Princess Mononoke
(1997)
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Princess Mononoke
(1997)
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Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Billy Crudup | ... |
Ashitaka
(voice)
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Billy Bob Thornton | ... |
Jigo
(voice)
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Minnie Driver | ... |
Lady Eboshi
(voice)
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John DiMaggio | ... |
Gonza
(voice)
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Claire Danes | ... |
San
(voice)
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John DeMita | ... |
Kohroku
(voice)
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Jada Pinkett Smith | ... |
Toki
(voice)
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Gillian Anderson | ... |
Moro
(voice)
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Keith David | ... |
Okkoto
(voice)
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Corey Burton | ... |
Additional voices
(voice)
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Tara Strong | ... |
Additional voices
(voice) (as Tara Charandoff)
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Sherry Lynn | ... |
Additional voices
(voice)
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Matt K. Miller | ... |
Additional voices
(voice) (as Matt Miller)
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Marnie Mosiman | ... |
Additional voices
(voice)
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Julia Fletcher | ... |
Additional voices
(voice) (as Julia DeMita)
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While protecting his village from rampaging boar-god/demon, a confident young warrior, Ashitaka, is stricken by a deadly curse. To save his life, he must journey to the forests of the west. Once there, he's embroiled in a fierce campaign that humans were waging on the forest. The ambitious Lady Eboshi and her loyal clan use their guns against the gods of the forest and a brave young woman, Princess Mononoke, who was raised by a wolf-god. Ashitaka sees the good in both sides and tries to stem the flood of blood. This is met be animosity by both sides as they each see him as supporting the enemy. Written by Christopher Taguchi
I saw this film in Japan, in Japanese with no sub-titles, I don't speak a word of the language and I was still enthralled! It is Miyazaki most visually intense (surpassing, at long last, Nausicaa) and is alive with color and movement the like not yet seen in anime.
The story is complex, and after talking with Japanese friends, it is clear that much of it went over my head (particularly that relating to specific Japanese myths), but the important elements came through. Miyazaki's long infatuation with technology verses nature and man's relation to God (or gods) weave throughout the film as does his trend for strong women characters.
Even with the language barrier, the film is of such intense emotion that it caries you through to the end. The change in dynamic between the crashing fight scenes and the quiet scenes of healing by the lake is so broad and so well paced that I can't remember a film where my emotional state was so expertly varied.
If you have a chance to see this film, in any language, I recommend you do.