Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

I think at this point we should probably all be extremely thankful that Criterion was able to do KOTM in 2011. I have a feeling Toho wouldn't have had any qualms about denying that for release today if there wasn't already an extant HD version.

Regarding KOTM on TCM, it's interesting (to me) that it was identical to the Criterion Blu-ray version and not the one with the alternate title that's been seen on Comet, IFC, etc.

Each showing so far has had the title card of Criterion and or Janus Films. I thought it would also be a good idea to DVR all of these showings just to have them right then and there to replay anytime for my viewing pleasure. Getting last weeks airing of Mothra ‘61 was a nice bonus.

Edit: So far, all of the airings have been in Japanese, English subtitled. All except Invasion of Astro Monster, which was shown English dubbed.

Nothing like drifting off to sleep while watching Godzilla vs. Gigan.

BTW, their subs make the aliens' disguises make more sense.

^ The use a word, can't remember exactly, that makes it seem like the human forms are tech-based illusions based on the forms and using the identities of dead humans, making the cockroach shadows make sense.

... of course, opens another can of worms, but it explains the shadows!

It is amusing to read some of the TCM Facebook sites, where an element is visibly upset with the channel indicating that these movies are "utter trash" and they've forever ruined TCM!

Well, their misery will be over soon with the last batch of movies this Friday, including "War of the Gargantuas". We all suspect that it will be the international version, which I cannot bring myself to watch. Still, there is that very small percentage that it will be the UPA edition. We shall see.

Yup, it is the dreaded international copy of "WoTG" that TCM is playing (and it had the Criterion label at the beginning, leaving one to suspect that this will get a release). Could only watch a few scenes. Not only is this dubbing atrocious, but the audio overall was bad (sometimes, I could not make a word of what they saving).

I am a big time Godzilla fan, however, I am no fan of Toho (at least with this current regime).

^ On the plus side: the film looks terrific!

Very happy with TCM's presentation of this event. Hope these movies become regulars on the channel.

Their airing of Godzilla vs. Megalon was even the dubbed version. Was actually looking forward to watching a current subtitled version of it.

All of the movies airings were English subtitles, including Mothra’61. The only ones that were aired in dubbed versions were Astro Monster, Megalon, and War of the Gargantuas. Any idea what this means in terms of their upcoming release? As in will we be getting subtitled releases of these movies?

Will that include King Kong vs. Godzilla? Which was the only Showa Godzilla movie not shown.

^ The Criterion set includes both the American and Japanese versions of King Kong vs. Godzilla.

... but, due to whatever agreement they had to come to with Universal (who owns the movie outside of Japan) the American Cut is included as the main feature and the Japanese cut is relegated to the special features disc.

Well, TCM has come out with their annual "TCM remembers" for 2019. To my surprise, Tadao Takashima made the list (the one minute mark). I am glad that they are finally including actors from kaiju features (two years ago, they had both Harao Nakajima & Yoshio Tsuchiya)