Posted:
Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:43 pmby Thomas
Yep, that's what I meant by domestic version the one released in Japan and yes again to my inquiry being about the 1973 film.
So the international version despite it being shorter is still worth seeing. Guess I'll have to put it back to the top of my DVD want list then.
Thanks for the info glam1931.
Posted:
Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:33 pmby glam1931
Yes, you gotta see it. The one to avoid is the Roger Corman American recut, entitled "Tidal Wave", which doesn't even make sense as a title, much less as a movie.
It's a very good film, but very depressing and nihilistic. It will give you a lot of insight into the Japanese psyche, however...at least as it was in the early seventies when the economic boom of the sixties was collapsing, and the national mood was pretty dreary.
The 2006 remake, Sinking of Japan or Japan Sinks, which I prefer, is much more upbeat and hopeful, reflecting Japan's national mood coming out of the economic malaise of the 90's.
It's also interesting to compare how the two main male protagonists are completely rewritten and reinterpreted in the two versions...it says a lot about changing male and female roles in their society.