Watch Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro

Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro is a 1979 Japanese animated action-comedy film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It was the director's feature-length debut and is widely regarded as a classic of anime film. The movie follows the adventures of Arsène Lupin III, who is a master thief and the grandson of the famous gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. Lupin and his accomplice Jigen are on a heist when they discover that their loot is counterfeit money produced in the small European country of Cagliostro. The two decide to travel to Cagliostro to investigate this new counterfeit and end up becoming embroiled in a dangerous plot involving the mysterious Castle of Cagliostro and the beautiful Princess Clarisse.

The story begins with Lupin and Jigen executing a daring robbery of a casino, and after discovering that the money they have stolen is counterfeit, they trace it back to the kingdom of Cagliostro in Europe. They find the counterfeit money is being produced in the Castle of Cagliostro, which Lupin has been interested in since he saw it in a sketchbook that once belonged to his grandfather.

While the castle holds a great deal of interest for Lupin, what he is really looking for is a way to get his hands on the treasure that is rumoured to be within its walls. On arriving in the country with Jigen, Lupin discovers that the counterfeit money is part of a much larger, more sinister scheme involving the castle, the prince of Cagliostro, and, most importantly, the beautiful princess Clarisse.

As Lupin tries to uncover the truth, he gets entangled with a world of political corruption, secret societies and the diabolical Count Cagliostro. The count needs Princess Clarisse alive because she holds the key to a secret, which he believes will lead him to a hidden treasure in the castle.

As Lupin tries to rescue the princess, he and his team also become embroiled with the count and have to fight off his henchmen. The heist, however, doesn't go as planned as Lupin and his famous gang face off against a variety of foes and unexpected alliances in the bid to unravel the truth and bring about justice to the people of Cagliostro.

The film offers a delightful mix of action, adventure and humor. It's a rollercoaster ride, with plenty of thrills, jokes, and even a little bit of romance. The animation style, being Miyazaki's first feature-length effort, is not what you would expect it to be. Compared to the more iconic animation features from his Studio Ghibli, such as Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke, the animation style in Lupin the 3rd comes off as more similar to its original 1960s anime style. This animation style fits the pace of the story and feels very iconic in its own right.

As a typical Lupin the 3rd story, the movie is action-packed and full of twists and turns. The hero, Lupin, is a cool, charismatic master thief, and his companions Jigen and Goemon are skilled and reliable partners. Clarisse, the damsel in distress, does provide the necessary conflict but comes out to be more than a stock princess type role. The film's characters, dialogue, and overall story have been cited as an influence on numerous filmmakers, including the works of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

In the dubbed English version of the movie, which features a star-studded cast including Bob Bergen, who portrays the lead role of Lupin, and Michael McConnohie, who plays the antagonist Count Cagliostro, the humour and wordplay translate well. The voice acting crew helps bring the characters to life with natural voice deliveries, making the movie enjoyable even for those who are not familiar with anime or who do not speak Japanese.

Overall, Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro is a highly entertaining, classic action-adventure anime film. It's a must-watch for any Miyazaki or anime fan and showcases the director's early, playful animation form. It's an excellent introduction to the revered character of Lupin the Third, and it's also a classic example of 70s anime cinema, making it an essential viewing for any animation buff.

Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro is a 2000 family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes.