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!
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