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{{Mtab
{{Tab
|soundtrack={{soundtracktab}}
|soundtrack=Invasion of Astro-Monster (Soundtrack)
|credits=Invasion of Astro-Monster/Credits
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{{Nav
{{Nav
|type1      =Electric
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|type        =[[Godzilla (Franchise)|Godzilla]] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|Films]]
|type        =[[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'']] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|Films]]
|name        =Invasion of Astro-Monster
|name        =''Invasion of Astro-Monster''
|prev        =Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
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{{Infopelicula
{{Infobox Film|ratings=yes
|type1      =Dark
|type1      =Fire
|type2      =Electric
|type2      =Dragon
|header      ={{Toho}} {{Kaijup}} {{Film}}
|image      =Invasion of Astro-Monster Poster A.png
|image      =Invasion of Astro-Monster Poster A.png
|caption    =The Japanese poster for Invasion of Astro-Monster
|caption    =The Japanese poster for Invasion of Astro-Monster
|nameoffilm  =''Invasion of Astro-Monster''
|dt          =''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' (1965)
|dt          =''Invasion of Astro-Monster''
|name        =''Invasion of Astro-Monster''|titles=yes|alt-titles=yes
|jp-title    =''Great Monster War'' (1965)
|us-title    =''Monster Zero'' (1970)
|producer    =[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]],<br>Henry G. Saperstein,<br>Reuben Bercovitch
|producer    =[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]],<br>Henry G. Saperstein,<br>Reuben Bercovitch
|director    =[[Ishiro Honda]]
|director    =[[Ishiro Honda]]
|writer      =[[Shinichi Sekizawa]]
|writer      =[[Shinichi Sekizawa]]
|composer    =[[Akira Ifukube]]
|composer    =[[Akira Ifukube]]
|distributor =[[Toho Company Ltd.]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br>Maron Films{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|distributor =[[Toho]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br>Maron Films{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|rating      =G{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|rating      =G{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|budget      =¥???,???,???
|budget      =¥132,000,000<ref name="Honda">{{cite book|title=Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film |author=Steve Ryfle and Ed Godzizewski |date=2017 |publisher=Wesleyan University Press |page=185 |isbn=9780819577412}}</ref>
|gross      =¥5,130,000
|gross      =¥210,000,000<ref name="Honda"></ref>
|runtime    =94 minutes{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 34 minutes)}}<br />92 minutes{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 32 minutes)}}
|runtime    =94 minutes{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 34 minutes)}}<br />92 minutes{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 32 minutes)}}
|designs    =[[DaisensoGoji]], [[SanDaikaijuRado]], [[ShodaiGhido]]
|aspectratio =2.35:1
}}
}}
'''''Invasion of Astro-Monster''''' {{Nihongo|怪獣大戦争|Kaijū Daisensō|lit. ''Great Monster War''}} is a [[1965]] {{daikaiju eiga}} produced by [[Toho Company Ltd.]], and the sixth installment in the [[Godzilla (Franchise)|Godzilla series]] as well as the [[Showa era|Showa series]]. The film was released to [[Japan]]ese theaters on December 19, [[1965]].
{{Quote|Ruler of the universe [[Planet X]], [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]], [[Rodan/Showa|Rodan]], [[King Ghidorah/Showa|King Ghidorah]]'s great fierce fight!|parenthetical=宇宙の帝王X星をゆるがすゴジラ・ラドン・キングギドラの大激闘!|Japanese tagline}}
{{Quote|It went unobserved by the astronauts, but... The most gigantic monster explosion of the space age now being blasted into film|International tagline}}
{{Quote|Godzilla and Rodan fight the monster from outer space to save the world!|American tagline}}
'''''Invasion of Astro-Monster''''' {{Nihongo|怪獣大戦争|Kaijū Daisensō|lit. ''Great Monster War''}} is a [[1965]] [[tokusatsu]] [[:Category:Kaiju Films|kaiju film]] co-produced by [[Toho]] and [[UPA]], and the sixth installment in the [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla series]] as well as the [[Showa era|Showa series]]. The film was released to [[Japan]]ese theaters on December 19, [[1965]].<ref name="Godzilla.jp">[http://godzilla.jp/work/6/ 怪獣大戦争|ゴジラ 東宝公式サイト] (official [[Godzilla.jp]] page)</ref>
{{TOC}}
{{TOC}}
==Plot==
==Plot==
During a manned mission to the newly-discovered [[Planet X]] located beyond [[Jupiter]], the astronauts [[Astronaut Glenn|Glenn]] and [[Kazuo Fuji|Fuji]] encounter inhabitants called [[Xiliens]] who ask to borrow the two Earth-bound Monsters Zero-One ([[Godzilla]]) and Zero-Two ([[Rodan]]) to combat their own terror, Monster Zero.
In the year 196X, astronauts [[Astronaut Glenn|Glenn]] and [[Kazuo Fuji|Fuji]] embark on a mission to [[Planet X]], a world recently discovered behind [[Jupiter]]. There, they encounter an alien race called the [[Xiliens]], who ask to borrow the two Earth monsters [[Godzilla]] and [[Rodan]] to combat their own terror, [[King Ghidorah]], who they call Monster Zero. In return, they promise the men a "miracle drug" which can cure all illness. The nations of the world agree to the trade, seeing no downside to getting rid of the two monsters. Xilien saucers transport Godzilla and Rodan to Planet X, where they drive off Ghidorah after a brief battle. The tape supposed to contain the formula for the miracle drug, however, turns out to be a demand from the Xiliens to surrender Earth. Their magnetic wave technology had placed King Ghidorah under their control before Glenn and Fuji even arrived on Planet X, and now Godzilla and Rodan are theirs to command as well.


At the outset of the movie, the two-man spacecraft, crewed by one Japanese and one American (Fuji and Glenn), is approaching Jupiter to visit the newly-discovered "Planet X", which inexplicably maintains a position directly behind Jupiter. The planet is rather dark, but still lit up enough to be visible and for it to be possible to navigate its surface. The spacecraft lands, and the astronauts disembark.
As the invasion begins, [[Miss Namikawa]], an undercover Xilien agent who has fallen in love with Glenn, reveals to him that a specific frequency is capable of inflicting catastrophic damage to the aliens. After they kill her, the Xiliens throw Glenn into the same cell as the inventor [[Tetsuo Tori]], who accidentally discovered that frequency while working on a novelty item he calls the Ladyguard Alarm. Using the Alarm, they escape from the base and bring the device to the [[JSDF]]. The three monsters' rampages are halted when vehicles called the [[A-Cycle Light Ray Gun|A-Cycle Light Rays]] use enormous speakers and magnetic wave projectors to break the Xiliens' control over them. Driven to madness by the frequency, the Xilien invasion force self-destructs its own base and saucers. Godzilla and Rodan engage King Ghidorah again, and all three tumble into the ocean. Only the space monster emerges, but Tetsuo doubts that Godzilla and Rodan could have perished. To their dismay, Doctor Sakurai informs Glenn and Fuji that they will be Earth's first ambassadors to Planet X.
 
One astronaut vanishes, and the other wonders where he, and the spacecraft, have gone, and then a flat voice intones to him, instructing him where to go. The astronauts are led through subterranean corridors to the office of the Controller of Planet X.
 
The spacecraft is safe, he assures them, and indicates that they are about to be attacked. The astronauts recognize the attacking creature, [[King Ghidorah]]. After a brief black-out, when the astronauts are cut off from being able to see and hear the Controller, they are assured that the monster, known as Monster Zero, has left.
 
The Controller says that they want Earth's help: to be allowed to capture Monsters Zero One and Zero Two, known to Earthmen as Godzilla and Rodan. In return, Planet X will gift humanity with a wonder drug that cures all diseases. The astronauts agree to return to Earth with the proposal. As they lift off, they say on the radio to the Controller, "We're glad we found friends on Planet X."
 
Meanwhile, Fuji's sister has a boyfriend, Tetsuo, who's invented a personal alarm he thinks women could use to summon assistance if they're endangered. It creates a horrific loud noise that can be heard blocks away, and wonders why nobody's interested in buying it, but then a Miss Namikawa comes and makes an offer to buy it as an educational device, but keeps putting Tetsuo off on completing the deal.
 
Fuji and Glenn arrive home, and tell their superiors of the offer by Planet X. Scientists begin searching for Godzilla and Rodan. Then, the Controller of Planet X makes mysterious appearances on Earth, and Glenn becomes suspicious about Planet X. The Controller finally makes his appearance overt, "apologizes" for his unannounced presence, and offers to help locate the two monsters. Two Planet X spacecraft rapidly fly off and extract the two monsters.
 
Glenn, Fuji and one of their superiors are invited aboard a spacecraft to accompany the Controller back to Planet X, a trip that takes only a few hours; the Controller says that soon they'll be able to travel as fast as light. On reaching Planet X, there is almost immediately an attack by King Ghidorah, and the two from Earth are released to battle it. King Ghidorah is driven off, Godzilla dances a victory jig, and the Controller exults about that. He presents a box that, he says, contains information about the miracle drug, and presents the three men with a faithful duplicate of their spaceship so they can fly home.
 
On arrival, the box is taken to a special international meeting and is opened to find a reel-to-reel tape. It is loaded onto a machine and set up to play. When the speakers remain silent for a long period, some wonder if the systems are compatible, but others say their system is exactly the same as ours. Finally, there is a beep, and the voice begins. "This is the Controller of Planet X. You will listen to my instructions..." It is an ultimatum to surrender to Planet X.
 
The aliens arrive, destroy the spacecraft, and threaten to release the three creatures, which are now all under Planet X's control. In a show of confidence, the aliens even betray the method of control: magnetic waves. The Earth scientists realize that they could exploit this information, and work rapidly to find a way to disrupt those magnetic waves, while in the meantime, Earth's armies fight nearly in futility with conventional weapons as the monsters wage most of their destruction against Japan.
 
Tetsuo, meanwhile, is dissatisfied with the lack of progress on his device, and his inability to get Miss Namikawa to tell him what's happening. He gets imprisoned by the Planet X soldiers. When Glenn, who was infatuated with Miss Namikawa, is also arrested after finding out something about her - she's from Planet X and all their women are virtually identical, he and Tetsuo put clues together. Namikawa gave Glenn, before she was disintegrated by a Planet X soldier, a letter, and in it she says that one simple sound will destroy the people of Planet X. It is the sound made by Tetsuo's "lady beware alarm". He still has the prototype, takes it out and sets it off. It upsets and paralyzes the Planet X soldiers and Glenn can immobilize them and they escape.
 
They reach the space center scientists and explain about the device. Arrangements are made to broadcast it on all radio and television stations, a tactic that will be employed when the magnetic disruption devices are deployed.
 
The three monsters are removed from Planet X control, as Planet X spacecraft explode and personnel escape the noise by blowing up ships. Planet X withdraws its attempts to conquer Earth. Meanwhile, Godzilla attacks King Ghidorah with the aid of Rodan, forcing King Ghidorah into a retreat.
 
Glenn and Fuji are to be sent to Planet X again as ambassadors to seek peaceful relations.
==Staff==
==Staff==
{{Main|Invasion of Astro-Monster/Credits}}
{{Staffs
{{Staffs
|Directed by=[[Ishiro Honda]]
|Directed by=[[Ishiro Honda]]
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|Cinematography by=Hajime Koizumi
|Cinematography by=Hajime Koizumi
|Edited by=Ryohei Fujii
|Edited by=Ryohei Fujii
|Production Design by=Takeo Kita, Akira Watanabe
|Production Design by=Takeo Kita, [[Akira Watanabe]]
|Assistant Directing by=Koji Kajita
|Assistant Directing by=Koji Kajita
|Special Effects by=[[Eiji Tsuburaya]]
|Special Effects by=[[Eiji Tsuburaya]]
|Assistant Director of Special Effects|Teruyoshi Nakano
|Assistant Director of Special Effects|[[Teruyoshi Nakano]]
}}
}}
==Cast==
==Cast==
{{Main|Invasion of Astro-Monster/Credits}}
{{Cast
{{Cast
|[[Nick Adams]]|[[Astronaut Glenn]]
|[[Nick Adams]]|[[Astronaut Glenn]] (Japanese voice actor: Goro Naya)
|[[Akira Takarada]]|[[Astronaut Fuji]]
|[[Akira Takarada]]|[[Kazuo Fuji|Astronaut Kazuo Fuji]]
|[[Kumi Mizuno]]|[[Miss Namikawa]]
|[[Kumi Mizuno]]|[[Miss Namikawa]]
|[[Jun Tazaki]]|Doctor Sakurai
|[[Jun Tazaki]]|Doctor Sakurai
|Akira Kubo|Inventor [[Tetsuo Teri]]
|[[Akira Kubo]]|Inventor [[Tetsuo Tori]]
|Keiko Sawai|Haruno Fuji
|Keiko Sawai|Haruno Fuji
|[[Yoshio Tsuchiya]]|[[Controller of Planet X]]
|[[Yoshio Tsuchiya]]|[[Controller of Planet X]]
|Takamaru Sasaki|Chairman of Earth Committee
|Takamaru Sasaki|Chairman of Earth Committee
|Gen Shimizu|Minister of Defense
|Gen Shimizu|Minister of Defense
|Yoshifumi Tajima|General
|[[Yoshibumi Tajima]]|General
|Nadao Kirino|Military Aide
|Nadao Kirino|Military Aide
|Kenzo Tabu|Earth Unit Commander from Planet X
|Kenzo Tabu|Earth Unit Xilien Commander
|Koji Uno|Namikawa's Associate
|Koji Uno|Namikawa's Associate
|Somesho Matsumoto|Buddhist Priest
|Somesho Matsumoto|Buddhist Priest
|Toru Ibuki|Earth Unit [[Xiliens|Xilien]]
|[[Toru Ibuki]]|Earth Unit [[Xiliens|Xilien]]
|Kazuo Suzuki|Earth Unit [[Xiliens|Xilien]]
|Kazuo Suzuki|Earth Unit [[Xiliens|Xilien]]
|Yoshizo Tatake|[[Xiliens|Xilien]]
|Yoshizo Tatake|[[Xiliens|Xilien]]
Line 99: Line 82:
|Minoru Ito|[[Xiliens|Xilien]]
|Minoru Ito|[[Xiliens|Xilien]]
|Hideki Furukawa|[[Xiliens|Xilien]]
|Hideki Furukawa|[[Xiliens|Xilien]]
|[[Haruo Nakajima]]|[[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]]
|[[Masaki Shinohara]]|[[Rodan/Showa|Rodan]]
|[[Shoichi Hirose]]|[[King Ghidorah/Showa|King Ghidorah]]
}}
}}
==Appearances==
==Appearances==
Line 104: Line 90:
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Monsters===
===Monsters===
*[[Godzilla]] ([[DaisensoGoji]])
*[[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] ([[DaisensoGoji]])
*[[Rodan]] ([[SanDaikaijuRado]])
*[[Rodan/Showa|Rodan]]
*[[King Ghidorah]] ([[ShodaiGhido]])
*[[King Ghidorah/Showa|King Ghidorah]]
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Weapons, Vehicles, and Races===
===Weapons, Vehicles, and Races===
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*[[Xilien UFO]]
*[[Xilien UFO]]
*[[P-1]]
*[[P-1]]
*[[M24 Chaffee Tank]] (Stock Footage)
*[[M24 Chaffee Tank]] (stock footage)
*[[Type 61 Tank]]
*[[Type 61 Tank]]
*[[A-Cycle Light Ray Gun]]
*[[A-Cycle Light Ray Gun]]
*[[24 Twin Rocket Car]] (Stock Footage)
*[[24 Twin Rocket Car]] (stock footage)
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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{{Main|Invasion of Astro-Monster (Soundtrack)}}
{{Main|Invasion of Astro-Monster (Soundtrack)}}
==Alternate Titles==
==Alternate Titles==
*'''''Great Monster War''''' (Literal [[Japan]]ese Title)
*'''''Great Monster War''''' (literal [[Japan]]ese title)
*'''''Great Monster War: King Ghidorah vs. Godzilla''''' (怪獣大戦争 キングギドラ対ゴジラ{{Whijcs}}, ''Kaijū Daisensō: Kingu Gidora tai Gojira''; Japan Re-Release Title)
*'''''Great Monster War: King Ghidorah vs. Godzilla''''' {{Nihongo|怪獣大戦争 キングギドラ対ゴジラ|''Kaijū Daisensō Kingu Gidora tai Gojira''|Japanese re-release title}}
*'''''Godzilla Goes to Space!''''' {{Nihongo|ゴジラ宇宙へ行く!|Gojira Uchū e Iku!|Japanese 8mm title}}
*'''''Monster Zero''''' (United States)
*'''''Monster Zero''''' (United States)
*'''''Invasion of the Astros''''' (United States)
*'''''Invasion of the Astros''''' (United States military bases title)
*'''''Godzilla vs. Monster Zero''''' (Initial United States Home Video Title)
*'''''Invasion of the Astro-Monsters''''' (aborted United States release title; United Kingdom)
*'''''Invasion Planet "X"''''' (''Invasion Planet <nowiki>'X'</nowiki>''; France; French Belgium; ''Invasion Planeet X''; Dutch Belgium)
*'''''Godzilla vs. Monster Zero''''' (initial United States home video title)
*'''''Godzilla vs. the Three-Headed Dragon''''' (Thailand)
*'''''Invasion Planet "X"''''' (''Invasion Planete <nowiki>'X'</nowiki>''; France; French Belgium; ''Invasie Planeet X''; Dutch Belgium)
*'''''The Monsters Invade the Earth''''' (''Los monstruos invaden la tierra''; Spain)
*'''''The Monsters Invade the Earth''''' (''Los monstruos invaden la tierra''; Spain)
*'''''Monsters of the Galaxies''''' (''Monstruos de las galaxias''; Mexico)
*'''''Monsters of the Galaxies''''' (''Monstruos de las galaxias''; Mexico)
*'''''Command from the Dark''''' (''Befel aus dem Dunkel''; Germany)
*'''''Command from the Dark''''' (''Befehl aus dem Dunkel''; Germany)
*'''''Gidorra: Command from the Darkness''''' (''Gidorra: Befehl aus dem Dunkeln; alterante German title)
*'''''The Invasion of the Astro Monsters''''' (''La invasion de los Astro-Monstruos''; Mexico; ''L'invasione degli Astro Mostri''; Italy)
*'''''The Invasion of the Astro Monsters''''' (''La invasion de los Astro-Monstruos''; Mexico; ''L'invasione degli Astro Mostri''; Italy)
*'''''Year 2000: The Invasion of the Astro Monsters''''' (''Anno 2000: L'invasione degli Astro Mostri''; Italy)
*'''''Year 2000: The Invasion of the Astro Monsters''''' (''Anno 2000: L'invasione degli Astro Mostri''; Italy)
Line 138: Line 128:
*'''''Attack from the Unknown''''' (''Utok z neznama''; Czechoslovakia)
*'''''Attack from the Unknown''''' (''Utok z neznama''; Czechoslovakia)
*'''''Invasion from Space''''' (''Invazija iz svemira''; Yugoslavia)
*'''''Invasion from Space''''' (''Invazija iz svemira''; Yugoslavia)
*'''War of the Monsters''' (''A Guerra dos Monstros''; Brazil)
*'''''War of the Monsters''''' (''A Guerra dos Monstros''; Brazil)
*'''''The Invasion of Astro-Monsters''''' (''A Invasão dos Astro-Monstros''; alternative Brazilian title)
 
==Theatrical Releases==
==Theatrical Releases==
{{All Posters}}
{{All Posters}}
*[[Japan]] - December 19, [[1965]]; March 17, [[1971]] (Re-Release)
*[[Japan]] - December 19, [[1965]]<ref name="Godzilla.jp"/> {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_A.png|caption=Japanese 1965 poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}; March 17, [[1971]] (Re-Release) {{Popup-poster|file=IOAM_-_Poster_With_the_KingGoji_Suit_2.jpg|caption=Japanese 1971 poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*[[United States]] - 1970
*[[United States]] - 1970 {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_United_States_1.jpg|caption=American poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Spain - 1965
*Spain - 1965
*Italy - 1965
*Italy - 1965 {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_Italy_1.jpg|caption=Italian poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*France - 1967
*France - 1967 {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_France_1.jpg|caption=French poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Germany - 1967
*Germany - 1967 {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_Germany_1.jpg|caption=German poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Poland - 1970
*Poland - 1970 {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_Poland_1.jpg|caption=Polish poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Finland - 1973
*Finland - 1973
*Belgium {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_Belgium_1.jpg|caption=Belgian poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Turkey {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_Turkey_1.jpg|caption=Turkish poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Colombia {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_Colombia_1.jpg|caption=Colombian poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Mexico {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_Mexico_1.jpg|caption=Mexican poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Brazil {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_Brazil_2.jpg|caption=Brazilian poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Thailand {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_Thailand_1.jpg|caption=Thai poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic) {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_Czechslovakia_1.jpg|caption=Czech poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Yugoslavia {{Popup-poster|file=Invasion_of_Astro-Monster_Poster_Yugoslavia_1.jpg|caption=Yugoslav poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
==[[United States|U.S.]] Release==
[[File:POSTER-WAR-OF-THE-GARGANTUAS-+-MONSTER-ZERO.jpg|thumb|right|200px|American ''[[The War of the Gargantuas]]'' and ''Monster Zero'' double bill poster]]
''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' was licensed to [[UPA|UPA Productions of America]], who co-produced the film with [[Toho]], for release in North America. English dubbing was recorded at Glen Glenn Sound in Hollywood by June of [[1966]]. Ironically, since [[Nick Adams]] delivered his lines in English on the set, [[Glenn]] was the only character whose voice was not dubbed over, although Adams seems to have been involved in at least some ADR that location shooting and other production factors would have necessitated. There were several alterations made:
*Dialogue was dubbed to English, with several changes made to the script. No date is given in the opening expository text, whereas the Japanese version states the film is set in the fictional year 196X, or 197X in the Champion Festival release. [[Tetsuo Tori]] was renamed "Tetsui Teri," and Haruno Fuji was renamed "Haruni" Fuji. The [[Xiliens]]' fabricated "cure for cancer" ploy was changed to a "miracle drug" capable of curing all diseases.
*Altered: Some of [[Akira Ifukube]]'s score was re-arranged. The opening title music was changed to a cue from later in the film, "The Electromagnetic Capsule." Music during the film's climax was heavily edited, with some sections of the original, jettisoned opening title piece re-integrated.
*Deleted: All instances of Xiliens speaking in the language of [[Planet X]] were deleted or removed from the soundtrack.
*Deleted: Instances of Japanese expository text, including newspaper headlines for the [[P-1]]'s return to Earth and the discovery of [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] in Lake Myojin, a placard inside the World Education Corporation building, and Dr. Sakurai handling the plans for the [[A-Cycle Light Ray Gun]].
*Altered: The location supers for Lake Myojin and Washigasawa were rendered in English accordingly.
*Deleted: [[Kazuo Fuji|Fuji]] gesturing in anger and uttering "Damn it!" when the concealed [[Xilien UFO]]s in Lake Myojin surface.
*Deleted: The JSDF commander played by Nadao Kirino ordering his personnel to retreat from [[Rodan/Showa|Rodan]]'s location as an Xilien UFO approaches.
*Deleted: Long-distance shot of Godzilla and Rodan's capsules being lifted into the upper atmosphere, followed by a shot of the Earth receding.
*Altered: Part of a shot following the above deletions is moved before a long shot of Godzilla and Rodan's capsules.
*Deleted: Part of a short scene aboard the [[Controller of Planet X]]'s flagship. Fuji tells Glenn to "be on [his] guard," to which Glenn responds "Tell me about it, pal." This exchange is restored (with Fuji's line in Japanese) in Toho's uncut ''Invasion of the Astro-Monsters'' version of the film used in the UK and on [[The Criterion Collection]] and Janus Films' Criterion Channel streaming platform.
*Added: Footfall sound effects were added to Godzilla's victory jumps on Planet X.
*Deleted: Xilien guards conversing (not in their native language) after Fuji and Glenn evade them in an elevator.
*Altered: The superimposed headlines during the global civil unrest montage were rendered in English accordingly.
*Deleted: Fuji cursing as the Xiliens unveil their control over the monsters.
*Altered: [[Miss Namikawa|Namikawa]]'s letter to Glenn is replaced with an English insert. Part of a medium shot of Tetsuo and Glenn reading the letter is repeated, making the scene run slightly longer than its Japanese equivalent.


==[[United States|U.S.]] Release==
The American version runs 93 minutes, a minute and 20 seconds shorter than the Japanese version. In his book ''Japan's Favorite Mon-Star: An Unauthorized History of <nowiki>'The Big G'</nowiki>'', Steve Ryfle comments "The Americanization...is respectful to the original Japanese version."
[[File:POSTER-WAR-OF-THE-GARGANTUAS-+-MONSTER-ZERO.jpg|thumb|right|200px|American ''[[War of the Gargantuas (1966 film)|War of the Gargantuas]]'' and ''Monster Zero'' double bill poster]]
 
''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' was released in North America by UPA and distributed by Maron Films in [[1970]] under the title ''Monster Zero''. It played on a double bill with ''[[War of the Gargantuas (1966 film)|War of the Gargantuas]]''. There were several alterations made:
Although UPA's English version was finished in 1966, the film didn't see wide release in the United States until the summer of [[1970]]. Distributed by Maron Films, the film was titled ''Monster Zero'' and frequently played as a supporting feature to UPA's Americanization of ''[[The War of the Gargantuas]]''. Prior to this, the film had entered limited distribution as ''Invasion of the Astros'' in March 1970, exclusively screened at military bases in the continental U.S. The film later entered 16mm rental distribution under this title through the 1980's.
*Dialogue was dubbed to English.
*The title song was changed, and some of [[Akira Ifukube]]'s score was re-arranged.
*Several sound effects were added.
*Deleted: several shots of Godzilla's foot stepping on houses and huts.
*Deleted: some short shots of the [[Xilien UFO]]s.
*Deleted: Rodan blowing away tanks from the top of a hill.
*Deleted: a scene of the [[Controller of Planet X]] speaking in the language of Planet X.
The American version runs 93 minutes, three minutes shorter than the Japanese version. In his book ''Japan's Favorite Mon-Star: An Unauthorized History of <nowiki>'The Big G'</nowiki>'', Steve Ryfle says "The Americanization...is respectful to the original Japanese version."


In the original Japanese version of this movie, Nick Adams' original voice was dubbed over by Japanese voice actor Goro Naya. However, in the re-edited American version and the unedited international version, Nick Adams' voice wasn't dubbed over.
In [[1980]], UPA rechristened the film ''Godzilla vs. Monster Zero'' for television and home video. The film was released under this title on home video in the U.S. over the ensuing two decades, including in a [[1998]] DVD release by Simitar. Classic Media released both the original Japanese version of the film and a reconstruction of the initial theatrical American version (''Monster Zero'') on DVD in the U.S. in 2007, as ''Invasion of Astro-Monster''. Janus Films provided an uncut English-dubbed version of the film previously distributed on video in the United Kingdom titled ''Invasion of the Astro-Monsters'' to streaming platforms once it acquired the rights to the film in 2017.
==Box Office==
==Box Office==
When ''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' was first released on December 19, 1965, it received an attendance of 3,780,000. On its March 17, 1971 re-issue, it sold 350,000 tickets, adding up to a rough total of 5,130,000 attendees.
When ''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' was first released on December 19, 1965, it received an attendance of 3,780,000. On its March 17, 1971 re-issue during the Toho Champion Festival, it sold 1,350,000 tickets, adding up to a rough total of 5,130,000 attendees.{{citation needed}}


When the film was released in the U.S. in 1970, double-billed with ''[[War of the Gargantuas (1966 film)|War of the Gargantuas]]'', it gained $3,000,000.
When the film was released in the U.S. in 1970, double-billed with ''[[The War of the Gargantuas]]'', it earned $3,000,000.{{citation needed}}
==Reception==
==Reception==
{{stub|section}}
''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' is very popular among fans, often dubbed a classic due to its extraordinary sci-fi story, special effects, plot, and cast.
''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' is very popular among fans, often dubbed a classic due to its extraordinary sci-fi story, special effects, plot, and cast.
==Video Releases==
==Video Releases==
'''Simitar''' (1998)<ref name="Simitar">[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/630491170X Amazon.com: Godzilla vs. Monster Zero (1970)]</ref>
'''Simitar''' DVD (1998)<ref name="Simitar">[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/630491170X Amazon.com: Godzilla vs. Monster Zero (1970)]</ref>
*Released: May 6, 1998
*Region: N/A
*Region: Region 1
*Discs: 1
*Language: English (Dolby Digital 1.0), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
*Audio: English (2.0 Mono and 5.1 Surround)
*Format: Widescreen, Full Screen, NTSC, Color, Mono
*Subtitles: None
*Other Details: 2.35:1 aspect ratio, 93 minutes run time, 1 disc, American version
*Special Features: Optional 1.33:1 presentation (cropped), Simitar-produced trailers for the company's kaiju releases, art gallery, trivia game
'''[[Toho Company Ltd.|Toho]]''' (2003)
*Notes: Out of print.
*Released: 2003
'''[[Toho]]''' DVD (2003)
*Region: Region 2
*Region: 2
*Language: Japanese
*Discs: 1
'''Madman''' (2005)
*Audio: Japanese (2.0 and 5.1)
*Released: 2005
*Subtitles: Japanese
*Region: Region 4
*Special Features: Audio commentary by [[Yoshio Tsuchiya]], theatrical trailer, interactive storybook, 8mm version of the film (5 minutes)
'''Classic Media''' (2007)<ref name=>[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000OCY7IK Amazon.com: Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)]</ref>
'''Madman''' DVD (2005)
*Released: July 1, 2012
*Region: 4
*Region: Region 1
*Discs: 1
*Language: English, Japanese
*Audio: Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono and 5.1)
*Format: Multiple Formats, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
*Subtitles: English
*Other Details: 1.66:1 aspect ratio, 94/93 minutes run time, 1 disc, Japanese and American versions
*Special Features: Poster gallery, Japanese trailer, Madman-made trailers
'''Classic Media''' DVD (2007)<ref name=>[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000OCY7IK Amazon.com: Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)]</ref>
*Region: 1
*Discs: 1
*Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono), English (2.0 Mono)
*Subtitles: English
*Special Features: Audio commentary for ''Monster Zero'' by Stuart Galbraith IV, [[Tomoyuki Tanaka]] featurette (8 minutes), poster slideshow
*Notes: Read the details of the U.S. version's reconstruction [http://www.tohokingdom.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7462 here]. Reissued in 2012, both releases are out of print.
'''[[The Criterion Collection]]''' Blu-ray (2019) [''Godzilla: The [[Showa era|Showa-Era]] Films, 1954–1975'']
*Region: A/1 or B/2
*Discs: 8
*Audio: Japanese, English
*Subtitles: English
*Special Features: All bonus features on Criterion's ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' Blu-ray, 1990 [[Ishiro Honda]] interview by [[Yoshimitsu Banno]], interview with director [[wikipedia:Alex Cox|Alex Cox]], interviews with actors [[Bin Furuya]] and [[Tsugutoshi Komada]], 2011 interview with critic Tadao Sato, unused effects sequences from Toho releases including ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'', trailers, illustrated hardcover book with an essay by Steve Ryfle and liner notes on each film by Ed Godziszewski<ref name="CC">[https://www.criterion.com/boxsets/2648-godzilla-the-showa-era-films-1954-1975 Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954-1975 | The Criterion Collection]</ref>
*Notes: Uses a new English subtitle translation. [[Sony]] will distribute the Region B/2 version of the set in the United Kingdom on November 25.
 
==Videos==
==Videos==
===Trailers===
===Trailers===
{{Videos|
{{Videos|
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">hSv73lw2iJQ</youtube>|''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' Japanese 1971 trailer}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">SakMrXoW9To</youtube>|1971 Japanese ''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' trailer}}
{{vid|<dailymotion width="300" height="169">x6ib4v3</dailymotion>|Turkish ''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' trailer}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH_9YK9ccqk&t=4s</youtube>|German ''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' trailer}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYLoXwS71qU</youtube>|American ''Monster Zero'' and ''[[The War of the Gargantuas]]'' trailer}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjKgnHPnIJ0&t=5s</youtube>|Simitar ''Godzilla vs. Monster Zero'' VHS trailer}}
}}
}}
===Miscellaneous===
{{Videos|
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">NQnF3ctxEUU</youtube>|Restored Lake Myojin and Washigasawa location titles from original Japanese theatrical version}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">k_q-7qt-7qI</youtube>|Restored global unrest headlines from original Japanese theatrical version}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">mu_Ms8B92Ns</youtube>|English visuals exclusive to U.S. theatrical version}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">VpEcE8_sB6w</youtube>|''Invasion of the Astros'' title sequence from U.S. armed forces exhibition version}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">ST215sk10YM</youtube>|All footage removed from U.S. theatrical version}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">EtBhWqV96A4</youtube>|''Godzilla vs. Monster Zero'' title sequence from UPA home video version}}
}}
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*[[Mothra]] was originally planned to make an appearance in this film but was cut due to budget constraints.
*This film marks the very first appearance of an alien race in a Godzilla film, a trope that would persist in subsequent films. The alien race introduced in this film, the [[Xiliens]], would become popular recurring villains in the franchise, appearing in video games such as ''[[Godzilla: Monster of Monsters!]]'' and the television series ''[[Godzilla Island (Series)|Godzilla Island]]'', and even reappearing in the film ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' in 2004. The [[Exif]] aliens featured in the ''GODZILLA'' anime trilogy are also inspired by the Xiliens.
*This film marks the very first appearance of an alien race in a Godzilla film.
*''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' is the first Godzilla film to use extensive stock footage during action scenes, recycling shots from ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'', ''[[The Mysterians]]'', and ''[[Mothra (film)|Mothra]]'' during the [[Xiliens|Xilien]]-directed rampages of [[Godzilla]], [[Rodan]], and [[King Ghidorah]].
*During the scenes where Godzilla and Rodan are attacking, stock footage from ''[[Rodan (1956 film)|Rodan]]'' is used, specifically from the scene where Rodan blows over a train and the scene where two soldiers are blown away.
*An updated version of the "Frigate March" from the [[Godzilla (1954 film soundtrack)|soundtrack]] for the [[Godzilla (1954 film)|original ''Godzilla'' film]], which would become known as the "Monster Zero March," is heard multiple times in this film, including during the opening credits and the scene where the [[Xiliens]]' mind control is broken.
*An updated version of the "Frigate March" from the [[Godzilla (1954 film soundtrack)|soundtrack]] for the [[Godzilla (1954 film)|original ''Godzilla'' film]] is heard multiple times in this film, including during the opening credits and the scene where the Xiliens' mind control is broken.
*Godzilla's victory dance from this film appears as an unlockable attack in the PlayStation 4 version of Natsume Atari and Bandai Namco's [[Godzilla (2014 video game)|''Godzilla'']] video game that can be used by Godzilla, [[MosuGoji|Godzilla 1964]], and [[MogeGoji|Burning Godzilla]].
*Godzilla's victory dance from this film appears as an unlockable attack in ''[[Godzilla: The Game]]'' that can be used by Godzilla, [[MosuGoji|Godzilla 1964]], and [[MogeGoji|Burning Godzilla]].
*The kiss between [[Miss Namikawa]] and [[Astronaut Glenn|Glenn]] in this film was the first and only onscreen kiss in a Toho Godzilla film until ''[[Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle|GODZILLA: City on the Edge of Battle]]'' in 2018.
*''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' was the first Godzilla film Toho co-produced with an American studio, being co-produced with Henry G. Saperstein's United Productions of America (UPA). It was the second collaboration between Toho and UPA, the first being ''[[Frankenstein vs. Baragon]]'', which was released earlier that same year.
*Two props from previous Toho tokusatsu films appear in the film: [[Tetsuo Tori]] has the JX-2 rocketship from ''[[Gorath (film)|Gorath]]'' in his apartment, and the [[Atomic Heat Ray Gun]] from ''[[Mothra (film)|Mothra]]'' is the device the [[Xiliens]] use to revive [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] and [[Rodan/Showa|Rodan]] on [[Planet X]].
 
==External Links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040803035322/http://www.dalekempire.com/GodzillaAmerica4.html List of deleted shots in the American version]
*[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1lqiw6_godzilla-vs-monster-zero-upa-credits_shortfilms UPA credits]
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Invasion of Astro-Monster}}
{{Kaiju Movies}}
{{Kaiju Movies}}
{{Comments}}
{{Era|TOH|SHO|FIL|GOD|ROD|KG}}
{{Era|TOH|SHO|FIL|GOD|ROD|KG}}
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Revision as of 23:15, 31 October 2019

Article.png
Image gallery for Invasion of Astro-Monster
Credits for Invasion of Astro-Monster
Invasion of Astro-Monster soundtrack


Godzilla Films
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
Invasion of Astro-Monster
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
Invasion of Astro-Monster
The Japanese poster for Invasion of Astro-Monster
Alternate titles
Flagicon Japan.png Great Monster War (1965)
Flagicon United States.png Monster Zero (1970)
See alternate titles
Directed by Ishiro Honda
Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka,
Henry G. Saperstein,
Reuben Bercovitch
Written by Shinichi Sekizawa
Music by Akira Ifukube
Distributor TohoJP
Maron FilmsUS
Rating GUS
Budget ¥132,000,000[1]
Box office ¥210,000,000[1]
Running time 94 minutesJP
(1 hour, 34 minutes)
92 minutesUS
(1 hour, 32 minutes)
Aspect ratio 2.35:1
Rate this film!
4.25
(73 votes)

Ruler of the universe Planet X, Godzilla, Rodan, King Ghidorah's great fierce fight! (宇宙の帝王X星をゆるがすゴジラ・ラドン・キングギドラの大激闘!)
„ 

— Japanese tagline

It went unobserved by the astronauts, but... The most gigantic monster explosion of the space age now being blasted into film
„ 

— International tagline

Godzilla and Rodan fight the monster from outer space to save the world!
„ 

— American tagline

Invasion of Astro-Monster (怪獣大戦争,   Kaijū Daisensō, lit. Great Monster War) is a 1965 tokusatsu kaiju film co-produced by Toho and UPA, and the sixth installment in the Godzilla series as well as the Showa series. The film was released to Japanese theaters on December 19, 1965.[2]

Plot

In the year 196X, astronauts Glenn and Fuji embark on a mission to Planet X, a world recently discovered behind Jupiter. There, they encounter an alien race called the Xiliens, who ask to borrow the two Earth monsters Godzilla and Rodan to combat their own terror, King Ghidorah, who they call Monster Zero. In return, they promise the men a "miracle drug" which can cure all illness. The nations of the world agree to the trade, seeing no downside to getting rid of the two monsters. Xilien saucers transport Godzilla and Rodan to Planet X, where they drive off Ghidorah after a brief battle. The tape supposed to contain the formula for the miracle drug, however, turns out to be a demand from the Xiliens to surrender Earth. Their magnetic wave technology had placed King Ghidorah under their control before Glenn and Fuji even arrived on Planet X, and now Godzilla and Rodan are theirs to command as well.

As the invasion begins, Miss Namikawa, an undercover Xilien agent who has fallen in love with Glenn, reveals to him that a specific frequency is capable of inflicting catastrophic damage to the aliens. After they kill her, the Xiliens throw Glenn into the same cell as the inventor Tetsuo Tori, who accidentally discovered that frequency while working on a novelty item he calls the Ladyguard Alarm. Using the Alarm, they escape from the base and bring the device to the JSDF. The three monsters' rampages are halted when vehicles called the A-Cycle Light Rays use enormous speakers and magnetic wave projectors to break the Xiliens' control over them. Driven to madness by the frequency, the Xilien invasion force self-destructs its own base and saucers. Godzilla and Rodan engage King Ghidorah again, and all three tumble into the ocean. Only the space monster emerges, but Tetsuo doubts that Godzilla and Rodan could have perished. To their dismay, Doctor Sakurai informs Glenn and Fuji that they will be Earth's first ambassadors to Planet X.

Staff

Main article: Invasion of Astro-Monster/Credits.

Staff role on the left, staff member's name on the right.

Cast

Main article: Invasion of Astro-Monster/Credits.

Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.

Appearances

Monsters

Weapons, Vehicles, and Races

Gallery

Main article: Invasion of Astro-Monster/Gallery.

Soundtrack

Main article: Invasion of Astro-Monster (Soundtrack).

Alternate Titles

  • Great Monster War (literal Japanese title)
  • Great Monster War: King Ghidorah vs. Godzilla (怪獣大戦争 キングギドラ対ゴジラ,   Kaijū Daisensō Kingu Gidora tai Gojira, Japanese re-release title)
  • Godzilla Goes to Space! (ゴジラ宇宙へ行く!,   Gojira Uchū e Iku!, Japanese 8mm title)
  • Monster Zero (United States)
  • Invasion of the Astros (United States military bases title)
  • Invasion of the Astro-Monsters (aborted United States release title; United Kingdom)
  • Godzilla vs. Monster Zero (initial United States home video title)
  • Godzilla vs. the Three-Headed Dragon (Thailand)
  • Invasion Planet "X" (Invasion Planete 'X'; France; French Belgium; Invasie Planeet X; Dutch Belgium)
  • The Monsters Invade the Earth (Los monstruos invaden la tierra; Spain)
  • Monsters of the Galaxies (Monstruos de las galaxias; Mexico)
  • Command from the Dark (Befehl aus dem Dunkel; Germany)
  • Gidorra: Command from the Darkness (Gidorra: Befehl aus dem Dunkeln; alterante German title)
  • The Invasion of the Astro Monsters (La invasion de los Astro-Monstruos; Mexico; L'invasione degli Astro Mostri; Italy)
  • Year 2000: The Invasion of the Astro Monsters (Anno 2000: L'invasione degli Astro Mostri; Italy)
  • The Space Monsters Are Attacking (Avaruushirviöt hyökkäävät; Finland)
  • Monster Invasion (Inwazja potworow; Poland)
  • Monsters Coming from Space (Uzaydan canavar geliyor; Turkey)
  • Attack from the Unknown (Utok z neznama; Czechoslovakia)
  • Invasion from Space (Invazija iz svemira; Yugoslavia)
  • War of the Monsters (A Guerra dos Monstros; Brazil)
  • The Invasion of Astro-Monsters (A Invasão dos Astro-Monstros; alternative Brazilian title)

Theatrical Releases

View all posters for the film here.

  • Japan - December 19, 1965[2]   [view poster]Japanese 1965 poster; March 17, 1971 (Re-Release)   [view poster]Japanese 1971 poster
  • United States - 1970   [view poster]American poster
  • Spain - 1965
  • Italy - 1965   [view poster]Italian poster
  • France - 1967   [view poster]French poster
  • Germany - 1967   [view poster]German poster
  • Poland - 1970   [view poster]Polish poster
  • Finland - 1973
  • Belgium   [view poster]Belgian poster
  • Turkey   [view poster]Turkish poster
  • Colombia   [view poster]Colombian poster
  • Mexico   [view poster]Mexican poster
  • Brazil   [view poster]Brazilian poster
  • Thailand   [view poster]Thai poster
  • Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic)   [view poster]Czech poster
  • Yugoslavia   [view poster]Yugoslav poster

U.S. Release

American The War of the Gargantuas and Monster Zero double bill poster

Invasion of Astro-Monster was licensed to UPA Productions of America, who co-produced the film with Toho, for release in North America. English dubbing was recorded at Glen Glenn Sound in Hollywood by June of 1966. Ironically, since Nick Adams delivered his lines in English on the set, Glenn was the only character whose voice was not dubbed over, although Adams seems to have been involved in at least some ADR that location shooting and other production factors would have necessitated. There were several alterations made:

  • Dialogue was dubbed to English, with several changes made to the script. No date is given in the opening expository text, whereas the Japanese version states the film is set in the fictional year 196X, or 197X in the Champion Festival release. Tetsuo Tori was renamed "Tetsui Teri," and Haruno Fuji was renamed "Haruni" Fuji. The Xiliens' fabricated "cure for cancer" ploy was changed to a "miracle drug" capable of curing all diseases.
  • Altered: Some of Akira Ifukube's score was re-arranged. The opening title music was changed to a cue from later in the film, "The Electromagnetic Capsule." Music during the film's climax was heavily edited, with some sections of the original, jettisoned opening title piece re-integrated.
  • Deleted: All instances of Xiliens speaking in the language of Planet X were deleted or removed from the soundtrack.
  • Deleted: Instances of Japanese expository text, including newspaper headlines for the P-1's return to Earth and the discovery of Godzilla in Lake Myojin, a placard inside the World Education Corporation building, and Dr. Sakurai handling the plans for the A-Cycle Light Ray Gun.
  • Altered: The location supers for Lake Myojin and Washigasawa were rendered in English accordingly.
  • Deleted: Fuji gesturing in anger and uttering "Damn it!" when the concealed Xilien UFOs in Lake Myojin surface.
  • Deleted: The JSDF commander played by Nadao Kirino ordering his personnel to retreat from Rodan's location as an Xilien UFO approaches.
  • Deleted: Long-distance shot of Godzilla and Rodan's capsules being lifted into the upper atmosphere, followed by a shot of the Earth receding.
  • Altered: Part of a shot following the above deletions is moved before a long shot of Godzilla and Rodan's capsules.
  • Deleted: Part of a short scene aboard the Controller of Planet X's flagship. Fuji tells Glenn to "be on [his] guard," to which Glenn responds "Tell me about it, pal." This exchange is restored (with Fuji's line in Japanese) in Toho's uncut Invasion of the Astro-Monsters version of the film used in the UK and on The Criterion Collection and Janus Films' Criterion Channel streaming platform.
  • Added: Footfall sound effects were added to Godzilla's victory jumps on Planet X.
  • Deleted: Xilien guards conversing (not in their native language) after Fuji and Glenn evade them in an elevator.
  • Altered: The superimposed headlines during the global civil unrest montage were rendered in English accordingly.
  • Deleted: Fuji cursing as the Xiliens unveil their control over the monsters.
  • Altered: Namikawa's letter to Glenn is replaced with an English insert. Part of a medium shot of Tetsuo and Glenn reading the letter is repeated, making the scene run slightly longer than its Japanese equivalent.

The American version runs 93 minutes, a minute and 20 seconds shorter than the Japanese version. In his book Japan's Favorite Mon-Star: An Unauthorized History of 'The Big G', Steve Ryfle comments "The Americanization...is respectful to the original Japanese version."

Although UPA's English version was finished in 1966, the film didn't see wide release in the United States until the summer of 1970. Distributed by Maron Films, the film was titled Monster Zero and frequently played as a supporting feature to UPA's Americanization of The War of the Gargantuas. Prior to this, the film had entered limited distribution as Invasion of the Astros in March 1970, exclusively screened at military bases in the continental U.S. The film later entered 16mm rental distribution under this title through the 1980's.

In 1980, UPA rechristened the film Godzilla vs. Monster Zero for television and home video. The film was released under this title on home video in the U.S. over the ensuing two decades, including in a 1998 DVD release by Simitar. Classic Media released both the original Japanese version of the film and a reconstruction of the initial theatrical American version (Monster Zero) on DVD in the U.S. in 2007, as Invasion of Astro-Monster. Janus Films provided an uncut English-dubbed version of the film previously distributed on video in the United Kingdom titled Invasion of the Astro-Monsters to streaming platforms once it acquired the rights to the film in 2017.

Box Office

When Invasion of Astro-Monster was first released on December 19, 1965, it received an attendance of 3,780,000. On its March 17, 1971 re-issue during the Toho Champion Festival, it sold 1,350,000 tickets, adding up to a rough total of 5,130,000 attendees.[citation needed]

When the film was released in the U.S. in 1970, double-billed with The War of the Gargantuas, it earned $3,000,000.[citation needed]

Reception

Invasion of Astro-Monster is very popular among fans, often dubbed a classic due to its extraordinary sci-fi story, special effects, plot, and cast.

Video Releases

Simitar DVD (1998)[3]

  • Region: N/A
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: English (2.0 Mono and 5.1 Surround)
  • Subtitles: None
  • Special Features: Optional 1.33:1 presentation (cropped), Simitar-produced trailers for the company's kaiju releases, art gallery, trivia game
  • Notes: Out of print.

Toho DVD (2003)

  • Region: 2
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: Japanese (2.0 and 5.1)
  • Subtitles: Japanese
  • Special Features: Audio commentary by Yoshio Tsuchiya, theatrical trailer, interactive storybook, 8mm version of the film (5 minutes)

Madman DVD (2005)

  • Region: 4
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono and 5.1)
  • Subtitles: English
  • Special Features: Poster gallery, Japanese trailer, Madman-made trailers

Classic Media DVD (2007)[4]

  • Region: 1
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono), English (2.0 Mono)
  • Subtitles: English
  • Special Features: Audio commentary for Monster Zero by Stuart Galbraith IV, Tomoyuki Tanaka featurette (8 minutes), poster slideshow
  • Notes: Read the details of the U.S. version's reconstruction here. Reissued in 2012, both releases are out of print.

The Criterion Collection Blu-ray (2019) [Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975]

  • Region: A/1 or B/2
  • Discs: 8
  • Audio: Japanese, English
  • Subtitles: English
  • Special Features: All bonus features on Criterion's Godzilla Blu-ray, 1990 Ishiro Honda interview by Yoshimitsu Banno, interview with director Alex Cox, interviews with actors Bin Furuya and Tsugutoshi Komada, 2011 interview with critic Tadao Sato, unused effects sequences from Toho releases including Destroy All Monsters, trailers, illustrated hardcover book with an essay by Steve Ryfle and liner notes on each film by Ed Godziszewski[5]
  • Notes: Uses a new English subtitle translation. Sony will distribute the Region B/2 version of the set in the United Kingdom on November 25.

Videos

Trailers

1971 Japanese Invasion of Astro-Monster trailer
Turkish Invasion of Astro-Monster trailer
German Invasion of Astro-Monster trailer
American Monster Zero and The War of the Gargantuas trailer
Simitar Godzilla vs. Monster Zero VHS trailer

Miscellaneous

Restored Lake Myojin and Washigasawa location titles from original Japanese theatrical version
Restored global unrest headlines from original Japanese theatrical version
English visuals exclusive to U.S. theatrical version
Invasion of the Astros title sequence from U.S. armed forces exhibition version
All footage removed from U.S. theatrical version
Godzilla vs. Monster Zero title sequence from UPA home video version

Trivia

  • This film marks the very first appearance of an alien race in a Godzilla film, a trope that would persist in subsequent films. The alien race introduced in this film, the Xiliens, would become popular recurring villains in the franchise, appearing in video games such as Godzilla: Monster of Monsters! and the television series Godzilla Island, and even reappearing in the film Godzilla: Final Wars in 2004. The Exif aliens featured in the GODZILLA anime trilogy are also inspired by the Xiliens.
  • Invasion of Astro-Monster is the first Godzilla film to use extensive stock footage during action scenes, recycling shots from Rodan, The Mysterians, and Mothra during the Xilien-directed rampages of Godzilla, Rodan, and King Ghidorah.
  • An updated version of the "Frigate March" from the soundtrack for the original Godzilla film, which would become known as the "Monster Zero March," is heard multiple times in this film, including during the opening credits and the scene where the Xiliens' mind control is broken.
  • Godzilla's victory dance from this film appears as an unlockable attack in the PlayStation 4 version of Natsume Atari and Bandai Namco's Godzilla video game that can be used by Godzilla, Godzilla 1964, and Burning Godzilla.
  • The kiss between Miss Namikawa and Glenn in this film was the first and only onscreen kiss in a Toho Godzilla film until GODZILLA: City on the Edge of Battle in 2018.
  • Invasion of Astro-Monster was the first Godzilla film Toho co-produced with an American studio, being co-produced with Henry G. Saperstein's United Productions of America (UPA). It was the second collaboration between Toho and UPA, the first being Frankenstein vs. Baragon, which was released earlier that same year.
  • Two props from previous Toho tokusatsu films appear in the film: Tetsuo Tori has the JX-2 rocketship from Gorath in his apartment, and the Atomic Heat Ray Gun from Mothra is the device the Xiliens use to revive Godzilla and Rodan on Planet X.

External Links

References

This is a list of references for Invasion of Astro-Monster. 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]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Steve Ryfle and Ed Godzizewski (2017). Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film. Wesleyan University Press. p. 185. ISBN 9780819577412.
  2. 2.0 2.1 怪獣大戦争|ゴジラ 東宝公式サイト (official Godzilla.jp page)
  3. Amazon.com: Godzilla vs. Monster Zero (1970)
  4. Amazon.com: Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)
  5. Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954-1975 | The Criterion Collection

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