Icons of Sci-Fi: Toho Collection (The H-Man / Battle in Outer Space / Mothra)
by Ishiro Honda
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DVD Cover Information
Director: Ishiro HondaBrand: Sony
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Japanese (Original Language); English (Original Language)
Format: Anamorphic, Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 2.35:1
Running Time: 259 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-08-18
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Movie Reviews of Icons of Sci-Fi: Toho Collection (The H-Man / Battle in Outer Space / Mothra)
Movie Review: Fun 50's Era Sci-Fi...And Its In Tohoscope!!
Summary: 5 Stars
A few years ago I got a chance to see the three films included in this set at the Castro Theater in San Francisco. While I enjoyed "Mothra" and "H-Man" I have to confess I got up and walked out on "Battle In Outer Space (something I don't normally do).
All three films were directed by Toho Studio's legendary kaiju director Ishiro Honda and when I saw them projected on the big screen at the Castro they looked almost like they had been shot the year before. I don't know the source prints used for this DVD but I hope they are they ones used when I saw them in San Francisco.
Mothra (1961) needs little introduction to monster fans and is the best film in this set. Survivors of a shipwreck on a radioactive island miraculously survive radiation effects by eating and drinking the juice of a berry endemic to the island. They also find a pair of twin fairies and when a ruthless businessman wants to exploit them he brings down the wrath of Mothra upon Tokyo. Great special effects (for the time), appealing characters and story make this a very family friendly and very entertaining giant monster flick. Of the three films I saw at the festival this one looked the best. The vibrant colors and the amazing Tohoscope cinematography fairly sparkled and almost leaped off the screen. Either Toho had done some restoration or they had access to a very well preserved print. I might also add that the line to get into see this one at the theater wrapped around the block and consisted of lots of parents with kids and I was very pleased to see that kids brought up on the CGI films of today were able to buy into the fantasy of this film and were having a ball watching "Mothra". BTW, once you hear the surprisingly poetic song the fairy twins sing to summon Mothra you will never be able to get it out of your head!
The H-Man (1958) was a real surprise for me. Frankly I didn't know what to expect and was very pleased to experience this atmospheric sci-fi thriller from Toho. Most fans are accustomed to the studios giant monster extravaganzas but this one takes an entirely different tack with its low key storytelling. The plot involves (oddly enough) a crime story interwoven with the sci-fi monster story line. Tokyo police are investigating the disappearance of a narcotics dealer only to learn that his vanishing act as well as those by other people is in fact the work of some kind of radioactive blob creature. It tends to get talky and drags a bit but I have to tell you that there are some really creepy scenes in this film and it is well worth your time to watch it.
Battle In Outer Space (1959) supposedly influenced George Lucas' Star Wars films. All I can say is if George found this flick about aliens invading earth entertaining then he is welcomed to it. Maybe it gets better later in the film but I can't say because I have to admit I got up and left before the half way mark. There were endless scenes of space ships doing...well very little actually and the things they are doing takes forever!! I know this film is held in high regard by some and perhaps I should give it another chance but I still have to stick to my initial opinion that this film was deadly dull.
Anyway, this is a highly anticipated release for Toho sci-fi fans and I only hope that Sony gives the films their due with quality prints. The very reasonable price should make this a no brainer purchase for all 50's monster movie enthusiasts. Heck, its worth it for Mothra alone!
UPDATE: (June 12, 2009) From the web site Digital Monster Island comes this news: "Both the complete Japanese and U.S. release versions of The H-Man and Mothra will be included. Since Battle in Outer Space wasn't edited for U.S. release, that one will be dual-language. The films will be remastered and presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1 OAR)."
More Icons of Sci-Fi: Toho Collection (The H-Man / Battle in Outer Space / Mothra) reviews:
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Summary of Icons of Sci-Fi: Toho Collection (The H-Man / Battle in Outer Space / Mothra)
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