The Story of Heidi

The 1979 feature film The Story of Heidi was produced by Nippon Animation as a condensed theatrical version of their iconic 1974 television series, Heidi, Girl of the Alps. The project emerged from the studio's World Masterpiece Theater framework, which aimed to adapt classic Western children's literature for a Japanese audience through high-quality cel animation. By re-editing the original broadcast footage, the studio sought to bring the heartwarming tale of the Swiss mountain orphan to a broader cinematic audience while preserving the aesthetic established during the series' initial run.

The production is notable for the significant involvement of animation legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, who served as key creative forces during the original television series' development. They emphasized a grounded, naturalistic approach to character movement and scenery, drawing inspiration from field research trips to Switzerland. While the 1979 film functions primarily as an abridgment, it is widely regarded as a faithful extension of the studio's commitment to emotional authenticity and pastoral storytelling, maintaining the visual integrity and artistic direction that defined the original series' reception.