New Release: Nausicaa Blu-ray and Tales From Earthsea DVD

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment brought out two films from renowned Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli on March 8, 2011: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Tales From Earthsea.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind movie scene

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

In 1984’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Ponyo), the world has been beseiged by a global war and the seaside kingdom of Valley of the Wind is one of the last strongholds untouched by a poisonous jungle and the powerful insects that guard it. Led by Princess Nausicaa, the people of the Valley struggle to restore the bond between humanity and Earth. The English voice cast includes Uma Thurman (Percy Jackson), Shia LeBeouf (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps), Patrick Stewart (Hamlet) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars).

The 118-minute film, which is rated PG, was released as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack priced at $39.99.

The set includes these special features:

  • “World of Ghibli” section, including “Behind the Studio,” “Enter the Lands” and “Studio Ghibli Trivia Challenge”
  • storyboards
  • featurette “Behind the Microphone”
  • and featurette “The Birth Story of Studio Ghibli,” about Miyazaki’s animation studio in Japan.
Tales From Earthsea movie scene

Tales From Earthsea

Rated PG-13, 2006’s Tales From Earthsea is based on the classic Earthsea fantasy book series by Ursula Le Guin. The animated movie tells the story of master wizard Lord Archmage and troubled young prince Arren as they search for the force behind a mysterious imbalance in the land of Earthsea, where crops are dwindling, dragons have reappeared and humanity is giving way to chaos. Timothy Dalton (TV’s Chuck), Willem Dafoe (Daybreakers) and Cheech Marin (Machete) are among the actors who voice the characters.

The 115-minute film, which is the directorial debut of Hayao Miyazaki’s son Goro Miyazaki, will be released on DVD ($29.99) with the same “World of Ghibli” section as on the Nausicaa disc.

 

Buy or Rent Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
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Buy or Rent Tales From Earthsea
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About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.