Daniel J. Fiebiger The film was first released and exhibited theatrically in the USA in 1976 under the METAMORPHOSIS title.Although the animation was impressive (especially a scene obviously inspired by animator Bill Tytla's work of the huge demon in the "Night on Bald Mountain" sequence of Disney's FANTASIA), there originally was no narration or dialog to explain any of the film's story, nor was Ovid mentioned in any of the advertising for the film, and so bewildered audiences had no idea what was going on in the film plot-wise.The original soundtrack was also odd in that it had a pop-rock score compiled from unreleased throw-away tracks from such artists as the Pointer Sisters and even The Rolling Stones, which made no sense to the film's story, either, and was merely trying to capitalize on the musical artist's names to hype the film. After the film failed to find its audience from its first American release, a whole new soundtrack was created with new music, Peter Ustinov's narration, an explanatory opening credit about Ovid, and the WINDS OF CHANGE title change to try and save the film, which still did not do well in its second American theatrical release in 1978.Even now, the film is sometimes hard to follow, and seeing the film is still helped if you're made familiar with the details of the original Ovid stories ahead of time. Sold to American cable TV in 1979, and randomly cable-cast for the next few years, the film started to find its cult audience, which grew when the film was released to VHS video a few years later, but has yet to see any official release on non-bootleg DVD or Blu-Ray.

tolharu Its wonderful blend of brooding animation, coupled with a dizzying array of memorable disco music, makes this movie an instant classic and childhood favorite (of mine). The voice-acting, though a bit grating on the nerves, is tolerable. And the stories are told in a gripping and beautiful fashion, breathing new life into classical mythology. I was unaware, for a long time, that the movie was Japanese in origin; much like it's now esoteric successors (The Last Unicorn, for example), it's strange blend of artistic aesthetics seem at once universal, and nonspecific to any particular place or time. Definitely worthy of seeking out, if you can find a copy.

YouKnowMyName68 I've seen this movie in 1980 and knew that the original title was "Metamorphoses". It is a favorite of mine. I love the look of the design and just the whole take by the Japanese. I especially love the way Pegasus was designed! Reptillian like. I really, really, love this animated movie!!!! I favor this over Disney's style 'Hercules'! What the Japanese do as far as the visual look, it always seems to have a futuristic look about them! That's not even really what I meant. But, anyway, I just love there design sense. Very exciting and refreshing!! I am so glad that this is available for purchase. Although, it is 25 years ago, even now it holds up and inspires me. I have looked for this film for a long time, now.

redbeard_nv I saw "Winds Of Change" when it was first called "Metamorphosis". The biggest difference was the total lack of dialogue. This original version did not feature the Peter Ustinov narration, standing alone on the musical score and the imagery.Comparing the two, the earlier version fares better. I enjoy Ustinov's wit, but it wasn't necessary here (except in the minds of some narrow minded distributors, perhaps, who forced the narration on Takashi).It's like "The Thief And the Cobbler". I love Johnathan Winters, but there was no need for his ad-libbing.Unfortunately, it is another great work of animation sentenced to moritorium hell, like many of Takashi's fellow pioneers of Anime. Just try to find "Gulliver's Travels Beyond The Moon" ("Gariba no uchu ryoko"), "Alakazam the Great" ("Saiyu-ki") or even Nelvana's "Rock & Rule".