Gamera: Super Monster
Encyclopedia
, a 1980 kaiju
film, was the belated final entry in the Shōwa
Gamera
series, and the last Gamera film written by Nisan Takahashi and directed by Noriaki Yuasa
. It relied heavily on stock footage
from previous Gamera films. This movie was made when Daiei
was brought out of bankruptcy by the Tokuma Shoten
publishing company. It was intended as a one-shot movie for children. There wasn't another Gamera film for another 15 years, until his revival in 1995
.
Zanon comes to enslave earth, all hope seems lost. The Earth's resident superheroes, the Spacewomen, are powerless to stop him. They must enlist the help of a young boy who has a special connection with the giant turtle Gamera
. The Friend of All Children then battles Gyaos (a flying monster), Zigra (an alien shark), Viras (a space squid), Jiger (a giant lizard), Guiron (a space beast) and finally Barugon (another giant lizard). Gamera then sacrifices himself to kill Zanon by destroying the space pirate's ship.
fought by Gamera in the Showa series appears in this film, by way of stock footage. Subtitles are used to identify each creature (Gyaos, Zigra, Viras, Jiger, Guiron and Barugon) as he fights them. The stock footage takes up about one-third of the film, and only about two minutes' worth of new Gamera footage is included. As Gamera originally fought Guiron on an alien planet (Terra), a plot device was created that allowed Gamera to travel to his enemies' locations.
The movie makes use of pop-culture references, such as an alien spaceship that is reminiscent of an Imperial Star Destroyer and the destruction of a billboard advertising a Godzilla
film.
released a DVD in 2007 featuring both this episode and an earlier one which featured the 1967 film They Came From Beyond Space
. The films can be watched with or without the Elvira host segments.
, Gamera: Super Monster was shown on the horror host
ed television series Cinema Insomnia
. Apprehensive Films
later released the Cinema Insomnia episode onto DVD in both regular and special "Slime Line" editions.
acquired the rights from Kadokawa Pictures
for all eight of the Showa
-era Gamera
films and will be issuing the uncut Japanese versions on DVD for the first time in North America. These "Special Edition" DVDs are being released in sequential order, starting with Gamera: The Giant Monster
(1965) on May 18, 2010. The first sequel, Gamera vs. Barugon
(1966) will follow on July 6, 2010. The subsequent films will follow shortly thereafter, with Gamera, The Space Monster scheduled for late 2010/early 2011.
Kaiju
is a Japanese word that means "strange beast," but often translated in English as "monster". Specifically, it is used to refer to a genre of tokusatsu entertainment....
film, was the belated final entry in the Shōwa
Showa era (daikaiju eiga)
In the terminology of daikaiju eiga the Shōwa Era refers not to the actual reign of the Shōwa emperor but to all daikaiju eiga made between 1954 and 1980...
Gamera
Gamera
is a giant, flying turtle from a popular series of kaiju films produced by Daiei Motion Picture Company in Japan. Created in 1965 to rival the success of Toho Studios' Godzilla during the daikaiju boom of the mid-to-late 1960s, Gamera has gained fame and notoriety as a Japanese icon in his own...
series, and the last Gamera film written by Nisan Takahashi and directed by Noriaki Yuasa
Noriaki Yuasa
was a Japanese director, most notable for his involvement in the Gamera film series. Yuasa was a special guest at G-Fest in 1999, 2000, and 2003, and was the recipient of the Mangled Skyscraper Award at the latter. He died on June 14, 2004 after suffering a stroke.-Directing Credits:* Shiawasa nara...
. It relied heavily on stock footage
Stock footage
Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures and file footage are film or video footage that may or may not be custom shot for use in a specific film or television program. Stock footage is of beneficial use to filmmakers as it is sometimes less expensive than shooting new...
from previous Gamera films. This movie was made when Daiei
Kadokawa Pictures
is a Japanese movie studio.-History:One of the most famous studios in Japan and founded in 1942 as , it is best known for having produced the giant monster Gamera film series and the Daimajin Trilogy. It also produced the Zatoichi and Nemuri Kyoshiro film series and the television series Shōnen Jet...
was brought out of bankruptcy by the Tokuma Shoten
Tokuma Shoten
is a publisher in Japan, that was established in 1954.The company was also the parent company for the film studio Daiei Motion Pictures, bought in 1974, and the record label Tokuma Japan Communications, bought in 1972, until both were sold off when Yasuyoshi Tokuma, who established this company,...
publishing company. It was intended as a one-shot movie for children. There wasn't another Gamera film for another 15 years, until his revival in 1995
Gamera: Guardian of the Universe
, is a 1995 Kaiju film directed by Shusuke Kaneko. It is a reboot of the Gamera film franchise. It is the ninth entry in the Gamera film series and first in Shusuke Kaneko's Gamera trilogy. It was followed by Attack of The Legion and Revenge of Iris....
.
Plot
When the evil alienExtraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
Zanon comes to enslave earth, all hope seems lost. The Earth's resident superheroes, the Spacewomen, are powerless to stop him. They must enlist the help of a young boy who has a special connection with the giant turtle Gamera
Gamera
is a giant, flying turtle from a popular series of kaiju films produced by Daiei Motion Picture Company in Japan. Created in 1965 to rival the success of Toho Studios' Godzilla during the daikaiju boom of the mid-to-late 1960s, Gamera has gained fame and notoriety as a Japanese icon in his own...
. The Friend of All Children then battles Gyaos (a flying monster), Zigra (an alien shark), Viras (a space squid), Jiger (a giant lizard), Guiron (a space beast) and finally Barugon (another giant lizard). Gamera then sacrifices himself to kill Zanon by destroying the space pirate's ship.
Production
Every kaijuKaiju
is a Japanese word that means "strange beast," but often translated in English as "monster". Specifically, it is used to refer to a genre of tokusatsu entertainment....
fought by Gamera in the Showa series appears in this film, by way of stock footage. Subtitles are used to identify each creature (Gyaos, Zigra, Viras, Jiger, Guiron and Barugon) as he fights them. The stock footage takes up about one-third of the film, and only about two minutes' worth of new Gamera footage is included. As Gamera originally fought Guiron on an alien planet (Terra), a plot device was created that allowed Gamera to travel to his enemies' locations.
The movie makes use of pop-culture references, such as an alien spaceship that is reminiscent of an Imperial Star Destroyer and the destruction of a billboard advertising a Godzilla
Godzilla
is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
film.
Elvira's Movie Macabre
Gamera: Super Monster was featured on a 1983 episode of Elvira's Movie Macabre. Shout! FactoryShout! Factory
Shout! Factory is an entertainment company founded in 2003 that was started by Richard Foos , Bob Emmer and Garson Foos initially as a specialty music label...
released a DVD in 2007 featuring both this episode and an earlier one which featured the 1967 film They Came From Beyond Space
They Came From Beyond Space
They Came From Beyond Space is a 1967 British science fiction film directed by Freddie Francis, written by Milton Subotsky and based on the book The Gods Hate Kansas by Joseph Millard. It was produced by Amicus Productions.- Plot summary :...
. The films can be watched with or without the Elvira host segments.
Cinema Insomnia
In 20072007 in television
2007 in television may refer to:*2007 in American television*2007 in Australian television*2007 in British television*2007 in Canadian television*2007 in Japanese television...
, Gamera: Super Monster was shown on the horror host
Horror host
Horror hosts are a particular type of television presenter, often tasked with presenting low-grade films to television audiences. This tradition is primarily American, though there have been a few international hosts over the years.-Film Packages:...
ed television series Cinema Insomnia
Cinema Insomnia
Cinema Insomnia is a nationally syndicated American television series presented by horror host Mr. Lobo.- Format :Typically, Mr. Lobo opens each episode by promising to screen a well-known horror or science fiction classic ; however budgetary limitations, acts of God or other circumstances...
. Apprehensive Films
Apprehensive Films
Apprehensive Films is an independent American film production and distribution company. Established in 1997 as a production company, Apprehensive Films' main focus was low-budget Grindhouse-inspired films shot in Super 8 mm film and 16 mm film. In 2006, Apprehensive Films became a DVD distributor...
later released the Cinema Insomnia episode onto DVD in both regular and special "Slime Line" editions.
2010/2011 DVD Release
It has been announced that Shout! FactoryShout! Factory
Shout! Factory is an entertainment company founded in 2003 that was started by Richard Foos , Bob Emmer and Garson Foos initially as a specialty music label...
acquired the rights from Kadokawa Pictures
Kadokawa Pictures
is a Japanese movie studio.-History:One of the most famous studios in Japan and founded in 1942 as , it is best known for having produced the giant monster Gamera film series and the Daimajin Trilogy. It also produced the Zatoichi and Nemuri Kyoshiro film series and the television series Shōnen Jet...
for all eight of the Showa
Showa era (daikaiju eiga)
In the terminology of daikaiju eiga the Shōwa Era refers not to the actual reign of the Shōwa emperor but to all daikaiju eiga made between 1954 and 1980...
-era Gamera
Gamera
is a giant, flying turtle from a popular series of kaiju films produced by Daiei Motion Picture Company in Japan. Created in 1965 to rival the success of Toho Studios' Godzilla during the daikaiju boom of the mid-to-late 1960s, Gamera has gained fame and notoriety as a Japanese icon in his own...
films and will be issuing the uncut Japanese versions on DVD for the first time in North America. These "Special Edition" DVDs are being released in sequential order, starting with Gamera: The Giant Monster
Gamera (film)
is a 1965 daikaiju eiga about a giant turtle named Gamera. The film is similar in nature to the popular Godzilla films, and is also the first in a series of films about Gamera...
(1965) on May 18, 2010. The first sequel, Gamera vs. Barugon
Gamera vs. Barugon
is a 1966 daikaiju eiga featuring the giant turtle Gamera produced and distributed by Daiei Motion Picture Company. The film is the second to feature Gamera. Gamera vs. Barugon was released in the United States by AIP-TV as War of the Monsters, and then later by Sandy Frank as Gamera vs. Barugon...
(1966) will follow on July 6, 2010. The subsequent films will follow shortly thereafter, with Gamera, The Space Monster scheduled for late 2010/early 2011.
External links
- Gamera web archive (Japanese)
- Gamera: Super Monster on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....