Released in the summer of 1982, the animated feature film, The Secret of NIMH was directed by Don Bluth. Based on the Newbery Award-winning book, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, the title was shortened for the movie, and Frisby—pronounced like “Frisbee”—was changed to Brisby to avoid trademark issues with Wham-O, the company that makes the all-time favorite flying plastic disk. You know the one.

How did it begin? In September 1979, Don Bluth and ten other animators left the animation department at Walt Disney Productions to set up their own independent studio, Don Bluth Productions.

As the first feature animated film to be directed by Don Bluth, production lasted from January 1980 to early June 1982.

Don Bluth Productions had specific objectives in mind –  return feature animation to its “old-school craftsmanship,” focus on a strong story and characters, return to older techniques that were increasingly neglected, and test unfamiliar and often more arduous animation techniques that captured depth, detail, and texture.

The film’s visuals were more striking than viewers had previously seen in animation. While there were glimpses of Don Bluth’s style from his previous projects such as “The Fox and the Hound,” his artistic style really began to take shape in this film.

With multiple mood-setting color palettes, the film featured transparent shadows, vivid lighting effects, and backlit animation (glow and fire effects). The colors in NIMH are shadier, harder, and more impactful. There is nothing soft about this movie. It exudes atmosphere and moodiness.

In the end, the released animated film established a new standard of animation (storytelling, visuals, and a fascination enjoyed by a wider audience).

When it was released, it was hailed by critics and did moderately well at the box office grossing just over $14 million. Later that year, the film won Best Animated Feature at the Saturn Awards.

View the Original Production Cels from The Secret of NIMH here. If you haven’t seen The Secret of NIMH, you can watch the trailer HERE.