Greetings gentle readers and welcome to another installment of the Sunday Morning Movie. Today it’s a beautiful anime, Night on the Galactic Railroad:
and here’s next week’s offering, Haxan:
https://youtu.be/Jl6NvqUM5IM?si=HfOMexYQYnfn0Oa-
Reviews for Night on the Galactic Railroad:
My Anime List says:
This is a movie for dreamers. That’s as simple as I can state it. It evokes strong interest and emotion from the viewer. I was on the edge of my seat. It is paced much like an odyssey-traveling along an ever changing magical landscape that you feel you are becoming part of. The artwork has a simplistic beauty that is extremely pleasing to the eye. There is a feeling of drama and intensity all throughout, even in the smallest of scenes you feel as if you are on the verge of-something, something big. This movie is for the fantasy, fairytale and visual experience fans.
…
and
This is one of the most atmospheric movies I’ve seen in awhile. It’s very abstract, the animation and character design is very well done, especially for its age. This story stresses on friendship and makes you reflect on life. It impacted me very emotionally at the end, and there were many scenes I did not expect at all. The music, especially, was very well placed, and pleasing to the ear. Overall, this is the kind of movie I would love to show to all of my friends.
TheNorm says:
On the surface, Night on the Galactic Railroad sounds like your standard magical coming-of-age adventure with hints of philosophical undertones, and, for the most part, it is. However, what isn’t entirely clear until about halfway through the film (or for anyone unfamiliar with the source material, like I wasn’t) are themes of self-sacrifice, concepts of the afterlife, and the power of friendship and platonic love. The film is a slow-burning exploration of all these themes and ideas presented through child logic and symbolism: some fascinating, some religious, and all gorgeously presented.
Letterboxd says:
Taking a ride on a cosmic train, an unforgettable journey to the end of the universe and back. An incredibly special film, so quietly comforting, simple and profound.
Imagine the ethereal beauty and melancholy of the train journey in Spirited Away, stretched out for an entire film – with the legendary Haruomi Hosono providing the same integral emotional foundation that Joe Hisaishi does. Time to go hug my friends.
My take: A surreal beauty of a film. The meaning of it all is a bit fuzzy but that’s ok, I think it’s supposed to trigger reflective moods as opposed to offering concrete answers. The artwork is lush and trippy, a little weed would really go a long way here. One note: a lot of commenters on the review sites I read went on about the gay relationship between the two main characters. I think this is a mistake, the movie is (in part) about platonic love, a concept that seems to have fallen from favor in these times. I’m awarding it ⭐⭐’s, definitely worth seeing again.
Director: Gisaburo Sugii
Writers: Minoru Betsuyaku, Adapted from the novel by Kenji Miyazawa
Plot (Spoilers!):
Giovanni is one unhappy cat. He works after school to make household ends meet. His mother is sick and his father is far away for work. His classmates are cruel to him.
While resting in a field at night and contemplating the Milky Way, he is swept up into a mystical train ride. Strange characters literally materialize before him. Strange locations are his to explore. A new friend joins him on his journey.
Giovanni will learn many things on his trip. He will learn the power of the spiritual. He will learn the joys friendship. And he will learn of the fruits of making the world a better place for others.
