THE SECRET OF NIMH Clip - "The Great Owl" (1982)

Watch the official THE SECRET OF NIMH Clip - "The Great Owl" (1982). Let us know what you think in the comments below!
THE SECRET OF NIMH is the animation movie by Don Bluth.
PLOT: To save her ill son, a field mouse must seek the aid of a colony of rats, with whom she has a deeper link than she ever suspected.
RELEASE DATE: 16 July 1982 (USA)
GENRE: Animation, Adventure, Drama
STARS: Elizabeth Hartman, Derek Jacobi, Dom DeLuise
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#TheSecretofNimh #TheGreatOwl

[@BDNeon]

The one part of the book I'm disappointed didn't make into this movie, was right before the Owl departed, he turned to Mrs Brisby, and said that he wished her well, and hoped her son's life could be saved. He then goes on to say "You see, I can understand your particular need, for I face a similar problem" Mrs Brisby says "You? But you have no Moving Day." The Owl says "I have lived in this tree, in this same hollow, for more years then anyone can remember. But now, when the wind blows hard in the winter and rocks the forest, I sit here in the dark, and from deep down in the bole, down near the roots, I hear a new sound. It is the sound of strands of wood creaking in the cold and snapping one by one. The limbs are falling; the tree is old, and it is dying. Yet I cannot bring myself, after so many years, to leave, to find a new home and move into it, perhaps to fight for it. I, too, have grown old. One of these days, one of these years, the tree will fall, and when it does, if I am still alive, I will fall with it.”

[@wasteofspace9184]

THANK YOU I FEEL SO STUPID FOR NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE BOOK BUT THANK YOU! Is the book still printed?

[@BDNeon]

@@wasteofspace9184 Not sure. My copy is as old as the movie is, lol, printed in 82.

[@wasteofspace9184]

@@BDNeon WELL I WANT TO READ IT NOW! :D

[@FrizFreddy1994]

I remember that quote. It's admirable to say the least.

[@daustin8888]

Damn. That's deep

[@Zerceses]

We appreciate the fact that the rodent version of a peasant girl walked into what is, essentially, a dragon's lair (with all the dangers that entails) to save her sick child. That's the stuff legends and fairy tales are made of.

[@randomrants148]

I have a question about how the owls know her husband? I would love to know the backstory behind him and knowledge about knowing her husband. Did her husband help the owl and the owl had truce with him? We really don't know what happen to the husband if we do I probably forgot.

[@MrChickennugget360]

@@randomrants148 one possibility is that the Owl was from NIMH

[@EgoEroTergum]

@@randomrants148 Her husband was killed by Dragon, while attempting to drug his food. I don't know about the Owl, but mystery, the unknown, and faith are a big part of the story. Whatever it was that he did, it was enough to change the Owls mind. It's poetic, and even Mrs. Brisby calls herself crazy for it, but it's poetic that she volunteers to do the exact job that killed her husband.

[@CartoonPhreak]

@@EgoEroTergum Similar to Leslie Burke who drowned in the pond of water just as she swings across the gap to Terabithia in the 2007 movie, Bridge to Terabithia, while attempting to get across

[@downhomesunset]

@@EgoEroTergum In the book the Great Pel and Nicodemus are good friends

[@aircraftcarrierwo-class]

I love the incidental storytelling suggested here. "Mrs. Brisby? _Mrs. Johnathan Brisby?"_ The implication that Johnathan did something for the Great Owl that he still remembers all these years later, to the degree the Great Owl feels a favor is owed to his family.

[@Nickel_The_Wise]

It's either by proxy of something the Rats did in favor to the Owl or his woods, or perhaps something Jonathan himself managed. The Brisby family seems to have been in the farmer's field for some time, I wonder what kind of life he had to live behind his wife's back while he could.

[@MrChickennugget360]

@@Nickel_The_Wise one possibility is that the Owl was from NIMH

[@Nickel_The_Wise]

@@MrChickennugget360 he is rather patient and helpful to a small creature he'd routinely be eating, but he DID just fill up on moth.

[@commandercritic9036]

Considering the Owl has the same eyes as Nicodemus, I think it’s safe to say that the Owl is also a victim of NIMH who Jonathan helped, though when and how remain a mystery. As to the Owl choosing to talk to Mrs Brisby rather than just eat her, given that he does display intelligence, he’s more akin to a Dragon, if we were to scale this whole thing up to human size, and he’s probably intrigued as to why his preferred prey is seeking him out… could also be he simply offers advice to all in the woods, so long as you visit him at home rather than out and about.

[@destinynoir2004]

Dom Bluth confirmed on Watchmojo that the owl and Nicodemus are one and the same character.​​⁠​⁠ it's canon.@@commandercritic9036

[@TheMoonman4]

Bluth and his crew popped off designing this owl. Whoever's idea it was to give him a badass, haunting cloak of cobwebs deserves a lifetime of kudos

[@crimsondynamo615]

Owls already are majestic with their wings, giving him a cape of cobwebs just makes him even more majestic in an almost gothic noble kind of way.

[@jamiecletheroe2593]

Yeah. The Great Owl has a great design.

[@Crocy]

They popped off? Was it smelly? 😜

[@Nickname-ef9tv]

As a child i was perplexed that he was resting so long that spiders (not exactly small by his standards) would build webs around him.

[@brianwalters7855]

I just realized that the two wisest characters in the film have glowing, yellow eyes. The Great Owl and Nicodemus. Also, the Great Owl speaks in a booming voice (he's a big freaking owl after all) while Nicodemus speaks in a calm and quiet whisper. Just a couple things I thought I'd mention.

[@sirorliktheironclad]

I like how both look evil but are good underneath. Both remind of an old king who is creepy looking but is wise and righteous.

[@Youtube_Globetrotter]

Allways loved the owls voice

[@reignman2103]

A brilliant juxtapositional observation. Well said.

[@skycalico]

The owl is voiced by John Carradine

[@Interestingenough4]

@@sirorliktheironclad The Owl comes across more as neutral, rather than straight-up good or evil. But he's closely allied with Nicodemus, and he operates on a moral code. He only kills for food while hunting at night, but outside of "hunting hours," anyone desperate for help can come to him and he'll offer advice.

[@SeenAGreatLight]

3:39 The moment that the Owl mentions the Rats of NIMH, listen closely... the otherworldly choir starts singing! There's so much care and wonderful detail in this classic!

[@MrChickennugget360]

one detail of this sequence is how the Owl changes his demeanor. He goes from annoyed and indifferent to intrigued when he finds out she is Johnathan's wife. at 3:28 When she tells him she would do anything to save Timmothy you can see that it effects the Owl and even seems to move him since he knows she is telling the truth by the fact that she came to see him at all.

[@DeputyCartman100]

This movie, The Black Cauldron... ahhh the 1980s, when animators didn't mind scaring / creeping out kids.

[@daustin8888]

Don't forget The Plague Dogs. Although, I still wonder if that movie was even made for kids.

[@joncarroll2040]

This has got nothing on Watership Down, Plague Downs, the Bunyip scene from Dot and the Kangaroo, the Harpy in the Last Unicorn and the opening of Grendel, Grendel, Grendel

[@pinseekergaming4760]

oh yes the true dark age feel movies

[@Asher_Tye]

@@joncarroll2040 oh, Last Unicorn. A movie that did it's book justice.

[@Drag0n_Bolt]

Creepy I love how these movies were

[@alexanderveal]

One detail that I like is that after Mrs. Brisby says "He was my husband" she starts shivering. That's a nice detail.

[@goliathgar4985]

She was afraid when The Great Owl was close to her eye level and everything after hearing her name

[@alexanderveal]

@@goliathgar4985 Still, I highly doubt people would have noticed the shivering. It's a great detail one wouldn't really pay attention to.

[@goliathgar4985]

@@alexanderveal given how much of a TV they have or what the screen input to see the movie be it from VHS, DVD, streaming here on KZbin or on a stream box

[@balrog13571]

Interesting story with the limp in the Great Owl's movements. John Carradine the voice was by this point old and struggling with arthritis and often drinking to deal with the pain. He showed up on set drunk and after a little chatting just did the voice usually saying that was the best he could do after one take (it sounds pretty great). When they saw how bad his hands looked he grumbled that they should see his feet. This was the inspiration for the animation of how The Great Owl moves.

[@kross2659]

Don’t owls usually walk like they’re limping?

[@MissFlow]

@@kross2659 Not really, young/fit owls hop or walk (bit like penguins, since their kneecaps are very high up). Older owls tend to move like the Great owl. But did not know about this backstory behind his animation 0_0

[@urktheturtle2988]

can we talk about the fact that The Great Owl is NOT a genetically engineered life form, and is jsut straight up mystical and powerful?

[@akumakami64]

I think the Great Owl was indirectly enhanced by eating the enhanced rodents.

[@Asher_Tye]

@@akumakami64 like Maurice and his dancing rodents.

[@redsabre69]

Many are the legends of Owls associated with great power such as Athena, who serve as her heralds the goddess of wisdom...and war.

[@EgoEroTergum]

@@akumakami64 That's a very clever extrapolation. I like that; well, narratively at least. 😁

[@RonaldRaiden]

Well i never saw the second one and if that's what it is, I'll pass. Let this movie be great for what it is. They always try to jump the shark when they get a good hit

[@daustin8888]

That Owl is an absolute badass. Terrifying and inspiring at the same time.

[@vincenthorn4767]

I know he doesn't show up again all he has is one scene and that's enough to leave a impression spectacular

[@skycalico]

The Great Owl voiced by John Carradine

[@williambenstead1925]

I cannot deny, that when that spider descends, I am absolutely terrified! I thought Mrs Brisby was going to fall victim to the spider, but she never becomes aware that it is following her, until the owl stomps on it and crushes it. I think it's safe to therefore conclude that he saved her life without anyone realizing it.

[@Interestingenough4]

Yup. He was definitely protecting her, since she was invited into his house as a guest who was looking for advice from him.

[@Kamina.D.Fierce]

Pretty stupid spider if you ask me. The Great Owl let the moocher spin webs all over his house and even on himself but then the freeloader tried to eat one of his guests. Maybe that's why the Great Owl killed it and didn't even peck at its remains.

[@frozenwarning]

Why wouldn’t anyone ever realize that he saved her life? I always knew that he saved her life. I thought it was obvious

[@MysteriousStrangerVA]

God, even as a adult, that spider still gives me the shivers. It’s a combination of the design, its slow movements as it hunts Mrs. Brisby, the music that accompanies the scene, just… everything. Such a well crafted film.

[@gaiusdevil5481]

The fun thing is, that this spider gives us terror. We know Mrs. Brisby would have no chance of surviving an attack. And yet, befor she even notices it, it gets squashed like nothing by the great owl. It truely shows that the Owl is a titan, endlessly more powerfull than the rats and mice. And it is willing to take a life quick and swiftly without a second thought. The spider makes the Owl even more terryfying.

[@MysteriousStrangerVA]

@@gaiusdevil5481 And yet, I never feared the Owl.

[@theway334]

Reminiscent of "The Hobbit" perhaps, almost, or some of the other "Lord of the Rings" films/books etc., perhaps :).

[@gaiusdevil5481]

@@MysteriousStrangerVA Because the owl, while powerfull and by no means harmless, shows no agression towards our protagonist. Its less the fear of a psychotic maniac and more like the Awe you maight feel swimming next to a great whale

[@MysteriousStrangerVA]

@@gaiusdevil5481 Exactly.

[@embercrow7781]

Equivalent of meeting a really old grouchy dragon in d&d

[@cherrems]

I did this exact thing in my game not long ago. Even used this track from the soundtrack!

[@Myself-yf5do]

Or Harry and Ron meeting Aragog, or Aang meeting Koh.

[@littleaqua32]

Draco from Dragon Heart was also grouchy 🙃

[@bluejet2235]

God the backgrounds are so enchanting And the scoring is magnificent Absolutely magnificent I love how it captures true dread and fear, a knowledgeable, powerful beast bestowing itself upon a peasant, the sheer innocence The way Brisby looks down, losing hope, the music capturing the raw emotions, that feeling when you just… have absolutely nothing else I’m loving everything here

[@RonaldRaiden]

Absolute masterpiece that new animated films just dont capture. The old school sound quality adds to how good it is

[@jamiecletheroe2593]

I agree. Most modern animated films sort of lacked the magic that the old classic animated films have.

[@user-qh8fi7th9e]

Perfection they ruined the 2nd one on this factor backgrounds were too happy and childs friendly instead of spooky and mature like this.

[@xmasbaby1983]

“The Great Owl is scary!” *kills spider* “The Great Owl is my hero”

[@RonaldRaiden]

They way they drew Mrs. Brisbee's eyes had me in love with a cartoon when i was a kid. She was a perfect mom also, and my mom was as kind. Love this movie

[@t-streetamvs10]

Goldsmith’s choral compositions are so good. His choral music for The Omen is insanely brilliant as well. In this scene one also hears how similar John and David Carradine’s voices were as older adults.

[@philliptivis3082]

Mrs. Brisby: no powers, no special skills or training. Just unconditional love and devotion for her family. She constantly walked into terrifying scenarios if there was even a hope of saving her child. Her and Samwise are probably my 2 favorite heroes.

[@Godblesstheunitedstates]

Spider: tries to eat mouse Great owl: so you have chosen death?

[@tomtrinchera8405]

The Great Owl chooses violence...

[@sirorliktheironclad]

Interesting because owls eat mice but the Great Owl helps Brisby and spares her.

[@maxwang956]

@@sirorliktheironclad It's implied he does eat *some* mice. The bones in his nest certainly aren't from spiders, and Ages says no one else has seen the owl and lived.

[@sirorliktheironclad]

@@maxwang956 Yes. He spares Brisby though.

[@Asher_Tye]

@@sirorliktheironclad I think the idea is if you come to his home looking for advice he's somehow obligated to impart wisdom. Meet him at night when he's out hunting you're obligated to provide lunch.

[@Myself-yf5do]

I used to wonder why Jeremy was afraid of the owl, but after doing some research on crows for an essay, I learned that crows' primary nocturnal predators are owls. It turns out Jeremy was afraid of the owl for the same reason Mrs. Brisby was. The more you know...

[@VileGlory]

Crows will gang up and kill an owl because of that.

[@danofsteel785]

RIP John Carradine (the Great Owl)

[@willrobinson3662]

I know. John Carradine was an amazing American actor.

[@gageperuti5519]

Same for Elizabeth Hartman (Mrs. Brisby) and Dom DeLuise (Jeremy). As well as the other actors in this movie who died.

[@renatashp]

@@willrobinson3662 there are now you will not mention the others like you faith in the other comment? how funny.🙄

[@willrobinson3662]

@@renatashp I have no idea what you’re talking about.

[@reignman2103]

The way he gets all up in her face to confirm if she's a Brisbee always cracked me up lol

[@crimsondynamo615]

Guess his powerful vision must be failing him so he needed to be close just to be extra sure.

[@josiahnunley2910]

I may not be a scared of the Owl now as I was back then, but man, he’s still pretty intimidating. And without even trying too

[@lukewarm25]

Seeking wisdom is often terrifying, the owl is a symbol of wisdom.

[@martenselabs3212]

Point.

[@jamiecletheroe2593]

I always see owls as wise creatures. Nothing can change that.

[@christopherjordan6235]

It's too bad another Owl from another one of Bluths movies is a villain

[@jaedenlyons]

The Great Owl always have me the chills when I was younger, he still sometimes does to this day. It’s just so eerie

[@OhSPY.]

It's the fear of knowing just what he was capable of; a creature feared by nearly every animal of the farm, yet still known for wisdom and insight to those brave enough to seek him out. That, and the dread a kid would have for him possibly hurting Mrs. Brisby.

[@jaedenlyons]

@@OhSPY. so true!

[@denisgauthier9191]

I used to be afraid of the Great Owl when I was a kid but not anymore

[@joebloker8585]

I’m proud of you Denis

[@denisgauthier9191]

@@joebloker8585 thanks

[@sirorliktheironclad]

I was never scared of the Great Owl. Today I think he’s awesome. Reminds me of an old king who is creepy but wise and good.

[@aaronrodriguez3251]

Is it from applying the D.E.N.N.I.S. System?

[@VidaBlue317]

@@aaronrodriguez3251 I think that solves a different problem

[@jamesmoss3424]

The great owl knows everything.

[@tomtrinchera8405]

Only Don Bluth and his team would've thought to give an elderly animated owl a limp.

[@OhSPY.]

While still giving him such a powerful and terrifying presence.

[@Igarappappa]

I think that aspect they took inspiration from his voice actor.

[@skycalico]

@@Igarappappa yes, John Carradine had arthritis in his hands and feet

[@martenselabs3212]

@@skycalico My guess is that you are being accurate or sarcastic, and either way, I salute you.

[@sonicsoulfly5750]

Spider: hmmm looks like an easy kill. OWL: not in my house!!

[@gaiusdevil5481]

He does not even give it a second look afterwards

[@vanar6011]

Its always who you know... OWL: "There is no way" MRS. BRISBY: "But this guy was my husband" OWL: "There is a way"

[@analogman6685]

True. He probably knew the Rats wouldn't go out of their way to help someone random but given what her hubby did for them theyd probably return the favor.

[@Mac14329]

She didn't tell him about her husband until he recognized her last name.

[@GameAlicornLuna]

@@Mac14329 Most likely why he suddenly had a way. Johnathan Brisby was a sort of legend

[@rickydiscord7671]

Me: I need help. my friend's dying. Popo: there's nothing we can do about it. Me: but goku said you could help. Kami: there is a way. find the dragon balls. XD

[@smithydavis1033]

Goku as in.....Son Goku?​@@rickydiscord7671

[@ellenorwiseman2745]

Every one saying they where afraid of the owl, I was ok with the owl bc he killed the thing I was afraid of the spider being a arachnophobia.

[@bms3928]

I was more afraid of the tree he lived in, inside and out. Lol

[@tomtrinchera8405]

Saw this first when I was 11 and this scene scared me more than any other. It was so damn great in a dark theatre.

[@thegametroll6264]

I think the scene with the great owl has to be my favorite in the movie ever since I was a kid.

[@WretchedPlebe]

For me, it is the greatest scene in any movie I have ever seen outside of the charge of Rohan in LOTR The Return of The King.

[@jamiecletheroe2593]

OMG, such a great scene from an absolute gem of an animated film. The atmosphere, the music, the animation, the voice acting... Mrs. Brisby is such a kind and brave mouse (RIP Elizabeth Hartman). The Great Owl may be appear creepy (the glowing eyes, man) but is actually wise and majestic. I quite like owls in real life. Of course, after watching Secret of Nimh for the first time, I said, "Yep, this is definitely one of the best animated films I ever seen."

[@matthewbryan-taff1306]

I really enjoyed this movie, but I never understood why they felt they needed to “improve” the story with magic amulets and medieval weapons. The book was so good as it was, it didn’t need modifications.

[@Scavenger82]

When Mrs Brisby asks how the Great Owl knows about Jonathan and he answers, "His name is not unknown in these woods." I wish I knew the backstory behind that statement. Anybody know if it's elaborated on in the book?

[@joshward8395]

Jonathan was the only one small enough to unlock the final gate to let all the newly intelligent creatures out of NIMH. To most of the animals on that farm he's a hero. I can't remember too much but I also think he's the one who lead them safely out to begin with. A lot of them died going down the wrong vents.

[@Scavenger82]

@@joshward8395 I'm just wondering how the Great Owl knew about Jonathan since, as Mr. Ages said, "No one has seen the Owl and lived to tell about it." Was it a word of mouth type thing passed from one animal to another? Was there maybe some connection between the Owl and Nicodemus (they both had glowing eyes)? I guess I'll just have to find a cheap paperback and read it for myself.

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

In the book, the owl has a line where he says Johnathan did him some kind of favor. He also said that the only reason he didn't mention the rats initially was because he knew they wouldn't help a mouse who wandered into their home, but on finding out who she was, he knew she might have a chance to persuade them because of how much of an important figure he was to them.

[@chilathecreativefox9098]

​@@Scavenger82 Well, he told Ms. Brisby that it wasn't important, so....🤷‍♀️

[@Scavenger82]

@@chilathecreativefox9098 I'm still curious, tho. Yes, it's not important irl, in the grand scheme of things. It's just that unanswered questions bug me. It's kind of a personal problem.

[@pinseekergaming4760]

Johnathan Brisby was a very very very famous mouse. he's basically the equivalent of the great prince in Bambi. all the animals in this franchise know him. 3:22

[@bernicetam2766]

Don’s Bluth’s animators had always made creepy crawlers look so intimidating and nasty compared to an innocent little mouse.

[@bubba485]

I remember watching this way back when I was in college, it's the only time I have. I nearly forgot how daunting the Great Owl was.

[@DoctorObviously]

What I love about this scene and The Great Owl is the fact that the movie and the environment give us the illusion that he's this threatening, scary, maybe villanous character, while in actuality he's very kind towards Mrs. Brisby and gives genuine good advice.

[@randomrants148]

Well, we can't have horrfying atmosphere in children movies anymore because killjoy parents would love to complain that it would scare their kids to death. Karens, that is the point of this movie scene it's about facing danger and fear. Children are facing their fear and danger with the main character then the reward is that we faced it with her. It's teaching the kids sometimes you have to face your fears head on and you simply running away won't slove your fear.

[@locklear308]

Can't teach kids to be strong anymore, that's not the goal sadly

[@randomrants148]

@@locklear308 I like scary things in kids movie and I bet kids like it too.

[@The-Creeper69]

The problem is those parents are very very very loud While the ones who like their children seeing stuff like this are very quiet because they don't have any complaints

[@randomrants148]

@@The-Creeper69 Well those quiet parents are the good ones.

[@rickydiscord7671]

marge from the simpsons showed a ep what happens when parents let there guard down just because it's a cartoon on screen and wont think anything would go wrong. than take that show or anything have to do with darkness and cover it up with rainbows. but it does teach parents not to go over bored over ONE show or movie and thinking everything else is the same. all you need to do is ether change the channel or set up a movie or show you want your kids to watch. it's not that hard you know? oh if your kids are fine even the fact they watching something that's not part of there age. than let it be. like me and my sister we used to watch alot of horror and dark stuff as kids and we grow up fine. is just other people around us is what truly bug us. people just need to learn not every damn child in the world are super sensitive and not every child well "monkey see monkey do". that only happens if they let it happen and point the finger on tv, shows, games or anything that's on screen and don't bother helping and teaching your kids to know better and get through life. besides bad shit happens in real life in are faces everyday. looking at a screen with the same stuff is no different I say. for example you hear your parents cursing everyday. hearing them on tv "oh that's going to far" some parents or just adults have never learned what double standards is I guess. I know there some parents are changing there ways for there children's sake. but being over bored is being over bored. how about give kids advice from what you learned as a kid and don't hold anything back. it helps kids learns they're not alone and they are not the only ones suffering. I know I'm a guy that doesn't hold anything back no matter the age. but at lest I keep it limited. like if it's just a child that's 5-7 years of age I only let out 10% of dark. so the more older they get the more I no longer hold back and it helps them learn. not everything's a rainbow and darkness well sneak on you at any moment. like losing a love one or just a grandparent. I help them get over it not let them cry for fucking months. that's a bit unhealthy if you ask me. my advice for is "try to be stronger for them. it well be harder for them to pass if you stay in the dark pit." I know most parents would never say that. so someone has to say it. it just really bugs me on how many crybaby parents are out there and it got worse because the whole covid thing. one of those "well people ever learn?" moments in life and it's VERY old.

[@wonjaeyi9013]

So disgusting when that spider showed its mouth, especially when it was squashed

[@AlexFeltcha.k.a.SonicAL]

Thank God The Great Owl killed the Spider! Because Spiders are very ugly creatures! I HATE them! So does Don Bluth himself!

[@isaywhateveriwantandyougot7421]

never seen a bug before?

[@AlexFeltcha.k.a.SonicAL]

@@isaywhateveriwantandyougot7421 Ofcourse I have. I'm not stupid

[@mkaplan1383]

Clearly, you never watch The Fly 1958.....

[@Goro_Maj1ma]

​@@AlexFeltcha.k.a.SonicALdebatable

[@DGS_1992]

Out of every animated movie I've ever watched in my life (I'm 30).. this scene of the great owl left the biggest impact on me ever.. The atmosphere, the music, the character design, everything is so haunting, yet majestic.. The glowing mystical eyes of the great owl and Nicodemus is GOAT'D in my opinion.. Don Bluth's movies have a unique charm about them that no other animated movie has been able to duplicate.

[@swedisheinherjer]

I'm old enough to say that watched this movie as a kid. Now that I'm nearly 40 years old... That spider-scene left a deep scar in my mind. I still fear spiders to this day 😂

[@douglassnyder9206]

Despite being scary, the Great Owl is wise and understanding, especially after showing sympathy before telling Mrs. Brisby to go see Nicodemus.

[@PearlTheCrystalGem]

Years later I still love this film

[@jebril]

Probably the most underrated animated film in history tbh…kinda crazy how I’m just now hearing about it despite its significance.

[@SlayersAnimefangirl]

The spider scared me more then the owl did when I was a kid

[@mkaplan1383]

Same, but that's nothing compared to The Fly 1958.

[@DrSoWhat]

one of the most amazing and underrated animation films ever made... beautiful, made with pure passion, amazing characters, out of the box, almost none of the Disney BS.... oustanding...

[@FlowingDepths]

The detail in these older cartoons is unbeatable. Still a favorite many years later. Somehow, the exgaggerated acting by the characters and the grandiose music really seal the deal.

[@matthewwheeler469]

Everything in this movie is so unnecessarily terrifying lol.

[@tassadro]

this scared me as a little kid but I loved that old owl total bad ass and he didn't need to do much :P

[@oliversfunvideos0323]

The shot of the Owl flying towards the moon is my favorite of this whole scene.

[@magnusdiridian]

That owl flew off to the lee of the arthritis doctor

[@strzygon5426]

one thing that truly impresses me about this scene, is the words of wisdom the owl gives here, his advice is rather simple, in layman terms all he's saying is this; move the brick to the safer side of the rock, such a simple task for us, yet to small creatures like these practically impossible and requiring the equivalent of a construction team, they turned such a trivial little thing, into an epic and intense journey requiring wisdom from an olden beast and genetically modified rats, a first world problem turned into a fantasy epic

[@darkpaladinlanceramessesii5719]

They don't make cartoons like this anymore. I appreciate the hand draw and painting that they put into this. So beautiful and much better than animation

[@ultimatealdo1922]

Fun fact: in a interview with Don Bluth he explains the owl is Nicodemus because of the glowing eyes and because they’re the same character even Nicodemus is a shapeshifter

[@mrfreez750]

This movie along with Rikki Tikki Tavi, Watership Down and An American Tale had my childhood in an absolute stranglehold.

[@nashawnturner3959]

The great Owl looks similar to the grand duke of owls. I can tell that their beaks look the same.

[@shanerose7204]

Not saying I’m dying for one, but if a live action Secret of NIMH was to ever be made, Donald Sutherland and Andy Serkis are the only actors I would want to play The Great Owl.

[@gabrielboorom2683]

I saw this when I was a kid on HBO. The Owl is essentially The Spectre of Death, yet even he has been made a little brighter and more considerate of life by Johnathan Brisbee. His casual indifference is momentarily pushed aside to offer sage advice, just before he goes out to end several more small lives to maintain his own. He remembers, even if he cannot change what he is...

[@eleanorhogan8643]

Disney would never do something this dark.

[@AlectheVideomaker]

Not if you don’t count the black cauldron or Tim Burton’s the nightmare before Christmas.

[@mitchelanhalt5261]

Um. You have seen the Black Cauldron right?

[@AlectheVideomaker]

@@eleanorhogan8643 yeah. Wait a second The Secret of NIMH isn’t even a Disney movie!

[@brettsoyars4341]

1:46 I always wondered whether or not the great owl was protecting Brisby from the spider that was about to get her.

[@YAHSHUA777]

The animators REALLY had a amazing time drawing, yes, credit to the voice acting and the music and sound design, all of this together just makes THIS AMAZING SCENE, this takes time And efforts to make each movement worthwhile... Amazing

[@redred8478]

Could you turn the comments back on for your Cars 2 Lightning McQueen Takes Mater to Japan video? (Just in case you don't know, in the video settings, in the audience section, click the “No, it’s not made for kids” option.)

[@VarangianGuard13]

A love of the written word, a willingness to work hard, and a hope for the future.. Father of Fathers bless the written word. The Last Unicorn, The Fantastic Mister Fox, The Secret of NIMH, Redwall.. So many stories of hope to tell.

[@scribbles1424]

Great scene. American animation like this is on par with the best coming from Japan. At one time American animation was taken seriously.

[@WretchedPlebe]

That's the truth. Now they produce garbage like Adventure Time and other nonsense.

[@stefantsarev4442]

Such haunting music, courtesy of the great late Jerry Goldsmith ❤️

[@jamiecletheroe2593]

Jerry Goldsmith's music in this film is so good. I sometimes like to listen to it on KZbin.

[@LoneWolf-oz2mq]

As a child during the 90s this movie both frightened and amazed me and to this day at 38 I still think the same way. You will never see these sort of movies being made in today's world. And while this movie is indeed excellent and can never be replaced, I often wonder what a 3D remake of this would be like? I am glad that I lived through the late 80s and 90s and saw what true classics were like and saw the age of electronics changing, no one born from 1999 and forward would never understand what we saw, heard or experienced during our time. If I could, I would do anything to go back in time and relive my childhood all over again.

[@Allronix]

Disney needs another Don Bluth to look at their half-ass material and go "I can give it a full ass on half the budget" and proceed to go and spend a decade doing just that.

[@mcstabbins4501]

God this scene and that executioner dude scene scared me the most, just the sudden hoot noise at the start and just eerily quiet it was in general

[@darkstarmoonshadow8892]

The Secret of NIMH, The Land Before Time, and An American Tail in that order are my favorite Don Bluth films

[@MasonShmason]

This owl was what spawned my lifelong love for the birds. I watched this movie in 1990 when I was four and I've been fascinated with owls ever since. Here's this elderly owl, his mate has already passed, their children have long since flown away for their own territory, and he is a natural predator to mice. Yet he takes the time to help Mrs. Brisby, due to the tremendous respect he had for her husband, and Jonathan's kindness toward all creatures, even an owl, is what empowered his wife to help their family even though he's gone.

[@paulprecour3636]

My teeth are swords, my claws are like spears, my wings like that of a hurricane! Where arrrre youuuu mouse in the dark!

[@michaelnally2841]

When I was a kid I actually thought the great owl and Nicodenous were the same character

[@AllTheCloudsArePink]

They are

[@michaelnally2841]

@@AllTheCloudsArePinkI mean they have similar features the glowing eyes, long mustache, but other than that there’s no confirmation they’re the same character

[@jazzykingjack2846]

I have a soft spot for medieval films and what I'm getting from this scene is that Mrs. Brisby is a peasant mother going to get advice from an owl (or a dragon since we're seeing a mouse version of medieval times) and visits him just before his hunting time starts.

[@longWriter]

Movies like this tell kids something---something that I think today's media doesn't do a good job of telling them: There are things in this world that are simultaneously good _and_ terrifying. Frightening and moral are _not_ mutually exclusive categories.

[@monkeycat48]

I was really pissed off when I found out that the great owl was never in the sequel and instead Jeremy pretends to be him in order to scam everyone into giving him things that’s where I really get pissed off. Thanks for the good for nothing writers they hired that didn’t even do their homework or watch the first film disgusting the great owl was my favorite Wise creature. Not gonna lie but he’s the reason I actually love owls owls are adorable especially when they look terrifying but they’re really just cute.

[@Igarappappa]

If it makes you feel better there was a sequel to the book but I can't tell you what's in it though.

[@jamiecletheroe2593]

And that's just one of the many things they did wrong in the rubbish sequel...

[@a.j.medialover]

The original to me is like The NeverEnding Story 1 of the duology while Timmy To The Rescue (😖🤬 Seriously, everyone who greenlit that trash sequel needs to be lobotomized with a scythe and a chainsaw!!) is like The NeverEnding Story 3 of the two.

[@cheesedoodledonme8876]

so this was the movie ive been trying to remember the name of

[@antoniopotter9807]

i will never forget that owl. i was scared of him but liked him at the same time when i was a kid

[@seasonembrace3624]

The soundtrack to this film is both emotional feels especially the theme song Flying Dreams and other times feels like a straight up horror score like this scene here just chills 🥶 also good lord that flippen demon spider and those glowing eyes from that wicked looking owl dude. Who also had a pretty booming/threatening voice provided by the late actor John Carradine as well.

[@jamiecletheroe2593]

I get the chills and feels every time I listen to the music.

[@seasonembrace3624]

@@jamiecletheroe2593 So much atmosphere in this film as well as the fact this film tackled more grown up themes. It really was a more mature family/kids film so its no surprise folks still praise this film to this day and the animation still looks like it has aged pretty darn well for an 80s flick.

[@jamiecletheroe2593]

@@seasonembrace3624 Yes, the animation does hold up over 40 years since it first came out in 1982. And this is an animated film that both children and grownups can watch and enjoy. In fact, in the trailer, the narrator says, "Discover the Secret of Nimh and rediscover the child in us all." This proves that animated films aren't "just for kids".

[@jaybee6505]

It hit me one day watching this. The owl didn't come from NIHM, only the rats and mice escaped. Did he become intelligent by eating the mice and rats from NIHM?

[@Igarappappa]

I wondered that myself but only two mice survived the escape attempt.

[@nicholasmorsovillo2752]

1:23 Right there to the left of Mrs. Brisby you can almost clearly see the owl it's pretty dark but you can clearly make him out.

[@RoanThorrson]

The scene with the spider - SO TERRIFYING

[@Janquin-ie6vk]

They don’t make characters like this anymore that just breathe presence.

[@renatashp]

Elizabeth Hartman, she is a great actress who deserves a lot of recognition! May she rest in peace and be remembered for generations to come.

[@arnold66]

I so loved this,when i was a kid...that spider,..man is so otherworldly too with those eyes..I miss scary charaters from nowdays cartoon movies.❤

[@Aethgeir]

My favorite scene in the whole movie! The whole design and atmosphere of the Owl's lair exemplifies the extreme danger she's in, all in the desperate hope of finding a solution.

[@michaelnally2841]

I know on the film commentary Don Bluth said the owl and Nicodemous having similar features like the beards and the glowing eyes was intentional. I don’t think necessarily to imply they’re the same character but I feel to come up with your own theory. Hence the owl says “that is not important” My theory is the owl was experimented on by Nihm as well and Johnathon rescued him to help the rats escape from Nihm. Given the great owl’s reputation seeming he’s been around a really long time (and most owls live for about 18 years meanwhile mice typically only make it to 5 years in captivity) and Nicodemous saying the serum slows the aging process.

[@jeremyelcuervo6091]

2:22 poor moth

[@TheJeffman1985]

John Carradine had the perfect voice for The Great Owl!

[@SoDidUNo]

The owl goes senile and ends up in rockadoodle

[@Thedesertguy75]

For me it's all about this hand drawn animation. Excellent 👌👌.

[@xisigma]

Watched this as a kid and never understood it, but this scene always stayed with me. The imagery, sounds, and writing evoking the dark side of god. Don Bluth, what a legend.

[@Professorrob2k24]

She showed a lot of courage.

[@BlackEpyon]

I haven't seen this movie since well over three decades ago when I was a kid!

[@austinconway3918]

"That is not important." - YOU TEASE!

[@calvinelamparo3936]

“Remember… the lee of the stone.”

[@nosorab3]

I like to think the Owl is sort of a djin to the animal community, an ancient, incredibly wise, but still predatory being who bestows his wisdom to the worthy. It's probably too often that feckless woodland creatures approach him for what are essentially whims, and he eats them as payment for wasting his time, but with Mrs. Brisby he senses nobility and selflessness and so councils her and lets her live. However, upon hearing that she's Jonathan's wife, he sees that she has opportunities other creatures do not and so sets her towards the Rats, knowing they not only could but _would_ help her. It's rare you see such understated storytelling in (ostensibly) children's media.

[@ethanporter3179]

1:39 The spider used to terrify me i mean it still does

[@juliensavoie9299]

Looks like the Grand Duke of Owls from Rock o Doodle