Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro | |
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Japanese film poster art
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Japanese | ルパン三世 カリオストロの城 |
Hepburn | Rupan Sansei: Kariosutoro no Shiro |
Directed by | Hayao Miyazaki |
Produced by | Tetsuo Katayama |
Screenplay by |
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Based on |
Lupin III by Monkey Punch |
Starring | |
Music by | Yuji Ohno |
Cinematography | Hirokata Takahashi |
Edited by | Mitsutoshi Tsurubuchi |
Production
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Distributed by | Toho |
Release date
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Running time
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100 minutes |
Country | Japan |
Language | Japanese |
Budget | ¥500 million |
Box office | ¥600 million |
Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (Japanese: ルパン三世 カリオストロの城 Hepburn: Rupan Sansei: Kariosutoro no Shiro, "Lupin III: Cagliostro Castle") is a 1979 Japanese animated comedy-drama adventure film co-written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki as his feature film debut. It is the second feature film featuring Monkey Punch's master thief Arsène Lupin III, from his manga series Lupin III. The film was Miyazaki's first time directing a theatrical feature after having previously worked as an animator for Toei Animation and TMS Entertainment and directing several shows including Lupin III and two episodes of Lupin III Part II.
The Castle of Cagliostro follows gentleman thief Arsène Lupin III, who successfully robs a casino – only to find the money to be counterfeit. He heads to the tiny country of Cagliostro, the rumoured source of the bills, and attempts to save the runaway Clarisse from the Count Cagliostro's men. Lupin enlists his associates, Jigen and Goemon, and sends his calling card to the Count to get Inspector Zenigata, his longtime nemesis, to the castle. After becoming trapped in the dungeon under the castle, Lupin and Zenigata form a pact to escape and foil the Count's counterfeit operation and save Clarisse from her forced marriage to the Count.
The original theatrical release in Japan occurred on 15 December 1979. The American theatrical debut was on 3 April 1991, with the home release following in October 1992. This first dub was produced by Streamline Pictures and released on home video the following year. A new dubbed version was produced by Manga Entertainment in 2000 and has had several releases. Despite initially underperforming at the box office, The Castle of Cagliostro has garnered high praise, with critics and historians noting the film's influence on Miyazaki's later works, and has since become the most popular and well-regarded entry in the entire Lupin III franchise. The film has also served as a major influence on animators and directors worldwide, most notably Pixar director John Lasseter.