This is the film that started it all. Directed by Noriaki Yuasa and
written by Nizo Takahashi, “Daikaiju Gamera” was released in 1965 in
Japan, and to American television audiences as
“Gammera the Invincible” in 1966.
The plot involves a nuclear accident, which frees Gamera from his
long slumber. Gamera then goes on an unstoppable rampage of Japan,
until Plan Z is implemented, and Gamera is blasted off to Mars.
There are, as far as I can tell, at least 3 versions of this bad boy
(Not counting other foreign dubs, of course). The original Japanese
version, “Daikaiju Gamera,” the aforementioned “Gammera the
Invincible,” released by NTA (National Television Association), and
probably the most well known version (Thanks to Mystery Science Theater
3000), known simply as “Gamera,” re-dubbed and re-released by the
much-maligned Sandy Frank.
-Derek Miller
3/9/06
Interesting Facts
- This is the only Gamera film to be shot in black and white.
- This is the only Gamera film where Gamera is the lone monster.
- This was the first of 5 Gamera films to be shown on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
- The American version of this film (Gammera the Invincible) is actually longer than the Japanese original, thanks to the added American scenes.
“So long folks. See you in Gamera vs. Barugon.”
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