The series is a must read for a fan of the film and really gives the characters in the anime adaption time to develop fully. Coming from owning the b&w version, having color is such a change! I've got to say though, after a while of reading the color version I do feel that the b&w version is better. I will forever love my 35th anniversary box set. T.T
And for the record, manga > movie by a landslide. The movie, especially for the time has absolutely brilliant animation, but the manga is THE definitive experiece, where the movie is a flash in a pan, leaving you with many questions if you haven't yet read the series.