Porco Rosso

The Italian ace known as Porco Rosso is a World War I hero and a ladies' man who refused to serve the Duce. He roams the skies over the Adriatic in his crimson seaplane, melancholically ignoring attempts by the authorities to arrest him for "treason, border violations, decadence, pornography, and swinishness."

"Porco Rosso" was originally conceived as a short film to be shown during flights on Japan Airlines. However, Miyazaki deviated from the initial idea and created a full-length feature about an Italian Air Force pilot who left military service due to the rise of fascism in his home country and became a freelance bounty hunter.

Despite the grim context and generally adult themes, "Porco Rosso" is a true visual feast: spectacular aerial duels unfold against the backdrop of enchanting Mediterranean landscapes.