Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (4 Stars)

I was totally unprepared for this film in the cinema today. I thought it was a Japanese children's film, but it's actually the restored version of a classic 1979 anime. I realised that I'd misjudged the film when I looked around and saw that Oliver was the only child in the audience. Having an age rating of 6 doesn't mean a film is made for children.

Fortunately Oliver enjoyed the film, so it wasn't a wasted visit.

Lupin III is a master thief from Japan. Together with an accomplice he robs the casino in Monte Carlo, but as they drive away he examines the loot and finds the notes are all counterfeit. He dumps the cash, and he heads to the nearby Kingdom of Cagliostro, which he deems to be the source of the counterfeit cash. This is the first of many things I don't understand about the film. Why should he go to Cagliostro? What's in it for him?

On arriving he sees a young woman being attacked. He tries unsuccessfully to protect her. She's taken away by the attackers, but she drops her ring. It's a signet ring, and Lupin deduces that she's the Princess of Cagliostro. Further investigations reveal that she's being forced to marry the Duke of Cagliostro against her will. He wants to inherit a hidden treasure, which is strange, because not even the Princess knows where it is. And why does he need to inherit it? He could simply steal it.

Other characters arrive in the kingdom. There's an Interpol agent who wants to arrest Lupin. There's a Samurai warrior of uncertain allegiance. There's a spy called Fujiko who seems to be a romantic interest of Lupin. "The Castle of Cagliostro" is the second film in a series. Maybe I would have understood it better if I'd seen it first.

I found the film very good, despite not understanding everything. The opening titles reminded me of the Batman TV series, which is always a positive. I've read reviews that call it the greatest anime of all time. Shall I watch it again? I don't know. I'd like to watch it accompanied by a fan of the film, not sitting alone in my room. It's a film that needs to be explained to me.

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