hellraiser7 The beauty of Shakespere's stories are they are timeless, there is just more than one way to tell them and their content is as significant now as it was then. Based on a Manga mini series, this film is an underrated and forgotten anime gem that is one of my favorite anime movies. But it's also one of the saddest anime movies because it is a tragedy of manners.The animation for it's time was great, I really like how the world of Windaria is developed, it's almost a bit similar to the world in a bit of the book Keith Roberts "Pavine"where it's a mix of eras. Some things in the world seem a step into the past from the medieval period but also from some of the technology like their weaponry or vehicles making the play a step into the future. The music score is great it has an almost dream like quality which fits both the world and the emotions from the characters.The best of all is in the characters themselves and their stories. In a way we have two stories in one which were inspired by both "Romeo and Juliet" and "Macbeth". This is a double focused format which is something I really don't see much, but it makes sense because it shows there is a parallel between two couples. We really love both these couples and it's heartbreaking when they meet their inevitable doom and it was all because of stupidity of two different forms.The first couple is the obvious Romeo and Juliet. Ahna is a princess of one side and Jier is a prince of another. You really like both the characters, Ahna is a proactive person that is sweet but has sort of a feistyness and adventurous quality to her. Jier is sort of like myself the passive aggressive type he is a bit shy but not short of courage or confidence. We really like the time they spend together because it feels right which makes it all the more heartbreaking when things get worse and both families try to impose their will I'll admit moments like this made me mad at those families, both Ahna and Jier have done no wrong except love each other. Just like in Romeo and Juliet both die because of both their families stupid prejudicial attitudes killed them. Both Ahna and Jier had aspirations in life and it wasn't fair they never had the chance to have them realized, if both families just swallowed their pride and prejudice and listened to the two then their could of been a chance for peace and they would have still been alive but they didn't and in they end both families got nothing but more death, desolation and destruction which is exactly the path of stupidity.And of course we see the other story of Izu and Marlin a bit on the "Macbeth" story. Both are a married couple, I really like the chemistry it really feels like both do have history together. Marlin is sweet likes beautiful things, Izu is fun, funny, proactive, ambitious, kinda egotistical and obnotious (like Ben Tenison in the "Ben 10" franchise) but in a harmless sense at first. This guy most of the time talks about what he desires which is mainly to be a hero of some sort as well as a bit more in his everyday existence he rants about. We do see his life and what he has and does, and we can clearly see all of those things he desires he already has from stopping a dam from flooding his town to his beautiful wife; there are those people out there who feel what they have isn't enough when in reality their lives really are great, I always think "What the hell more do you really want?" It also reminds me of what Yoda on "The Empire Strikes Back" once said on the fundamental problem of dreaming, "All his life looked away to the future, to the horizon, instead of where he was, what he was doing?" At the point he sells out and sins that when I really hate the guy and that's the point, just like Macbeth he has sold out his soul, Izu's ambition becomes his own stupidity as he lets it override his conscious, by selling out to his rivals and killing innocent people all for an ambition worth nothing once Izu is betrayed by the people he helped, and Izu in the end realizes his sins but it was too late.As an old saying goes, "You don't realize what you have until it's gone." Rating: 4 stars

TireDamage-1 Echoing the comments made by others here, I would agree that the original Japanese version (rather than Harmony Gold's English dub) is by far the superior movie. The original is a tragedy in the classic sense of the word, while the English rewrite significantly softens the impact by grafting on a different ending, an ending that undoes the gravity and impact that the story had worked so hard and so skillfully to build.The original version of "Windaria" is a genuinely moving and beautiful film, and deserves a new dub that is true to its dramatic spirit and content. Even if this never happens, however, the film is worth viewing in the original Japanese; such is the skill of the animators and writers that the story doesn't really require spoken dialog. Even if you don't understand a word of Japanese, you'll still be moved.

Angel Meiru Normally, I cannot stand stuff that gets too romantic. Most of the time, it just gets too mushy and sappy. However, "Windaria: Once upon a Time" is not one of those movies.*SPOILERS*This movie is a beautiful Fantasy/Parable that warns of the ultimate futility of violence and war. It is told from the point of views of a poor farming couple, Isse and Marline, a royal couple, Jier and Ahnas and a lone woman named Druidess, the bride of the God of the Afterlife. The two couples in the film get torn in war, bloodshed and corruption. Isse gets brainwashed by the ruler of Palo, while both Jier and Ahnas are forced to fight each other, after Jier killed his dad and Ahnas' mother dies of an illness.*END OF SPOILERS*But just to let you all know, "Windaria" is a tragedy. It is not sugar-coated and no one turns into cutesy little SD figures. Out of the total of 6 times I watched it, I never left with a dry eye! I cried! It is that powerful.Watch "Windaria: Once Upon a Time" with an open mind.

darkman-27 Windaria is one of the most depressing films I have just about ever seen, but I was moved by it as well.I really, really like this film despite its small plot holes. The Art and Character designs are just wonderful. If you think that Characters Eyes are too big, then I guess you just don't get it. The soundtrack is outstanding as well.Some things about Windaria still haunt me today... you'll find yourself doing a lot of thinking after you watch this film. I first saw it back in like 1991, I paid $30 for a copy of it because I thought the box art was good, and the story sounded interesting. I scored big; I must have watched this movie about 10+ times. Fairly recently I was able to get a hold of the original Japanese version Subtitled in English. I was very interesting to finally see the movie as it originally intended. I thought it would answer all my questions. It did answer some, but also created some new ones. The difference between versions is quite interesting. For example, I can remember at least one occasion that dialogue existed in the US version, where the Japanese version was silent. Then of course there is some dialogue in the Japanese version that was changed into something completely different in the US version. I must admit, after watching both versions I think I still like the US version best, probably just because it is what I am used to, and is what I saw first.This film is a unique Romeo and Juliet style story, but it goes much deeper than that. It is also not just about one couple, but two. Who struggle because of foolish war, seduction, temptation, and decite.I personally loved this film and give it a 10, as long as you're not anti anime and have an open mind you'll enjoy it as well.