Castle in the Sky (1986)
Castle in the Sky (1986)
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Currently Castle in the Sky is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Max Amazon Channel, Max, Vudu
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This Movie Is About.
Cast & Crew.
Media.
Details.
Release DateAugust 2, 1986
Original Name天空の城ラピュタ
StatusReleased
Running Time2h 5m
Content RatingPG
Budget$3,000,000
Box Office$5,228,752
Genres
Wiki.
Castle in the Sky (Japanese: 天空の城ラピュタ, Hepburn: Tenkū no Shiro Rapyuta), also known as Laputa: Castle in the Sky, is a 1986 Japanese animated fantasy adventure film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It was produced by Isao Takahata, animated by Studio Ghibli, and distributed by the Toei Company. In voice acting roles, the original Japanese version stars Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa, Kotoe Hatsui, and Minori Terada. The film follows orphans Sheeta and Pazu, who are chased by government agent Muska, the army, and a group of pirates over Sheeta's crystal necklace on their way to Laputa, a mythical castle flying in the sky.
Castle in the Sky is the first film to be animated by Studio Ghibli, with a production team comprising many of Miyazaki's longtime collaborators, who would continue to work with the studio for the following three decades. The studio's intent was to create original feature films without any compromise of quality. The film was partly inspired by Miyazaki's trips to Wales, where he witnessed the aftermath of the 1984 coal miners' strike. The island of Laputa is used to highlight the theme of environmentalism, exploring the relationships between humanity, nature, and technology, a reflection of Miyazaki's ecological philosophy. The young protagonists also provide a unique perspective on the narrative, as a result of Miyazaki's desire to portray "the honesty and goodness of children in [his] work." Many aspects of the film's retrofuturistic style – the flying machines in particular – are influenced by nineteenth-century approaches, which has earned the film a reputation in the modern steampunk genre.
The film released in Japanese theaters on August 2, 1986. It performed below expectations at the box office, but later achieved commercial success through rereleases, earning over US$157 million as of 2021. An English dub commissioned by Tokuma Shoten in 1988 was distributed in North America by Streamline Pictures, and another dub was produced by Disney in 1998, released internationally by Buena Vista in 2003. The film's score was composed by Joe Hisaishi, who would become a close collaborator of Miyazaki's; Hisaishi also composed a reworked soundtrack for the 2003 English dub. The film was generally acclaimed by critics, though the 2003 English dub received mixed reviews. It was well-received by audiences, being voted as one of the greatest animated films of all time in later years. The film also received several notable accolades. Castle in the Sky has since earned "cult status", and has influenced several notable artists working in multiple media.