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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