Giovanni’s life has been hard as of late: his father is away at sea, his mother is ill and he must work for a living. His schoolmates tease him incessantly, save for Campanella, his childhood friend. Giovanni hopes to go to the Festival of Centaurus with Campanella, but winds up spurned yet again by the other boys. He climbs the hill overlooking his village to be alone in his sadness when, from out of nowhere, a giant steam train appears! The next thing Giovanni knows, he’s riding on board, alongside none other than (a thoroughly soaked) Campanella. It turns out they are on the Galactic Railroad, and are about to depart on a trip through the stars…
Night on the Galactic Railroad is based on the famous Japanese children’s novel written by Kenji Miyazawa. This animated adaption is unique for three reasons: the unexplained choice to represent most (not all) of the cast as cats, the experimental soundtrack by Haruomi Hosono (of YMO fame), and the stark, almost arthouse-like atmosphere. The pacing is extremely deliberate, to the point it resembles Angel’s Egg more than other children’s fare like Unico. But if you have the patience for it, Night on the Galactic Railroad will draw you in with its ethereal imagery and touching themes of friendship and self-sacrifice.
Night on the Galactic Railroad is available on DVD courtesy of Discotek.
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