Legend of Sirius
Still in a Sanrio mood so decided to check this out. Released in 1981, along with an English version called The Sea Prince and the Fire Child in 1982, I sort of wish I'd seen this when it was new so I could have spent years telling other folk to watch it. Wonderful film that satisfied me across the board.
The story is basically Romeo & Juliet revisited in a fantasy setting. In the distant past, the embodiments of Fire & Water, Glacus & Themis, were as one, The Lord of the Wind, Argon, grew jealous and planted seeds of discord that caused Glacus & Themis to drift apart and eventually coming to arms against one another. Some higher power eventually struck Argon down but the damage was done and Glacus & Themis went their separate ways, each believing an artifact of their power was what kept the seas calm and maintained peace from the other side.
Years down the line, Sirius, son of Glacus, is entrusted with the Eye of Argon, named king of the sea, and left to protect the realm but he stumbles across the Holy Flame that Malta, daughter of Themis, is left to maintain and the two children begin to question what they were taught and that perhaps those of the other race aren't quite the savages they once believed. As in similar tales, despite the purity of their love, they can't escape the tragedy of the past or the history of their respective heritage, even when given a glimmer of hope as to how to co-exist with one another.
There was also a nice sense of tension anytime their parents were onscreen together too as if they were forced to remember their past and see themselves as they once were through the action of their children. There's also use of color that I wish I could better articulate too, particularly between the main characters that look like they belong in each other's realm which adds to the sense of initial attraction.
It was directed by Masami Hata, who also directed Chirin no Suzu and Little Nemo among other things, and I'm left with the notion I should check out more of his work. The soundtrack was pretty great too as it was far more theatrical than I expected. The orchestration added a sense of gravitas to the events as the movie. JP Trailer here for anyone interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QceQqiAHR80 It has a taste of the soundtrack therein.
I nearly got Chirin no Suzu'd and even got a similar image to go along with it.
Still in a Sanrio mood so decided to check this out. Released in 1981, along with an English version called The Sea Prince and the Fire Child in 1982, I sort of wish I'd seen this when it was new so I could have spent years telling other folk to watch it. Wonderful film that satisfied me across the board.
The story is basically Romeo & Juliet revisited in a fantasy setting. In the distant past, the embodiments of Fire & Water, Glacus & Themis, were as one, The Lord of the Wind, Argon, grew jealous and planted seeds of discord that caused Glacus & Themis to drift apart and eventually coming to arms against one another. Some higher power eventually struck Argon down but the damage was done and Glacus & Themis went their separate ways, each believing an artifact of their power was what kept the seas calm and maintained peace from the other side.
The presentation of the history was rather enjoyable. Not that a prologue should be necessary but the stage was set nicely.
Years down the line, Sirius, son of Glacus, is entrusted with the Eye of Argon, named king of the sea, and left to protect the realm but he stumbles across the Holy Flame that Malta, daughter of Themis, is left to maintain and the two children begin to question what they were taught and that perhaps those of the other race aren't quite the savages they once believed. As in similar tales, despite the purity of their love, they can't escape the tragedy of the past or the history of their respective heritage, even when given a glimmer of hope as to how to co-exist with one another.
The ending was something of a downer. It was pretty obvious it would be with the Romeo & Juliet overtones but it was pretty damn sad when a blinded Sirius was calling out for a Malta who had embraced her role as Queen of Fire and turned away from him. For a brief moment, I thought she'd leave him but she broke down with upon his death and sought her own so they could be together.
I found it to be both a beautiful and touching movie. The relationship between Sirius and Malta forms slowly but naturally and embodies the youthful nature of such first love in that they believe it can see them through an obstacle so long as they were together while leaving them oblivious to the sacrifices they would have to make to be with one another.
Sirius/Malta interaction was such a treat.
In particular, each of the main characters lose a sidekick to self-sacrifice as said sidekicks recant on their opposition to Sirius & Malta being together and do what they can to help them.
It was directed by Masami Hata, who also directed Chirin no Suzu and Little Nemo among other things, and I'm left with the notion I should check out more of his work. The soundtrack was pretty great too as it was far more theatrical than I expected. The orchestration added a sense of gravitas to the events as the movie. JP Trailer here for anyone interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QceQqiAHR80 It has a taste of the soundtrack therein.
Even the credits were beautiful. I have no idea if the cards were of art from a book or some sort of concept art but it was neat to revisit elements from the film in this style.
Just an aside, Sirius' dad was pretty badass.
