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Horus: Prince of the Sun
太陽の王子ホルスの大冒険
1968 82 min Japan 0+
★6.7
Adventure, Drama, Animation, Fantasy
Director: Isao Takahata
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Young Horus lives in a mythical Scandinavia of the Iron Age. Recovering the stolen Sword of the Sun from a rock giant, he learns he must travel to the lands of his ancestors, encountering the beautiful but enigmatic Hilda as his journey leads to a series of adventures.
Starring
Mikijirô Hira
Actor
Etsuko Ichihara
Actor
Eijirô Tôno
Actor
Key opinion
The Horus: Prince of the Sun is recognized primarily as a landmark historical collaboration between Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki that introduced mature themes to Japanese animation. While viewers appreciate its technical ambition and distinct atmosphere, the experience is often hindered by uneven pacing and an aesthetic that shows its age.
| Originality | The film serves as a pivotal historical milestone, establishing the collaborative foundation for the future founders of Studio Ghibli. | |
| Production | The visual depiction of the snowy, wild landscapes provides a striking and memorable aesthetic that remains the film's strongest visual feature. | |
| Theme | The character of Hild provides a compelling layer of psychological ambiguity that contrasts effectively with the film's otherwise simplistic morality. | |
| Editing | The film suffers from inconsistent technical execution, alternating between dynamic animation and sparse, slide-show sequences during major action scenes. | |
| Screenplay | The storytelling is viewed as uneven, with some critics appreciating the straightforward action and others finding the narrative simplicity, lack of humor, and stern protagonists to be outdated. |