The Secret of NIMH (1982)

In the heart of the Fitzgibbon farm, nestled within a humble cinder block, resides the widowed Mrs. Brisby and her brood of field mice. As the ominous shadow of ploughing season looms, Mrs. Brisby faces an insurmountable challenge: her son Timothy, stricken by a debilitating illness, cannot survive the impending upheaval of their home. Guided by desperation and love, Mrs. Brisby seeks the counsel of the Great Owl, a creature of profound wisdom and mystique. The nocturnal sage propels her on an unexpected journey to a secret society of rats dwelling beneath the farm's vibrant rose bush, a society intrinsically linked to her late husband's mysterious past. Her path crosses with the enigmatic Nicodemus, the sagacious leader of the rats, and Justin, a friendly rat who forms an immediate bond with Mrs. Brisby. Here, she uncovers the secret of N.I.M.H (the National Institute of Mental Health), a place where her husband and these rats were subjects of intellect-enhancing experiments. These experiments imbued them with an understanding of complex mechanics, electricity, and literacy, leading to their daring escape and subsequent settlement beneath the rose bush. The rats, despite their intricate chambers lit by stolen Christmas lights and operated by cunning elevators, yearn for independence from human reliance. Thus, they plan to vacate the farm, a plan that also provides a solution for Mrs. Brisby's predicament. Because of her late husband's affiliation, they agree to help move her home, avoiding the deadly path of the plough. Yet, amidst this alliance, the sinister Jenner and his reluctant aide, Sullivan, conspire against Nicodemus, intending to remain under the protective cloak of the rose bush. Simultaneously, Mrs. Brisby's bravery and kindness ripple outward as she rescues a young crow from the clutches of the merciless farm cat, Dragon. In gratitude, he introduces her to the Great Owl, setting in motion the events that will lead to a noble resolution to her crisis. "The Secret of NIMH" is a tale of courage, friendship, and the ceaseless love of a mother. It's a thrilling journey into the hidden world beneath a rose bush, where ordinary creatures harbor extraordinary secrets.

The Secret of NIMH is an adventure movie featuring Derek Jacobi and directed by Don Bluth.

The Secret of NIMH is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla and MGM Amazon Channel.

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