Some more differences between versions (SPOILERS)
"Alternate versions" section of this movie claims:
The U.S. English dubbed version titled "Warning From Space" (1956) is quite faithful to the original Japanese version. However, at the final fade-out an additional sequence is added showing Ginko (Toyomi Karita) transforming from the human form back to the Pairan form. They simply took the transformation sequence, showing Ginko transforming into the human form, from earlier in the film and printed it in reverse.
Added to that, I picked up several more differences.
(Thorough examination may reveal even more.)
The opening
The US version shows aliens at the beginning,
making it clear that they want to make contact with humans.
Although the alien leader uses the word "conquer".
Also he mentions Prof. Komura by name,
so that viewers know he's an important figure in the story
before they see him at the station.
The Japanese version begins with the the station scene,
as if this is about everyday life of ordinary Japanese.
The aliens are not seen until fishers encountered one in the pond.
Thus, the Pairans' intention was kept unknown to viewers for the first 15 mins or so.
When their intention was revealed to the viewers,
probably it worked as a twist back then,
because the original poster featured a large alien in a somewhat threatening posture,
misleading viewers to think it had gigantic alien invading Earth.
(BTW, the US version's opening shows the planet R in the background,
as it's taken from the scene shortly before the Pairans' attack to the R.
For the sake of continuity, they should have used the similar footage earlier in the movie,
where Moon is in the background.)
Aliens in the mothership
In the US version, we hear their conversation in English, in a dry manner.
In the Japanese version, it's not audible, and entirely subtitled.
While some little noises can be heard as their eyes glow,
I'm not sure if they are their voices.
They may use telepathy, as in later tennis scene.
Their conversation is much humorous than the US version:
Leader: "Let's have your reports.
Did you deliver our message, the purpose of our visit?"
Agent: "No way, sir.
Earthlings showed extreme fear as soon as they saw us,
as if they saw something very ugly."
L: "What? They think Pairans are ugly?
Are they so beautiful to say that?"
A: "Not at all, sir. Look, this is what they call beauty."
(showing the photo of the singer.)
L: "You mean this is their beauty?
With such a protruding thing in the middle of the face?
What a pitiful race born with such an ugly appearance.
Still, it's against the cosmic moral to neglect their crisis."
A: "I have an idea, sir.
Have someone tranformed into one of them,
though that one must put up with their ugliness."
L: "It seems the only way.
They say when on Earth, do as the Earthlings do.
The issue is who's going to do such an unpleasant job."
A: "I volunteer, sir. It's my idea in the first place."
L: "Pairans shall never forget your devotion.
Have the transformer ready."
Where is Paira?
In the US version, Paira is a planet in our solar system, that shares Earth's orbit.
So, if Earth is destroyed by the Planet R, it's disastrous to Paira too.
It's imperative for them to save Earth.
In the Japanese version, Paira is in some other system.
It's said to be so distant that "none of your telescopes can see it."
They have observed Earth for a long time, and saw nuclear explosions.
Also, Earth is the only planet known to them that has similar environment to Paira,
so they have affinity, and can't overlook its crisis.
Why they came to Japan?
In the US version, the Pairans come to Japan because the islands are "best suited for our landing."
In the Japanese version,
after Ginko explained their concern about nuclear weapons,
Prof. Komura asked "Then why didn't you go to the countries that have nuclear weapons?"
She replied "It's hard for the owners to realize.
We think Japanese are the only Earth people who know its terror, because you actually experienced it."
Komura: "But... even if Japan appeals for disposal of nuclear weapons, it wouldn't change anything."
(Then the topic shifts to the planet R.)
While these changes are not as drastic as "Godzilla: The King of Monsters",
I don't call it "quite faithful to the original Japanese version."
share