A Quick Look: ATRAGON (1965-color)

   Here's another import from Japan, and in my experience one of the rarer such films. ATRAGON tells of an attack on the surface world by the undersea kingdom of the Mu Empire. Mu, for all it's primitiveness, possesses futuristic technology, flying saucers, and the ability to control earthquakes. Mankind's only hope rests in an embittered former Imperial Japanese Navy Officer and his fantastic futuristic submarine, Atragon. Atragon was built at the end of the War to turn the tide of battle back in Japan's favor, but the Land of the Rising Sun surrendered before the ship could be sent into battle. Though the times have passed up her Captain, he must put aside his baggage and march into action against the Mu forces. Complex character study supports engaging adventure story, complete with Toho's customary giant monster -in this case a huge serpent worshiped by the Mu. Elements of the plot would be re-hashed several times over the next several decades. GODZILLA VS MEGALON was a more kiddie matinee version of the same story, while THE WAR IN SPACE re-purposed the plot for use in a space opera. Manda, the giant serpent, would wash back into the Godzilla series when the beast was selected to be one of the returning giants featured in DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (the US posters for the film even named Manda among the major players). Though only as quick stock shots from that film, Manda would be seen throughout the remaining films of the original Godzilla cycle. Atragon itself was only one of numerous flying submarines with drilling cones in the nose section to be highlighted in Japanese pop culture! The film is finally available in a nice scope transfer on American DVD, but unfortunately the superior AIP release dub remains missing. Reportedly, the American DVD distributor wanted to include the better dub, but they were prevented from doing so by Toho itself!