The Secret of NIMH

**The Secret of NIMH** is a 1982 American animated fantasy adventure film. It marked the directorial debut of Don Bluth, who also produced it through his own independent studio, Don Bluth Productions, alongside Aurora Productions. The story is based on Robert C. O'Brien's children's novel *Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH*.

The voice cast includes Elizabeth Hartman—in her final film role—as the lead character, Mrs. Brisby. Supporting performers include Peter Strauss, Arthur Malet, Dom DeLuise, John Carradine, Derek Jacobi, Paul Shenar, and Hermione Baddeley.

Released in the United States on July 2, 1982, by MGM/UA Entertainment Co. under the United Artists label, the film earned strong reviews and won the Saturn Award for Best Animated Film of 1982. While its domestic box office take of $14.7 million against a $7 million budget was modest, it proved profitable through home video and international releases. A direct-to-video sequel, *The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue*, came out in 1998, but Bluth was not involved. In 2015, a live-action/animated remake was reported to be in development, and a television series adaptation has been in the works since 2021.

**Plot**

Mrs. Brisby, a widowed field mouse, lives with her children in a cinder block on the Fitzgibbons family farm. With plowing season approaching, she needs to move her family, but her son Timothy is sick with pneumonia and cannot travel for at least three weeks.

After visiting her late husband Jonathan's friend, Mr. Ages, for medicine, Brisby meets a clumsy crow named Jeremy. She later learns the plowing has started early. Though Auntie Shrew disables the tractor, Brisby needs a better plan. Jeremy takes her to the Great Owl, who—upon learning she is Jonathan's widow—directs her to a rat colony beneath a rose bush, led by the wise Nicodemus.

Inside the colony, Brisby meets the friendly guard captain Justin, the ruthless Jenner, and Nicodemus. She learns that the rats, her husband, and Mr. Ages were once part of experiments at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). These experiments gave them human-like intelligence and extended lifespans, but they must steal human technology to survive. To avoid discovery, the rats plan to move to Thorn Valley. Nicodemus gives Brisby a magical amulet that activates with courage. Meanwhile, Jenner, who wants to stay, plots to kill Nicodemus.