Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

As I mentioned in my review of "Tottoi", there are few non- Ghibli anime films I know of that actually have useful messages, a memorable story and whatnot rather than mecha battles and fanservice.Fortunately, this obscure Sanrio production is one of these "serious" anime films I know of. Though it is quite violent for a children's movie, it does what it was made to do and compels the viewer(s) to keep watching for its nigh unto 50 minute running time.While a viewing of this movie by any children you know or have may require you to watch it with them, this movie teaches them many a useful topic:The death of a loved one, the laws of nature, revenge, violence etc.Thanks to its flawless storytelling and clear-as-a-bell lesson teaching (no pun intended), we learn that the Wolf King does not kill because he loves to, he does it because he follows the laws of nature, which one realizes when he says "In order for some to live, others must die."And one must remember the ending, where one of the final lessons is that revenge is not the right way to solve problems.So if you ever want to show this to your kids, watch it with them and have a discussion afterwards about the film's messages. Not only can they understand the important topics of nature and the life cycle this way, but it can help them develop critical thinking.NOTE: The Wolf King says "Hell" in one scene to describe life, so you might want to tell your children (unless they already know) that it is not an appropriate word for them to use.

This movie is simply amazing! I can't even begin to describe the many emotions you feel while watching it.Every time I watch this I never feel like I am watching an animated movie. This film is so powerful and gripping! The movie is about a young lamb who's mother is killed by a wolf. Chirin is devastated and goes out seeking the wolf; hell bent on getting revenge.This film is dark and may not be for everyone. I must say that this is one of my favorite films and it is very touching while being sad at the same time.Supposedly this film was made based to be a cautionary tale about Japanese children being sent off to war and never coming back. Thus the mother sheep telling Chirin never to leave beyond the farm gate. Leaving the farm only meant death.

"The Ringing Bell of Chirin" was a short animated film produced by Sanrio, and while at first it may look like something like "Bambi", the story of this film quickly evolves into something more tragic and dark. "The Ringing Bell of Chirin" starts off as a children's film but quickly merges into a dark, tragic story about revenge and the laws of nature.This must be one of the saddest animated films ever made, along with "The Grave of the Fireflies" and "When the Wind Blows". The story is depressive, dark and bleak, but I still recommend it to anyone, because the animation is beautiful (Specially the sceneries) and the story is pretty interesting and filled with heartbreaking but memorable scenes.10/10

*** Spoilers*My dad had taped this movie for me when I was 3. By age 5, I had watched it over 400 times. I just watched it and watched it. And I still do today! It has a grim storyline, a lamb's mother is killed by a wolf--a very emotional scene--and wants to become a wolf, like him. After years of training, the lamb is made into a really REALLY evil looking thing. He and the wolf travel to his old barn, but he cannot kill the lambs, no matter how much he wishes to. He ends up killing the wolf, but is no longer seen as a lamb by his former friends, and can't return to his previous way of life.The art is beautiful, the songs are..well, okay, and the voice acting is better than some things today.All in all, you just *have* to see this movie, it is a great masterpiece. Although, it's very hard to find today.