Product Description

Critically acclaimed as one of the most delightful and charming family films ever, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO is a stunning animated treat full of magical adventure from Hayao Miyazaki. Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei when they move into a new home in the countryside. To their delight, they discover that their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit called Totoro, who can be seen only through the eyes of a child. Totoro introduces them to extraordinary characters -- including a cat that doubles as a bus! -- and takes them on an incredible journey. Full of wonder and heart, this spectacular 2-disc set features the voice talents of Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO is a magical experience for the whole family! © 1988 Nibariki • G

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #639 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-03-07
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, THX, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French, Japanese
• Subtitled in: English
• Dubbed in: English, Japanese
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 86 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
My Neighbor Totoro is that rare delight, a family film that appeals to children and adults alike. While their mother is in the hospital, 10-year-old Satsuki and 4-year-old Mei move into an old-fashioned house in the country with their professor father. At the foot of an enormous camphor tree, Mei discovers the nest of King Totoro, a giant forest spirit who resembles an enormous bunny rabbit. Mei and Satsuki learn that Totoro makes the trees grow, and when he flies over the countryside or roars in his thunderous voice, the winds blow. Totoro becomes the protector of the two sisters, watching over them when they wait for their father, and carrying them over the forests on an enchanted journey. When the children worry about their mother, Totoro sends them to visit her via a Catbus, a magical, multilegged creature with a grin the Cheshire Cat might envy.

Unlike many cartoon children, Satsuki and Mei are neither smart-alecky nor cloyingly saccharine. They are credible kids: bright, energetic, silly, helpful, and occasionally impatient. Filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki makes the viewer believe the two sisters love each other in a way no American feature has ever achieved. My Neighbor Totoro is enormously popular in Japan, and some of the character merchandise has begun to appear in America. The film has also inspired a Japanese environmental group to buy a Totoro Forest preserve in the Saitama Prefecture, where Miyazaki's film is set. --Charles Solomon

On the DVD
For years, Hayao Miyazaki's beloved feature My Neighbor Totoro was available only in a pan-and-scan transfer with an adequate but undistinguished English translation and dub; this widescreen version from Disney Home Video offers livelier performances and a more vivid translation. In the old dub, the mysterious little black creatures who inhabit the empty farmhouse were called "dust bunnies," although that term refers to the clumps of dust that form under furniture. The new translation of "soot gremlins" suggests what the little beings really are. As Satsuki and Mei, Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning are lively and believable without being saccharine; Tim Daly gives a warmly understated performance as their patient father. The new transfer captures the subtle palette of Miyazaki's vanished natural world. More than ever, My Neighbor Totoro is a magical film that family members of every age can enjoy. --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews

Sad Face
I ordered this product and got a tracking number. When I checked with USPS, the package was marked delivered, but, sadly, it never arrived. This is one of my absolute favorite movies, and I'm sure it's no fault of the sender that the package never made it to my house. I suppose it either got lost in the mail, or somebody in the Postal personnel decided to swipe it. Wish I'd had a better experience.

Best Movie of All Time
I love this. I've never felt more joy from a movie. It's great to watch when you're just bummed, or sick. SO cute.

Great birthday present
Made a great gift for an 8-year old who has everything! Beautifully illustrated, nice story.