MOTW- ATRAGON (1963)

[Xenorama ™]

Tadao Takashima ... Photographer Susumu Hatanaka
Yôko Fujiyama ... Makoto Jinguji, the Captain's Daughter
Yu Fujiki ... Yosmego Nishibe
Ken Uehara ... Retired Admiral Kosumi
Jun Tazaki ... Captain Hachiro Jinguji
Kenji Sahara ... Journalist / Mu Agent
Hiroshi Koizumi ... Detective
Yoshifumi Tajima ... Tome 'Amano' Amanoshome
Akihiko Hirata ... Mu Agent #23
Eisei Amamoto ... High Priest of Mu
Tetsuko Kobayashi ... Empress of Mu
Hisaya Ito ... Shindo, Kidnapped Scientist
Minoru Takada ... Government Official
Susumu Fujita ... Defense Commander
Ikio Sawamura ... Taxi Driver

one of the best and most adult sci-fi movies from Toho. nationalism is examined here and personal pride- all with a giant monster and a cool submarine!

[Torgaman]

I might make some enemies here but I believe this wasn't one of the better Toho sci-fi films of that era.In my opinion the film never lives up to it's potential.The saucers look like black blips on the screen,Manda looks like what it is,a rubbery serpent being dangled on wires,and in the end I can't buy the Mu empire as a legit threat to the safety of the surface world.At the film's end they are defeated so easily one wonders if they really needed the Atragon sub to defeat what were really a primitve race of spear carrying half naked people.

[hman]

Although I don't have any complaints about the special FX, I also believe that this film didn't live up to it's potential, considering the awesome spectacle of "The Mysterians" and "Battle in Outer Space."

[Gwangi]

Actually, there was a time when I really didn't like this movie and that was as recently as a couple of years ago. I like Manda, but I agree that he probably wasn't necessary for this film, but Tanaka (like in Gorath), felt a monster of some kind was needed.

What fascinates me, is what David mentioned earlier on how nationalism was examined in this picture. Though the part, I believe, was written for Toshiro Mifune, Jun Tazaki did a great job in the role of Captain Jingugi and played it to the core. Plus, you had another great score from Ifkube!

[Xenorama ™]

i watched this the other night, and have come to the conclusion it's more about the characters, Jinguchi and his daughter and friends than it is really about the Mu Empire. perhaps it's obvious to others, but it really hit me then.

of course, the amazing thing about when we did these reviews 5-7 years ago all these movies are available on DVD in some form- some better than others, but SO many are out now. i mean, who'd a thunk getting a subbed ATRAGON on legit DVD ever 3 years ago? sure makes the reviews easier!

[Shonokin]

I suck at seeing the Japanese scifi classics. I haven't seen Gorath, The Mysterions or Atragon.

I do have a nice miniature of the Atragon though.