LUPIN THE THIRD: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO

Miyazaki’s take on Lupin the Third is inventive, fun and freeing.

80

Original Release: 1979

Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

Cast: Yasuo Yamada, Eiko Masuyama, Kiyoshi Kobayashi

Favourite Quote:

“Damn! I was a step too slow! Lupin pulled off his theft!”

“No, he didn't steal anything. He fought for me.”

“No, ma'am. He stole something of no small value... your heart.”

“Yes, he did.”

“Well, then, I must be going…”

Favourite Shot:

I have always been fascinated with the philosophy that the journey is more important than the destination. That the part before the part you’re supposed to enjoy is actually the best part.

And to be a person that lives with this thesis at the forefront of their life is a constant goal of mine. Because to live without thinking about an end means you can constantly live in the moment (and escape thinking about death).

Miyazaki’s Lupin III (voiced by Yasuo Yamada) is a character who embodies this idea - he is always on the move, always pursuing a journey. When one journey is ending he is already beginning another. Endings do not exist for him, because just as they are knocking on his door he has already moved to a new house.

And it’s this same sense of freedom, invincibility and presentness which makes Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro such a thrilling and pleasurable watch.

It must be noted that Lupin III is not a character created by Hayao Miyazaki (he was originally created by MonkeyPunch). But the Lupin III we see in The Castle of Cagliostro is definitely one that Miyazaki moulded to fit his own ideas, and one much different to the original.

The original Lupin III was more of a James Bond type. A thief that liked to use his money to buy fancy cars and big houses and also liked to womanise. While Miyazaki’s Lupin doesn’t care about loot or prestige from a job. He simply enjoys being a conniving, scheming thief. And so that’s all he does.

We can see these differences in the opening sequence. Lupin is driving his tiny fiat with his best friend Jigen (Kiyoshi Kobayashi), fleeing the Monte Carlo Casino with so much money that it’s literally bursting out of the car.

Lupin almost looks bored as he inspects the money. He then realises that it is, in actual fact, counterfeit money and instead of cursing his luck, his mood suddenly picks up. He immediately sees a window opening for him into a new job.

There’s no frustration about the job they just spent so much time planning and excecuting, not working out. Instead, he’s just happy he has a new one. It would be like if you were a writer and wrote a novel, only to get to finish it and realise it wasn’t any good. And then to instantly just start writing a new one. This extreme passion for his work is such a fresh attitude and one that instantly makes Lupin likeable.

After investigating the money he ends up in the tiny country of Cagliostro and uncovers an elaborate counterfeiting scam, which has been put into place by the Count. He also reunites with a girl from his past who is now engaged to the very same Count - albeit against her will.

Miyazaki is never lazy in his animation or his storytelling.

We uncover it all with Lupin, and can’t help being excited by everything because we can see how excited he is. Every reveal and twist and turn is such a thrill to him. But we’re also not very worried, because he isn’t worried either. He has done this a hundred times so it is both exciting and carefree.

The castle is also truly a delight. There are all these secret doors and rooms that hide interesting secrets, not to mention how incredibly stunning it all looks.

It is truly a pleasure to watch a film like this: learning about an interesting mystery whilst fighting bad guys and going through trap doors without having to worry about anything going wrong. And the animation is rich and intricate. The characters are all likeable - even the evil count.

And Miyazaki seems to be having so much fun figuring out the most entertaining way to tell different parts of the story. He honestly tries to figure out how to tell each section in the most inventive and imaginative way possible.

The way he does this, mostly, is through outlandish comedy which adds to the carefree tone of Lupin III. Some great examples include: the camera snapshot of the villains as they fall through the trap door (which is reminiscent of a snapshot on a rollercoaster), or the image of Lupin trying to swim through water while being in mid air, or the different nation leaders all claiming to not have been bribed by the Count, or the wedding scene at the end of the film.

Miyazaki is never lazy in his animation or his storytelling.

The film ends with one of the greatest ending lines in history (no exaggeration) when Lady Clarisse says: “No, he didn't steal anything. He fought for me.” And the Chief Inspector replies “No, ma'am. He stole something of no small value... your heart.”

And once again Lupin leaves without using any of the things he stole. Not to mention also unveiling a huge counterfeit operation and freeing Lady Clarice.

Lupin III is a character constantly on the move. Constantly pursuing the journey and not the end.

Although the changes Miyazaki made to the character (and the other original characters) were criticised on release, this, as well as the rich detail and comedic tone, ultimately elevate the film into its own league and ensures that it is unlike anything we’ve seen before.