AN enchanting, magical story, Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki's latest work is beautifully told and animated in this stunning production.

Set in a dystopian world where war is raging and life is hard, a young girl finds life working in her sister's hat shop a happy one until one day it changes forever when she bumps into a mysterious stranger - the wizard Howl.

Consumed with jealousy, an old witch who has claimed him for herself casts a spell over the young Sophie, forcing her body to age rapidly into that of an old woman. Shamed, Sophie is forced to leave her life and enter one of uncertainty in the wasteland far from home.

There she meets friendly scarecrow Turniphead who bounces on one stick (stay with me on this one) and manages to lead her to safety in Howl's moving castle. Once again she comes into contact with the wizard and appoints herself as the cleaner to look after the household while trying to work out how to lift her curse and that of the fiery being Calcifer who keeps the whole place moving.

In Howl's world nothing is as it seems and people and objects shift shape and form constantly. Sophie's appearance continuously changes throughout the story and Howl is able to morph into a birdlike being and can change from blonde to brunette with alarming ease. A young boy is also able to disguise himself as an old man and evil appears in many forms, including one of friendship and love. The castle itself can also transport itself into different worlds by just one flick of the coloured dial - showing that nothing is fixed or defined.

The plot may seem a bit complex and unusual but its very easy to get into and understand - and the animation alone is well worth the two-hours. Oscar winning director Miyazaki has made the tale by Welsh author Diana Wynne Jones come to life and is most certainly a must-see for anyone on a quest for a unique film.

CF