An award-winning, beautifully-animated film from Studio Ghibli, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Howl’s Moving Castle is based on Diana Wynne Jones’ novel. I much prefer the film to the book. The basic story is there and some of the worldbuilding, but the screen adaptation is quite different, in a good way.
Sophie, a teenage girl who works in a hat shop, is cursed by a wicked witch and becomes an elderly woman. She runs away and accidentally becomes the housekeeper of a fantastical moving castle, occupied by wizard Howl, apprentice Markl (Michael) and fire demon Calcifer. The main addition to the plot is the huge war, in which Howl plays a part. He is more powerful than his book counterpart and transforms into a bird creature. The Howl in the film is likeable, while retaining a little of his melodramatic tendency. It was a sensible decision to cut out his serial dating and also the Welsh setting. My favourite character is Calcifer, who is presented in such an appealing way that anyone watching would want their own fire demon. I like Sophie too, whose appearance varies in age throughout the film. She has more of an active role than her book counterpart. The scarecrow has a lot of personality and a significant role.
I would definitely not read the book again, but I would re-watch the film. Thank you Diana Wynne Jones for the concepts and characters.
