Yes, I did say "anime," because it is anime, although it dates from a time when Japanese animation wasn't "cool" in America yet. This film was originally released in Japan in 1974 under the title "Jack to Mame no Ki." (It was directed by renowned anime director Gisaburo Sugii, whose later work would include "The Tale of Genji," the "Street Fighter" anime movies, "Night on the Galactic Railroad," and the TV series "Touch.") The movie was dubbed into English and given a very limited release in the U.S., and unfortunately sank without a trace aside from being aired on HBO a few times over the years (which is how I was introduced to this film). I can remember waking up early in the morning just to watch this on HBO when I knew it would be on. The animation is quite good considering the film is now over thirty years old. The voices in the dubbed version are also very well done. I can also remember admiring Jack for what he did at the end of the movie... I won't spoil it if you haven't seen it. I think what made the movie most memorable for me, however, was the songs - they're catchy and well-sung, and I still remember bits and pieces of them after all these years, especially Princess Margaret's "No One is Happier Than I," which has all the makings of a pop standard (for some reason, it brings to mind the Carpenters' "Top Of The World"), and the song Jack sings to his mother when he brings all the treasures from the kingdom in the sky back home and promises her they'll be rich forevermore. It has been years since I've seen this film, but I would love to see it again, and I would advise you to pick it up if you're interested in an anime musical that can easily hold its own against the Disney catalogue. "Pokemon," "Yu-Gi-Oh" or "Evangelion" this is not, just pure and very well-done family entertainment that even anime-haters could enjoy. You won't regret it.