Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
Sell Us Your Item
For up to a $5.35 Gift Card
Trade in
More Buying Choices
Anchor*Media Add to Cart
$18.49  & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
Have one to sell? Sell yours here

Spirited Away (2002)

Hayao Miyazaki  |  PG |  DVD
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,023 customer reviews)

List Price: $29.99
Price: $17.99 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $12.00 (40%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it Tuesday, May 21? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Other Formats & Versions

Amazon Price New from Used from
DVD Widescreen Edition $17.99  
This week only, save 69% on select three-movie combo packs on Blu-ray in our Kids & Family Deal of the Week. Offer ends May 25, 2013. Learn more

Special Offers and Product Promotions


Frequently Bought Together

Spirited Away + Princess Mononoke + My Neighbor Totoro
Price for all three: $46.26

Buy the selected items together

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Product Details

  • Directors: Hayao Miyazaki
  • Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
  • Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1)
  • Subtitles: English
  • Dubbed: French, Spanish
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment Presents A Studio Ghibli Film
  • DVD Release Date: April 15, 2003
  • Run Time: 125 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,023 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005JLEU
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Learn more about "Spirited Away" on IMDb

Special Features

SPIRITED AWAY Introduction -- Academy Award(R)-Winning Director And Miyazaki Admirer John Lasseter (Special Achievement Award, 1995) Introduces The Film.

Editorial Reviews

Additional Features

The most interesting extra feature on the two-disc set is the Nippon Television Special on the making of Spirited Away, not because it's significantly different from American making-of programs, but because the camera crew was allowed to film Miyazaki at work. It's fascinating to watch the visionary director explaining how individual movements should be animated, and even performing the little dance the frog-master does to welcome the No-Face to Yubaba's bath house. (Old animators describe Walt Disney giving similar performances, but no comparable footage exists.) It's also striking to see how intimate Studio Ghibli is, unencumbered by the tiers of management that burden American studios. The scene comparisons enable the viewer to study the storyboards for the film, which Miyazaki draws himself. These simple yet wonderfully vivid images capture the essence of a mood, a movement, an expression. "Behind the Microphone" offers a fairly standard behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the excellent English version of Spirited Away. --Charles Solomon

Product Description

From one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animated cinema comes the most acclaimed film of 2002. Hayao Miyazaki's latest triumph, filled with astonishing animation and epic adventure, is a dazzling masterpiece for the ages. It's a "wonderfully welcoming work of art that's as funny and entertaining as it is brilliant, beautiful, and deep" (Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal). SPIRITED AWAY is a wondrous fantasy about a young girl, Chihiro, trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world. An unforgettable story brimming with creativity, SPIRITED AWAY will take you on a journey beyond your imagination. "To enter the world of Hayao Miyazaki is to experience a kind of lighthearted enchantment that is unique to the world of animation" (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times). It's a fantastic tale the whole family will want to experience over and over again.

Customer Reviews

Beautifully animated and wonderful story. Jen  |  202 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
391 of 425 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding breath of fresh air March 15, 2003
Format:DVD
Spirited Away is yet another masterpiece from Japan's undisputed master of animation. Although I did not enjoy it as much as Princess Mononoke, I was more entertained by this film than by any Disney movie made in the past five years. Speaking of Disney, I thought I would clear up a few misconceptions that some people have concerning this film. Firstly, for those people who complain that Miyazaki's films (as well as other anime) are for adults, and not children, I should point out that Miyazaki has explicitly stated that Spirited was made for young girls. (in other words, Chihiro's age) This doesn't mean that the film can only be enjoyed by pre-pubescant girls (I myself am a 22 year old male); it just means that you should not go into this film expecting something geared towards adults, the way Mononoke was.
Now I have noticed several people on this site comparing Spirited to Disney. Everyone seems to agree that it is nothing like Disney, because it is scary. Some parents even go so far to say that Spirited is inappropriate for children. Let me just say that you are all both right and wrong on this issue. Spirited Away is nothing like Disney as it is NOW. However, if you look at classics like Snow White, and especially Pinocchio, you'll see that these films have much more in common with Spirited Away than with, say, Hercules, or Tarzan. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who claims that Spirited is too scary for children ought to remember what Disney used to be like. In Snow White, the wicked Queen ordered the huntsman to cut out Snow White's heart. Even more telling, in Pinocchio, the main character ends up on an island for wicked children, who are mercilessly transformed into beasts and sold into slavery. Can you honestly say that this is somehow more wholesome or less nightmarish than what goes on in Spirited? Anyone who remembers these films recognizes that Spirited Away's often nightmarish sense of morality and justice (parents being turned into pigs for their greed) is not novel to the American imagination, but something old, something many of us have clearly forgotten, even though we saw these very films as children! This harkens back to a time when Americans had a much clearer sense of morality, a much greater willingness to recognize an absolute line between right and wrong. For me, this is refreshing, for you it may not be. As for your children being scared, I agree it is a possibility. I was scared when I saw Snow White and Pinocchio, yet I enjoyed those two films immensely. Moreover, they are both considered to be undisputed classics of American animation. So to all those parents who think they can comfortably dismiss Spirited Away as some alien abomination, you had better look closer to home, because it may not be quite as alien as you thought.
Was this review helpful to you?
85 of 90 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I was Blown Away February 18, 2003
Format:DVD
Chihiro, a typical slightly spoiled ten year old girl, wanders off the beaten path with her parents, and is thrust into a bewildering otherworld. Her parents have soon fallen under a malign enchantment, and suddenly it falls to her, with the aid of a mysteriously familiar boy named Haku, to rescue them. She has to decide where to place her trust, as it becomes apparent that Haku is in the service of the villainous tyrant grandmother Yabubu, who rules over this otherworld.

It is Chihiro's spirit that steers her through these uncharted waters. We watch her discover in herself and exhibit, tentatively at first but with growing confidence, all of the virtues a fairy-tale hero must learn: resourcefulness, compassion, politeness (hey, this *is* Japanese!) and courage. Because we've witnessed her ordinary beginnings, we identify with and believe in all her emerging qualities. It's all done with a deft matter-of-fact touch that never cloys and never preaches. The animation is quietly dazzling. The plot is dense and full of surprises. The symbolism is as exotic as a Shinto shrine, and as familiar as the echos set up by the best fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen or old Russia.

The cream of American animation for children in recent years - films like Aladdin or Monsters Inc - have drawn in audiences with screenplays written on a double track: a simple, comforting story for the kids, and a long series of nods and winks over the kids' heads to the adults, catering to our sense of irony and patting us on the back for catching all the topical and cinematic references. And that's been fun as far as it goes.

"Spirited Away" throws all that into the dustbin, goes back to the basics, to the conventions and surprises of timeless fairy tale, to a character-based humor that appeals to all ages, and to the sense of wonder that reawakens the child in everyone. It's an hour and a half of pure, funny poetry. It hits every mark it aims for. It's an unqualified classic. And it will become the first DVD I buy for my two year old grandson, even though it will have to be held in trust until he turns six, and can watch it without being freaked out by the spooky parts.

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
51 of 52 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Academy Award-winning for a reason! March 26, 2003
Format:DVD
At the time of this review's writing, Spirited Away just won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, beating out Lilo & Stitch, Treasure Planet, Spirit, and Ice Age. It also bears the distinction of being the first Japanese animation to win the award. I say, there was no contest.

Spirited Away is a fantastic and deep movie, with characters that feel very much alive, even though they're obviously animated drawings. Miyazaki, the director, deliberately instructed his animators to focus on the tiny human details of everyday actions, such as eating. The animators were actually in the studio's cafeteria, filming their coworkers. This attention to detail is what makes the movie come alive. Chihiro sits down and carefully inches her way down a steep stairway on the outside of a building. Chihiro's mother bites a strip of meat off a cooked bird, and pulls sideways with her jaw, not straight out. (The meat doesn't streeeeetch and pop, either.) It just seems REAL.

And then, of course, the movie really begins and things get somewhat surreal. The parade of creatures crossing the bridge is just the beginning: Robed figures wearing masks and holding fans in front of their faces, creatures that appear to be giant chickadees, weird monster-like creatures with tusks and horns and green hair. And they're being welcomed by humanish frogs. And that's just the beginning of the movie.

But, at the same time, with all these fantastic spirits and creatures, the movie maintains its human element: Chihiro. She is the only real human in most of the movie, and it is her ability to adapt, and to care, that propels the story. Chiriho grows. She learns that she has to make it on her own initiative if she wants to get what she needs.

If you're still with me, hopefully you're not of the mind that cartoons are just for kids. This movie has a PG rating for a reason. It's not for young children. There is some blood, and a few moments that would probably scare anyone under the age of 8 or so. However, this movie is for kids and adults not because of that, but because of how deep and meaningful its story is. Months after seeing it in theatres, I was still picking out pieces of theme from the film. There is a lot in here: Themes of identity and names, friendship, giving, family, greed, love, bravery, survival, maturity, and self-sacrifice.

Miyazaki also gave the story another aspect of realism: There is no clearly-defined "good" and "bad" guy. The heroine (Chihiro) is not perfect, though she tries hard to be strong. The 'villain' has a warm, caring side that she reserves for only one person. The mysterious character with unclear motives takes an unexpected turn. Miyazaki refuses to paint the story in extremes of black and white. What does this mean? He writes the story with all the detail and care it deserves, knowing you'll have to be paying attention.

All of this to say, watch this movie. I believe you'll thank me for it.

Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars miyazaki need i say more?
I love spirited away! It's a cute, magical story. I love all the characters like the soot spirits, chihiro, and of course haku. The music is beautiful too. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Rebecca Bertish
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this movie!
Spirited Away is the first Miyazaki film I ever watched and instantly fell in love with the animation. I had to buy it, but it is difficult to find it in stores. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite Movie
One of my favorite movies of all time. I love the story line, and the graphics are perfect for this type of story. Read more
Published 3 days ago by C. Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars Spirited Away
I was wonderful how a young girl was willing to do all she could to save her family and friends from destruction from the evil and save the good in a magical tale that is timely as... Read more
Published 9 days ago by oldmosiah
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie
I had this before, but someone lost my DVD, so I bought another one since I like it so much.
Published 10 days ago by Kong
5.0 out of 5 stars Spirited Away
The grandkids loved it and really enjoyed watching it, It was different than what they watch on tv everyday. They will watch it again
Published 10 days ago by Cher
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this.
Visually beautiful. Character driven. Fantastic story of the journey from fear to adventure. I've yet to tire of it after watching it over and over for many years. Read more
Published 10 days ago by GPGroover
5.0 out of 5 stars great movie and quality packaging
Loved this movie and it's a favorite of my daughter's. Great price and packaging compared to the one I got from Walmart.
Published 15 days ago by Sherilee
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, Excellent! it deserves a thousand gold stars!!!
Ordering movies online always make me nervous because i worry about whether it is truly new and whether it is bootlegged. All i know is that this movie was none of those. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Beloved Goddess
5.0 out of 5 stars Hayao Miyazaki's Masterpiece!
By far my favorite out of all of Miyazaki's awesome movies. Having viewed most of the Studio Ghibli films, this one stands out no contest as the #1 classic. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Chan Jae
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Forums

Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions

Topic From this Discussion
Will this be released in blu-ray?
I read somewhere that Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke will be the last ones released. They release some Studio Ghibli movies twice a year(I think it was Spring & Fall). So estimate is probably in late 2014.
1 day ago by Kris K |  See all 2 posts
Miyazaki's movies instantly? Be the first to reply
Miyazaki's best?
This is definitely one of my faves, but I keep coming back a lot to Omohide Poro Poro. I don't know why, but the story is so deep and the characters are excellent. The music is great (by folk band Muzsikas), and the backgrounds are stunning, so lovely!

So, my top three are:
1.- Omohide Poro... Read more
Jul 31, 2007 by Pancho Pantera |  See all 17 posts
Name Your Top Five Blu-Ray
Vexille
Appleseed Ex Machina
Origin Spirits of the Past
Shinobi (not anime but live action - highly recommended based on Basilisk)
Howls Moving Castle
Jul 7, 2009 by Lex Cardentey |  See all 2 posts
4th way Be the first to reply
4th way Be the first to reply
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 




Look for Similar Items by Category