| | | 2 Disc Set!
Features: DVD, Widescreen, English, Dolby Digital (5.1), Japanese
From one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animated cinema comes the most acclaimed film of 2002. Hayao Miyazaki's latest triumph, filled with astonishing animation and epic adventure, is a dazzling masterpiece for the ages. It's a "wonderfully welcoming work of art that's as funny and entertaining as it is brilliant, beautiful, and deep" (Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal). Spirited Away is a wondrous fantasy about a young girl, Chihiro, trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world. An unforgettable story brimming with creativity, Spirited Away will take you on a journey beyond your imagination. "To enter the world of Hayao Miyazaki is to experience a kind of lighthearted enchantment that is unique to the world of animation" (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times). It's a fantastic tale the whole family will want to experience over and over again.
"A masterpiece, pure and simple." The New York Times
"Spectacularly inventive." Washington Post
"To enter the world of Hayao Miyazaki is to experience a kind of lighthearted enchantment that is unique to the world of animation." Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times
"One of world cinema's most wondrously gifted artists and storytellers." David Hunter, The Hollywood Reporter
"Spirited Away has the quality of a dream: It takes you places so foreign and fantastic you have no option but to yield completely to it and be spirited along." Don Irvine, Globe And Mail
"It's a beautiful experience, nearly perfect with a fragile flowing fluid score." Ross Anthony, Hollywood Report Card
"A lovely, evocative tour de force." C.W. Nevius, San Francisco Chronicle
Editor's Note
Directed by animation legend Hayao Miyazaki, SPIRITED AWAY is the tale of Chihiro (voiced by Daveigh Chase), a young girl who is taken down an unusual road by her parents while moving to a new home in an unfamiliar town. The curiosity of Chihiro's mother (Lauren Holly) and father (Michael Chiklis) leads the reluctant child into what appears to be an abandoned amusement park. Soon her parents are greedily feasting on various delights from an enticing food stand and are literally turned into pigs. The frightened and bewildered girl then encounters a young man named Haku (Jason Marsden), who explains what she must do to navigate this strange and magical realm. Finding employment in a bathhouse for spirits and other odd characters--including kimono-wearing frogs, lumbering tentacled monsters, and a mysterious apparition named No Face--Chihiro attempts to figure out how she can free her parents from the clutches of the resort's owner, a powerful witch named Yubaba (Suzanne Pleshette). In the process, she makes some very eccentric friends--and has to deal with some notoriously stinky customers.A surreal adventure reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's ALICE IN WONDERLAND, SPIRITED AWAY continues Miyazaki's streak of groundbreaking animated films that also includes PRINCESS MONONOKE and MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO. Succeeding MONONOKE as the most successful film in Japanese cinema history, this charming movie follows its own bizarre yet engaging logic as it reveals a cast of fascinating characters and jaw-dropping settings through stunningly beautiful hand-crafted animation. A movie experience like no other, SPIRITED AWAY is sure to enchant audiences of all ages, leaving viewers grinning with a giddy sense of wonderment.
| Features | Widescreen Version (2.0:1 -- Enhanced For 16x9 Televisions) | | Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound | | English, Japanese, French And Spanish Language Tracks | | Select Storyboard-To-Scene Comparison | | Voice Talent Featurette | | Original Japanese Trailers | | Special Introduction by John Lasseter | | The Art of Spirited Away | | The Nippon Television Special |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Buena Vista |
| Release Date: 2/22/2005 |
| Running Time: 132 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2002 | | Catalog ID: 29781 | | UPC: 00786936213843 | | Number of Discs: 2 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: Japanese | | Available Audio Tracks: English Dubbed, Japanese | | Available Subtitles: English, French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 2.0:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (2003) |  | Hayao Miyazaki, Winner, Best Animated Feature Film of the Year |
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| | Professional Reviews | New York Times
"...The beauty of the animation, a skillful blend of hand-painted foreground and well-placed computer background, works to generate the storytelling..." 09/20/2002 p.E11Los Angeles Times
"...This visual wonder is the product of a fierce and fearless imagination whose creations are unlike any you've seen before..." 09/20/2002 p.C1 USA Today
"...Elements of Eastern religions and Japanese legends add to the otherworldly, magical quality of the film..." 09/20/2002 p.7E Entertainment Weekly
"...A triumph of psychological depth and artistic brilliance..." 09/27/2002 p.57 Variety
"...Miyazaki's comic touches and often astounding flights of fantasy -- enhanced by Joe Hisaishi's thankfully intact score -- still win the day..." 09/23/2002 p.25 Box Office
"...The film unfolds like an enchanted hybrid of Alice in Wonderland and Oliver Twist....The illustrations are richly textured..." 11/01/2002 p.151 Chicago Sun-Times
"...This is the best animated film of recent years....Delightful and enchanting..." 04/06/2003 p.5 Sight and Sound
"...Remarkable....It has some splendid gags....The film's opening demonstrates the cross-cultural universality of fairy tales..." 09/01/2003 p.34-64 Wall Street Journal
"[A] masterpiece of modern animation....10-year-old Chihiro finds herself alone in an alternate universe that, for all its exotic trappings, could be a hinterland of Wonderland or Oz." 05/29/2009 San Francisco Examiner 10 of 10
Spirited Away is as gently frightening and superbly enchanting as any movie I can remember. It's a combination of the best of Miyazaki: the warm, child-friendly Totoro and Kiki and the fantastic, cruel and more adult Mononoke. I admit I didn't warm to Mononoke as much as some of my colleagues did, but Spirited Away easily trumps it. It's a masterpiece, and undoubtedly one of the year's best films. - Jeffrey M. Anderson
Chicago Sun-Times 10 of 10
Miyazaki's drawing style, which descends from the classical Japanese graphic artists, is a pleasure to regard, with its subtle use of colors, clear lines, rich detail and its realistic depiction of fantastical elements. He suggests not just the appearances of his characters, but their natures. Apart from the stories and dialogue, Spirited Away is a pleasure to regard just for itself. This is one of the year's best films. - Roger Ebert
James Berardinelli's ReelViews 9 of 10
Miyazaki does not dumb down Spirited Away, even though his stated target audience is children. This is a true family film, in that adults will be as enchanted by the characters and situations as children will. The pace is a little slower than the average animated film - there is not as much frantic action - but not so languid that younger viewers will become restless. The dubbing into English is very good (as is voice selection), so there is no subtitle barrier. Overall, while Spirited Away may not be as complex and imaginative as Princess Mononoke in some areas, it is as beautifully rendered and no less sophisticated in its outlook. Miyazaki has provided another triumph, and, in the midst of the quality fall-off of Disney's in-house animated projects, a reason for animation-lovers to rejoice. - James Berardinelli
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| Customer Reviews | ![]() | | Cinematography |  5 | | Plot | 5 | | Acting | 5 | | Overall Satisfaction | 5 |
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5 of 5 NEVER GOT THE DVD!! Tuesday, January 06, 2009
A Viewer from Ingram, TX
Ordered 12/15/08 as of 1/6/09 have still not recieved the DVD or a credit or an explination or an apology or any help of any kind. Will never use buy.com again for anything. Sure would like my $25.00 back!!!
Love this movie that's why I bought it for a little girl's Christmas present. Too bad I couldn't give it to her. Was this review helpful?  
5 of 5 Fascinating and Wonderful ........ Friday, May 09, 2003
angelhhs2 from Parsippany, NJ
I've long been Miyazaki's fan and own a collection of his works released in the market. (Most DVDs of his works I have are ordered from Asia.) To me he is absolutly the #1 genius of the animation world ---- I would liken him as the Mozart of the animation industry. He is full of imagination yet give his fantasy very profound humane touch ----- that's what makes his works stand out compared to other animation films. Both the story line and technical aspect of his films are spectacular and never cease to amaze me. His works to me have transcended mere anime films, rather, they are precious works of arts. SPIRITED AWAY certainly by far is his most superb work, the crown of his outstanding career. In addition to SPIRITED AWAY, my other two favorite Miyazaki's films are "CASTLE IN THE SKY" and "MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO." Was this review helpful?
1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
5 of 5 Spirited Away is one of the 'Must-Haves' Monday, April 21, 2003
hye from nj
I watched Spirited Away in Summer 2002 in Asia and I just knew that it will draw much of American's attention. Not to mention, it was one of the most popular movies that season when it was released. You will be pleasantly surprised by bundle of fascinating renderings in this animation. Overall, storyline is beyond our imagination and you'll absolutely fall in love with this movie! Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 What an amazing movie Monday, April 21, 2003
Alex from Brooklyn, NY
Imagination more twisted the that of Alice in Wonderland, beautifully executed on screen. Amazing combination of color and scenery. Astonishing transformations and one twisted plot. Helps forget what's going on in the world for 2 whole hours.
Takes you away without that annoying hangover in the morning. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 A must move in your Disney collection!!!! Monday, April 14, 2003
Monkeykong22 from San Jose, CA
I have to say that Spirited Away is one of the best animated movies I've seen for the year 2002. Mr. Miyazaki out done himself again with another of his masterpiece since Princess Mononoke. Spirited Away is a very funny, charming and sweetie movie. Both kid and parent will love this movie, definitely for all ages. Highly recommended, add this to your Disney collection. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 customers found this review helpful.
5 of 5 Fresh Air to a Stagnant Genre Monday, February 24, 2003
vadryn from N. Logan, UT
When I was introduced to Spirited Away, I only saw a couple short snippets of the movie; not enough to get the storyline or plot, but there was something about it that drew me in. I couldn't forget about it and kept looking forward to when I could get the DVD and sit down for the whole show.
It didn't disappoint. The animation was wonderful and the characters, especially Chihiro, were so engaging and likable. It's rare that animation invokes such a strong connection with the audience. The story was involved and intelligent, the storytelling ingenious and exceptionally well-paced. It's a great movie that you can let the kids watch with you.
I watched it with subtitles as there were no english dub options available yet. Why a movie of this quality hasn't seen more run in the US market is a mystery. The movie fans are really being cheated by the studios who aren't putting this movie forward. Spirited Away was easily the most engaging, original work of animation this year. It should be a hands-down Oscar winner in the Animation category. Was this review helpful?
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