War of the Gargantuas

Infobox_Film
name = War of the Gargantuas


director = Ishirō Honda
producer = Tomoyuki Tanaka
Henry G. Saperstein (USA)
Reuben Bercovitch (USA)
writer = Ishirō Honda
Takeshi Kimura
starring = Russ Tamblyn
Kumi Mizuno
Kenji Sahara
Kipp Hamilton
music = Akira Ifukube
cinematography = Hajime Koizumi
editing = Ryohei Fujii
Frederic Knudtson (USA)
distributor = Toho
Benedict Motion Picture Corp. (USA)
released = 1966 (Japan)
July 29, 1970 (USA)
runtime = 90 min.
language = Japanese
English
imdb_id = 0060440
budget =
preceded_by = "Frankenstein Conquers the World"
followed_by = "Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla"|

"War of the Gargantuas", released in Japan as nihongo|"Frankenstein no Kaijū: Sanda tai Gaira"|フランケンシュタインの怪獣 サンダ対ガイラ|Furankenshutain no Kaijū: Sanda tai Gaira|lit. "Frankenstein's Monsters: Sanda Versus Gaira", is a 1966 daikaiju eiga (giant-monster movie), and a semisequel to "Frankenstein Conquers the World". It introduces two giant, hairy humanoids called Gargantuas, which spawned from the discarded cells of Frankenstein's monster from the previous film and are described as brothers. The Green Gargantua is violent and savage, preying upon human beings; as he lives in sea water, he is given the name Gaira (ガイラ - from "kai" (or "gai", for "stranger")), corresponding to Japanese characters for "sea"). The Brown Gargantua had been raised in captivity, and is docile and gentle; because he resides in the Japan Alps, he is called Sanda (サンダ, from "san", "mountain"). The film follows the investigation and military engagements of these creatures until their climatic confrontation in Tokyo.

Several ambiguous references are made to "Frankenstein Conquers the World", but the only direct link between the films is the term "Frankenstein", which appears in the title and is used to refer to the Gargantuas ("Frankensteins") in the original (Japanese) dialogue. Like the previous film, which starred Nick Adams, "War of the Gargantuas" features a Hollywood actor (Russ Tamblyn) in the lead as a scientist, Kumi Mizuno as his colleague, and another Japanese scientist (previously Tadao Takashima, here Kenji Sahara). The similar casting has led to speculation that the film was intended to feature recurring characters. Eiji Tsuburaya helmed the special effects crew with monster suit actor Haruo Nakajima portraying the antagonistic Gaira.

The movie itself is rather vague as to where (if at all) "War of the Gargantuas" falls in regard to the continuity of Toho's other kaiju films, or even if it should be considered a canonical part of the Godzilla franchise. In 2002's Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, however, specific reference to the Gargantuas is made, indicating that (in this variation on Godzilla continuity, in any case) "War of the Gargantuas" is considered by Toho to be a legitimate part of the Godzilla universe.

Additional Credits

*Teruyoshi Nakano- Assistant Director of Special Effects
*Yasuyuki Inoue- Special Effects Art Director
*Fumio Nakadai- Director of Wireworks
*Teisho Arikawa- Director of Special Effects Cinematography
*Sokei Tomioka- Cameraman

The Gargantuas

The Gargantuas Sanda and Gaira are two fictional kaiju that appeared in the movie "War of the Gargantuas". They are the offspring of Frankenstein from "Frankenstein Conquers the World".

anda

History

Apparently the offspring of the giant Frankenstein monster, Sandra was discovered as a child living in the forest by Doctor Paul Stewart. The creature was taken to a research laboratory where he quickly befriend one of the doctor's aids: Akemi. Though Sanda was affectionate toward his captors, he eventually escaped back to his mountain home, where he grew to Kaiju proportions. He would not reappear until a while later, when he rushes to the aide of his brother, Gaira who is under attack by the JDF. However, Sanda later discovers his brother does not share his compassion toward humanity, after catching him in the act of devouring some people. The brown giant attacks his brother in anger, driving him out of the forest. Gaira retreats straight to Tokyo, traveling through the dark waters of its harbor. Sanda follows his brother, and attempts to convince him to end his bloodthirsty ways. Gaira pays no heed and the two fought.

Gaira

History

From within the pitch-blackness of the ocean depth, a powerful green giant lurked. Armed with unquestionable strength and a bloodlust matched by nothing, Gaira showed itself to be a murderous creature. Acting like the right hand of the devil, the ape like creature not only defeated the Giant Octopus, but attacked the very ship that the sea beast was just latched upon. Shoving the vessel beneath the waves, Gaira devoured most of the crew members that managed to flee the boat. Like rats from a sinking ship, they paddled their way through the waves. Unfortunately their efforts would be in vain, as the beast swam after them hungrily. But the monster's belly called for more than just a few scrapes of humans on ships, and Gaira made his way to land. First arriving at an airport, the sea beast made its presence known to the mainland. After eating a poor woman he snatched up, Gaira finally left as the sun pulled itself from the darkened clouds. Mulling over the destruction, the Japanese military went into action shortly after and set a trap for the beast. Waiting for the right time, the brave men and woman lured the creature deeper and deeper into the mainland. Burning villages and blasting with tanks together forced the creature to the electrified lake. Once he stepped into the sapphire waters the trap was sprung and Japan now had Gaira on the ropes. Electrified with over a million volts of sizzling power, the monster looked that its reign would be over, that is until his brother Sanda intervened. Saving his kin, the twin giants ran. However, it was not long before their differences in regards to human life tore them apart. Realizing that human life meant nothing to Gaira, after gazing at the torn tourists cloths that laid beside the killer, Sanda attacked his brother. However, even in his weakened condition, the murdering beast Gaira was able to flee.

Deaths

Within a few days the brothers made it to Tokyo and continued their battle where they had left off. Like Cain and Able they fought, each knowing that only one would survive. So intense was their battle, that not even the land could contain their fury. Throwing themselves into the harbor, the gargantuas continued to battle in the ocean's waters. Even the countless bombs that mankind dropped from their helicopters did little to detour their lust. Yet, as fate would have it the bombs trigged an undersea volcano. Erupting with godly force, their bodies were soon engulfed in the flames. Their bodies soon destroyed in the molten fires, burning their images from existence…

Other appearances

They didn't appear in the movie (although Gaira was seen in a flashback), but the two Gargantuas were mentioned in "Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla". They also made cameo appearances in the beginning of "" during flashbacks of the past kaiju. One of the Gargantuas or a new Gargantua were/was supposed to fight Godzilla in a lost project, "Godzilla vs. the Gargantuas". However, the film was never made.

Trivia

* An elder scientist discusses the fraternal relationship between the Gargantuas, and in the English dub refers to Cain and Abel. Dr. Stewart replies, "Brother against brother, huh? Sounds like some countries I know." A reference to the state of International relations in the time.
* Masers are used as weapons for the first time in a Toho film.
* This is one of several daikaiju eiga with a volcanic climax; see also "Rodan", "Gamera vs. Gyaos", "The Return of Godzilla".
* This is one of the few times that the Japan Self-Defense Foces actually succeed in hurting the monsters (partially via use of the new maser weapons).
* A song from the film, Feel in My Heart (often misquoted as being The Words Get Stuck In My Throat) was adapted by the band Devo, sung at concerts by the character of Booji Boy
*US producer Henry G. Saperstein had planned to make a sequel where either Sanda, Gaila or a similar, new creature were pitted against Godzilla.
*The original ending of the film was to not only have Sanda and Gaila swallowed up by the new volcano, but the lava was to have spread to Tokyo where it was to destroy the city as well as the remaining cells of the monsters; cited in an interview with director Honda in Guy Tucker's "Age of the Gods: A History of the Japanese Fantasy Film" (Daikaiju Publishing, 1996).
*Sanda (repainted suit with a new head) appeared in Yuke! Godman episode 16 "Godman vs Sanda" and the following year in Ike! Greenman episode 31 "Greenman vs Sanda".
*Gaira (repainted suit with a new head) appeared in Yuke! Godman episode 17 "Godman vs Gaira" and the following year in Ike! Greenman episode 4 "Greenman vs Gaira"
*Due to dialogue referring to the monsters as "Frankensteins", Russ Tamblyn had to re-dub his dialogue for the American version of the film.
*Quentin Tarantino (who himself is a big fan of Toho's monster and sci fi films, especially those of Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya) based the fight between Uma Thurman and Daryl Hannah in Kill Bill Vol. 2 on the final battle in War of the Gargantuas. He showed his copy of the film to both actresses and told them he wanted it to be "War of the Blonde Gargantuas"
* The original intended title for this film was "Frankensteins' Duel".
*Gaira was taken as a pseudonym of the extreme Japanese movie director Kazuo Komizu.
*Akira Ifukube's JSDF Mach Theme, heard only in the Japanese version, was later retooled slightly for 1992's Godzilla vs Mothra, with music also from Ifukube.

U.S. release

* Several of Ifukube's music cues were removed (including "The Maser March," which angered fans) or re-arranged, and Ifukube themes from other kaiju films were added. Deleted cues were replaced with stock music from the b-movie, "Blood Waters of Dr. Z".

* Deleted: Vocal sounds made by the child Sanda in the flashback scene.

* Dialogue was dubbed into English.

* Added: A shot of chewed-up clothes hitting the tarmac in the scene where Gaira eats a woman at Haneda International Airport.

* Shots of the Masers attacking Gaira were edited into some of the Godzilla films of the 1970s, notably "Godzilla vs. Megalon".

* The Classic Media 2008 DVD release (paired with "Rodan") contains both the original Japanese version (with optional English subtitles) and the altered and English-dubbed U.S. version.

References and homages

Besides its cast and crew, "War of the Gargantuas" ("WOG") makes several homages and vocal references to "Frankenstein Conquers the World" ("FCTW"), though none conclusively tie the two films together:
*an alternate ending of "FCTW" featured a battle between Frankenstein and a giant octopus called Oodako (a.k.a The "GiantDevilfish"); "WOG" begins with a battle between Gaila and the same Oodako (possibly the same prop).
*The young Frankenstein loses a (still-living) hand during his escape in "FCTW"; in the English dub of "WOG", Dr. Stewart refers to a "desiccated" hand belonging to no "known creature".
*Akemi (Mizuno) flashes back to her experience with a Gargantua (the young Sanda) in the laboratory, scenes reminiscent of those of Sueko (also Mizuno) with the young Frankenstein in "FCTW".
*Frankenstein fled to the mountains after his escape in "FCTW"; Sanda is discovered in the mountains in "WOG".
*The theatrical cut of "FCTW" ends when a sudden earthquake envelops Frankenstein after his bout with Baragon; another natural disaster (a volcano) destroys the Gargantuas when their battle takes them to sea.

References

*Galbraith, Stuart IV. "Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films", McFarland, 1994. ISBN 0-89950-853-7
*Pusateri, Richard (1998). "A G-Fan Retrospective: "War of the Gargantuas". "G-Fan" 32: 28–33.
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