Starring: Yasuo Yamada, Eiko Masuyama, Kiyoshi Kobayashi

The directorial debut of Studio Ghibli founder and Academy Award winning Hayao Miyazaki, The Castle of Cagliostro is a rousing caper starring comic book super-thief Lupin III, who’s out to steal the secret behind the world’s greatest counterfeiting ring, which lies deep in bowels of an impenetrable fortress on the island nation of Cagliostro.

The job gets complicated when he finds that the nation’s crooked regent, The Count, has kidnapped the royal family’s only remaining heir with the intent to marry her and solidify his claim to power. Never one to leave a girl in harm’s way, Lupin and his crew attempt to infiltrate the castle to save the girl, as well as cop a career-defining payday. All that stands in their way are trap doors, lasers, steel-reinforced ninja kill squads, and Lupin’s long-time rival, Interpol police officer Zenigata.

Loaded with wonderfully animated car-chases and shoot-outs, plus a slick 60’s motif, The Castle of Cagliostro is one of the most fun, romantic and exciting animated adventure movies ever put to film, an undersung gem in Miyazaki’s storied career.