NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND is one of Miyazaki's earliest efforts; he started it as a long-running comic epic, but in 1984, he produced a two-hour animated version. All the Miyazaki hallmarks are in place: rapturous explorations of natural vistas, a fascination with flight and flying machines, and a spunky female lead out to change the world, or at least hold her corner of it together through sheer love.