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The Secret of NIMH

Play trailer Poster for The Secret of NIMH G 1982 1h 22m Kids & Family Fantasy Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 70 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Mrs. Brisby (Elizabeth Hartman), a widowed mouse, must move her children out of their home in a field before the local farmer starts plowing. Unable to leave because her son is ill, Mrs. Brisby seeks the help of nearby rats, who have heightened intelligence after being the subjects of scientific experiments. She receives an unexpected gift from the elder rat, Nicodemus (Derek Jacobi). Soon Mrs. Brisby is caught in a conflict among the rats, jeopardizing her mission to save her family.
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The Secret of NIMH

The Secret of NIMH

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Critics Consensus

The Secret of NIMH seeks to resurrect the classical style of American animation and succeeds, telling a mature story with rapturous presentation.

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Critics Reviews

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Rita Kempley Washington Post 11/11/2021
Sadly, The Secret of NIMH is beautiful but unbalanced: The animators gambled when they should have gamboled. Go to Full Review Susie Eisenhuth Sydney Morning Herald 11/11/2021
3/4
Parents wistful for the world of mystery and magic fondly remembered from the best of the Disney cartoon features should hasten along to this rather endearing fantasy. Go to Full Review Neil Jillett The Age (Australia) 11/11/2021
This American full-length animated cartoon lives up to its publicity as a return to the meticulous artwork and storybook charm of the golden days of Disney. Go to Full Review Katie Hogan FILMHOUNDS Magazine 12/11/2024
4/5
At its heart, The Secret of NIMH is aimed at children, but it still hits all the same nostalgic notes for those who watched it as a child and again as an adult. Go to Full Review Mat Brunet AniMat's Review (YouTube) 09/06/2024
10/10
The Secret of NIMH is an animated feature that has every right to be called a masterpiece. Just about every element of this picture is amazingly crafted to present how animation can truly be a storytelling medium. Go to Full Review Stephen Silver Tilt Magazine 08/05/2022
4.5/5
Known for its beautiful hand-drawn animation style, one very unique to that time period and a far cry from the computer-generated style that would take hold in the Pixar era. (40th anniversary) Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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James H Nov 2 These type of movies were much needed when they came out, and they are even more needed to be made now! Great movie, was a favorite when I was a kid and even now as an adult is a movie I want to sit down and emerse myself in. Please make more movies like this Hollywood, and if not Hollywood, anyone make them! See more Kim P Nov 1 Pretty imaginative and better than any animated Disney movie from that era. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Oct 30 Success in 01 hour, 22 minutes, and 46 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more D.A. P Oct 17 For the era of which it was released- The Secret Of NIMH- tells a very interesting story and has the most unexpected of heroes that you would likely never hear about or never see in any other movie. The animation is really great and classic for a 1980's movie and really draws you into the story and yes, the story has a dark opening. But through the story telling and watching this movie- it provides a great tale of what would we do for someone we love and how far would we go to do it? 4 out of 5 stars- I definitely recommend this movie even though some of it can be serious at times. See more Maria F Sep 23 As a massive fan of animation, I had high hopes for this film. I had heard it was an underrated classic, but knew almost nothing going in. Unfortunately it did not live up to those expectations for me. I can’t fault the beautiful score and the absolutely breathtaking visuals are arguably what pulled me through the whole film. However, it seems clear to me that it is a very loose book adaptation, since concepts pop up but are not fleshed out, characters serve one or two purposes then are never seen again, or do nothing, and that dang comedy relief crow was serving very little purpose. See more Tiffany B. @ScribbleM3This Aug 22 One of my favorite movies of all time. Beautiful with great characters. Love the artwork. See more Read all reviews
The Secret of NIMH

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Cast & Crew

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Don Bluth

Director

Elizabeth Hartman

Mrs. Brisby

Derek Jacobi

Nicodemus

Dom DeLuise

Jeremy

Shannen Doherty

Teresa

Edie McClurg

Miss Right

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The Secret of NIMH

Poster Art The Secret of NIMH (1982) The Secret of NIMH (1982) A scene from the film THE SECRET OF N.I.M.H. A scene from the film THE SECRET OF N.I.M.H. A scene from the film THE SECRET OF N.I.M.H. A scene from the film THE SECRET OF N.I.M.H. A scene from the film THE SECRET OF N.I.M.H. A scene from the film THE SECRET OF N.I.M.H. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Mrs. Brisby (Elizabeth Hartman), a widowed mouse, must move her children out of their home in a field before the local farmer starts plowing. Unable to leave because her son is ill, Mrs. Brisby seeks the help of nearby rats, who have heightened intelligence after being the subjects of scientific experiments. She receives an unexpected gift from the elder rat, Nicodemus (Derek Jacobi). Soon Mrs. Brisby is caught in a conflict among the rats, jeopardizing her mission to save her family.
Director
Don Bluth
Producer
Gary Goldman, Don Bluth
Screenwriter
Don Bluth, Will Finn, Gary Goldman, John Pomeroy
Distributor
United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Aurora, Don Bluth
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 30, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 25, 2012
Runtime
1h 22m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio
35mm, 1.66:1, Flat (1.85:1)
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