me to watch this movie again since it's been so long for me lol! Love and support to you and God bless you and the family🥰😇🙏😁🤗😉✌👍🌹

Wesley White

I loved DRAGON'S LAIR as a boy (even dressed up as Dirk the Daring for Halloween once). Never played SPACE ACE, but watched the Saturday morning cartoon as a kid. I also loved DRAGONS LAIR II: TIND WARP. Good stuff all

Stick Figure Studios

Don Bluth worked on ROBIN HOOD too.

Stick Figure Studios

Absolutely. I think the best children's movies are the ones you can watch again later as an adult and get even more out of.

Stick Figure Studios

Yes! He was an amazing animator, this just makes me want her to see his other work like The Land Before Time, An American Tail and Anastasia. I actually forgot she was going to do this movie and after watching their Lion King reaction I just thought how cool it would be to see them watch The Land Before Time, that movie just kept coming back to me for some reason.

Annie519

You know, when you’re younger and watch these animated films, it’s mostly about the imagery and mood that captivates you. I didn’t remember much about it - (because most of the time as kids, we’re just waiting for something amusing or funny to happen). And yet, rewatching this now, I realize how DEEP and imaginative this story is! I don’t think I ever knew it was based on a book but it’s so well done! This is one of those few reactions where I almost forgot Cassie was even there, lol. Almost… this was good!

Ike

I remember seeing this at the Drive-In with my family as a kid and being both engrossed and frightened. It was amazing. Don Bluth's animated films always had a little more of an adult touch to them, but that is what makes them more like a fable than a regular disneyfied story (not that there is anything wrong with that) it just made them more genuine to me.

Damien beatty

Ah I remember recording VHS tapes from all the HBO free previews, and The Disney Channel. Good times.

Chris Thom

Have you seen the guy that feeds racoons on his porch? lol

Chris Thom

Did Don Bluth do that animated LOTR movie?

Chris Thom

Don Bluth is kind of like the Nirvana (grunge band) of animated movies. There's just a darkness and grittiness to the style of it. I can see why it made you a bit uncomfortable as a child. But I used to love Land Before Time and the Fievel movies. It was a welcome alternative to the gloss of Disney.

Chris Thom

Core memory - unlocked. We had this on tape (VHS - recorded off HBO or something) and I watched it a lot as a little kid. Totally freaked me out but also intrigued me with the Rats/Mice getting the powers of "intelligence" from NIMH. Don Bluth wasn't afraid to let the darker side of fantasy into his stories and I think they are better for it. Kids need to be exposed to things to learn how to deal with them. Stories are great for that. Arthur Malet was the voice of Mr. Ages and he was also Toodles in Hook. That's why he sounds familiar. Also - "Secret of Nymph" is a totally different film and made me spit out part of my dinner laughing. Never change.

Matthew Gibson

So Cassie, I found a YouTube channel I think you will love it has nothing to do with movies. It does have something to do with squirrels. This lady feeds these squirrels from her windows. She names them all She gives them nutrition they need. https://youtube.com/@squirrels_at_the_window?si=bcEv-7pGdzyqdFJK

Zachary K. (Swiftie)

This movie has been a favorite since I was a kid, it's still great. I'm happy we were able to "share" it with you.

Morgan A. Colbert

This was a strange watch for me. I vaguely remember it as a kid in the 80s but I don't know when I saw it or how. As soon as the song came on though immediately I remembered that. It was an interesting art style and the story aspects of the intelligent rats was unique. The fact that they were magic as well seemed kind of strange but it was fascinating to see this again for the first time I guess. One thing that stood out to me was that the brisby children seemed to have very similar art style and personalities as the three kids in the Robin Hood animated feature that you watched. For whatever reason that struck me immediately. Coincidence or a case of one copying the other Robin Hood would have been a first I guess. I'm more familiar with some of the other Don Bluth stuff. On a side note I'm looking forward to watching Batman Fantastic!

Canadianant

If you think that's wild watch a youtube video on of Don Bluth's video games: Dragon's Lair, Space Ace. They went hard on the cutscenes when you messed up; talk about dark!

Brian's Dog

This is one of those times where I think the book is better, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH....or at least, I had read the book before the movie (book came in in 1971, and was a required read in like 5th grade I think, a year or so before the movie came out. On a historical note, the story (and thus the movie) were based on actual experiments done with rats and mice by John B. Calhoun in the 50's and 60s, behavioral and population studies. Basically, you start with a handful of rodents, and give them everything they need in terms of food and water, and let them breed. And breed they did, to the point of such a density that even the bits of rodent social order would break down in various publishable ways. These studies sparked a LOT of rat based science fiction, and this is perhaps the most famous story based on these studies.

deskmerc

The Secret of NIHM never appealed to me; I’ve always preferred An American Tail instead. Watching it as an adult, I take issue with the strange mix of science and magic. I understand it’s an animated movie for children and kids won’t be bothered by its fantastical elements, but its muddled theme is frustrating and unsatisfying. The original book the movie is based on was praised for portraying READING as the key that enabled the lab rats to escape captivity and was the foundation of their human-like society and technological innovations. That was a powerful and inspirational message to young readers. The movie undermined that message with its un-justifiable magical amulet that miraculously saved Mrs. Brisby’s home and family. If the amulet had been some kind of technology — perhaps a watch battery? — that powered a device that hoisted the cinder block out of the mud, it would’ve at least been plausible, instead of a deus ex machina. Regardless, I’m glad that Cassie enjoyed the movie and her reaction justified re-watching this movie after more than 3 decades.

Rod Reavern

This movie came out when I was 10 and this and The Rescuers were my favorite films.

M. Callari

Yeah, the quality in Bluth's movies really dropped off in the 90s (the only good one is ANASTASIA; TITAN A.E. was in 2000).

Stick Figure Studios

"Fievel Goes West" is the sequel to "American Tail" which Don Bluth didn't direct. He only did the first one. Anyway, I'm glad you liked this! Don Bluth also made "Land Before Time"(Which was produced by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg) and "All Dogs Go to Heaven" which I recommend both if you haven't seen them. Bluth started out as an animator for Disney but then left and took some of his friends at Disney with him to start his own animation studio. Secret of Nimh was his first movie. All throughout the 80's he was able to compete with Disney. It's a shame his moves in 90's weren't very good. If I understood you correctly, you're going to be watching the top 2 animated movies form each poll? If so, then I can't wait for you to see "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm". I watched that movie so much as a kid. I still have my original VHS tape. To this day it is my favorite Batman movie and I think you'll really like it!

Cody Nelson

Bummer.

Stick Figure Studios

So sad. The story of what happened to Judith Barsi (who voiced Ann Marie in ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN) is also heartbreaking. :(

Stick Figure Studios

Watership Down! (1978)

Odd Thomas

Oh damn, that list is like the definitive list of excellent American animation that isn't Disney. I didn't realize it was all from one guy.

Robert Haynes

I remember a lot of kids my age being traumatized by The Great Owl back then, but for me it was Brutus that gave me nightmares.

Aaron Ritchie

I'm jealous you got to see this on the big screen. I didn't see it until home video.

Stick Figure Studios

You're right about Bluth and co. leaving Disney. It was a big deal at the time and because of it, we now have many other studios besides Disney producing animation. Bluth is one of my favorites animators.

Stick Figure Studios

Another childhood staple of mine.

Stick Figure Studios

It's very moving.

Stick Figure Studios

I've never seen it (never really wanted to), but I watched the Nostalgia Critic review of it. That was enough.

Stick Figure Studios

The mystical elements are never really explained. The thinking at the time was mostly just that animation usualy had to have some sort of "magic" in it and it gave the animators a chance to really show off with such gorgeous and stunning imagery. One of the goals of this film was show that someone other than Disney could produce quality feature length animation in America and despite the film's relatively modest box office reception (though it did much better on home video) it was at least successful in that regard.

Stick Figure Studios

I've seen this movie so much I can totally hear your dad's voice in my head. That so cool. He must be very proud to have worked on such a beautiful and important movie.

Stick Figure Studios

I saw this in the theaters when it first came out, but like others, I have almost no memory of what happened or the ending. Amazing how an animated movie can touch you. I think I liked it better on the big screen. 😂 And probably much younger! Keep them coming, Cassie, I know more Trek is around the corner, so everything is OK!

MikeLL

Oh, nice! So, as l mentioned before, my dad was a background artist on this movie and I visited the studio when they were working on it, so it's special to me. [BTW, Background artists paint whatever the character is moving through: a room, a landscape, the sky, etc.] There's a scene in which all the rats are having a meeting. The main characters are voiced by professional actors; the other rats are voiced by the Bluth Studios crew. One of the rats says, "he's right! We'll all be killed!" That's my father; I laugh every time I hear it. I can't wait to watch this reaction!

Stephen Dias

Though I didn't see this in the theater in 1982, I watched this a lot as a kid and it is probably my favorite animated feature of all time. Don Bluth, a former Disney artist who became disillusioned with the studio and left along with a number of other animators to start his own company, directed it. It was his feature directorial debut (though he would go on to do others like AN AMERICAN TAIL, LAND BEFORE TIME, ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN, ANASTASIA and TITAN A.E.) and I still think it's his masterpiece. Such gorgeous animation, thrilling action and moving drama. So glad you watched and even more glad that you enjoyed it. You are right about the rats being moral. One of the things that I found more compelling about it as I got older was the more sophisticated (for a children's movie) philosophical themea in it: that becoming intelligent also caused a moral awakening for these rats. There is a direct-to-video sequel made many years later, but I've never seen it and I've heard it's terrible (Bluth had nothing to do with it). Anyway, a great reaction. :-)

Stick Figure Studios

Hey Cassie, I'm so glad that you've finally watched (and enjoyed) this one. I remember when I discovered it as a preteen, and the impact it had it me. It's still one of my favourite films to this day. Also I can't help but notice you reference "Five Goes West" a few times in this reaction. Not sure if you're aware of this, but that film is a sequel to another film directed by "Secret of N.I.M.H." director Don Bluth by the name of "An American Tail". If you haven't seen that one then I'd strongly recommend that you should, it is every bit a classic as "N.I.M.H." is.

Jake McNulty

This brings back memories I used to watch this quite frequently when I was a child one of my little sister's favorites.

Zachary K. (Swiftie)

I vaguely remember watching this as a kid, I have more vivid memories of other Don Bluth movies like All Dogs go to Heaven and Land Before Time. This was a good watch overall, but probably muted by not having a established connection to it growing up and being confused by the mystical elements and how they play into the lab rat thing, maybe I missed something there explaining it?

Choof

The first time I heard you say you're a "self-described scaredy cat" I've wanted to see you watch this because it always seemed like that was the perfect description of Mrs. Brisby. Think about it, she's pretty much terrified throughout this entire thing, but that doesn't stop her.

Texas Anla'Shok

There is a sequel. I may be one of the very few who have seen it. 😁 The quality of the animation changed. The plot is basically the mice and rats are living together in Thorn Valley and Timothy is being groomed and mentored to become the leader. It's really an unnecessary sequel and didn't have the same kind of heart and soul as the first one. It's on YouTube if you decide to take the plunge.

Zane From Canada

well said. ♥

Kristin D

For a long time this has been a fair criticism, but if you haven't seen Arcane on Netflix, you absolutely need to. The animation is hand-painting over revolutionary cgi - it took them 6 years to make and it's the best thing I've seen in the last decade. Season 2 comes out in November after a three-year wait!

Story Archer

This a story about a simple, every-day person who discovers the superhuman courage inside of every good mother when her child is sick and the strength of her love for her children not only saves him but everyone else as well. It's YOUR story, Cassie, which is why I was so very happy to see you react to it.

Story Archer

I was 3 years old when this film came out. It scared the hell out of me, especially the cat.

Author Travis Adams Irish

I'm 62, me neither. 🤔

Samuel Champ

Even look at video games as well, Sunset Overdrive, Hi-Fi RUSH, Ōkami, Persona 5, Disco Elysium, Bioshock, Sea of Thieves, Hades, and one of my personal favourites Dishonored a game that looks like a painting in motion. These alone revival some of the best 2D animation so we've come along away since the early days of computer animation.

LittleGalaxyBoy

Note: this is in response to Doug Fisher, I posed in the wrong place. Two dimensional animation is absolutely amazing, and will always have a place in my heart. I sincerely hope that it doesn't become a lost art. However, I think it's a little unfair to say that computer animation is generic and bland. In the beginning yes, but it's come a long way since then, including how the 3D objects actually look. Klaus, which s a beautiful origins movie of Santa Claus, takes on a 2.5 look where it's kind of flattened, but still 3D. Arcane takes on an oil painting kind of look. The movements of the characters are more natural and are vastly improved. How to Train your Dragon 3 shows a massive quality improvement over the very humble beginnings of a movie like Toy Story. Coco is absolutely beautiful with it's colors and variety. 3D animation has come a very very long way over the last 30 years.

Kristin D

This one has always been in my top 5 Animated films and I do not see that changing anytime soon. Two dimensional hand drawn animation will always be better than computer animation because of the way hand draw can instill characters with expression and emoting. Computer animation tends to be very generic and bland.

Doug Fisher

Batman: Fantastic sounds like a story that showcases the POV of the people of Gotham City and how they view the Batman. I guess similar to Marvels by Kurt Busiek with artwork by Alex Ross where we explore the Marvel universe from the eyes of the everyday person. Batman: Fantastic coming soon, wherever comics are sold. Or maybe it's a stage show, imagination runs wild.

LittleGalaxyBoy

"Batman: Fantastic" needs to be on a t-shirt now haha

Choof

I'm 58 years old and I have never heard of this movie in my life.

james sweeney

The lady that voiced Mrs. Bisby, Elizabeth Hartman jumped out of a 5th floor window about 5 years after this film. Sad deal, guess she suffered with mental illness for a long time. She was only 43. :( On a happier note: I loved this film when I was a kid, my kids loved it and my grandkids love it. We get together and watch movies from time to time, this one is usually on the list. And all of us have always called shiny things.. "a sparkley".. :)

Ryan Towell

I saw this in theaters when I was seven and left a weepy mess. I laughed, cried, cheered. Mrs. Brisby is such a heroic figure, and who doesn’t love Jeremy? All-time favorite.

Brian Lowery

Same here, I grew up with it but haven’t seen it in since I was probably in my early teens.

Robert Durant

Just make sure Cassie watches it in Japanese with subtitles. The English dubbed version just doesn't work well. IMO

nick bell

Love all the references you're able to make to other films now, Cassie!😆 I think when it comes to introducing darker elements to children's stories, it's easier to do in books; Roald Dahl was a master at it. The darker elements are then limited to the child's imagination and experiences. Films have a more difficult balance to strike in the imagery and tone since they dictate what we experience to a greater extent. Films like Watership Down have a very dark side in amongst the light and beautiful content, which isn't really suitable for children under 7: possibly older? The book could be introduced a lot earlier. I remember this film being a bit creepy when I was small, and I think most of it went over my head, so glad to have a chance to re-examine it!

Chris Clarke

This passed me right by as an 80s kid. I don’t remember it having much presence in the UK. I was Born in 83, and my big animated movie growing up was ‘Land Before Time’.

Biggman83

I’m glad you watched this one it was a childhood favourite. The animation is still really incredible. The owl probably was a nightmare figure for me but I was the kind of kid who looked for the dark and scary stuff even though it gave me nightmares. As a child I really appreciated stories for children that that were complex and serious. I think the reason there are so many mice in children’s media is they are small creatures who have to negotiate a world made for much bigger animals and children identify with that. The movie really departs from the book in a couple of ways. All the magic is added in to hurry the story along. I’d definitely recommend the book to a middle grade kid who loves reading. Justin and Mrs Brisby are different species. Just saying.

Jacob King

Godzilla, Minus One is finally out. You should put that movie near the top of your list. Best movie of 2023!!!

Bill Maurer

Typo in the title.

Mike Lemon

I highly ceccomend that you and Carly watch the 1981 film The fox and the hound

Wyatt Nuxoll

It's been a long time since I've seen this movie! It is one of my childhood favorites! I admit, it does have some dark and freaky moments that you would think would be nightmare fuel lol, yet it never gave me nightmares! The only thing I can say in trivia about his movie is that it was the animated feature that challenged Disney! Former Disney animator Don Bluth felt that Disney Animation Studios was lacking in the art of animation, so he decided to strike out on his own and create animation wonders of his own style, at least that's what I recall how this all started, though I could be wrong, so don't quote me on that lol! This was his first attempt and he succeded, many other classics would soon follow such as AN AMERICAN TALE and THE LAND BEFORE TIME just to name a few! Seeing that you've reacted to this, I think I'll give it a watch at some point soon and see how you reacted to this, from what I read, sounds like you enjoyed it, that makes me happy! Since it came in 2nd place in the poll, I so hope and look forward to seeing you react to BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM😁 Have a Happy Monday, love and support and God bless 🥰😇🙏😁🤗😉✌👍🌹

Wesley White

I haven't seen this movie in 30 years it seems like. It was regularly shown in elementary school. I remember watching it at least three times.... Yet I don't remember anything about it.

Caomhan84

If this is Cartoon June you should be watching Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Kevin Charley

I am like Gandalf in the mines of Moria." I have no memory of this movie?

Brian McGovern

I feel this film is more culturally relevant so glad we got it.

ShazD

djKENTO