The Secret of NIMH (1982) Revisited: Animation Movie Review

We’re back with another episode of Animation Movies Revisited! In this episode, we’ll be exploring Bluth Studios’ 1982 animated fantasy classic, The Secret of NIMH.

Directed by Don Bluth (An American Tail, All Dogs Go to Heaven, The Land Before Time), this dark and disturbing film invites us to Fitzgibbons Farm, where we’ll find Mrs. Brisby, a brave field mouse determined to save her home and family from an oncoming harvest. Meticulously animated with 2D animation, The Secret of NIMH is an unforgettable adventure born out of an act of defiance against Walt Disney Productions. As the first full-length animated project of Bluth Studios, NIMH embraced somber fantasy elements that eventually became synonymous with fantasy cinema of the 1980s. It’s a story about survival, perseverance, and unlocking magic that few are fit to wield.

Throughout the latest episode of this exciting series, we’ll uncover the compelling origin of The Secret of NIMH, explore the motivations of the film’s iconic characters, and discover how Bluth and his team turned a rebellion against the House of Mouse into the foundation for one of animation’s most beloved studios.

Animation Movies Revisited is written and narrated by Steve Seigh, and was edited by Jasmyn Evans-Samuels. Adam Walton and Chris Bumbray produce, and Berge Garabedian is the executive producer. Check out more episodes from our Revisited series below! Do you think The Secret of NIMH holds up? Let us know in the comments!