Tales from Earthsea

Written by Jonathan Jacobs

Tales from Earthsea is a contemporary classic that belongs in each and every one of your video libraries. Growing up I fancied two children’s/animated films above all others. I prized The Last Unicorn and The Secret of N.I.M.H. Both of these films continue to hold a place in my heart and always will. For those of you that are parents, nostalgic, or are young children, I encourage you to delight in Tales from Earthsea so that it may find a place in your mind, and in your video collection. It is an epic tale of magic, might, and philosophy.

From Director Goro Miyazaki comes the animated feature film Tales from Earthsea. This production is based on Ursula Le Guin’s fourth episode in her fantasy book series identically entitled “Tales from Earthsea” (In chronological order, A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, Tales from Earthsea, The Other Wind, and The Earthsea Quartet). As though this film were not already miraculous enough, the startling picturesque animation is hand-drawn. The backdrop for each scene could easily be welcomed into a museum of art anywhere in the world as a master work of great beauty. The new release of Tales from Earthsea on DVD includes bonus features introducing the studio, the background of the novels, and a trivia challenge.

As our legendary tale begins Arren (Matt Levin) is defying his father. Arren stabs his father, pilfers his sword (sort of like Excalibur) and escapes the kingdom to wander around the dangerous lands of Earthsea. As will happen throughout the story, the brave young man is pursued by danger, this time in the form of a ravenous wolfpack. Ready to pounce, the wolves are dissuaded and dispersed by a wizard known throughout the desolate lands as Sparrowhawk, the Archmage (Timothy Dalton). Sparrowhawk is a powerful wizard that wanders Earthsea to protect its endangered people (not unlike the characters Merlin and Gandalf from comparable epic tales). It is the Archmage that counsels and mentors the confused boy. Arren follows his new protector and discovers the world is crumbling. The essence of Earthsea is imbalanced and there is some evil creeping into the hearts and minds of its people. Slave trading is not uncommon, bazaar shopkeepers are criminalists, and people are morbid about the future. Arren is taken into slavery after protecting a young woman in distress from the maligned slave master Hare (Cheech Marin).

Eventually, Sparrowhawk leads Arren to freedom into one of the only peaceful refuges left in the world. The lovely Tenar (Mariska Hargitay) is an old friend of the Archmage’s. She provides great comfort and respite for both journeymen. Tenar makes several requests of the strapping men. First, they must help with plowing the barren crop fields. They must also look after her adopted daughter Theru. As fortune would have it, Theru is the young girl he saved from capture into slavery. For some reason she is reluctant to socialize with Arren. This brings viewers back to the original premise of darkness and light. Dragons have returned to Earthsea signifying the land’s decline into debauchery and malaise. Theru is connected to these magical creatures as evidenced by her rosy facial discoloration. Finally, Tenar requests that Sparrowhawk remain with her as a family but he explains he must wander and prevent the land from falling into despair.

Sparrowhawk’s departure welcomes the second half of Tales from Earthsea and along with it, an expatiation of what is happening to the world and its people. The Archmage ventures to Lord Cob’s (Willem Dafoe) stronghold to discuss critical matters. Lord Cob is a dastardly evil wizard who clings to life at any price. Once inside the confines of Cob’s castle, the Archmage is disempowered. Cob also is the master of Hare and is responsible for consigning the defenseless into bondage. The dark wizard believes that only Sparrowhawk’s magic can unseat him from power and defeat his quest. Cob’s only desire is to be immortal. His efforts to corrupt the cycle of life for his own benefit have caused all of Earthsea to suffer. As aforesaid crop fields are infertile, crime is rampant, and the people that remain live in terror. The Archmage is captured and the only hope for the future of Earthsea is for Arren to utilize his father’s powerful sword to unseat Lord Cob. It is Arren’s fortitude to near a divided soul teamed with Theru’s courage that will restore the balance of Earthsea.

I understand this plot summation is a lot to digest. It proved even more challenging to transcribe from my brain to MS Word. The story is more complex and rich than any one pundit’s review can elucidate. What is important is for me to emphasize how dear this film will be to your whole family. Tales from Earthsea is an exciting film that is intelligent and rich in meaning. For those of you that have trouble finding decent animated films on account of the “idiofication” of movies for the general public, trust in this gem. It sparkles, it shines, and it is worth every penny.