This release is 4:3 full screen, which it the OAR (the way the film was shot, non scope). Special features include an on-screen interview with optical effects director Minoru Nakano and special effects production designer Noriyoshi Ikeya. The audio commentary features writer/director Toshihiro Iijima (who wrote the screenplay under the name Kitao Senzoku), actor/comedian Hiroshi Inuzuka, director of photography Yozo Inagaki, and actress Hiroko Sakurai. The disc also includes the trailer, and an 8-page, full color booklet.
I love DAIGORO VS. GOLIATH; the VHS came out in 1985 when I was living in Japan, and friends gave this to me for my birthday -- and thought it was just a wonderful little movie -- the tape came with a set of b&w stills from the film, too (still have them)! IMHO, it's one of the most charming and least insulting kids movies from that era.
There seems to be some confusion about this production, though. It was conceived and produced to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Tsuburaya Productions (founded in 1963). As related in my book, Tsuburaya Productions, from its founding was closely associated with Toho, because they were financial investors in the company, and you can see the influence in their earliest productions, such as ULTRA Q and ULTRAMAN, which feature Toho actors.
Since Tsuburaya Productions was a production company, they did not own studios or movie theaters. So, because of their association with Toho, they shot their productions at Toho facilities, such as the recently defunct Toho Built, and would have their films distributed through Toho theater chains (much like how the 1990s Gamera films were produced by Daiei, but released by Toho).
The film was released on December 17, 1972 as part of Toho's Champion Matsuri kiddie matinee series. The co-features were DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (as "Godzilla: Operation Blitzkrieg") and Isao Takahata's animated short PANDA KOPANDA (written by Hayao Miyazaki), a precursor to MY NEIGHBOR, TOTORO.
If you're tastes run more serious, then this is not the film for you. But, if you love the Showa Gameras and the 1970s Godzilla films, then you just might be in for a treat with DAIGORO VS GOLIATH!
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 3:04 pm
