Details

Release year: 2004

Storyline

When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle.

Top credits

Directors

Hayao Miyazaki

Writers

Cast

Chieko Baishō — Sophie
Takuya Kimura — Howl
Tatsuya Gashûin — Calcifer
Akihiro Miwa — Witch of the Waste

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Awards

0 wins & 1 nomination

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Did you know

• Sophie displays witch-like traits and can animate objects from the book; in the film, this is suggested but left for the audience to interpret. Her abilities become evident when she rescues the scarecrow, who becomes fiercely loyal to her, and when her hair gives Calcifer incredible strength, even when Howl is absent. Calcifer often stresses that his survival and Howl's acceptance of his heart depend on her actions. Sophie can keep Howl's heart and Calcifer alive through her natural abilities. Although she has considerable control over the Witch's curse as a witch, she remains unaware of it. During sleep, in dreams, and in intense emotional moments-when she is upset, happy, or in love with Howl-she reverts to her younger self and can break the curse by accepting and embracing her true self, thereby activating her self-acceptance.

• Upon seeing Spirited Away (2001), Christian Bale immediately agreed to play any role in this film. He didn't expect to get the titular role.

• Sophie's city was modelled after Colmar, France.