Varan (film): Difference between revisions
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|soundtrack=Varan (Soundtrack)}} | |soundtrack=Varan (Soundtrack)}} | ||
{{Infopelicula | {{Infopelicula | ||
|type1 | |type1 =Machine | ||
|type2 | |type2 =Flying | ||
|header | |header ={{Toho Kaiju Film}} | ||
|image | |image =000091.jpg | ||
|caption | |caption =The Japanese poster for Varan | ||
|name | |name =''Varan''|titles=yes|alt-titles=yes | ||
|dt | |dt =''Varan'' (1958) | ||
|jp-title | |jp-title =''Giant Monster Varan'' (1958) | ||
|us-title | |us-title =''Varan, the Unbelievable'' (1962) | ||
|producer | |producer =[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]] | ||
|director | |director =[[Ishiro Honda]] | ||
|writer | |writer =[[Ken Kuronuma]], [[Shinichi Sekizawa]] | ||
|composer | |composer =[[Akira Ifukube]] | ||
|distributor =[[Toho]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br>Crown International Pictures{{sup|[[United States|US]]}} | |distributor =[[Toho]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br>Crown International Pictures{{sup|[[United States|US]]}} | ||
|rating | |rating =Not Rated | ||
|runtime | |runtime =87 minutes{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br>{{Small|(1 hour, 27 minutes)}}<br>70 minutes{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}<br>{{Small|(1 hour, 10 minutes)}} | ||
|aspectratio =2.35:1 | |aspectratio =2.35:1 | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Quote|When modern navy scientists defy the unknown mysteries of the past, perpetuated by centuries of native belief, then nature strikes in all its vengeance in Varan, the Unbelievable! For generations, the legend was passed on. They said [[Varan]] was there, deep in the still waters. They said, "Let Varan sleep!", but the navy commander would not heed their warning. He moved forward, ever searching, ever going deeper and deeper, until it was too late! Varan rose from the depths slowly, unrelentingly, to wreak its vengeance on the civilization that wanted to know too much. Tumultuous! Terrifying! So awesome it will shock you to the core! Varan, the Unbelievable!|Trailer for ''Varan, the Unbelievable''}} | {{Quote|When modern navy scientists defy the unknown mysteries of the past, perpetuated by centuries of native belief, then nature strikes in all its vengeance in Varan, the Unbelievable! For generations, the legend was passed on. They said [[Varan]] was there, deep in the still waters. They said, "Let Varan sleep!", but the navy commander would not heed their warning. He moved forward, ever searching, ever going deeper and deeper, until it was too late! Varan rose from the depths slowly, unrelentingly, to wreak its vengeance on the civilization that wanted to know too much. Tumultuous! Terrifying! So awesome it will shock you to the core! Varan, the Unbelievable!|Trailer for ''Varan, the Unbelievable''}} | ||
'''''Varan''''' {{Nihongo|大怪獣バラン|Daikaijū Baran|lit. ''Giant Monster Varan''}} is a [[1958]] [[tokusatsu]] [[:Category:Kaiju Films|kaiju film]] produced by [[Toho]], and the company's last black-and-white kaiju film. It was released to [[Japan]]ese theaters on October 14, 1958. | '''''Varan''''' {{Nihongo|大怪獣バラン|Daikaijū Baran|lit. ''Giant Monster Varan''}} is a [[1958]] [[tokusatsu]] [[:Category:Kaiju Films|kaiju film]] produced by [[Toho]], and the company's last black-and-white kaiju film. It was released to [[Japan]]ese theaters on October 14, 1958. | ||
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{{Plot Missing}} | {{Plot Missing}} | ||
To be added. | To be added. | ||
==Staff== | ==Staff== | ||
{{Staffs | {{Staffs | ||
| Line 106: | Line 104: | ||
{{Main|Varan (Soundtrack)}} | {{Main|Varan (Soundtrack)}} | ||
==Alternate Titles== | ==Alternate Titles== | ||
*'''''Giant Monster Varan''''' (Literal [[Japan]]ese | *'''''Giant Monster Varan''''' (Literal [[Japan]]ese title) | ||
*'''''Varan, Monster from the East''''' {{Nihongo|東洋の怪物 大怪獣バラン|Tōyō no Kaibutsu Daikaijū Baran|Original | *'''''Varan, Monster from the East''''' {{Nihongo|東洋の怪物 大怪獣バラン|Tōyō no Kaibutsu Daikaijū Baran|Original television version title}} | ||
*'''''Varan, the Unbelievable''''' ([[United States]]) | *'''''Varan, the Unbelievable''''' ([[United States]]) | ||
==Theatrical Releases== | ==Theatrical Releases== | ||
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==Cancelled Television Version== | ==Cancelled Television Version== | ||
Toho originally prepared ''Varan'' as a two-part television film with American cooperation. Because it would be a television production, Toho decided to forego shooting in color (as with ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'') and Tohoscope (''[[The Mysterians]]''). After the American production company, believed to be the short-lived AB-PT Productions, backed out during filming, Toho decided to restructure the project as a theatrical release. New footage was shot and all Academy ratio footage that was already in the can was reformatted as "Toho Pan Scope", a faux-anamorphic process similar to Superscope in which 1.37:1 footage is cropped during editing to 2:1. Akira Ifukube also recorded a brand new score for the new theatrical version of the film. An incomplete reconstruction of the original television version was included as a special feature with Toho's DVD release of the film and was later ported to the Region 1 release from Tokyo Shock. | Toho originally prepared ''Varan'' as a two-part television film with American cooperation. Because it would be a television production, Toho decided to forego shooting in color (as with ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'') and Tohoscope (''[[The Mysterians]]''). After the American production company, believed to be the short-lived AB-PT Productions, backed out during filming, Toho decided to restructure the project as a theatrical release. New footage was shot and all Academy ratio footage that was already in the can was reformatted as "Toho Pan Scope", a faux-anamorphic process similar to Superscope in which 1.37:1 footage is cropped during editing to 2:1. Akira Ifukube also recorded a brand new score for the new theatrical version of the film. An incomplete reconstruction of the original television version was included as a special feature with Toho's DVD release of the film and was later ported to the Region 1 release from Tokyo Shock. | ||
==[[United States|U.S. Release]]== | ==[[United States|U.S. Release]]== | ||
[[File:US_Varan.jpg|thumb|American Poster for ''Varan The Unbelievable'']]The American version of ''Varan'', titled ''Varan the Unbelievable'', was distributed theatrically in the United States by Crown International Pictures on a double bill with ''First Spaceship on Venus'' beginning on December 7, 1962. <ref name="Warren 1">{{cite book|title=Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, Volume II: 1958-1962 |author=Warren, Bill |date=1986 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers |page=771 |isbn=0899501702 9780899501703}}</ref> This version was a co-production of Dallas Productions and Cory Productions with Jerry A. Baerwitz producing and directing a script by Sid Harris. <ref name="Warren 1">{{cite book|title=Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, Volume II: 1958-1962 |author=Warren, Bill |date=1986 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers |page=771 |isbn=0899501702 9780899501703}}</ref> Production of ''Varan the Unbelievable'' began under the title ''Odoroku'' on October 17, 1960, according to a report in the same day's issue of ''Daily Variety''. <ref name="Classic Horror Film Board">[https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/monsterkidclassichorrorforum/varan-the-unbelievable-1962-t39448-s20.html?fbclid=IwAR1phxAz5hMjaO7dwhpSGOW7DvxLGnX79BGgHxlAgV5GrQzvBKSlk9in1Ow#p955082]</ref> Baerwitz's film is radically different from the Toho version, perhaps out of necessity: the sound design of all Japanese footage utilized in the American release (totaling some 30-minutes) is either completed jettisoned and rebuilt or left completely intact, suggesting that the production companies might have had only the completed Japanese version from which to work.<ref name="Culver, Brian">[http://www.historyvortex.org/TohoInAmerica5.html/]</ref> | [[File:US_Varan.jpg|thumb|200px|American Poster for ''Varan The Unbelievable'']]The American version of ''Varan'', titled ''Varan the Unbelievable'', was distributed theatrically in the United States by Crown International Pictures on a double bill with ''First Spaceship on Venus'' beginning on December 7, 1962. <ref name="Warren 1">{{cite book|title=Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, Volume II: 1958-1962 |author=Warren, Bill |date=1986 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers |page=771 |isbn=0899501702 9780899501703}}</ref> This version was a co-production of Dallas Productions and Cory Productions with Jerry A. Baerwitz producing and directing a script by Sid Harris. <ref name="Warren 1">{{cite book|title=Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, Volume II: 1958-1962 |author=Warren, Bill |date=1986 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers |page=771 |isbn=0899501702 9780899501703}}</ref> Production of ''Varan the Unbelievable'' began under the title ''Odoroku'' on October 17, 1960, according to a report in the same day's issue of ''Daily Variety''. <ref name="Classic Horror Film Board">[https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/monsterkidclassichorrorforum/varan-the-unbelievable-1962-t39448-s20.html?fbclid=IwAR1phxAz5hMjaO7dwhpSGOW7DvxLGnX79BGgHxlAgV5GrQzvBKSlk9in1Ow#p955082]</ref> Baerwitz's film is radically different from the Toho version, perhaps out of necessity: the sound design of all Japanese footage utilized in the American release (totaling some 30-minutes) is either completed jettisoned and rebuilt or left completely intact, suggesting that the production companies might have had only the completed Japanese version from which to work.<ref name="Culver, Brian">[http://www.historyvortex.org/TohoInAmerica5.html/]</ref> | ||
Harris constructed an entirely new story with new characters that still manages to follow the basic narrative of the Japanese version.<ref name="Warren 2">{{cite book|title=Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, Volume II: 1958-1962 |author=Warren, Bill |date=1986 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers |page=708 |isbn=0899501702 9780899501703}}</ref> The bulk of the new material is about chemical desalination tests carried out by Commander James Bradley, U.S.N. (played by Myron Healey), on the fictional Japanese island of Kunishiro Shima. These tests ultimately disturb the monster —called "Obake" in dialogue— until it's subdued in the city of Onita (Tokyo in Toho's version). While Bradley and his wife (Tsuruko Kobayashi) become the focus of Harris's screenplay, the Japanese protagonists are still present in archive footage, albeit as "Paul and Shidori Iso," college friends of Anna Bradley. Notably "Obake" is never seen flying in the U.S. release, although new special effects footage of the monster's claw was shot to replace a similar scene in the Japanese version.<ref name="Culver, Brian">[http://www.historyvortex.org/TohoInAmerica5.html/]</ref> Akira Ifukube's score is mostly deleted, with music editor Peter Zinner tracking in library cues such as portions of Albert Glasser's score for ''The Amazing Colossal Man''.<ref name="Warren 1">{{cite book|title=Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, Volume II: 1958-1962 |author=Warren, Bill |date=1986 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers |page=771 |isbn=0899501702 9780899501703}}</ref> Zinner later performed the same task on John Beck's Americanization of ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''. <ref name="Culver, Brian">[http://www.historyvortex.org/TohoInAmerica5.html/]</ref> | Harris constructed an entirely new story with new characters that still manages to follow the basic narrative of the Japanese version.<ref name="Warren 2">{{cite book|title=Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, Volume II: 1958-1962 |author=Warren, Bill |date=1986 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers |page=708 |isbn=0899501702 9780899501703}}</ref> The bulk of the new material is about chemical desalination tests carried out by Commander James Bradley, U.S.N. (played by Myron Healey), on the fictional Japanese island of Kunishiro Shima. These tests ultimately disturb the monster —called "Obake" in dialogue— until it's subdued in the city of Onita (Tokyo in Toho's version). While Bradley and his wife (Tsuruko Kobayashi) become the focus of Harris's screenplay, the Japanese protagonists are still present in archive footage, albeit as "Paul and Shidori Iso," college friends of Anna Bradley. Notably "Obake" is never seen flying in the U.S. release, although new special effects footage of the monster's claw was shot to replace a similar scene in the Japanese version.<ref name="Culver, Brian">[http://www.historyvortex.org/TohoInAmerica5.html/]</ref> Akira Ifukube's score is mostly deleted, with music editor Peter Zinner tracking in library cues such as portions of Albert Glasser's score for ''The Amazing Colossal Man''.<ref name="Warren 1">{{cite book|title=Keep Watching the Skies! American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, Volume II: 1958-1962 |author=Warren, Bill |date=1986 |publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers |page=771 |isbn=0899501702 9780899501703}}</ref> Zinner later performed the same task on John Beck's Americanization of ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''. <ref name="Culver, Brian">[http://www.historyvortex.org/TohoInAmerica5.html/]</ref> | ||
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An English version of ''Varan'', possibly different from the Crown International release, was advertised as available for export in the 1962 Toho Films Catalog. | An English version of ''Varan'', possibly different from the Crown International release, was advertised as available for export in the 1962 Toho Films Catalog. | ||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
''Varan'' is often considered by many kaiju fans to be one of Toho's weakest films. One common criticism from fans stems from the film's story, claiming that it's a generic monster movie story, while other Toho kaiju and science-fiction films involved more complex and interesting stories. The film is still popular for introducing the monster Varan, who has only appeared in a cameo appearance and several non-film media since. | ''Varan'' is often considered by many kaiju fans to be one of Toho's weakest films. One common criticism from fans stems from the film's story, claiming that it's a generic monster movie story, while other Toho kaiju and science-fiction films involved more complex and interesting stories. The film is still popular for introducing the monster Varan, who has only appeared in a cameo appearance and several non-film media since. | ||
| Line 149: | Line 145: | ||
Though ''Varan'' is not available on Blu-ray, an HD version can be rented or purchased on the Japanese versions of Amazon Video and iTunes. | Though ''Varan'' is not available on Blu-ray, an HD version can be rented or purchased on the Japanese versions of Amazon Video and iTunes. | ||
==Videos== | ==Videos== | ||
===Trailers=== | |||
{{Videos| | {{Videos| | ||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">ilNL-B1hMAc</youtube>|Japanese ''Varan'' trailer}} | {{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">ilNL-B1hMAc</youtube>|Japanese ''Varan'' trailer}} | ||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">oQxoo6MLWmA</youtube>|American ''Varan the Unbelievable'' trailer}} | {{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">oQxoo6MLWmA</youtube>|American ''Varan the Unbelievable'' trailer}} | ||
}} | |||
===Other=== | |||
{{Videos| | |||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">gyl2TSQQq2c</youtube>|Ken Films Super 8 digest version of ''Varan the Unbelievable''}} | {{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">gyl2TSQQq2c</youtube>|Ken Films Super 8 digest version of ''Varan the Unbelievable''}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
Revision as of 11:43, 21 December 2018
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Giant Monster Varan (1958)
Varan, the Unbelievable (1962)“
|
When modern navy scientists defy the unknown mysteries of the past, perpetuated by centuries of native belief, then nature strikes in all its vengeance in Varan, the Unbelievable! For generations, the legend was passed on. They said Varan was there, deep in the still waters. They said, "Let Varan sleep!", but the navy commander would not heed their warning. He moved forward, ever searching, ever going deeper and deeper, until it was too late! Varan rose from the depths slowly, unrelentingly, to wreak its vengeance on the civilization that wanted to know too much. Tumultuous! Terrifying! So awesome it will shock you to the core! Varan, the Unbelievable!
|
„
|
— Trailer for Varan, the Unbelievable |
Varan (大怪獣バラン Daikaijū Baran, lit. Giant Monster Varan) is a 1958 tokusatsu kaiju film produced by Toho, and the company's last black-and-white kaiju film. It was released to Japanese theaters on October 14, 1958.
Plot
|
“I knew that『plot』wasn't up to much.” This plot synopsis is missing or incomplete. Please help by editing this section. |
|---|
To be added.
Staff
Staff role on the left, staff member's name on the right.
- Directed by Ishiro Honda
- Written by Ken Kuronuma, Shinichi Sekizawa
- Music by Akira Ifukube
- Cinematography by Hajime Koizumi
- Film Editing by Kazuji Taira
- Production Design by Kiyoshi Shimizu, Akira Watanabe
- Assistant Director Koji Kajita
- Director of Special Effects Eiji Tsuburaya
Varan the Unbelievable
Staff role on the left, staff member's name on the right.
- Producer/Director Jerry A. Baerwitz
- Screenplay Sid Harris
- Photography Jack Marquette
- Special effects Howard A. Anderson Co.,
- Supervising film editor Jack Ruggiero
- Assistant editor Ralph Cushman
- Music editor Peter Zinner
- Sound recording Vic Appel
- Wardrobe Robert O'Dell
- Makeup Robert Cowan
- Assistant director Leonard Kunody[1]
Cast
Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.
- Kozo Nomura as Kenji Uozaki
- Ayumi Sonoda as Yuriko Shinjo
- Fumito Matsuo as Horiguchi
- Koreya Senda as Doctor Sugimoto
- Akio Kusama as Military Officer Kusama
- Yoshio Tsuchiya as Military Officer Katsumoto
- Akihiko Hirata as Fujimora
- Minosuke Yamada as Secretary of Defense
- Fuyuki Murakami as Majima
- Takashi Ito as Ken
- Fumiko Honma as Ken's Mother
- Akira Sera as Village Priest
- Hisaya Ito as Ichiro Shinjo
- Nadao Kirino as Yutaka Wada
- Akira Yamada as Issaku
- Yoshikazu Kawamata as Jiro
- Yasuhiro Kasanobu as Sankichi
- Yoshifumi Tajima as Captain Uranami
- Shoichi Hirose as Fisherman
- Toshitsugu Suzuki as Fisherman
- Haruo Nakajima, Katsumi Tezuka as Varan
Varan the Unbelievable
Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.
- Myron Healey as Cmdr. James Bradley, U.S.N.
- Tsuruko Kobayashi as Anna Bradley
- Clifford Kawada as Captain Kishi
- Derick Shimatsu as Matsu[1]
Appearances
Monsters |
Weapons, Vehicles, and Races |
Gallery
- Main article: Varan (film)/Gallery.
Soundtrack
- Main article: Varan (Soundtrack).
Alternate Titles
- Giant Monster Varan (Literal Japanese title)
- Varan, Monster from the East (東洋の怪物 大怪獣バラン Tōyō no Kaibutsu Daikaijū Baran, Original television version title)
- Varan, the Unbelievable (United States)
Theatrical Releases
- Japan - October 14, 1958
Cancelled Television Version
Toho originally prepared Varan as a two-part television film with American cooperation. Because it would be a television production, Toho decided to forego shooting in color (as with Rodan) and Tohoscope (The Mysterians). After the American production company, believed to be the short-lived AB-PT Productions, backed out during filming, Toho decided to restructure the project as a theatrical release. New footage was shot and all Academy ratio footage that was already in the can was reformatted as "Toho Pan Scope", a faux-anamorphic process similar to Superscope in which 1.37:1 footage is cropped during editing to 2:1. Akira Ifukube also recorded a brand new score for the new theatrical version of the film. An incomplete reconstruction of the original television version was included as a special feature with Toho's DVD release of the film and was later ported to the Region 1 release from Tokyo Shock.
U.S. Release
The American version of Varan, titled Varan the Unbelievable, was distributed theatrically in the United States by Crown International Pictures on a double bill with First Spaceship on Venus beginning on December 7, 1962. [1] This version was a co-production of Dallas Productions and Cory Productions with Jerry A. Baerwitz producing and directing a script by Sid Harris. [1] Production of Varan the Unbelievable began under the title Odoroku on October 17, 1960, according to a report in the same day's issue of Daily Variety. [2] Baerwitz's film is radically different from the Toho version, perhaps out of necessity: the sound design of all Japanese footage utilized in the American release (totaling some 30-minutes) is either completed jettisoned and rebuilt or left completely intact, suggesting that the production companies might have had only the completed Japanese version from which to work.[3]
Harris constructed an entirely new story with new characters that still manages to follow the basic narrative of the Japanese version.[4] The bulk of the new material is about chemical desalination tests carried out by Commander James Bradley, U.S.N. (played by Myron Healey), on the fictional Japanese island of Kunishiro Shima. These tests ultimately disturb the monster —called "Obake" in dialogue— until it's subdued in the city of Onita (Tokyo in Toho's version). While Bradley and his wife (Tsuruko Kobayashi) become the focus of Harris's screenplay, the Japanese protagonists are still present in archive footage, albeit as "Paul and Shidori Iso," college friends of Anna Bradley. Notably "Obake" is never seen flying in the U.S. release, although new special effects footage of the monster's claw was shot to replace a similar scene in the Japanese version.[3] Akira Ifukube's score is mostly deleted, with music editor Peter Zinner tracking in library cues such as portions of Albert Glasser's score for The Amazing Colossal Man.[1] Zinner later performed the same task on John Beck's Americanization of King Kong vs. Godzilla. [3]
After its theatrical release, Varan the Unbelievable could be seen on television through the 1980s. [5] Two video releases from VCI (Video Communications, Inc.) followed in the 1980s and in 1994, the latter being the final official release of the American edition. A 2005 DVD release through Media Blasters featured Toho's original Japanese version.[3]
An English version of Varan, possibly different from the Crown International release, was advertised as available for export in the 1962 Toho Films Catalog.
Reception
Varan is often considered by many kaiju fans to be one of Toho's weakest films. One common criticism from fans stems from the film's story, claiming that it's a generic monster movie story, while other Toho kaiju and science-fiction films involved more complex and interesting stories. The film is still popular for introducing the monster Varan, who has only appeared in a cameo appearance and several non-film media since.
The American version of the film, Varan, the Unbelievable, is widely disliked and infamous among fans. It is often accused of ruining the entire film and copying the strategy used in Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, but executing it much less effectively. All of the changes, from Varan's roar to the added plotline about an American officer, are heavily criticized.
Video Releases
Tokyo Shock DVD (2005)
- Region: 1
- Discs: 1
- Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono, 3.0 Stereo, 5.1 Surround)
- Special Features: Audio commentary by Varan suit maker Keizo Murase, lecture from Keizo Murase for High School Molding Seminar (29 minutes), reconstruction of the film's original TV version (54 minutes)
- Notes: Out of print. A 2007 release packages it with Matango and The Mysterians.
Synergy Entertainment DVD (2011)
- Region: N/A
- Discs: 1
- Audio: English
- Special Features: None
- Notes: Made-to-order DVD-R.
Reel Vault DVD (2015)
- Region: N/A
- Discs: 1
- Audio: English
- Special Features: None
- Notes: DVD-R
Though Varan is not available on Blu-ray, an HD version can be rented or purchased on the Japanese versions of Amazon Video and iTunes.
Videos
Trailers
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Other
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References
This is a list of references for Varan (film). These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]
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