A tyrannical king living in a labyrinthine castle comes between a beautiful shepherdess and a brave, good-hearted chimney sweep. Only a plucky mockingbird can save the day.
Sixty years in the making (it was started in 1948, partially finished in 1952 and reworked by director Paul Grimault for a limited 1980 release), TKATM is a masterpiece of animation and imagination.
Hayao Miyazaki cites it as a major influence, and fans of Studio Ghibli will thrill to the tenderly explored themes – class, nature, love, grief – and poetic, witty visuals.