This week MGM is releasing the 25th anniversary two-disc DVD of my favorite animated film, The Secret of NIMH. Based upon the 1971 children's book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien, this 1982 film was the first movie directed by ex-Disney animator Don Bluth (who sort of was the Walt Disney for kids growing up during the 1980's), who would go on to also direct An American Tail and All Dogs Go To Heaven.

The Secret of NIMH is the touching story of a widowed mouse who seeks out the assistance of a colony of super intelligent rats to hep her save her family. The film is darker than most animated films that came before it as well as the book it was based upon. Even after 25 years the animation remains breathtaking and holds up to the computer animation of such recent films as Shrek. The movie features the voices of John Carradine, Dom De Luis, Derek Jacobi, Peter Strauss and includes a fantastic musical score by the late, great Jerry Goldsmith.

The Secret of NIMH: Family Fun Edition features two DVDs featuring the movie, several behind the scenes featurettes and commentary by Don Bluth and producer Gary Goldman.

I loved The Secret of NIMH. We read the book in 6th grade, and then watched the movie. A couple of years ago, I saw the film for the first time in 15 years and was amazed at how well the story holds up. "Flying Dreams" by Paul Williams is such a beautiful song.

God bless Elizabeth Hartman. She was also an Ohio native, from Youngstown. She earned a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination, and rightly so for A Patch of Blue. That is an EXCELLENT picture and I urge everyone to see it. It's so sad that it's been 20 years since she took her own life, and she is still missed.

By the way, Jerry Goldsmith composed the score for both these movies, and did a terrific job!!