The X from Outer Space
Encyclopedia
is a 1967 Kaiju
film released by the studio Shochiku
. It is the first kaiju
film released by Shochiku who would later go on to release a number of Kaiju films in the future.
The film was directed by Kazui Nihonmatsu and starred Eiji Okada
and Toshiya Wazaki. It has gone under many alternative titles, including Big Space Monster Guilala. The monster, known as Guilala in Japan, is also called "Gilala" and "Girara". The film was released in the United States in 1968 as The X from Outer Space.
and investigate reports of UFOs in the area. When the Gamma nears the red planet, it finds a mysterious UFO that begins to coat the Gamma with unusual spores. One of these spores is taken back to Earth, but begins to develop.
The spore grows into a giant lizard/chicken-like alien monster called Guilala that begins a rampage across Tokyo. It spits fireballs, feeds on nuclear fuel, turns into a giant energy ball when it wants to fly, and destroys airplanes and tanks along its rampage. The monster is finally defeated by jets dropping bombs, coating Guilala in a fictional substance known as "Guilalalium" that causes it to shrink back down to spore size. They promptly launch the spore back into space, where it will supposedly circle the sun in an endless orbit.
, the follow-up film was released in 2008, and unlike its 1967 predecessor, is meant as a pure comedy with some political satire
. Climaxing with a battle between Guilala and a new monster dubbed "Demon-Man Take" (Take-Majin), a giant golden statue warrior who is heavily based upon and portrayed by Takeshi Kitano
.
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 released by the studio Shochiku
Shochiku
is a Japanese movie studio and production company for kabuki. It also produces and distributes anime films. Its best remembered directors include Yasujirō Ozu, Kenji Mizoguchi, Mikio Naruse, Keisuke Kinoshita and Yōji Yamada...
. It is the first kaiju
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 released by Shochiku who would later go on to release a number of Kaiju films in the future.
The film was directed by Kazui Nihonmatsu and starred Eiji Okada
Eiji Okada
Eiji Okada was a Japanese film actor. Okada served in the Japanese army during World War II, and was a miner and traveling salesman before becoming an actor....
and Toshiya Wazaki. It has gone under many alternative titles, including Big Space Monster Guilala. The monster, known as Guilala in Japan, is also called "Gilala" and "Girara". The film was released in the United States in 1968 as The X from Outer Space.
Plot
The spaceship AAB Gamma is dispatched from Japan to land on MarsMars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
and investigate reports of UFOs in the area. When the Gamma nears the red planet, it finds a mysterious UFO that begins to coat the Gamma with unusual spores. One of these spores is taken back to Earth, but begins to develop.
The spore grows into a giant lizard/chicken-like alien monster called Guilala that begins a rampage across Tokyo. It spits fireballs, feeds on nuclear fuel, turns into a giant energy ball when it wants to fly, and destroys airplanes and tanks along its rampage. The monster is finally defeated by jets dropping bombs, coating Guilala in a fictional substance known as "Guilalalium" that causes it to shrink back down to spore size. They promptly launch the spore back into space, where it will supposedly circle the sun in an endless orbit.
Sequel
Directed by Minoru KawasakiMinoru Kawasaki (film director)
, born 15 August 1958 is a Japanese film director, screenwriter and producer. He is known for his low budget, absurdist comedy films.Kawasaki began his career with some self-financed films, including Iko the Earth Patrol Girl, and manga to live action adaptions, before working on Ultraman Tiga...
, the follow-up film was released in 2008, and unlike its 1967 predecessor, is meant as a pure comedy with some political satire
Political satire
Political satire is a significant part of satire that specializes in gaining entertainment from politics; it has also been used with subversive intent where political speech and dissent are forbidden by a regime, as a method of advancing political arguments where such arguments are expressly...
. Climaxing with a battle between Guilala and a new monster dubbed "Demon-Man Take" (Take-Majin), a giant golden statue warrior who is heavily based upon and portrayed by Takeshi Kitano
Takeshi Kitano
is a Japanese filmmaker, comedian, singer, actor, film editor, presenter, screenwriter, author, poet, painter, and one-time video game designer who has received critical acclaim, both in his native Japan and abroad, for his highly idiosyncratic cinematic work. The famed Japanese film critic...
.