Question regarding Naussica of the Valley of the Wind

[Crossdive]

I finally got to see this movie tonight, and I have one question. At one point in the film, when Naussica is on her glider at one point, she says something out loud like "please God, God of the wind." Is this line directed to a false god that her people believe in or is she adressing the one true God in a rather unusual manner. I thought either was possible, seen as God technically is God of the wind, He created everything, and is God of all things. Just a creative possible thought. Thanks.

[Mangafanatic]

I finally got to see this movie tonight, and I have one question. At one point in the film, when Naussica is on her glider at one point, she says something out loud like "please God, God of the wind." Is this line directed to a false god that her people believe in or is she adressing the one true God in a rather unusual manner. I thought either was possible, seen as God technically is God of the wind, He created everything, and is God of all things. Just a creative possible thought. Thanks.

I don't remember that at all. Did you watch the sub or dub?

Either way, I'd say it's a false deity.

[MorwenLaicoriel]

I haven't had a chance to see that movie yet...(darn blockbuster is stocking it, grrrr!), but I'm a big fan of Miyazaki and, judging by his other movies, it's probably not God the father she's refering to.

[Crossdive]

yeah, I watched it subbed, I figured the theory of it being the true God is a bit of a stretch, but I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.

One other question I forgot to mention: Is Naussica supposed to actually die and be resurrected or do they just think she died and she was really just knocked out or what?

[termyt]

Both of those questions are very much up to interpretation.

As far as the “God of the Windâ€

[Mangafanatic]

In the manga is seemed obvious to me that she was just gravely injured, but, in the anime, it seemed to me that she had died.

[Jeikobu]

I saw it as that she had died and been resurrected, because that makes it all the more metaphoric of the true Messiah.
As for the God thing, as stated, I think it's up to interpretation.

And on a slightly off topic note, I just thought I'd state that this movie is purely a masterpiece, possibly Miyazaki's best film ever (if he has a best). It is incredible, even though it's 21 years old. The animation still looks remarkable. Very beautiful.And the characters are excellent, especially Nausicaa. She is already one of my favorite all time anime characters. This movie is incredible, a must see for anyone.

[termyt]

In the manga is seemed obvious to me that she was just gravely injured, but, in the anime, it seemed to me that she had died.

My thoughts are probably clouded by the manga as well. It hard for me to separate the two. I read once that Miyazaki was disappointed with how the movie turned out because the religious implications. Ironically, those implications are why many view it as his greatest work.

In some respects, Miyazaki made Princess Mononoke to "fix" the problems he had with Nausicaä. Mononoke has the same basic plot and it has very similar characters, but San's role is much smaller than Nausicaä’s. Ashitaka fills the void with a much larger role than Asbel. In this way, he reduces the affect San has on the audience, who now shares the film's leading role with Ashitaka. So, the story remains more about the struggle of man and nature and not at all about one character’s role as savior to her people.

[Arnobius]

When speculating, remember the movie was made in 1984, while the manga lasted until 1991 if I remember right. The movie ending doesn't even happen in the manga and Miyazaki asked people not to compare the two.

[Jeikobu]

I read once that Miyazaki was disappointed with how the movie turned out because the religious implications. Ironically, those implications are why many view it as his greatest work.

Where did you read that? Anyway, that's disappointing to hear he saw it that way. That was my favorite part of the movie, and the main reason is tied with Spirited Away for my favorite Miyazaki film.

[termyt]

Where did you read that? Anyway, that's disappointing to hear he saw it that way. That was my favorite part of the movie, and the main reason is tied with Spirited Away for my favorite Miyazaki film.

I don't recall, but I'll bet there's something about that in the very nice and informative Nausicaä FAQ at http://www.nausicaa.net

[Crossdive]

I may have liked Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away) slightly better, but I really did like this one.

Usually I try to find symbolisms and stuff in movies, because, to me, that makes them all the more moving and enjoyable, but I just figured that I would see if these had a literal intention or definition behind them before taking them one way or the other.
I think normally I would have been alot more moved and would have found Naussica more symbolic if I hadn't been turned off on the whole movie subject (especially religiously) by a different movie earlier in the night. Maybe I should wait to fully judge until I see it again.

[Jeikobu]

I don't recall, but I'll bet there's something about that in the very nice and informative Nausicaä FAQ at http://www.nausicaa.net

Oh yeah, you're right.
http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/nausicaa/faq.html#religeous
Disappointing if you ask me.

[Crossdive]

Yeah. It would be less depressing if he had just felt "if you find an analogy, fine, whether it is intended or not, go on." It kind of reminds of me Peter Jackson's approach on the LOTR films, as I recall hearing, he didn't want people to get Christian symbolisms out of things, despite them being in there.