Artwork created to advertise the 1982 animated film adaptation of Robert C. O’Brien’s novel Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, features iconic imagery often including characters such as Mrs. Brisby, the Great Owl, and Nicodemus, as well as elements like the rosebush and the NIMH medallion. These promotional materials existed in various formats, from theatrical one-sheets to smaller lobby cards, and served to attract audiences to the then-new film. Examples can be found in private collections, online auctions, and digital archives.
These marketing pieces represent more than just advertising; they are visual artifacts capturing the style and tone of the film, reflecting the animation techniques of Don Bluth and his team. As such, they offer insight into the film’s marketing strategy and how it resonated with audiences at the time of its release. Preserved examples provide a tangible link to the film’s historical and cultural impact, appealing to both film enthusiasts and collectors of animation art. Their visual language helped shape the public perception of the film, contributing to its lasting legacy.
