Your favorite Toho Showa *Non-G* SCI-FI FILM

[Gojisan]

War of the Gargantuas edges it for me.

[g2kmaster]

I agree with everyone who says WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS. Sure, Russ isn't too great or anything, but damn if that film doesn't have some of the nicest SFX Tsuburaya ever did. With the Gargantuas being as short as they are, they could do some great stuff. Big buildings, the nature shots are great, just, wow. The water shot of Gaira looking up at the two men on the boat was good. Sanda falling trying to save the femme fatale was great. Just, awesome. And I do not remember there being many composite shots, which is a plus.

[Kaiju-King42]

Either Frankenstien vs Baragon or War of the Gargantuas for me. It's hard to decide. FvB gets points for Nick Adams, the introduction of my fifth favorite monster, Baragon, an awesome climatic monster fight, great SFX (minus the horse), some of my favorite Ifukube music tracks, an almost tragic story behind ol Frank, some truly funny scenes, and for adding Frankenstien and his lore into the Godzilla universe. (Yes, I consider FvB to be part of the Godzilla Showa series.)

WotG gets points for great music and effects, a good story, some very emotional monster stuff, the introduction of maser tanks, and pretty much what the guy above me said. I love both movies, but if I had to choose, I would pick FvB for monster action, and WotG for the story.

The others that I have seen, from favorite to least favorite.

Mothra
Varan: The Unbelivable
Rodan
Space Ameoba
King Kong Escapes

[gojimantis]

Either Rodan or Matango.

[Tohosaurus]

and for adding Frankenstien and his lore into the Godzilla universe. (Yes, I consider FvB to be part of the Godzilla Showa series.)

But while Baragon was added in for DAM, the Frankenstein/Gargantua saga is not a part of the Showa Godzilla universe(s). Same as how Dogora or Space Amoeba aren't either. Unless I'm missing something.

[TokyoVigilante]

and for adding Frankenstien and his lore into the Godzilla universe. (Yes, I consider FvB to be part of the Godzilla Showa series.)

But while Baragon was added in for DAM, the Frankenstein/Gargantua saga is not a part of the Showa Godzilla universe(s). Same as how Dogora or Space Amoeba aren't either. Unless I'm missing something.

I don't see why they wouldn't be. They don't contradict anything, it's where Maser Tanks come from, and we get to see what mainland Japan is up to while Godzilla is off fighting Sea Monsters and adopting a son.

[beardRage]

Tough call, I'd say probly War of The Gargantuas. Mothra and Rodan are close.

[DaikaijuSokogeki!]

The Human Vapor. I have mentioned this many times, but Tsuchiya is phenomenal in this film and the ending packs a very powerful punch. The characters are well-developed, it's smart, and the effects are extremely clever. Definitely a blast.

[menschenjaeger]

Easily Matango. For second place, I would have once said the original English dub of The Mysterians, but I think second place has been taken over by Latitude Zero. That movie makes me giddy. Fourth place, WOTG.

[Giga Kaiju]

War of The Gargantuans and Rodan. (because i havent watched the others like Matango, FvsB or The Mysterians but i plan to, later on).

[The H-Man]

My least favorite of any that I've seen is Battle in Outer Space. It is so slow moving, and seeing it was a big disappointment as it's supposed to be a sequel of sorts to the Mysterians.

[Gamera87]

I am going to have to go nostalgic and say King Kong Escapes as I loved the toho Kong when I was little, For the life of me I will always enjoy the film because of that reason alone, however for a non toho I would have to say Daimajin which I have just only recently heard about and enjoy tremendously,and yes I am new here been a lurker but decided to join.

[ebirahsmeg1]

One film I didn't include in the list (because it's not a kaiju/sci-fi film, which is what I wanted this discussion to focus on), but I though might warrant a mention because of Tsuburaya's great work is The Battle of the Sea of Japan. I am a history buff who has been studying the Russo-Japanese War 0f 1904-1905 (an extremely important war in world history that is often overlooked or receives scant attention...the long term consequences it had on the world, especially Japan and Russia, is staggering). This film has some amazing work done by Tsuburaya and Nakano...their depiction of the "Battle of Tshushima" with Japan's Imperial fleet's total annihilation of Russia's Baltic Fleet in the "Battle of Tsushima" is vintage Tsuburaya, and some of his best work, and captures the battle's events in amazing accuracy.


Battle of the Sea of Japan (1969)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNj4Icwf9eI
*note: the poster of the video added some bland music in...in the actual movie, there was no music during this scene, adding to its tension and mood).

In addition, here are some clips of some of Tsuburaya's earliest SFX work in the war film The War at Sea from Hawaii to Malaya. Really great stuff!:


The War at Sea from Hawaii to Malaya (1942)

Pearl Harbor Attack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NnGSafE ... re=related

Sinking of the H.M.S Prince of Wales and Repulse (Malaysia attack)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE6_s1Tg ... re=related

[ZillaMaster91]

Of the non-Godzilla Showa films, I've only seen Rodan, Frankenstein vs. Baragon, Atragon, and War of the Gargantuas.

Based on that, I liked War of the Gargantuas the best personally.

[Goji]

I've seen most of the films on that list, but to be honest I'm finding it almost impossible to pick favorites. I love all of the ones I've seen for one reason or another.

WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS and MATANGO are my absolute favorites, but I'd probably have at least 10 films tied for second place.

[hammysammy59]

With one or two exceptions I've only really seen Toho's giant monster stuff (working on fixing that) and even then, it's hard to pick one favorite. I agree that Battle in Outer Space isn't much to write home about. On the flipside, The Mysterians is a favorite of mine. Here's what I love from that list:

Mothra
Matango
The Mysterians
Frankenstein Conquers the World
War of the Gargantuas
Space Amoeba

I love 'em all for different reasons. Mothra is a fantastic flick that changed the world of giant monsters... easily Toho's best monster film other than Gojira. Matango is an awesomely bleak, subdued horror film. The Mysterians is a big fun alien invasion, done up Toho style. Frankenstein Conquers the World is insane, imaginative gold. War of the Gargantuas builds off the unique madness of FCtW with some surprisingly effective monster drama. Space Amoeba is unabashedly wild and fun, with unusually vulnerable monsters. If I absolutely HAD to pick one, I guess it might be Mothra.

I wish Toho would have done more non-Godzilla monster stuff after the Showa period, but I know why they didn't. (hint: $$$)

[kaiju115]

For my Top 5 favorites, I would go with:
1. Mothra
2. Rodan
3. Frankenstein vs Baragon
4. War of the Gargantuas
5. Varan

[dogora]

i havent seen many yet but

the mysterians and dogora are at hoint faviroutes at the moment, a am also quite partial to king kong vs macha-kong or whatever.

[kaiju115]

King Kong escapes was pretty good. However in my opinion Gorosaurus stole the show the moment we see him, it's a shame he was only in the film for a few minutes.

[dogora]

King Kong escapes was pretty good. However in my opinion Gorosaurus stole the show the moment we see him, it's a shame he was only in the film for a few minutes.

totally agree with you there.