The Secret of NIMH Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A mouse whose son has a cold teams up with super-intelligent rats to move her house, battles a power-hungry rat, and discovers she has magical glowing amulet powers; it’s basically ‘The Avengers’ but with rodents.

🍿 The Secret of NIMH: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Family in Peril

Mrs. Brisby, a widowed field mouse, faces a daunting predicament: her son Timothy is gravely ill with pneumonia just as the farmer, Mr. Fitzgibbons, prepares to plow the fields. Moving Timothy could prove fatal, but staying means certain death for her entire family. Driven by maternal love, Mrs. Brisby seeks help, a journey fraught with danger for a small mouse in a world dominated by larger creatures.

Seeking Wisdom and Aid

Following the advice of Auntie Shrew, Mrs. Brisby bravely ventures to the Great Owl, a fearsome but wise creature. The Owl directs her to the rats living beneath the rose bush, a colony rumored to possess extraordinary knowledge and abilities. With Jeremy the crow as her guide and protector, she embarks on a perilous quest to reach the mysterious rats of NIMH.

The Secret of NIMH Revealed

Within the rose bush, Mrs. Brisby discovers a sophisticated civilization far beyond her imagination. She learns of the rats’ origins as experimental subjects at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an institute that enhanced their intelligence and granted them unique skills. She also discovers that her late husband, Jonathan Brisby, played a crucial role in the rats’ escape, forging a lasting bond between her family and the colony.

A Desperate Plea

Mrs. Brisby pleads with the rats for their help in moving her home. Nicodemus, the wise leader, agrees to assist, honoring the debt owed to Jonathan. However, not all rats are in agreement. Jenner, a cunning and power-hungry rat, plots against Nicodemus, seeing the move as a threat to his own ambitions and the colony’s dependence on human resources.

The Perilous Task

The rats devise a plan to move Mrs. Brisby’s cinder block home to safety. Central to this plan is drugging Dragon, the Fitzgibbons’ cat, a dangerous obstacle. Mrs. Brisby bravely volunteers for this task, infiltrating the Fitzgibbons’ house and facing immense risks to protect her family and aid her new allies.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mrs. Brisby (Elizabeth Hartman): A courageous widowed mouse, she embarks on a dangerous journey to save her family from the farmer’s plow and find a cure for her ill son.
• Nicodemus (Derek Jacobi): The wise and mystical leader of the rats of NIMH, burdened by the knowledge of their past and dedicated to their future.
• Justin (Peter Strauss): A noble and skilled rat, he serves as the captain of the guard and is loyal to Nicodemus and dedicated to the well-being of the colony.
• Jenner (Paul Shenar): A power-hungry and treacherous rat, he plots to overthrow Nicodemus and maintain the rats’ dependence on stealing from humans.
• Jeremy (Dom DeLuise): A clumsy yet well-intentioned crow, he provides comic relief and assists Mrs. Brisby on her quest.
• The Great Owl (John Carradine): A wise but fearsome owl, he offers cryptic advice to Mrs. Brisby, guiding her towards the rats of NIMH.
• Auntie Shrew (Hermione Baddeley): A feisty and practical neighbor of Mrs. Brisby, she offers support and guidance during the family’s plight.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nicodemus: “There, in her heart, remains a strength that is greater than all our power.” – Nicodemus reflects on Mrs. Brisby’s courage and inner strength.
• Jenner: “Take what you can, when you can.” – Jenner expresses his philosophy of seizing opportunities, contrasting with Justin’s idealism.
• The Great Owl: “I can only tell you that your husband was a brave and resourceful mouse.” – The Great Owl acknowledges Jonathan Brisby’s reputation to Mrs. Brisby.
• Nicodemus: “It is not the body that is important, but the will.” – Nicodemus explains to Mrs. Brisby the importance of inner strength and determination.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $14,665,733
• Worldwide Gross: $14,665,733

💥 The Secret of NIMH Reviews

Personal Review

I first watched this as a kid and the Great Owl scared me to bits! Even re-watching it, the atmosphere is captivating. The story is intense, the characters are great, and it’s not afraid to be dark. It’s a great story about family, courage, and overcoming adversity, definitely an animated film that sticks with you.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic animation”
  • “Viewers interested in darker, more mature animated stories”
  • “Those who appreciate strong female characters”
  • “Families with older children who enjoy adventure stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Animated violence”
  • “Death of a character”
  • “Dark and suspenseful themes”
  • “Animal cruelty (implied experimentation)”

Professional Reviews

• Slant Magazine: “While technically proficient, the film’s grim tone and complex plot made it less appealing to children accustomed to lighter Disney fare. The Secret of NIMH remains a visual treat and a testament to Bluth’s vision, although its commercial success was limited.
• The Wrap: “Don Bluth’s masterpiece of animation is a triumph in its own right and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best the studio had to offer and has only grown more beloved over the years by those willing to seek out the darker corners of classic animation.
• IMDB User Review: “The Secret of NIMH isn’t just a masterpiece: it’s the best classically animated film since the early 40’s. From the first moment you are treated to a gloriously rich, sumptuous, seamless animation and background art, the likes of which hadn’t been seen since Disney’s war years.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the rich animation style that sets it apart from mainstream films.: The film’s dark and mature themes, complex characters, and stunning animation were praised.

Many cited Mrs. Brisby as an inspiring and relatable protagonist.: Fans appreciated the movie’s emotional depth and the powerful message of courage.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and emotionally resonant animated film with mature themes that set it apart from other movies in the genre.

Awards

1. Saturn Award (Best Animated Film)- 1983

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Don Bluth, John Pomeroy, and Gary Goldman left Disney to pursue this project after it was rejected for being ‘too dark’.”
• “The production storyboards are used for background in the end credits.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Secret of NIMH?

The Secret of NIMH is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television broadcast schedules as well. While a subscription-based streaming service may not currently host the film, keep an eye on platforms like Hulu and Paramount+ as content offerings change regularly. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also readily available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Secret of NIMH, you might like these similar films:

• Watership Down (1978): Features a group of animals on a perilous journey to find a new home, dealing with dark themes and dangers.
• An American Tail (1986): Another Don Bluth animated film that tackles mature themes through the eyes of animal characters.
• Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009): Shares themes of animal survival, intelligence, and outsmarting humans in a stylized animated format.
• 9 (2009): A post-apocalyptic animated film where small creations fight for survival against a larger, mysterious force.

🛒 The Secret of NIMH Related Products

• The Secret of NIMH (Blu-ray): High-definition Blu-ray release of the animated classic. Includes special features such as interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Book): The original novel by Robert C. O’Brien. A timeless story of courage, intelligence, and determination in the face of adversity.
• The Art of NIMH: Limited Edition Prints: High-quality art prints showcasing key scenes and character designs from the movie. Each print is a limited edition and numbered.
• The Secret of NIMH Mouse Character Plush Toys: Adorable, cuddly plush toys based on the iconic characters from The Secret of NIMH.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Secret of NIMH features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Flying Dreams” – performed by Paul Williams
• “Main Title” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Steve Reviews: The Secret of NIMH

Want to know if ‘The Secret of NIMH’ really lived up to the hype? Steve gives a thorough review, and honestly, I found his points about the animation style super insightful!

What Does The Secret of NIMH Mean?

Ever wondered what ‘The Secret of NIMH’ is *really* about? This video breaks down the deeper themes and symbolism. It made me appreciate the movie on a whole new level!

John B. Calhoun and the Rats of N.I.M.H.

Did you know ‘The Secret of NIMH’ was based on real science experiments? This video dives into the creepy history that inspired the movie. Prepare to have your mind blown!

Don Bluth Film Animation Reel

Love the animation in ‘The Secret of NIMH’? This reel showcases some of Don Bluth’s best work. Seeing it all together really highlights his unique style!

✨ Rate