Latitude Zero (1969)

[The H-Man]

I've had it on DVD for awhile but have yet to watch it. I'm currently on a Toho kaiju/scifi binge so I should get to it in the next few weeks

[Goji]

this is one of the few films that was done during this time frame where the japanese actors,(except one, the pilot of the one ship), speak their own lines in english...

There was no "time frame" when that happened. This was the only Toho SPX film to have (basically) all of it's Japanese actors speaking in English.

[Tohosaurus]

You can buy Latitude Zero on DVD online if you want (and are a region one customer). It's $12.99 on Target's site, for example. I am a fan of Latitude Zero. It's a ton of fun, intelligent at parts, but really just a movie for someone who wants to sit back and be entertained by this era of science fiction that isn't afraid to be over the top at times.

That was no "time frame" when that happened. This was the only Toho SPX film to have (basically) all of it's Japanese actors speaking in English.

Thank you. There was no time period at all when Toho films were shot originally in English dialogue.

[Tyler]

It's probably the craziest movie Honda directed.

[anguirusrules356]

ive never seen this movie.

[thatsoundman]

ive never seen this movie.

this movie is great to add to anyone's collection for sci fi or anything that has come out of japan, as i said i enjoy it everytime i watch it.

[CommanderJoe]

Its a ok picture. Linda Haynes is certainly lovely to look at and its cool to see Takarada-san speaking English. Its definitely a throwback to the 30's. Richard Jaeckel is also excellent as always.

[menschenjaeger]

I heard about it from Galbraith's Monsters Are Attacking Tokyo. But when that book came out, the movie was nowhere to be found. It was good to see it finally given a quality release recently. I finally took the plunge a few days ago and bought the DVD. I watched it earlier tonight with popcorn and a Duvel, and it's 105 minutes of pure chewing satisfaction. It's as if they took (almost) everything I like about The Mysterians and added more of it, and took away the boring stuff (there are no meetings called in Latitude Zero!).

And I learned a valuable life-lesson: Never put the brain of the henchman you just betrayed into a gigantic monster's body. Who would have ever guessed it would seek revenge upon its maker?! Oops, sorry - spoiler!

[MaxRebo320]

Upon watching ''Latitude Zero'' the other day, I thought about it's unusual ending. I wondered, did he really travel to the land and have that adventure, or was it all just a dream? What do you guys think? Personally, I found it pretty shocking that an otherwise campy flick would have such and ending, but in a way, that makes it better.

[B34sT]

If I remember correctly the top was still spinning at the end.

[Tyler]

If I remember correctly the top was still spinning at the end.

SPINCEPTION

[menschenjaeger]

It's meant to be exactly that - "whoah, was it all a dream?!" You're free to interpret it as you will.

I look at it like this: The Omniscient Narrator (who appears to be Captain McKenzie) talks about the Fuji, so there's a Japanese research vessel by that name if we follow "movie rules." The undersea volcano and the loss of the bathysphere would certainly be a verifiable event within the world of the movie. The Latitude Zero operatives talk about "identical" imposter agents they use, and Perry does have a whole mess of diamonds waiting for him in New York. The bank DID know to call the particular ship he's on. Capt. McKenzie does look amused as Perry talks about how no one will believe him without pictures, and also when he asks about the diamonds, as though the Capt. has a secret joke.

It seems pretty obvious in THAT context that it's a big mind-you-know-what on Perry, intended to make him say "How'd they DO that?!" so that he'll know it's best to just leave LZ in peace.

[ScootaVaran]

I forgot how it ended. gotta go watch it again.

[SG-17]

So I watched Latitude Zero for the first time today, the international version, and I have some questions.

Firstly, how the hell are the people in Latitude Zero and on Blood Island living so long?

Secondly, when/why/by whom was Latitude Zero established.

Thirdly, is Lucrezia supposed to be Lucrezia Borgia?


This is a very strange movie.

[Tohosaurus]

A lot of it is simply mystery, but some things like the age of the people can likely be chalked up to technology and innovation, which is why they are so advanced in the first place.

[MaxRebo320]

It may have all been a dream as well.

[menschenjaeger]

An AWESOME dream.

[MaxRebo320]

An AWESOME dream.

Agreed. I love this movie!