Director Mamoru Oshii's 1985 film Angel's Egg was a fine example of the themes that would define his movies to come. Like his later films, Ghost in the Shell, Beautiful Dreamer, Patlabor and Avalon, Angel's Egg is a lush visual landscape filled with beautiful, mystifying (and often stupefying) imagery. The story involves a young girl who is highly possessive of an oversized egg from which, she believes, will hatch a beautiful bird. She wanders a dark and empty world clinging to the egg waiting endlessly for the moment to arrive. You are given the feeling that this world has existed for hundreds or thousands of years, maybe forever. The girl has also existed forever, waiting and dreaming. Into this dark world, wanders a soldier(?). From the very beginning his intentions seem ominous but never definite. The girl is initially afraid of the man but eventually they join forces and wander the bizarre landscape together, pontificating about the world around them until his purpose is made clear. Almost all of Oshii's films rely on an immense amount of Christian mythology. Angel's Egg is the most obvious. Filled with an oppressively moody and pensive atmosphere, it is all visual and very little story. The entire script only totals about a paragraph, the rest of the film is all atmosphere and tension building. This, however, is it's greatest strength. All the themes of Noah's flood, birth, death and rebirth are obvious even if we don't have characters to explain them. You are drawn into the world of the naive young girl by her innocence. You want to see the egg hatch and find out what's inside. You want to know the thoughts of the soldier and his true intentions. Some questions are answered, most are not. Oshii was wise to end the film early. (It clocks in at only a little over an hour.) Weather this was for financial reasons or for reasons of plot, it keeps you from becoming bored with the story no matter how thin it may be. The film is certainly not going to appeal to everyone. Most viewers will certainly be befuddled by the lack of a definite linear plot, but if you thrive on the philosophical or purely visual experience this film is a must.
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THE ANGEL'S EGG (1985) is a lovely collaboration by Japanese cinema and anime pioneer Mamoru Oshii (later to direct PATLABOR and GHOST IN THE SHELL) and truly gifted illustrator Yoshitaka Amano (VAMPIRE HUNTER D and FINAL FANTASY). Oshii's work is reminiscent of David Lynch's in many ways, it's always slow, offbeat and either works (most of his anime films) or doesn't (his cold and artificial live action film AVALON). THE ANGEL'S EGG is paced very akin to a David Lynch film. Like ERASERHEAD, it feels like about 10 minutes of plot stretched out to over an hour and while it does share that film's sense of the bizarre, it's effect is less Lynch's dread and more akin to the cold but beautiful tranquility of Kubrick's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY.
THE ANGEL'S EGG is amazing barrage of gorgeous visuals that slowly creep up on the screen for one to admire. It's images of egg-carrying little girls walking across a destitute landscape, strange, orb-shaped machines, ancient skeletons and villagers spearing illusionary fish which they will never catch (perhaps a metaphor for religious fanaticism) are truly lovely. The animation is beautiful and it translates Amano's visions, of a world not of the past, present or future that looks equal parts medieval and post apocalyptic, the best of any animation rooted in his worlds. One can choose to see the film for its metaphors, but one is more recommended to simply sit back and enjoy the lovely, painterly images that flash before your eyes.
If you are expecting something furiously paced and full of action and violence like many other anime films, you will be let down and the film is not recommended. It's the closest Japanese animated film to being a true art-house film and is recommended to be approached with that mentality. Simply sit back for an hour or so and let this film take you to its vivid world. Highly recommended for lovers of artistic and intelligent animation. -
mahmus10 March 2019Tenshi no tamago made me feel things, and that's all I care. I could go on theorizing about the meaning of the movie, what the fish symbolize and the film's religious imagery; but instead, I'm going to focus on how this movie made me feel. It made me feel lonely. It made me feel scared. It made me feel like a little girl running thorugh a desolate world, carrying a giant egg. The animations is stunning. The desolate landscapes are beautifully drawn and the characters (particuraly the little girl) are goergously animated. I may not have understood everything that was presented to me, but I did feel it.
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kotatsu-neko20 August 2005Tenshi no Tamago - Angel's Egg - is a very rare type of movie. It is a movie that does not spell the plot out in big bold type. Instead the meaning of the story is told in symbolic imagery and left to the viewer to interpret and understand. Some believe it tells of the director's own loss of faith in religion, and society's blind devotion to belief in mythical and imaginary things.
The film's visuals are utterly beautiful, with designs from Yoshitaka Amano, and with Mamoru Oshii's breath-taking direction in full force. The soundtrack too is sublime, composed by Yoshihiro Kanno and one of only a few he ever composed for movies.
Films as meaningful, thoughtful, and beautiful as this should never be missed. If you value the art form of cinema, then watch Angel's Egg and be amazed. If you prefer wall to wall explosions then look elsewhere. -
tilppa5 May 2002This masterpiece by Mamoru Oshii (Character designs by the great Yoshitaka Amano) is really one of a kind, thought provoking, artistic almost in a style of Dali and other great artists. The dark atmosphere and the inexplicable happenings bring Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey to my mind. There isn't much dialogue in the film, which is in my opinion a great decision. If you're into anime, especially the Mamoru Oshii stylish "slow and atmospheric" anime, this is a must see. I might even say this is one of the great classics in the history of anime although this title might be quite unknown to all. Really recommended!
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justbob19825 April 2014Version I saw: HD, subtitled Actors: 6/10 Plot/script: 5/10 Photography/visual style: 8/10 Music/score: 6/10 Overall: 6/10 This is an early work from director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), and it features the collaboration of Yoshitaka Amano. I think this is an important fact, as it really bears the marks of a story written by a graphic artist. The emphasis is all on maintaining the melancholic atmosphere, with little attention given to tying the plot together into something that makes sense.
With only two characters, and dialogue so sparse that you have to wait 24 minutes for the first true conversation, Angel's Egg is so enigmatic that it is practically impenetrable. Hints of themes and intellectual ideas crop up, but none are explored in any satisfying way.
However, the visuals really are breathtaking and stylish enough to make up for all that. As long as you go in expecting a feast for the eyes and a snack for the mind, you will not come away disappointed.
For my full review, see my independent film blog on Blogspot, Cinema Inferno: http://cinemainferno-blog.blogspot.co.uk -
blackmamba9997122 August 2016Using dark sequences along with mind bending puzzles or clues to this film, Oshii himself said he didn't know what this film was about while he directed it. A quaint but subtle story about a nameless girl protecting an egg she keeps hidden under her dress while at the same time is introduced accidentally to a military looking man who is also nameless that wields a cross shaped weapon. Normally one would just escape such an intimidating individual except the girl reluctantly begins to trust him slowly, and shows him some of the oldest, and strangest art she had come across while staying in such a desolate, and Gothic looking city gathering water.
For 1985 this movie was well done since it was hand drawn. NO CGI interfered, or was used for any frame. Artistically it's a marvel, but the story was quite deep with its existential plot. One could interpret the girl as being a caretaker of a sort while scavenging for food and water while the solider was someone destined to take her place after his death, which seemed to fit his character. Both of them were killed at one point in their lives but at different times. After he arrived by way of armoured tanks you never see them again.
The egg itself is a symbol of life. Maybe... she did take care of it since her arrival of who knows when, but as soon as the soldier broke it open the little girl decides to exact vengeance for his actions. Instead falls into a dark watery pit to her sudden death where her last breath of bubbles floats up to the surface in the form of eggs. After that on a lonely beach of despair you can see the solider looking over the horizon on a dark ocean where a great orb rises up. From the silent stands of idols however is the little girl sitting on her own throne holding the egg in diligent manner.
All he can do is watch the orb ascend to the heavens helpless, and alone. For his actions of breaking the egg says he must now take her place in order for retribution to his violent nature to be appeased. This film was quite satisfying as far as the story went. Many people could interpret who they were or why they were nameless. Souls that would be wiped out in an instant might travel to far distances in the afterlife. Maybe that's what the film was trying to say. The destination is the key. For the solider his travels were just beginning. For the girl, hers had ended. Horrible as it was she still fulfilled her duties, and got her just reward to heaven by way of a holy transport. The movie is very cerebral, often taking weird turns but leaves a nice taste behind for another part to be revealed. I highly recommend this film for two things... One it is hand drawn only. No CGI was used in any part of it. Second, the artistic display shown was fantastic.
Dark, dismal, but very poetic in some ways. It's not often such an animated film like this comes along but when it does it is so refreshing to watch. For action lovers this is not a film for you. You will get bored, and decide to shut it off or change the channel. For the more intellectual people I say take the time to study this film. The art, plot, and theme will surprise you. -
gbill-7487713 September 2021"Maybe you, I, and the fish only exist in the memory of a person who is long gone. Maybe no one really exists and it's only raining outside."
Beautiful, evocative visuals, but a slow, rather opaque story, one that's awash in Christian and apocalyptic symbolism. You can decide for yourself what it all means, or that it means nothing, and it's only raining outside.
My take: In this world of shadows, fossils, and death, the only hope for new life lies in the egg the girl carries around, similar to Noah's ark after the flood. In this telling of the tale, though, the Christ or God-like figure tells her that the doves don't return to the ark, and later crushes the egg. It seems rather dark and pessimistic - and yet, life seems to have a way of bubbling to the surface on its own, and when viewed from a distance, the world and all its troubles seem rather small. -
zenamako26 November 1999This film is not live-action, nor is it a short. What it is is the quintessential Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell) film, a haunting, ethereal drama more concerned with imagery and mood than with plot or characterization. A young girl (lavishly designed by animator-turned-fine artist Yoshitaka Amano) wanders the desolate streets of a dark, nightmarish world; her fragile faith rests in the form of a gigantic egg, which she hopes to protect. Eventually, she meets an enigmatic stranger bearing a crucifix and a decidedly pragmatic worldview ("You have to break an egg if you are to know what's inside," he tells her). This is Oshii at his most obtuse, and even he claims to not know the true meaning of this film. The film is a pure work of art, however, free from all commercial baggage. For this reason, it should be viewed by everyone with a genuine interest in the art of animation. Note: Beware the Roger Corman film "In the Aftermath," which takes some footage from this film and places it in a different context.
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baumhenrik1 March 2019This movie got something to it that caught me in the very first seconds and didn't let me go until way after the credits rolled. The imagery on its own is stunning with its combination of a raw dark environment and the innocent brightness of the main character. These images combined with atmospheric almost psychedelic background Music made this movie an experience you won't find again. Even though the story is very vague it had an deep impact on me. Also it's very interesting how different people have a completely different opinion on what the whole movie is about. It gives the viewer room to fill with his own feelings and interpretations. Over all its a very well crafted movie with beautiful pictures (especially for the time the movie was made) atmospheric music and a feeling you won't forget after watching it.
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oOgiandujaOo_and_Eddy_Merckx9 November 2015Angel's Egg has haunted me for many days since I saw it, it is a film to adore. It seems to have much to do with the internal struggle of the director, who loves life, with the teachings of Christianity. But beyond that it is just staggeringly beautiful. When you watch an animation movie, you know that a huge effort has gone into each frame. In a live action feature a camera can simply be pointed at a dark pool for a few seconds and you have a take, in Angel's Egg it's much more deliberate, the animator at one point shows several different ways of illustrating the surface movements of the water and its reflections, and when they're doing that they are truly contemplating darkness. It is not throwaway. Every part of an animation oozes intention, and it's clear here, it is a film where the substrate is blatantly tattooed rather than absorbent.
Angel's Egg tells the story of a small white haired girl who looks to protect a large egg, and a mysterious taller male youth also with white hair who follows her around a bizarre landscape. Delirious bafflement is a perfectly reasonable response to a plot lite movie, but I think the movie is trying to say something. Christianity's treatment of the afterlife is quite opaque, if you are good you go and sit with God. But what does this make you, a voyeur, a vestige, a carapace? Does anything enjoyable happen in Heaven, is their rebirth? As a neutral rational observer the Christian Heaven seems a weak idea excused by the message that it is too great for a mortal to understand. Other religions can seem to have much more desirable afterlives, or suggest more of a cycle of life (note that this is not necessarily incompatible with Christianity's core teachings). Oshii's feelings about heaven seem to be reflected by the gigantic spaceship in the form of an eye festooned with grey statues, an inactive God and his array of crud angels.
There is a hunting of fish-like shadows with harpoons, and this seems to me to be to do with the Biblical story of Leviathan, who can't be caught or stopped by humans, a figure of evil or a representation of Satan. It's a representation of injustice, the imposition of a malevolence against which we are impotent.
In a very simple graphic way the young girl is old beyond her years, she has white hair already, and the hiding of the egg underneath her robe mimics pregnancy; she is a very poignant figure. I wondered if there was a comment on gender, women's role is to create, men's to destroy. Like any comment on this film it is hard to know whether your interpretation has anything to do with Oshii's intent. -
dbborroughs19 March 2004This is a snail paced film effectively set in the mind of the artist Yoshitaka Amano who did the design work for the film. Its the cinematic version of one of his paintings. Which is a good thing since the story of a wanderer in a land and time far from here, who meets a young girl with some kind of egg, is as slow and monotonous as my description of it. Not a lot happens, but I'll be damned if it doesn't look nicely dark and brooding.
Should you see the film? That would depend on how much you like your form over substance since, as I've said, the visuals are everything in this story. One word of advice you may want to turn the sound off and put your own music to it since it may play better. -
Now some movies or any other media, don't need a plot but this one I have to say, needed a plot because it was rather confusing and boring with less speaking in it. All we know it's about a young girl bringing an egg and meeting a guy but whats more to it? The drawing of the anime was ok but I wouldn't consider calling this a masterpiece or amazing, I just didn't find it eye-catching and it even made me yawn by just skipping to the end. I didn't find the end satisfying enough either. I'm pretty disappointed that I didn't enjoy this 1 hour movie enough as much as I would've liked!
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myfriendtim30 October 2005This movie requires more work than most people are willing to put in, and ultimately is a useful tool to gauge one's own film expectations.
Where some complain of pace, I was content to listen to the glorious music (as even the characters on screen did) and allow it to tell me the story.
Only after I was forced to view a still image for an interminable amount of time, and feel the anger rise up in me as I imagined the creators of the film laughing at me, did I notice that it created the necessary tension for what was the climax of the film.
I enjoyed having to pay attention to the details of the film, such as how loud the running water was, and what happened when that volume changed; such as whose perspective was I looking from at a particular moment and why; such as why the image persisted but the sound did not, or vice versa; such as why the floor in the beginning looks like a chess board, and who seemed to win at the end.
The less you enjoy thinking about these things, the less you will enjoy this film about shattered innocence, life, death, birth, dreams, causality, and memory. -
duprecharley19 July 2005This is an original work of Mamoru Oshii and Yoshitaka Amano who are two very known people.
There is nearly no story in this anime, a little girl is guarding a mysterious egg and meet a man who seems to be interested about this egg. Not much script in this film, 5mn of talking for a 75 min movie.
So, why this film is so excellent ? First of all, the drawings are exceptional as they are made by Amano, we are moved by the colors and the atmosphere of this dark world even if we know nearly nothing about it. Some would not like this film as there is "no message" within it. Sometimes, you need to think by yourself, as no message is given, it is your duty to create one, to seek what this film means to you.
One more time this is clearly a visual work which drives us to unknown arts territories, I personally see a link with David Lynch's films. -
SameirAli28 October 2021Angel's Egg is a visual poetry. More like a nightmare in a very dark world. Visually elegant and it takes you to another world, a dream world. A must watch if you are hungry for a different kind of cinematic experience.
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mohamadacma19 July 2020A girl is seen hiding an egg under her gown and striding through a deserted place where soldiers appear out of nowhere with spikes in hands trying to hunt shadows of large whales gliding smoothly through the city. The girl meets a mysterious man who queries her on what's inside the egg. She accompanies her to some place that seems to be a monastry of sorts,amd there she tells her stories of days past about an ark left behing and a birds gone with the ark?! He then sneaks up on her in her sleep, steals the egg, and breaks it. Upon such sight,she begins to cry. She then falls between two edges down to meet what seems like her mother, and then eggs surface, and her statue with the egg,and a large transparent egg sitiated atop a tree and encapsulated by fibers or something. To be honest,i couldn't quite grasp what was going on. Mysterious egg, a girl protectig it,and a man explaining stuff. The girls hair is impressive tho.
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Chibi Riza26 March 2000Yoshitaka Amano has to be one of the best animators/artists alongside Keita Amemiya. Who would have ever known that he can write brilliant stories. Everything is well done in this film, from the animation, the narration by Moon Kang (I've seen only the Korean version of this, but I'll bet there is barely a diffrence between the Japanese and Korean version) and to when the young woman's egg breaks up and the fun begins.
But please, if so, watch this version only. It is the best version. Beware the two live-action re-makes (yes, I'm serious, there is no denying this!), they are only blotched up, unlike this masterpiece. -
k-gordo1724 April 2023Angel's Egg is an arthouse short film that is almost entirely all visuals with next to no story. However, unlike other "all style, no substance" short films, there is a lot of stuff to interpret from this one that I can recommend it at least one watch.
The animation is also leagues above average compared to the other hyper-stylistic short films I've come across. Hand drawn, packed with detail, and an ominous score immediately grabs the viewer and doesn't let go until the end.
When the film ends, you immediately want to do research on the symbolism, themes, and the meanings that can be deciphered by the film. Thankfully, there is a lot of information out there on Youtube and forums that, without spoiling, have reached a general conclusion about the main themes of the film at least. So, if you are entirely lost on what the film was trying to convey, there are resources out there to help with that.
Not a masterpiece, and only a short film, this film will likely remain unseen by the majority. However, if you are looking for an obtuse, challenging, and different anime, this is one to check out, especially if you are into directors like David Lynch or Darren Arronofsky who make similar films like this. -
From the moment the movie started, I knew that this was going to be an animated masterpiece. Everything from the character designs to the minimalist dialogue embodies the essence of an "art house" film, and the fact that it is animated only adds to the artistry of it. Amano Yoshitaka's art is in full display here, and if you appreciate his designs and distinct style, you will really enjoy watching it come to life in this movie.
The plot is light and the script is almost nonexistent, but the musical score and the hand drawn animation more than make up for it. You can pause this film at any time and you will get a painting. Every single frame of this movie can be framed (no pun intended), and it is just a visual treat to fans of anime, animation and high art in general.
When I think of true art, I think of works like this; a culmination of the work of artistic forces that understand the nuances in telling a story through audio/visual means. It might be difficult to understand everything that transpired throughout this film, but then again, perhaps it's not meant to be understood. Perhaps this is art for arts sake, and I am okay with that. -
Rectangular_businessman30 March 2021This movie is like taking a glimpse to an alternate reality: A haunting, very fascinating reality disregard of the somber mood.
Some say this film is a bit depressing, and while the ending gives a certain feeling of hopelessness, it is still a marvellous ride from beginning to end.
It's almost like a tragic dream, and it only follows dream logic.
But it was quite beautiful while it lasted. -
But when you have a movie that's almost completely reliant on aesthetic, that aesthetic has to be absolutely incredible to make up for the lack of other elements normally in a film. Unfortunately, the aesthetic in this movie was good but in this case it couldn't make up for the lack of strong plot and characters
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negatively-positive-girl21 December 2017A girl, naïve and innocent, blinds herself to care for only the spiritual, a midst a crowd of statues that only hunt for fish, the physical. After finding a human, she feels joy. However, he cracks the egg she cares for, and finds it was an empty shell all along. Her faith, her hope, was for nothing. She dies and becomes part of the statues, she's the dove, the angel they have all waited for. However, it's much too late for any of them. The young man stands in awe, but he's all alone. A truly beautiful film. A masterpiece, dare I say. You get sucked into this world, where the end has come, but it also never feels like it was anything before this apocalypse. There's so much more to analyze, but that won't be a problem for me if it means re-watching it. The movie is made to make you forget where you were some minutes ago, you feel like the same wandering statue, waiting for a sign of hope.
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H4wke31 August 2022Even if you don't know what's going on-which, seemingly, is up to the viewer-it's a stunning, atmospheric film. I remembered feeling the same emotions I had when I first played through Final Fantasy VII. Beautiful backgrounds in a forlorn, dilapidated world that feels incredibly lived in and mysterious. Turns out the art director for Angel's Egg (Yoshitaka Amano) was the image illustrator for that game, as well as many other Final Fantasy games.
It's amazing how confident the director was in letting shots sit. It gives weight to the world and the character's decisions. It's refreshing going from other anime where time spent on single frames are mostly for padding.
If you ask me what I think the film was about, I'm conflicted. It seems like the story is about blind faith, and the consequences that follow, both good and bad. Or, it could be about reincarnation, in a world that humanity is no longer fit for. I don't know, and that's why I'll return to this film again, and again. -
jackielicecomb23 September 2014I can see no middle ground on this film, either you're going to love it or you're going to despise it. Angel's Egg is a very polarizing sort of movie in that it is one of the best examples of an "experimental film" I have ever seen. Angel's Egg is centered around a young girl who carries a large egg through a Gothic/post- apocalyptic land as she collects water. On one of her quests, she meets a man carrying an ornate crucifix, his intentions unknown. This is about as may details about the plot I can give away without introducing my theories on the film. What makes this movie so different from others of it's caliber is that the entire plot and meaning behind the central conflict is left to your interpretation. As such, the conventional movie fan will want to avoid this movie like the plague, in that most modern cinematic conventions of dialog and characterization are turned upside down or entirely disregarded. What is present, however, is a tour de force of dramatic yet obscure conflicts accentuated with melancholy visuals and beautiful music. If you aren't prepared to watch this film multiple times then you probably won't like it. In short, this film was breathtakingly beautiful in a conventional sense while being the best of its kind in a more abstract way. Never have I seen a film that leaves so little for the audience that has been so meaningful. Love it or hate it, you cannot deny that Angel's Egg is a journey that everyone should go on.