(aka 'Chikyu Boeigun' or 'Defence Force of the Earth" or "Earth Defense Force " or "The Mysterians')
directed by
Ishirô Honda
Japan 1957
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The short take is - Aliens arrive on Earth and ask permission to be given a certain tract of land for their people to live on. But when they are discovered to be invaders, responsible for the giant robot that is destroying cities, the armed forces attempt to stop them with every weapon available.
Like Godzilla, The Mysterians also explores the dangers of the atomic bomb combined with the kaiju eiga (Japanese giant monster movie) sub-genre, but for the first time in Japanese culture it introduced a new concept - alien invasion.
Those who know me are aware that I have a soft spot for poor science-fiction films (especially from the 50's and 60's... and especially of the Japanese 'fantastic' variety). It probably has something to do with the pulpy stuff I was exposed to growing up and my fondness for nostalgia. Now, this is pretty bad, but it also has a very strong 'cool' factor. Really, I have so much fun with this genre - films that are far too easy to pick apart. Rise above it and let your hair down and I can't possibly see how you cannot help but enjoy this to bits - the innocent production values, the bad special effects, the hokey costumes... superlatives can be used liberally. It's a blast! |
Posters
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Theatrical Release: May 1957 - Tokyo
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
Media Blasters - Region 1 - NTSC vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL
(Media Blasters - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL RIGHT)
| DVD Box Cover |
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| Distribution | Media Blasters Inc. - Region 1 - NTSC | BFI - Region 2 - PAL |
| Runtime | 1:28:24 | 1:24:51 (4% PAL speedup) |
| Video | 2.39:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 7.36 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
2.42:1
Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.45 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Bitrate: Media Blasters |
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| Bitrate: BFI |
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| Audio | Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital mono) DUB: English (Dolby Digital 5.1) , Spanish (Dolby Digital mono) | Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
| Subtitles | English, None | English, None |
| Features |
Release Information:
Edition Details: • Audio
commentary with Koichi Kawakita and Shinji Higuchi |
Release Information:
Edition Details:
• Original theatrical trailer |
| Comments: |
ADDITION: BFI - Region 2- PAL - February - 06' - the image quality appears to be exact, or negligibly different, on both releases. Color, damage marks and framing are likewise as close as 'dammit is to swearing'. I kind of like the BFI subtitles - a shade less intrusive, but the deal breaker here is the commentary track offered on the Media Blasters. They both have design galleries and storyboards but the BFI has a wonderful booklet included. The Media Blasters gives more audio options. If you are not a commentary-type them simply choose the one that is least expensive for you. Otherwise the Media Blasters is the way to go. *****
Sure this DVD has some weaknesses, but it also has some impressive
strengths. The image has very minor scratches and damage and is a little
hazy, but it is 16X9 enhanced and colors are quite bright, although
there is some saturation and it can appear quite thick. I actually found
it looked quite good on a TV tube. It is stacked with 5.1 Japanese and
original mono as well as a 5.1 English DUB and mono Spanish one. A
commentary by Toho effects supervisors is priceless and hard-to-find
extras (I would imagine) - old storyboards and costume renderings - are
very chic. Removable, clear English subtitles - Why can't they all be
like this? Wonderful!
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(Media Blasters - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)
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(Media Blasters - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)
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Recommended Poster Books (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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Film Posters of the 50s: The Essential Movies of the
Decade from the Reel Poster Gallery Collection by Tony Nourmand, Graham March |
Trash: The Graphic Genius of Xploitation Movie
Posters by Jacques Boyreau |
Film Posters of the 60s: The Essential Movies of the
Decade : From the Reel Poster Gallery Collection by Tony Nourmand, Reel Poster Gallery, Graham Marsh |
Science Fiction Poster Art by Tony Nourmand, Graham Marsh |
Science Fiction and Horror Movie Posters in
Full Color by Alan Adler |
Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy Movie Posters &
Lobby Cards by Forrest J. Ackerman, Robert Brosch |
The Art of Noir: The Posters and Graphics from the
Classic Era of Film Noir by Eddie Muller |
Report Card:
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Image: |
tie |
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Sound: |
Media Blasters |
| Extras: | Media Blasters |
| Menu: | Media Blasters |
