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.

The Red Stone Amulet

Without a doubt the largest and most glaring difference between the book and the film is the Red Amulet, a mysterious and beautiful red jewel given to Mrs. Brisby by Nicodemus at the request of her late husband. This object is exclusive to the movie only, and single handedly changes the events of the entire story drastically. In the book, the ending is much more anti-climactic and scientific. In the movie however, the events of the sabotage of the house moving lead to the Brisbys' Cinderblock home crashing down into a mud pit, which it slowly begins to sink into. Although the Rats and Mrs. Brisby valiantly try to save the Children trapped within, they are too late. In desperation, Mrs. Brisby receives a message from Nicodemus through the now floating Red Amulet, and is temporarilly gifted with a mysterious power akin to telekinesis. With the force of her own will, she lifts the block out of the mud for the film's dramatic climax. The origins of the stone are an enormous mystery, and the Stone itself seems to hold great importance to those who know of it, such as Jenner.

Related Topics:
Sabotage - Cinderblock - Telekinesis - Climax

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Critics of the film who loved the book sometimes criticize this prop, calling it a cheap way for Bluth to make the ending more cinematic. Most fans of both the film and book however, have come to respect the more mystical tone set by the Amulet in the movie as making the film more visually pleasing as well as giving it a unique charisma that perhaps a straightforward copy of the book's events may not have delivered. The book and film are often seen as two different worlds because of this though.

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