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Rodan/War of the Gargantuas | 
 enlarge | Director: Ishirô Honda
Actors: Russ Tamblyn, Kumi Mizuno, Kenji Sahara, Nobuo Nakamura, Jun Tazaki
Studio: Classic Media
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $12.80
You Save: $7.15 (36%)
New (28) Used (6) from $12.80
Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 1561
Format: Color, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc
Languages: Japanese (Original Language), English (Dubbed)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.6 x 0.6
MPN: 81515
UPC: 796019815154
EAN: 0796019815154
ASIN: B001AR0D40
Theatrical Release Date: July 29, 1970
Release Date: September 9, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW - FACTORY SEALED product! GUARANTEED SATISFACTION! We ship fast, from multiple locations.
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Description
RODAN: Rodan, originally released in Japan in 1956 involves a giant monster being awoken from an ancient hibernation by human beings. In Rodan, miners digging far into the earth stumble across a clutch of giant, prehistoric insects which viciously attack several of the miners and prompt a government investigation into the matter. The giant bugs turn out to be little more than food for two gigantic flying beasts called Rodans, who hatch from giant eggs and proceed to terrorize the entire world. WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS: War of the Gargantuas, released in Japan in 1966 as "Frankenstein's Monsters: Sanda versus Gaira" and a semi-sequel 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 for "stranger." The Brown Gargantua had been raised in captivity, and is docile and gentle; because he resides in the Japan Alps, he is called Sanda for "mountain". The film follows the investigation and military engagements of these creatures until their climatic confrontation in Tokyo.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 At long last Gargantuas October 6, 2008
Zack Davisson (Seattle, WA, USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is a good time to be a fan of Japanese kaiju flicks. For years we suffered through badly edited and badly dubbed releases just to get a glimpse of our favorite monsters. But now there is Classic Media, putting out the best releases of some of the most obscure kaiju films, and doing them with a respect and quality I never imagined possible. It is a dream come true!
This two DVD set contains two of the most sought-after films, 1956's "Rodan" ("Sora no daikaiju Radon" or "Giant Monster of the Sky Radon") and 1966's "War of the Gargantuas" ("Frankenstein no Kaiju: Sanda tai Gaira" or "Frankenstein's Monster: Sanda vs. Gaira). Both have had previous US releases, but with considerable edits and we are seeing the full films here for the first time. As with other Classic Media titles in the Godzilla series, both versions of the films are included, the original Japanese release and the US dubbed and edited version. It is nice to have both, but it doesn't take a genius to know which one you should be watching! Interesting bonus documentaries are also included, making this set an absolute must have.
"Rodan" was the first kaiju flick filmed in color, and the mutated pteranodons still look great. Although a single Rodan would soon crossover into the Godzilla series with Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster, here there are actually two of the beasties to torment Japan, a male and a female. Because they can fly, "Rodan" is quite quick paced and action-packed compared to many kaiju flicks, as the two monsters zoom around doing battle with jet airplanes and destroying bridges. No slow motion stomping here. Without giving away any spoilers, the ending of "Rodan" is a tear-jerker, a hard task for a film featuring men in giant rubber suits.
"War of the Gargantuas" is a real treasure, and I am so happy to finally have a nice copy on DVD. A sequel to the 1966 Frankenstein Conquers the World, (but not to the planned but never produced "Godzilla vs. Frankenstein". Sigh...), the story has the mutated cells of the Frankenstein monster spawning two giant hairy beasts, Sanda (mountain monster) and Gaira (outside monster). Because the both monsters are human-like, the suitimation really shines here, and the two beasts are able to get really down and dirty in their battle. In fact, their fight was the basis for the battle between The Bride and Elle Driver in Kill Bill. It is knock-down drag out.
If you like giant monster flicks, you are going to want this DVD. It is that simple.
TWO FUN MONSTER FILMS! HAPPY "SHOCKTOBER!" EVERYBODY! DEFECTIVE 'RODAN' DISC! October 1, 2008
! MR. KNOW IT ALL ;-b (TRI STATE AREA)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
I have been waiting for 'War of the Gargantuas' to be released on DVD for many years. I had not seen this film in 30 years and I have to say the wait was worth it! The U.S. film print here looks very good and the film is more fun than I remembered. Even better is the inclusion of the original Japanese release. Unfortunately, the Japanese print is dark and not very crisp, but since my concern was for the film I grew up with, this is acceptable to me. The Japanese version is nice to see for curiosity, but I don't see me watching it more than once or twice.
Now about the film, if your a fan of Godzilla type films (ToHo), I really don't need to point out that these films are not meant to be taken too seriously....at least in America! This film is a hoot and the FX are actually pretty good for the most part. The scene with the green "Gargantua" attacking the airport is a stand out! This film was a quasi-sequel to 'Frankenstein Conquers The World', but all references to the first film were removed when release in the U.S. 'Sanda VS Gailah Frankenstein's Monsters' (the original Japanese title) has never looked so good!
'Rodan' which is featured on the first disc in this 2 disc set is another good film from the studio, but unfortunately, my copy would not play, so I sent for a replacement, when I tried the replacement it wouldn't play either!?? I have an expensive Denon DVD player and for the most part it is worth every penny, but for some reason it does have trouble playing certain DVD's. 'Casino' 2 disc was a problem disc and now this 'Rodan' disc. They both play on my other DVD players. I am surprised I am the only reviewer who has experienced this problem. The 'Rodan' disc has a new documentary on it, which is very interesting. Happy "Shocktober" to all my horror buddies! from yours truly Dr. Shock!
RODAN / WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS September 24, 2008
Richard Mcclure (RAPID CITY,SOUTH DAKOTA)
Being a fan of TOHO Monster movies this is a very good I love the restred version of RODAN with its add seens and as for WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS I love what they did to this movie and how well its been restored just like I remeber seeing it at the drive-inn.This movie will make a fine addtion to your TOHO (GODZILLA)MONSTER MOVIE DVD collection.
 Media Classics 1st double feature! September 23, 2008
Brian C. Lawton (Brooklyn, New York United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was enchanted to hear that Gargantuas was finally being released on dvd
a little surprised it was not paired with Frankenstein conquers the world
but enchanted just the same. As with all of Classic media's past releases
this one has the American & Japanese version of Gargantuas and Rodan This
was my first time seeing Gargantuas in an American widescreen version All
versions prior were always full screen. (there is a momentary sound pause
after the credits which leads me to believe that two different sources of
film might have been used) For those who are fans of the Japanese version
which uses more of the Akira score, BEWARE that this print of the film is
extremely dark so dark in fact that many of the night shots come out very
shadowy. This was my first and only complaint with Classic Media who have
up to now have always presented such high quality films prints. That said
all else including the Rodan prints were flawless. Also included is grand
little featurette which showcases the unsung heroes and technicians that
made Toho studios this is really a well put together piece that shows the
care (and sometimes turmoil) of the greatest monster studio that ever was
What a great treat for anyone who first saw these movies at the drive-in
or on late night television.
Rodan! Gargantuas! At long last! September 18, 2008
John Lazar
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The wait is over! Devoted fans of Toho's classic Japanese monster movies can now add this excellent two-disc set to their collection. This is a perfect double-feature: RODAN and WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS are two of my favorites. Plus, there's also a wonderful documentary, BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE.
So with all this going for it, why does this set only get four stars? Well, not to be an ingrate, but I do have some minor quibbles. Both RODAN or WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS are bereft of Extras ... no commentaries or theatrical trailers. Nothing. (On the Japanese laserdisc edition of RODAN, the lovely overture is included, as well as an exciting theatrical trailer. Why couldn't those have been included here?) Also, the Japanese print of WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS is too dark during several passages, while the American print is sharp and clear. Perhaps a commentary track would have explained this discrepancy.
That said, however, I'm grateful to have these films in both the American and original Japanese editions. These titles have often been severely underappreciated by film historians and scholars. But fans know that these are two top-notch efforts brimming with superb special effects, representing those talented Toho craftsman at their very best. What's Japanese for "Hallelujah!"?
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