Composer Lee Holdridge, who is also behind the music for feature films such as SPLASH and MR. MOM and television shows such as MOONLIGHTING, is joined here by lyricist Richard Sparks for the soundtrack to an all-new animated video adventure with the intellectually superior rats and mice from the original feature film hit, THE SECRET OF N.I.M.H. In addition to a score performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra of London, six songs feature the vocal talents of Al Jarreau, Bobbi Page, Eric Idle, Ralph Macchio, Dom DeLuise, William H. Macy, Meshach Taylor and others.
LEE HOLDRIDGE:
Lee Holdridge (composer) has composed music for numerous films including "Splash," "Mr. Mom" and "The Beastmaster." He scored the 1998 Oscar-winning documentary feature, "The Long Way Home," and with Stevie Wonder and Brian May of "Queen," he wrote music for the animated feature "The Adventures of Pinocchio." His music for television includes the series "Moonlighting" and "Beauty and the Beast," and many television films including "Into Thin Air" and "The Tuskeegee Airmen." He re-ceived both Emmy and Grammy nominations for the title song from "Moonlighting," co-written with Al Jarreau, and has won five Emmys. His numerous concert works include the one-act opera, "Journey to Cordoba" (with lyrics by "Secret of NIMH 2" lyricist Richard Sparks). Lee Holdridge has written, arranged and conducted for many artists, including John Denver, Barbra Streisand, Placido Domingo, Stevie Wonder, and Natalie Cole.
RICHARD SPARKS
Richard Sparks (lyricist) is also a distinguished playwright, having created numerous works for the stage and television in Great Britain. His plays have been seen three times at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, and twice at Britain's Welsh National Theater. He has written for "Rowan Atkinson and Company" (otherwise known to all
as "Mr. Bean"), both for tours of the U.K. as well as for shows in London. Mr. Sparks wrote the book and lyrics for the London West End musical "Winnie," which was originally directed by Albert Marre ("Man of La Mancha" and "Kismet"). With "Secret of NIMH 2" composer Lee Holdridge, he created a one-act opera for the Los Angeles Opera Company entitled "Journey to Cordoba." In 1999, Richard Sparks will direct his first feature film from a script of his own creation.
The Story:
The intellectually superior rats and mice from the original animated feature hit The Secret Of N.I.M.H. return for an all-new adventure.
This enchanting cartoon fantasy finds our lovable super-intelligent rodents in Thorn Valley, the new utopian society that they have successfully created. They operate their community almost exclusively without the aid of human devices, with one mission remaining: to train and groom their destined leader - the young Timmy Brisby. But not everyone is pleased with the choice.
Timmy's brother, Martin, doesn't understand why he was not the chosen one. After all, he's older. Martin wanders off to sulk in the cornfields where he becomes the accidental passenger on a perilous journey back to N.I.M.H. (National Institute of Mental Health).
When Timmy arrives in Thorn Valley, he studies with the village elder,
Mr. Ages, but finds himself repeatedly reprimanded for not thinking things through. He secretly laments that he will never live up to the legacy of his father, the hero who saved them all from the N.I.M.H. lab.
Jenny, a young refugee mouse from N.I.M.H., implores Timmy and the inhabitants of Thorn Valley to join her on a rescue mission to save her parents, whom she left behind. When Timmy discovers his brother is also captive, he sets off with Jenny on a daring adventure to rescue the prisoners of N.I.M.H. With the help of Jeremy and Cecil the Caterpillar, they reach the lab to discover that the humans are now behaving like animals. Worse, his brother has been horrifically transformed and is now running N.I.M.H. with the help of his crazy cat bodyguards, Floyd and Muriel.
Our valiant friends search deep within their hearts, finding the courage to save their friends, community and ultimately, themselves.
