Directed by Don Bluth in his directorial debut, this dark animated fantasy is an adaptation of Robert C. O’Brien’s Newbery Medal-winning novel, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. It is celebrated for its lush, traditional animation and its willingness to explore mature, mystical themes within a children’s medium.
The Plot
The story follows Mrs. Brisby, a timid widowed field mouse living in a cinder block on the Fitzgibbons’ farm. Her life is upended when her young son, Timothy, falls ill with pneumonia just as “Moving Day” approaches—the annual plowing of the fields that threatens to crush their home.
Desperate to save her family but unable to move Timothy into the cold, Mrs. Brisby seeks the advice of the formidable Great Owl. He directs her to a mysterious colony of highly intelligent rats living beneath a rosebush on the farm.
Upon meeting their leader, Nicodemus, and the brave captain of the guard, Justin, Mrs. Brisby discovers the “Secret of NIMH”—a dark past involving a scientific laboratory that granted the rats human-like intelligence and advanced technology. As she becomes embroiled in a power struggle between the noble Nicodemus and the treacherous, power-hungry Jenner, Mrs. Brisby must find the inner courage to undergo a perilous mission to save her home, aided by a bumbling crow named Jeremy and a magical amulet.
Cast & Crew
| Role | Contributor |
| Director | Don Bluth |
| Mrs. Brisby | Elizabeth Hartman |
| Nicodemus | Derek Jacobi |
| Justin | Peter Strauss |
| Jenner | Paul Shenar |
| Jeremy the Crow | Dom DeLuise |
| The Great Owl | John Carradine |
| Auntie Shrew | Hermione Baddeley |
Key Highlights
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Don Bluth’s Departure: Bluth and several other animators famously left Disney to create this film, aiming to return to the high-detail “Golden Age” style of animation that they felt Disney had abandoned.
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Hand-Painted Excellence: The film utilized elaborate techniques, including multi-plane camera work, backlit “glow” effects, and highly detailed shadows to create its distinct, moody atmosphere.
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The Protagonist: Unlike many fantasy heroes, Mrs. Brisby is notable for being a motivated mother whose “superpower” is her maternal love and persistence rather than physical strength.
Note: The film’s score was composed by the legendary Jerry Goldsmith, who considered it one of his favorite projects and later stated that the film’s emotional depth allowed him to write a more operatic, sophisticated score than was typical for animation.
