Frankenstein Conquers The World [DVD]

I have spent along time looking for the original Japanese version, which is far better in my opinion than the American version. If yo watch the Japanese version of War of the Gargantua’s, you will see that it is a sequel to this.

"Frankenstein Conquers the World" (or "Frankenstein vs. Baragon") is a wonderful Japanese-American kaiju movie presented here by Tokyo Shock in a beautiful package. The package contains two discs and three versions of the movie, one primarily a Japanese release, one primarily for American audiences, and one for International audiences (which seems to be the Japanese version with the alternate giant octopus ending). Note that there are other versions out there, but three versions are plenty for me. The set has numerous extras including deleted scenes, extra footage, previews, still photos (of lobby cards, advertising materials, etc.), and a wonderful commentary by Sadamasa Arikawa, the chief cameraman and director of special effects (who appears over the International version).The short version of the plot is that the Germans realize defeat is imminent in World War Two, so they give the heart of Frankenstein's monster, which cannot be killed, to their ally, Japan, for secret military purposes. Unfortunately, the experiments get underway in Hiroshima early in the morning of August 6, 1945, just as a B-29 drops an atomic bomb on the city. Fast forward fifteen years and a mysterious mute waif who eats dogs starts terrorizing the community, while nearly simultaneously Baragon appears destroying some oil fields. Clearly the film is headed for a conflict of epic proportions, and over the remainder of the movie Frankenstein grows enormously, tangling with Baragon in amusing fight scenes. Depending on which version you watch, a third kaiju, in this case an enormous octopus, wanders through the forest to join the fight as well.This is a very entertaining film on a lot of levels, but mostly in a fun man-in-a-rubber suit (or lots of makeup) takes on all contenders way. The film is the first Japanese-American kaiju joint venture, and features Nick Adams as a scientist in the lead role. The supporting cast are largely Toho regulars, and the acting is above par for the genre.For me the single most enjoyable feature of this package is the commentary with Sadamasa Arikawa, who is very informative and entertaining. He reveals many techniques of technical filmmaking and discusses working on kaiju films (and especially provides insight on director Ishirô Honda). He addresses editorial differences between the versions and attempts to explain (with marginal success) the giant octopus issue. He is also to be commended, as the lighting and special effects on this film, while not totally perfect by today's standards, are excellent for the time.I highly recommend this set to fans of kaiju, and to people who just want to watch a great and unusual Japanese sci-fi picture from the 1960's.

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Following the successes of Toho's other giant monster movies, FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD capitalizes on more World War II fears materialized in the form of a gigantic Frankenstein monster that brings with him mass destruction but also the hope of regenerating lost tissue to those afflicted by nuclear war. Japanese scientists recover the heart of the Frankenstein monster before the fall of Germany during the Second World War, with the intent of learning its secrets in order to benefit mankind. The heart and its observers are then buried in the Hiroshima blast, but 15 years later, it births a radioactive monster that begins growing at an accelerated rate. The monster takes to the hills with Japan's army hot on its tale, but when terror strikes in the form of the dinosaur Baragon, Japan's only hope lies in its would-be destroyer! Like his reptile counterpart, the monster is a condemnation of war and nuclear weaponry as told through this fantastic tale. Ishiro Honda delivers more incredible filming, superior miniatures, and high production values that stand up against many of Toho's greats. Composite shots pairing the miniature set designs, the monster, and the comparatively tiny cast are handled with flawless precision early on in the film. It is the final third that forgets all of the strength and originality of the plot and becomes just another average monster brawl. FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD is a winning effort from the Golden Age of Toho, and is sure to appeal to any Kaiju Eiga fan.-Carl ManesI Like Horror Movies

I was just as thrilled to hear that Frankenstein Conquers was coming out on dvd as much as I was when I heard it was being air on “the Monster week” line up on ABC-TV back in the 1970’s. This was Toho at the top of their game in the Showa era of the 60’s who else could crank out mainStream large scale kaiju destruction like the Godzilla factory. Toho shows no shame in taking the Frankenstein’s monster by way of H-bomb and grow to giant proportions, wrestle match a giant earth borrowing beastie while still able to get us to emote sympathy for him. All to masterful sfxof Tsuburaya and Akira’s sober yet thundering soundtrack. Tokyo Shock puts together a great package with both the U.S and japan version in aTwo disc (2:35.1 format) set culled with special features including trailers,commentary,deleted scenes, international footage (which sadly showsMy favorite scene cut from this U.S. version of a scared but enraged Frank lifting and throwing a “perfect scale” prop car and it landing in flamesVia “ slow high angled” Which is why I shorted this review a star)

The DVD was in good shape.... the movie is just BORING. Im all bout Kaiju movies and B movies, I own many. But this one is very slow, makes no sense at all, and the action is lame. Disappointing, after hearing many people go on about how much they like it. Ill keep the movie, but doubt Ill watch it ever again. I watched it about 3 times just to see if it grew on me. It didn't.

発注から届くのに2週間程かかりました。アメリカからなのでそれでも早いと思いました。私はポータブルプレイヤーの視聴なので画質については勘弁してください。国内正規版のブルーレイやDVDは見たことないのでハッキリとは言えませんが特典画像を含め同じような仕様とみていいのではないでしょうか。映画は3バージョンがあると言われますがお馴染みの2バージョンのみ収録です。フランケンシュタインがバラゴンを持ち上げて地割れに沈むバージョンは元々、存在しないのではないでしょうか。都市伝説のような物です。☆東宝4作品の予告収録、国内劇場のロビーカード、外国劇場のロビーカード、国内のオモチャ、国内のレーザーデスクジャケット等々のスチールを収録、等々です。後は買ってからのお楽しみです。画像をいくつか添付しましたので参考にしてください。死ぬまでに海外版が見れたので、もうイインデス私･･･。

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This DVD is so much more than the previous review might lead you to believe, the plot summary is spot on and needs no elaboration but there are so many extras included.WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS...What you get here are 3 separate versions of the movie on 2 discs.Disc 1 contains 2 versions of the movie; both are in Japanese with English subtitles.The International version runs for 93 minutes and is the longest of the three versions and has a different ending to the other 2 which sees Frankenstein defeating Baragon by throwing him off a cliff then getting attacked by a giant octopus. It also has a very interesting commentary by Sadamasa Arikawa, the movies director of photographic special effects, who gives an insight into the making of the movie and throws up lots of nuggets of trivia. Director Ishiro Honda took the movies seriously and if you can suspend disbelief when you see the toy tanks rolling into action and the blatant use of toy models of people to emphasise Frankenstein's size they are definitely entertaining. In fact scale was an issue throughout the movie as Arikawa admits.The shorter Theatrical version (90 minutes) has Frankenstein and Baragon falling to their doom when the earth gives way beneath them, which oddly Arikawa appears to have forgotten about judging from his commentary.Disc 2 has the American release which is the version I was more familiar with which is very similar to the Theatrical version but has a running time of only 84 minutes and is dubbed into English.The second disc also contains missing and deleted scenes including the attack of the octopus and some funny footage of toy tanks getting stuck. It also has a great photo gallery that includes international movie lobby cards, stills, comics, toys and photographs of all sorts of promotional material.This is a superb collection that Toho and monster movie fans will enjoy.It would be great to get a similar package DVD of Ishiro Honda's sequel (of sorts) War of the Gargantuas, that would certainly go near the top of my Christmas wish list.

Oh yes, now yer talkin'. The plot for this film is just fantastic. It starts in the castle of Baron Frankenstein (although he's not referred to as Frankenstein in the film - this is the name given to the monster.. but I digress..). It's 1945 and the Baron has just given life to a reanimated heart. Then in burst the Nazis and whisk it away. It's taken by submarine to Japan to be tested on, in the hope of finding a way to help mankind. Unfortunately, just minutes after the heart's arrived, the atom bomb is dropped on the city.Cut to 1964, and a couple of doctors notice a strange boy playing in the streets. After much to-ing and frowing it turns out that Frankenstein's heart had the ability to generate body parts (!) Stick with me. And the result is this little boy. Unfortunately he doesn't stay little for long. Soon he's growing at a phenominal rate.Queue appearance of Baragon, a monster who burrows under ground, and has a taste for eating cattle and humans. Frankenstein has a run in with some media hungry reporters - escapes - and is then accused of eating said cattle and humans.Eventually Frankenstein and Baragon meet with inevitable monster movie consequences.This film was directed by Ishiro Honda (the creator behind all the early Godzilla films) so the movie certainly has the overall feel of a Godzilla film. However what makes this different from the Godzilla films is the fantastically crazy story, which actually helps support the build up to the monster punch up - as opposed to being a bit of a time filler between monster action.If you love Toho Godzilla movies then this should be on your Christmas list.

This the first of two Toho movies featuring Frankenstein is the prequel to War of the Gargantuas that I enjoyed very much. This dvd features not one but three versions of the film which actually has five - the Japanese version, A.I.P. version (American International Pictures), and International version which is the Japanese -English version with the octopus special ending. The print of the film is very good considering the film was made in 1965 so hurrah for Tokyo Shock for bringing us this film and many others that we can enjoy state side. I'm sure people who are into the genre of giant monsters (kaiju) would enjoy this film and the sequel is just as equally enjoyable featuring Frankenstein's infants in War of the Gargantuas which ironically begins with an octopus to start the movie just as this movie ends with an octopus in some versions of the movie.