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| The X From Outer Space(1967); Shochiku's monster movie | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 21 2008, 10:18 PM (58 Views) | |
| packmule | Jul 21 2008, 10:18 PM Post #1 |
Resident jackass
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I can remember, with great fondness, watching many AIP distributed English dubbed Gamera films on television as a kid, circa 1970 and 1971. I'd already seen Destroy All Monsters(1968) at the Rialto Theater with my father[double billed with Toei's The Green Slime(1968)] so watching these Gamera films was the first time I'd seen a kaiju not named Godzilla. Of course it wouldn't be my last. Some time later I watched another AIP movie, shown at some ungodly AM hour, and featuring a monster completely different from either Gamera or Godzilla. I'm referring to The X From Outer Space, a movie released in Japanese theaters in March, 1967 by Shochiku Kinema Kenkyu, or Shochiku. Shochiku, a movie and production studio that began making films in 1921, had previously produced only drama, crime drama and film noir cinema. To cash in on the "kaiju" craze of the year 1967, when every major Japanese film studio was releasing a kaiju film, Shochiku turned to director Kazui Nihonmatsu to helm what would be their first foray into giant monster movies. The X From Outer Space is not generally regarded as a quality kaiju film. Despite being lampooned by critics and kaiju fandom, as well as those casual and more die hard movie fans, this movie has developed something of a cult following. The film's story: a team of four astronauts are sent to the planet Mars to investigate alleged UFO activity. Enroute to the red planet they encounter a cluster of mysterious spores, which attach to the hull of their spacecraft, called the "AAB Gamma". The group return to Earth. The problem: the spores tag along, attached to the hull of the AAB Gamma. One of the spores is examined by scientists. When the spore sample vanishes those tasked with studying it are, not surprisingly, concerned about its whereabouts. Their concerns and fears are realized when the spore(off screen) mutates and enlarges into a giant monster, which eventually erupts out of a hillside, and not in the best of moods. From this point the giant monster, quickly dubbed "Guilala", goes on a rampage of destruction, both urban and countryside. Obviously the scientists, astronauts and various military personnel all forum together in order to devise a plan to stop the creature. (no other spoilers) Things I liked: 1. credit Shochiku and director Nihonmatsu for sticking to a 2:35.1 widescreen aspect ratio and a 90 minute run time. Considering the overall content of this film, anything longer than ninety minutes might cause many casual film fans watching this movie to exhibit various signs of physical duress, including, and not necessarily limited to, sweaty palms, foaming at the mouth, nausea and/or dizziness. 2. Peggy Neal, who played "Lisa". Again, I just liked looking at this very lovely blonde. 3. the score: quirky but enjoyable, if you like 60's psychedelia. 4. the rendering of the AAB Gamma: a cool looking space ship! 5. the miniatures used to render the moon base: fairly decent Things I did not like: 1. the rendering of Guilala: I've seen this monster most commonly described as a "giant space chicken". An apt description, unfortunately. The design of this creature is, IMO, possibly the most ridiculous looking kaiju suit design I have ever seen...and I've seen a damn good many. 2. the monster's roar: the only way I can describe it: a kid with a severe case of whooping cough, or perhaps a domestic house cat with laryngitis. Watch the movie and come to your own conclusion. 3. the miniatures used during Guilala's city rampage are among the worst I have ever seen. The effects used to render Guilala's oral fireballs are also sub par. Adding to the miserable overall effects, many matte shots are simply awful. Overall: I recommend this movie only to those who are die hard kaiju movie fans like myself. Those older, like me, and who grew up on AIP monster movies would also appreciate The X From Outer Space(1967). For those of you who dislike the 60's Gamera films, and other older kaiju films like Nikkatsu's Gappa(1967))(aka "Monster From A Prehistoric Planet"), I'm not confident you would like Shochiku's sole(to date) kaiju film. This movie has not been officially released to Region 1 DVD. It is available on Region 2 DVD(with English subtitles option) and can be bought at various online DVD-R vendors, in Region 0 and in widescreen/English subtitles. Anyone wanting the link to the DVD-R of this film can PM me and I will provide the links. As has been posted, Shochiku is planning an updated version of this film, something I will definitely want to get after it's released to DVD. The X from Outer Space(1967) is available on Region 2 DVD, including English subtitles. It was the first R2 disc I ever bought. It can also be had at various internet DVD-R vendor sites, usually Region 0 and in it's original aspect ratio and with English subtitles. Beginning about eighteen months ago this film has started airing, from time to time, on Turner Classic Movies, in widescreen(2:34.1 aspect ratio) and English dubbed language. Anyone with comments, questions or the like, about this film, please do so in this thread. All replies welcome.  Here's a trailer for the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpdpPdoQpDw |
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| g2kmaster | Feb 14 2009, 06:30 AM Post #2 |
Infant Island Associate
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I got to say, I love this film. While the plot suffers from lack of development of a possible cat fight between two women over a man (which could have been a neat spin on the same thing in Gojira, but diffrent since the love triangle has 2 girls and not 2 guys) and a origin story of the Orange Flying Sauser (looked like a Killak ship though) but Guilala is a kick ass monster. And I wish I had the dvd set Packmule has of the film... But as a side fact, that box set is sold often at Korean conventions for SF films (usualy Yonggary, Gwoemul, or D-WAR conventions). Overall, this film is a good kaiju film and the first film of actualy 3 Guilala films: Space Monster Guilala (X from Outer Space) Guilala's Counterattack: Attack at the G8 Summit I'll Lose Weight: Den Ace vs. Guilala DVD special The last title is an special episode from the director of the second title's tv series which spoofs Ultraman and blimps Guilala to 2,000 meters tall! |
 The ultimate G2KUSA Fan. I have spoken to Michael Schlesinger 5 times. I know stuff you don't. I am part of the staff. I have seen GMK in theaters. I am haveing one of my interviews being published in G-FAN MAGAZINE. Those are the only accomplishments I have accomplished so far in the kaiju fandom. Normand Englund's Blog: http://oavian.blogspot.com/ | |
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| Godzilla the Ultimate | Oct 13 2009, 01:39 AM Post #3 |
Infant Island Associate
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Man, I gotta find this on the internet to, I'm a sucker for the Showa films. |
| Ant>90's Yongarry | |
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| packmule | Oct 13 2009, 02:27 AM Post #4 |
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Resident jackass
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The official Region 2 DVD of The X From Outer Space(1967) is becoming harder to find. I bought a Region 2 DVD of this film back in 2001 from a local toy/hobby shop. eBay has this film listed for sale as a VHS tape for anywhere from $35 - $50. I paid about $50 for my Region 2 disc of this movie. You can buy this film as a bootleg(DVD-R/Region 0) from this online vendor: Spoiler: click to toggle
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10:12 AM Nov 28
