Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, a 1984 animated film considered a masterpiece of anime, comes to DVD dubbed in English next week, along with Miyzaki's Porco Rosso and fellow Studio Ghibli production The Cat Returns. Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard) performs the voice of master swordsman Lord Yupa in the new Region 1 release.

The Detroit News rated Kaze no tani no Naushika an A, praising the transfer and the Dolby 5.1 sound as well as the decision to include the Japanese language track with subtitles. "Miyazaki doesn't pull any punches in his disdain for war and people who pollute the environment," noted the reviewer, who said it's a testament to the director's talent that the strongly stated political message in no way interferes with the storytelling.

Other voice actors on the new recording include Alison Lohman in the title role of Nausicaa, Uma Thurman, Battlestar Galactica revival star Edward James Olmos and Star Wars' Mark Hamill. Extras include interviews with the voice cast and a featurette on the studio which produced the film as well as storyboards.

The Internet Movie Database has a more complete listing of actors and artists who worked on the film, to be released by Disney on Feburary 22nd.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind may be pre-ordered from Amazon.com.

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