Hayao Miyazaki's directorial debut The Castle of Cagliostro is a gorgeous interpretation of the gentleman thief Lupin's adventures, bursting with visual creativity and imagination. Arsène Lupin III and his loyal offsider Daisuke Jigen have pulled off the casino heist of the century, only to discover that the bills are cunning counterfeits. Naturally they head to the alleged source, the Grand Duchy of Cagliostro— and there uncover a fiendish plot involving assassins and arranged marriage. Aided (and sometimes hindered) by wandering swordsman Goemon and jewel thief Fujiko Mine, hounded by longtime pursuer Inspector Koichi Zenigata, Lupin and his allies must evade the villainous Count attempting to destroy them and solve the mystery of Cagliostro's treasure.

Lupin purists may complain that this adaptation has sanded off some of creator Monkey Punch's sharper edges, but what remains in The Castle of Cagliostro is a highly accessible caper that is simply one of the greatest adventure films of all time. Working under typical pressure in an (insane) four month production schedule, Miyazaki not only directed but worked as writer, designer, and storyboardist: it may lack the deeper "message" that would come to categorise his later work but his signature is all over the intricate chase scenes through stunning landscapes, complex machines and charmingly playful character designs. A favourite of animators and (apparently) Spielberg, The Castle of Cagliostro is fast, funny and just about as much fun as you can have at the movies.