Howls Moving Castle

By:Michelle Gamble

The animated feature film ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ by master animator and director Hayao Miyazaki; is a great movie that people of all ages will enjoy. This movie transports you to a world full of mystery, adventure and magic.
Set in a troubled times of war, the movie starts out on a calm note. In a large pasture filled with sheep, you hear the creaking of metal and the sound of steam as it comes out of the Castle. Its feet resemble a bird of prey and the castle itself looks like pieced together parts of a house, in a shape similar to a human heart.

Sophie, a hat-maker from a large city finds herself caught in a bind after a long day of work. On her way to visit her sister, two male soldiers stop her hoping that they could intimidate her. However in seeing what was happening, a nice young man who turns out to be a wizard helps her escape even though he himself is in danger.
Howel is a handsome and powerful being, who is being perused by the Witch of the Waste’s henchmen, who look similar to black ink blob men. The Witches goals are to become eternally beautiful and to have Howl’s heart. If you have ever seen Miyazaki’s film ‘Spirited Away’ she is a similar character to ‘Yubaba’ in the way she deals with Sophie. When she finds out that Howl has helped Sophie, she immediately finds her and curses her with a spell to turn her into an old crone.
In order to reverse the spell Sophie sets out on a journey to find the Witch of the Waste and get her to reverse it. Instead she happened to stumble upon Howl’s Castle which is controlled by a fire demon by the name of Calcifer, who is also cursed and is forced to move the Castle.
Along the way, she runs across a mysterious living scarecrow which she gives the name ‘Turniphead’ who always helps her in times of trouble. She also meets Howls apprentice Markl Fisher, a young boy who grows to see her more as a mother than a friend. In a way they all become a family and help each other no matter what danger awaits them.
The Castle in itself is a metaphor for a heart. It is where the characters meet, and it has one door that leads to several places. It can also be changed, as was done by Howl when he opened his heart to Sophie and his new family and once by Sophie herself when she protects his heart from the war that surrounds them all.
All of the characters are very relatable, even when it’s the Witch of the Waste. You can somewhat understand the reason behind how she is, and almost end up pitying her as she slowly wastes away not only in mind but in body as well.
You can connect with Sophie when she gets upset about feeling old and ugly, even though she is young. You then find yourself being happy for her in times when her younger self is reflected, even if it is only for a moment. Despite her being in a crones body Howl still finds her beautiful for the person that she is on the inside. That in itself is the theme throughout the story, ‘never judge a book by its cover’
Howl is a powerful wizard, yet at the same time very cowardly. He also has times where he can be very vain. He once claimed that he didn’t “see a point in living if he can’t be beautiful.” Despite those character flaws he shows bravery when it counts. In the end he even accepts his not so handsome self as he turns into a giant bird of prey. It happens because he abuses his powers. Howl over works himself quite frequently in order to prevent the war and as the story progresses his condition worsens.
The film came out in 2004 and was originally a novel written by Dianna Wynne Jones. And was adapted to the screen by the man who had created other animated masterpieces such as ‘Spirited Away’ , ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ and ‘Ponyo’, and like these titles ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ does not disappoint.
Though at times the film can be a little slow it is definitely one that shouldn’t be missed. It is filled with beautiful animation, color and Miyazaki’s amazing imagination. The movie makes you wish the story would never end, and that these extraordinary characters become part of your life.