Nausicaa and The Cat Returns UK DVD Release Details

Date: 2005 August 30 15:55

Posted by Joe

Those nice people at Optimum Releasing have sent us the details for the UK DVD release of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and The Cat Returns, both of which are due out on 26th September just in time to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the ground breaking Studio Ghibli and just after the 23rd September release of their brilliant cinema release of Howl's Moving Castle.

Both DVDs have their fair share of extras include storyboards, original Japanese Theatrical trailers, Studio Ghibli trailer reel, the Cat Returns DVD has a making of featurette, while Nausicaa has a birth of Studio Ghibli Featurette. Since both titles are Studio Ghibli titles, they're a must see, but if you're strapped for cash and can only get hold of one, go for Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, since it's truly epic Sci-Fi. Both movies have profiles on fansite Nausicaa.net

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Press release as follows:

THE STUDIO GHIBLI COLLECTION

HAYAO MIYAZAKI'S
NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND
AND THE CAT RETURNS
OUT TO OWN ON DVD FROM SEPTEMBER 26TH

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Studio Ghibli and the highly anticipated UK cinema release of Howl's Moving Castle on September 23rd, Optimum Asia will be releasing the animated film that first established Studio Ghibli, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind created and directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away), and The Cat Returns, directed by Miyazaki's protégé Hiroyuki Morita, both on DVD for the first time in the UK from September 26th.

The classic Miyazaki film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is set in the distant future in the aftermath of a global war that has destroyed human civilization in the 'Seven Days of Fire'. Only small pockets of people have survived and one such place is the Valley of Wind, where Princess Nausicaa lives. A Toxic Jungle surrounds her valley, expelling deadly poisonous gas and is guarded by giant mutated insects. Although ocean breezes protect the valley from these poisons, a battle for earthly domination threatens this stability. This film, like much of his later work, reflects Miyazaki's deep concern about man's relationship with the environment.

The Cat Returns is a fantasy adventure tale perfect for young audiences and cat lovers alike. Haru is an unruly young girl who one day on her way home from school, happens saves a cat from being run over. The cat she rescues turns out to be the Cat King's son and she receives an invitation to the Kingdom of Cats from the King himself. When it transpires that the King's real plan is to marry her to his son, Prince Lune, Haru must decide if she wants to stay in the Kingdom of Cats or return to her own world. Directed by Hiroyuki Morita and executive produced by Hayao Miyazaki, The Cat Returns has an English language track that features the voice talent of Anne Hathaway, Elliott Gould and Tim Curry.

Miyazaki's original manga, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, had been serialized by Tokuma Publishing since 1982. Tokuma boldly decided to produce a film version of Nausicaä, which was directed by Miyazaki. The film was released in 1984 to great success and led to Tokuma founding Studio Ghibli in 1985 to produce their next feature film Laputa: The Castle in the Sky. Now twenty years on, the ground breaking Japanese studio has specialized in producing the highest quality animated films.

Special Features
Cat Returns
* The Making of "The Cat Returns"
* Complete Storyboards-Get An Insider's Look At The Film's Artistry
* Original Japanese Theatrical Trailer and Studio Ghibli trailer reel

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
* Complete Storyboards-Get An Insider's Look At The Film's Artistry
* Original Japanese Theatrical Trailer and Studio Ghibli trailer reel
* The Birth Story Of Studio Ghibli Featurette


Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

Cat Number: OPTD0304
Running Time: 116 mins approx
RRP: £19.99
Audio: Doby 5.1 Japanese with English subtitles and English dub
Cert: tbc

The Cat Returns (2002)

Cat Number: OPTD0136
Running Time: 75 mins approx
RRP: £19.99
Audio: Doby 5.1 Japanese with English subtitles and English dub
Cert: U