This anime classic explores the familiar ecological theme often found in such Ghibli works as Princess Mononoke.

This an engaging film which might not appeal to younger audiences due to the complex story, and the giant scary insects (which again are reminiscent of the giant forest spirits in Princess Mononoke).

In a world of warring civilisations clinging on to the few natural resources available due to the years of constant pollution, a plan to resurrect an ancient force and change the world results in a battle to protect the future of the planet. This is a pretty involved story and isn't one to be casually watched whilst doing the housework or checking your e-mails. The main characters are strong and as with most of Miyazaki's work there is not a distinct side of good or evil, everyone simply has their own agenda which they believe to be the right one. Even the giant insects which have devastated villages are eventually shown as being not-quite-so ruthless, and victimised themselves.

The ending seemed a bit predictable, but your fondness for the heroine Nausicaa ensures that it's the ending you want for.

In a nutshell: If you're a Ghibli fan then this is probably already in your DVD collection. This early Ghibli work shows how environmentalism struck a chord with writer/director Miyazaki from the very beginning, and went on to inspire other works often considered to be masterpieces. It could be argued that this film would benefit from being edited down slightly, but I like the long editing - it emphasises the epic-ness of the adventure and doesn't trivialise the core story of a young princess who empathises with everyone and everything around her.

this is something really special that shouldn't be regarded anything near OK. When i first watched it i thought is wasn't as good as Princess Mononoke, another one of Hayao's stunning films, but when i came to watch it the second time i was blown away with its beauty! Nausicaa is the sort of film that leaves you completely inspired and it has the most wonderful ending that i wont spoil! now i have seen it over 30 times and have lost count and i STILL think its amazing. A MUST WATCH!

Before I watched this, I'd already seen Kiki and Whisper of the heart, so I can definately say every film made before Princess Mononoke is very slow and gentle.

The actual story line is about the valley of the wind having to defend themselves from poisonous spores generated from a forest that has been poisoned by man. Also, gigantic insects who live in the forest come out to attact once in a while. Eventually, an army from another country comes along and takes over the valley in order to obtain an insect weapon thing that needs to grow first. Another army from another town wants it too. The insects fight back, the end.

SPOILER:
Now for a whinge. Nausicaa is a princess, why? Her Dad gets killed, and she doesn't shed a tear, yet she cries every 5 minutes. She keeps getting poisoned,so you think something exciting might happen....no. A sort of main male character has symptoms of getting poisoned...nothing. The main story line doesn't start until 30 mins through, the weapon isn't explained and dies immediately when activated. Where's her mum, why doesn't anyone else have a glider thing, why didn't she fall in love with that boy who helps her, WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THAT LITTLE ANIMAL? CHARACTERS ARE MEANT TO HAVE A PURPOSE, SO WHAT WAS HIS???? Every time you thought Nausicaa's life was in danger, they never explored it.

OK, some nice things to say about the film. Uh, nicely drawn. Possibly Patrick Stuart did a voice (except we don't know because they couldn't be bothered to put the credits in English). The boy who should have been her boyfriend had a nice character. And finally, Nausicaa got bitten! Hooray!

I'd not have bothered catching this one from the reviews in Radio Times, but fortunately I'd seen a trailer. It's a post-apocalyptic techno fairy tale, and eco-shouty with it ..... but if you like flying or flying machines, it's gorgeous. For e.g., check the detail of the Delanne-winged troop transports used by the invading nasties; lots of it's straight out of "Warplanes of the Third Reich" and 100% appropriate. Then there's our heroine's fusion-powered hang-glider substitute .... Please, Santa!
Great fun, and recommended to all aerogeeks - Bri.

The movie stars the following actors (listed in Japanese version/English version format):

Character - Japanese voice - English voice
================================
Narrator - (none) - Tony Jay
Nausica?? - Sumi Shimamoto - Alison Lohman
Lord Yupa - Goro Naya - Patrick Stewart
Kushana - Yoshiko Sakakibara - Uma Thurman
Kurotowa - Iemasa Kayumi - Chris Sarandon
Mito - Ichiro Nagai - Edward James Olmos
Lastelle - Miina Tominaga - Emily Bauer
Asbel - Yoji Matsuda - Shia LaBeouf
Mayor of Pejite - Makoto Terada - Mark Hamill
Prince Milo - (unknown) - Cam Clarke
Obaba - Hisako Kyoda - Tress MacNeille
King Jihl - Mahito Tsujimura - Mark Silverman
Muzu - (unknown) - James Arnold Taylor
Gikuri - Joji Yanami - Jeff Bennett
Lastelle's Mother - Akiko Tsuboi - Jodi Benson
Gol - (unknown) - Frank Welker