The Secret of NIMH

The Secret of NIMH (alternatively spelled "The Secret of N.I.M.H.") is an 1982 animated film adaptation of the Newbery-winning book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, written by American author Robert C. O'Brien. The title of the movie was later used for newer editions of the book. It was directed by Don Bluth, produced by Aurora Pictures, and released by United Artists. It had the tagline: Right before your eyes and beyond your wildest dreams.

Characters

Mrs. Brisby

Mrs. Brisby is the heroine of the story. She is a field mouse whose husband Jonathan Brisby has recently been killed in a tragic accident. Although heartbroken, she pulls herself together in order to take care of their four children. As the film opens, one of her children, Timothy (prone to sickness due to a spider bite), is very ill and is diagnosed with pneumonia by Mr. Ages. Mrs. Brisby is perplexed, as this is an extremely bad time for Timothy to get sick. "Moving Day" has come, when the Farmer who owns the land they live on plows the field after winter. Mrs. Brisby knows the family must move to a new location or risk being crushed, but to move Timothy in his state is highly risky. At a loss for what to do, she is directed towards a mysterious animal known as the Great Owl, who in turn tells her to go to the Rats of NIMH.

Related Topics:
Heroine - Field mouse - Husband - Killed - Pneumonia - Plow - Winter - Rats - NIMH

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Mrs. Brisby does not yet know that, through her husband, she has more to do with the Rats than she realizes. She embarks on a desperate journey to not only save Timothy and her other children, but of self-discovery for both herself and her recently deceased husband.

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Mrs. Brisby is a beloved character by many, and is signified by her trademark red cloak. Although similar to the book counterpart, Mrs. Frisby, Brisby is described as being considerably more fleshed out emotionally in the film. She shows signs of being somewhat manic, but is nonetheless very courageous inside.

Related Topics:
Trademark - Manic

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Martin Brisby

Martin is Mrs. Brisby's eldest son, and the second of four children. Martin has a rebellious personality, and is somewhat disruptive and saucy, although ultimately well-meaning and caring. He is the largest and apparently strongest of the four children. He is slightly overweight at this age, having a husky body. He wears a snug fitting blue t-shirt.

Related Topics:
Saucy - Overweight - T-shirt

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Out of the four children, Martin's character differs the most between the book and movie version. In the book Martin is well-mannered although slightly impetuous, whereas Martin in the movie is loud mouthed and a bit of a troublemaker. Don Bluth has supposedly stated once that the mysterious young mouse in the final "frame" of the ending credits sequence is in fact, supposed to be a slightly older Martin. This mouse's identity has been a cult mystery for ages.

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Martin is probably the second most creatively explored member of Mrs. Brisby's children, as far as fandom goes. He is second only to Timothy in this regard.

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Teresa Brisby

Teresa is Mrs. Brisby's eldest daughter, and the first born of four children. Teresa in contrast to Martin, is quiet, well-mannered, and highly responsible. Teresa resembles her mother the most in looks, and to an extent in mannerism as well. She also seems to have insolent side, however she keeps it in check and is much more subtle about it than her reckless younger brother Martin.

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Teresa is identified by her simple dress, and a large pink bow tied into her head fur. She runs the house while Mrs. Brisby is away, despite protests from Martin, technically the "man of the house", at least in his mind. Overall, Teresa gives off the aura of a very responsible young adult.

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Timothy Brisby

Timothy is the catalyst to the entire story. He is the youngest son, and third born of four. In the story, Timothy contracts pneumonia and is confined to bed. He is very small and thin, a consequence of a spider bite early in his life. This may have stunted his physical growth and health.

Related Topics:
Catalyst - Pneumonia - Spider - Stunted

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Timothy is an active character for a very brief scene in the film near the end, spending most of his time in bed. In the book however, Timothy has more speech lines. In the book, Timothy is described as being the most potentially intelligent of all of his siblings. The relative lack of character development around Timothy is often considered one of the film's weaker points. Like all of his siblings, his future is an often enthusiastically discussed and interpreted subject among the movie and book's fans. He is probably the most popular of the children in fan fiction. He has played a major role in all of the story's sequels, both book and film.

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Cynthia Brisby

Cynthia is the youngest child and daughter of Mrs. Brisby. Cynthia is the most unique looking of her four siblings by far; she has cream yellow fur, and wears an emerald green bow around her body. She also differs from her siblings in character, even at a young age.

Related Topics:
Cream - Yellow

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In the book itself, Cynthia is described as an easily distracted cadet.

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Jeremy

Jeremy is a well-meaning but klutzy and somewhat awkward crow who helps Mrs. Brisby in her journeys. He fancies himself a lady killer, and believes his charm to be irresistible. In actuality, Jeremy is in desperate need of eloquence and seems eternally doomed to be something of an oddball. Despite this however, he is very kind and equally very willing to help Mrs. Brisby. There are times where Jeremy is a burden for Mrs. Brisby as much as he is a useful ally. Mrs. Brisby often finds herself humorously trying to distract Jeremy with something else so she can continue her endeavors. In the book, Jeremy is much more straight-forward and calm.

Related Topics:
Crow - Lady killer - Eloquence - Oddball

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Mr. Ages

Mr. Ages is an old, cranky mouse tinker who lives in an abandoned threshing machine on the same field that Mrs. Brisby and her children live in. He is a hermit who hates to be disturbed, and is often very rude those who do, whatever the reason. Although he seems to be antisocial, he genuinely cares about the well being of others, especially that of Mrs. Brisby's family.

Related Topics:
Tinker - Hermit - Antisocial

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He's not only a tinker of machinery, but also botanist, herbalist, and alchemist, acting as a doctor to many of the animals in the field by curing ailments with very advanced medical treatment. It is later revealed that Mr. Ages is in fact, an escapee from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) along with the rats and Jonathan Brisby. Mr. Ages and Jonathan were a part of the Mouse subjects of the same intelligence increasing experiments the Rats of NIMH were subjected too. They attempted escape with the rats as well, however in the air shafts the mice were blown away down a shaft which suddenly began to suck in the air. Only Jonathan and Mr. Ages were able to escape. This explains his superior knowledge of medicine. Mr. Ages may not live with the Rats, but he knows of them and seems to regularly visit them. He often drugs the farmer's cat Dragon's food bowl so it will remain sleepy throughout the day, making travel safer.

Related Topics:
Botanist - Herbalist - Alchemist - Air shafts - Drugs

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He is crushed by Nicodemus's death, hinting he may have had a good friendship with Nicodemus like Jonathan. It is unknown if Mr. Ages went with the Rats on their exodus to Thorn Valley. In the book, Mr. Ages is considerably better-mannered, but basically fulfills the same role.

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Justin

Justin is one of the Rats of NIMH, a secret sect of Rats who escaped from a N.I.M.H research center after having been rendered far more intelligent by experiments. Justin himself is Captain of the Guard to the Rats' sentry force. He is very natural and suave, making him a charismatic person. He is close to the Rats' leader, Nicodemus, and has had relations with Mrs. Brisby's late husband, and thus has sympathy for her and tries to help her throughout the movie.

Related Topics:
Sect - N.I.M.H - Captain of the Guard

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Justin's persona also differs greatly between the book and the movie. While his personality is similar in both works, in the book Justin is hinted at having sacrificed himself in order to save the Rats from NIMH in the end, by acting as a distraction. In the film, he not only clearly survives, but also has a highly memorable sword duel with a crazed Jenner; the duel is absent from the book. After the clash, Justin goes on to take charge of the Rats of NIMH and leads an exodus to the wilderness of Thorn Valley in order to save them as well as start anew.

Related Topics:
Sacrificed - Sword

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Nicodemus

Nicodemus is the leader of the Rats of NIMH. In the movie, Nicodemus is an old wizard and seer, and is considerably older than any of the other rats. In the book however, Nicodemus is a middle-aged, but very strong-bodied bandit-like character sporting an eye patch. Both characters serve a similar purpose however, of being a fountain of wisdom for Mrs. Brisby. Nicodemus reveals to Mrs. Brisby the history of the Rats of NIMH, as well as that of her husband. As it turns out, Jonathan was also an escapee along with Mr. Ages, and is also highly intelligent. This trait he has passed on to all his children. Apparently there were many more Mice, however, many were lost down a ventilation shaft which sucked them in during the daring escape from NIMH. Jonathan was small enough to unlock a hatch blocking their exit, and the Rats feel they are indebted to him and his family.

Related Topics:
Bandit - Eye patch - Escapee - Ventilation shaft

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Nicodemus oversees the moving of Mrs. Brisby's home as a loophole to her problem, by moving the family without moving Timothy. This is done with advanced equipment, further showcasing the Rats' talents. Another split from the book to the movie is that in the book this operation is successful. In the film however, it is sabotaged by a power hungry Jenner and Nicodemus is killed. Nicodemus also gives Mrs. Brisby a mysterious amulet, which glows red. It is supposedly a gift from Jonathan, and is one of the movie's most ambiguous details.

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Nicodemus dreamed of taking the Rats on a massive exodus to a wilderness known as Thorn Valley, in order to allow the Rats to be self-sustaining. The Rats up to that point, had stolen all their parts and essentials, including electricity, from humans. Nicodemus felt that the Rats were now far more than scavengers, but intelligent beings able to live on their own, rather than leech off of humanity. Jenner disagrees with this, as do many other rats comfortable with their current situation. However, after Nicodemus' death, Justin takes over as leader and leads the exodus to Thorn Valley before NIMH can kill the Rats.

Related Topics:
Exodus - Wilderness

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Jenner

Jenner is the main antagonist to the story, although he comes in halfway into the story. He is probably the most different character from book to film, as his character in the book barely appears at all. In fact, in the book, Jenner is not a villain. Here, he disagreed with Nicodemus' decision to move to the countryside, and believed staying in the city with its more bountiful supplies was the best way to survive. This dillema split the Rats, but most sided with Nicodemus. It is alluded to that Jenner and his separatists may have been caught by NIMH and exterminated, although the semi-official sequel to the book proves otherwise.

Related Topics:
Antagonist - Villain - Separatists

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Jenner's disagreement is carried over in the film adaptaion, but his character is strongly modified. Instead of never having left the city with the other escapee Rats at all like in the book, Jenner accompanies them to their Rosebush lair and becomes a prominent member of its community. Jenner is in harsh disagreement with Nicodemus's plan for moving away from the Rosebush and into the unknown reaches of a place called Thorn Valley. The Rats in Rosebush, have electricity they steal from the farmer in order to give them power. Nicodemus believes the Rats, if they are to continue as a new race, must begin to run off of their own power and wishes to leave to a more remote location. Jenner believes this to be nonsense, and plots with his friend Sullivan to kill Nicodemus. Whilst Sullivan cannot go through with the murder, Jenner slices the ropes that send the equipment used to move Mrs. Brisby's house away from danger crashing down upon the rat leader, killing him.

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Jenner in the end, is revealed for what he has done, but at catching a glimpse of Mrs. Brisby's amulet, he becomes enraged as he seems to hold it of high value. He tries to attack her, and is in turn attacked by Justin challenges him in a duel. When Sullivan attempts to help Justin, Jenner cuts him down. In the fight, Jenner reveals to Justin that Nicodemus' death was no accident. After a long duel, Justin stabs Jenner but does not kill him. As Justin turns his back on Jenner, he climbs up a rock and takes his sword with him. As Jenner prepares to kill Justin, Sullivan, who is barely alive draws a dagger and throws it towards Jenner; the dagger plants itself into Jenner's back, as the villain snarls. Jenner then falls from the high rock to his death.

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Auntie Shrew

Auntie Shrew is one of Mrs. Brisby's neighboring animals, and often finds herself taking care of her four children while Mrs. Brisby is busy elsewhere. She has a strict way of things. She means well however, and actually saves Mrs. Brisby from being run over by the plow in the film and book. She finds Mrs. Brisby's family to be very odd, but nonetheless feels compelled to help them. She does however, seem to have a difficult time with the children, most especially Martin whom seems to have something of a small rivalry with Auntie Shrew. She fears and hates Rats.

Related Topics:
Strict - Rivalry

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Sullivan

Sullivan is an obese rat, and a friend of Jenner's. He is a member of the main council of the Rats, and rather elitist. He ultimately proves to be good-hearted, however. He is depicted as weak willed as Jenner is able to manipulated him into helping him kill Nicodemus. Sullivan, although he accepts, is unable to carry out the assassination. Jenner sabotages the moving operation by himself and kills Nicodemus. Sullivan feels guilty about this, and helps Justin fight Jenner at the cost of his own life. Sullivan however, has the last laugh as it is his thrown knife that ends Jenner before he can attack Justin from behind during the final confrontation.

Related Topics:
Council - Elitist - Knife

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His role in the book is relatively minor in comparison.

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Brutus

A massive and very intimidating rat who guards the entrance to thethe Rats' hidden Rosebush colony. He guards it with absolute vigilance, and rarely shows mercy to intruders. In the film, very little about his personality is revealed. His main role is in an intense chase where he attempts to scare Mrs. Brisby away despite her cries for help. This goes to further show the intimidation factor of this gigantic, silent figure with glowing eyes and what appears to be an electrified spear. In the movie it is hinted by Mr. Ages that Brutus, despite his frightening appearance, is something of a pushover, although we never see how Mr. Ages deals with him when escorting Mrs. Brisby back to the colony.

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In the book, Brutus is given a little more exposure with spoken lines. Despite this, there isn't much more to the character than what is already hinted at in the film. He is a very kind and fair, but somewhat straightforward rat who does not always think about his actions.

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Jonathan Brisby

Although he never technically appears in the movie other than a brief scene showing a flashback, Jonathan is nonetheless a powerful presence in the story. The father of Teresa, Martin, Timothy, and Cynthia and husband to Mrs. Brisby, Jonathan had led a double life. An escapee of NIMH along with the Rats and Mr. Ages, Jonathan is gifted with heightened intelligence thanks to experiments done to him. Jonathan dies prior to the story's beginning, presumably having been eaten by Dragon. Jonathan usually drugged the farmers' cat Dragon to make it sleepy in order for the Rats and other smaller creatures to travel more safely. His small size compared to a rat allowed him to come into the farmhouse kitchen in order to do this. However, one time he never came back. How Jonathan is caught is a popular subject of debate amongst the story's fans. Regardless, Jonathan's loss is a huge hit for everyone, but it also makes way for Mrs. Brisby to discover a startling truth about her husband.

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Jonathan had never told his family about his past or the Rats of NIMH (he presumably met Mrs. Brisby after his escape). His reason for doing this is because the effects of the experiments at NIMH had not only increased intelligence, but also drastically increased life span. Jonathan, and the four children for that matter, will age far slower than Mrs. Brisby while she will live the lifespan of a regular field mouse. Jonathan felt so guilty about this that he constantly struggled with telling them about his true origins. In the book he was soon going to tell them, but died before this. Mrs. Brisby went on to discover all this on her own during the story's events.

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Jonathan is possibly the most ambiguous character in the story, due to his "ethereal" and looming presence. His relationship with his children and the rats of NIMH is largely speculative, but his longer appearance in the book shows that he was an honorable mouse. A detail exclusive to the movie is the Red Amulet. Apparently Jonathan wanted Mrs. Brisby to have it, showing it was his. The mysterious nature of the Amulet has led much speculation as to how Jonathan had attained it. This is a popular subject of speculation and is often ripe ground for fan fiction.

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