In the animated movie Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro, the iconic gentleman thief Arsène Lupin III is on a mission in the small European country of Cagliostro. The film follows Lupin and his partner in crime, Jigen, as they attempt to steal the treasure of the Cagliostro count. However, their plan is interrupted when they save a young woman, Clarisse, from a forced marriage to the count.
As Lupin and his crew delve deeper into the castle, they discover a hidden room with a counterfeit printing press. They soon realize that the count is using this press to create high-quality counterfeit bills that could destabilize the global economy. On top of that, the villainous count has nefarious plans for Clarisse, who is actually the long-lost princess of Cagliostro.
What follows is an action-packed adventure as Lupin and his team attempt to thwart the count's plans and protect Clarisse. Along the way, they face numerous obstacles and adversaries, including a rival thief who is also after the treasure, and a group of deadly assassins hired by the count.
Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro is notable for being the directorial debut of the legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, who went on to found the renowned animation studio Studio Ghibli. The movie features his trademark whimsical style and attention to detail, with lush backgrounds, dynamic action sequences, and memorable characters.
The voice acting is also top-notch, with Yasuo Yamada delivering a charismatic portrayal of Lupin, and Eiko Masuyama bringing a sense of vulnerability to Clarisse. The supporting cast includes fun and colorful characters like Jigen, Lupin's gunslinging partner; Fujiko Mine, his femme fatale love interest; and Inspector Zenigata, the dogged police officer who is always attempting to capture Lupin.
Despite its age (the movie was released in 1979), Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro still holds up as an entertaining and engaging adventure. Miyazaki's direction and visual style add a layer of magic and wonder to the proceedings, while the fast-paced storytelling and energetic action keep the viewer engaged from start to finish.
Overall, Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro is a fun and exciting animated movie that is sure to delight fans of the thief and his crew. With its mix of action, humor, and romance, it offers a little something for everyone, and is a great introduction not only to the Lupin the 3rd franchise, but to Miyazaki's work as well.
Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro is a 1979 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes.
