MovieChat Forums > Furankenshutain tai Chitei Kaijû Baragon (1966) Discussion > Original Japenese Ending

Original Japenese Ending

posted 17 years ago by ThisIslandEarth
7 replies | jump to latest

Just wanted to post some info on the Japenese movie monster scene. Back in the day when TOHO was producing monster movie after monster movie, many of them had different endings than the american version. AIP, known as American International Pictures insisted on this and many of the movies from TOHO were shortened and butchered and edited footage was deleted or american actors were added in for the American Versions. A few examples are Gorath and the famous walrus scene named MANGA, and several other key scenes cut from the film, which I have both versions. Frankenstein conquers the world is no exception. I have both versions of that movie, the japenese movie running longer with key scenes intact, which were cut from the american AIP version. Many might not realize that the original Devilfish scene is a key ending in the japenese version because in War of the Gargantuas, the movie opens up with the Green Gargantua fighting a Devilfish. Many don't make the association or even know about the association because many havn't even seen the original ending of Frankenstien Conquers the World, aka Frankenstein Vs. Baragon with the Frankenstein Monster fighting the devilfish and then falling into the ocean, thus creating the spawn of the Green Gargantua who lives in the water, opening up the storyline for the sequel, War of the gargantuas.

The original Japenese version of Son of Godzilla has a totally different opening sequence cut from all US prints, which I have also in english/widescreen. In the original Gamera, Brian Donlevy was added for the american release whereas, in the japenese release there was no american actor.

Varan the unbelievable did the same thing, AIP added Myron Healey as its american actor with a lot of footage cut, making the american version very short as to comparison to the much longer japenese version.

Every japenese monster movie was renamed for its AIP american version release also, that is why there are so many alternate versions.

AIP also did this not only to the japenese movie market, but also to other markets. For example: "Reptilicus". AIP cut all the scenes of reptilicus flying, feeling they were too silly, but now a collectors dream. You can see the scenes on youtube.com and It was once offered on a dvd release, which I've been trying to locate.

Also on "Journey to the Seventh Planet", also from the netherlands, the spider scenes in the cave were replaced with scenes from AIP's "Earth vs. the Spider" because AIP thought the puppet spider scenes were silly as well, and yes again, in this day and time, a collectors dream.

AIP even changed the original endings of their own movies on occasion.

Just some history from a sci fi history buff.

Peace

[–] southbase 17 years ago

There's a really weird editorial cut in the film that's always provoked me when I first saw the US version in 1970 and I found the edit confirmed in the recent Region 1 DVD release even in the original Japanese version. Right when Nick Adams pulls back to smash the Frankenstein boy on the head with the laboratory table--the camera directly faces Adams in medium shot while he facially grimaces to indicate the strength he's going to put into the table-blow right on the creature's head--there's a frame-length yellowish/brownish glue splice right along the enitre bottom of the letterboxed picture during the shot's very last frame--then cuts right to Adam's POV as the creature turns to face him. The soundtrack and music seem to abruptly drop out here without explanation, then crescendoes normally as they creature turns around to feel it's own head registering any physical pain. Yet there is no actual shown physical or sound impact of the table making contact with the creature's head. And I don't see any other kind of splice like that in any other sequences in the film. I wonder if the impact was actually filmed and part of the original theatrical Japanese version but since it was more common in those days for studios to cut on original negative for final release prints they cut the physical blow itself out (perhaps from feared complaints from parents or more sensitive viewers about an already gruesome but accurate elaboration on Mary Shelley's novel?).

[–] DJ-Chojin 17 years ago

im actualy watching it now lol i downloaded it on torrent jap with english subbs and it shows him hitting him with the table/stool not quite sure what it is.ive not seen any grusome parts tho. although i was not expecting any for a 1965 movie.

JOHN LYDON FOR YOUNG CAPTAIN KIRK
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0527997/

[–] DJ-Chojin 17 years ago

spoiler <<<<< well the ending on the one i just watched he killed that tunneling creacher and killed it then the ground gave way and he fell into the pit, then they said is he dead and the dr said no hes imortal they showed the forest fire then the end came up in japanise wrighting.

JOHN LYDON FOR YOUNG CAPTAIN KIRK
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0527997/

[–] Amanojaku 16 years ago

Just some history from a sci fi history buff.

Uh, your "history" could use a little brushing up. The devilfish scene is NOT the original japanese ending. It was an alternate ending shot specifically at AIP's request. They decided the octopus effects weren't quite up to par and used the ending of Frankenstein falling into the pit instead (which is the true original japanese ending).

And the Gorath walrus' name is "Magma", not "Manga".

[–] blockett 13 years ago

ThisIslandEarth is correct. The DVD has two versions of the film. The "International" version includes the devilfish ending, while the "Theatrical" version ends with Frankenstein descending into a pit that opens up underneath him.

[–] Forgotten_Hero 13 years ago

I can kinda understand cutting out the octopus at the end of Frankenstein Conquers the World because it sorta comes out of nowhere, but why would they cut out the monster scene in Gorath? It's set in space, isn't it? It's an alien. Those are the kinds of things the fans of these kinds of movies want to see. Leave it in there.

[–] chongajuly 13 years ago

The ending for the Japanese and American versions are identical, as both Frankenstein and Baragon are swallowed up by the earth. Only the International version features the devilfish coming on for another four minutes, making this 93 minute running time the most complete. The Japanese runs 90 minutes, and the American (the only one to feature Nick Adams' own voice) a mere 85, on the Tokyo Shock DVD. Fortunately, the audio commentary goes with the complete devilfish version.

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