The Kaiju Movie that's not one | Warning from Space
Ойын-сауық
Today I look at a film put out by Toho's once rival Studio Daiei. Uchūjin Tokyo ni Arawaru (Spacemen Appear in Tokyo) Released to Japanese cinemas in January 1956. The film has the honor of being the 1st Japanese science fiction movie to be in color, and it shines in that aspect as famous Avant-garde artist Tarō Okamoto was selected to be the color designer of the film, as well as the design the alien beings known as the Pairans. The film was later brought to America in 1964 as a TV Movie under the title Unknown Satellite Over Tokyo. Later it would be renamed Warning from Space.
Sources for information
Arrow Video Blu-Ray Audio commentary by Stuart Galbraith IV
Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: Showa Completion (1954 -1989)
Essay on artist Taro Okamoto by Japanese art historian Nick West
Essay on the production of the American edit of the film by David Cairns
Japanese Special Effects Cinema: Godfathers of Tokusatsu: Vol. 1
SF: The Japanese Science Fiction Film Encyclopedia
SCIFIST: Warning from Space Essay
Music
Art of Balance - World A, B, and C Music
Sonic Mega Collection Credits Theme
Fair Use Copyright Disclaimer: Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
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Yeah the advertisement kinda over sold this movie I think it’s fine as a film but I really do like Pairans it’s a unique design and the scenes in their ship are wonderfully surreal
Well the description of giant starfish technically isn't lying. The average sige of a starfish can reach up to 3 feet in diameter. So the size of the starfish in the movie which is about the average size for a human is giant in comparison to the average starfish diameter. From a certain point of view. And the idea of planet R sounds exactly like the whole planet x in real life that was set to collide into Earth a few years ago.
They look like star shaped Telletubbies!
Actually, I loved watching this movie as kid in the 1970s. Anything Japanese sci-fi intrigued me. KTLA Channel 5 played this many times back then, usually during the summer, probably to get a better feel of the intense heat the main characters were going through! I am glad that Arrow Video finally released this on blu-ray last year, so no more inferior public domain viewings.
I actually find the Pairans to be adorable! They look cute ^^ Kinda` hope to see more of them, one day ^^ That said, Starro immediately came to mind, the moment I saw the thumbnail. Glad I'm not the only one who ponders, if the Pairans influenced his design ^^
Never thought I see another Japanese Sea Star creature then Pestar from Ultraman
I really like these new deep dive videos you’ve decided to do. First Half Human and now Warning from Space, great stuff.
I'm mostly pretty sure that the SMT Demon Decarabia is based off of the aliens from this movie.
@gadjiberibimba6799
Жыл бұрын
Dude, I agree 100% ! Decarabia ! I just wanted to post it but you were quicker...
@SeantheDracunyan76
10 ай бұрын
I was looking for this movi3 because of smt's decarabia
OH MY GOD!!! Finally, I find out what movie this was! I have been searching and searching for a movie with this ONE SCENE the only scene that I recalled from it when I was very young, maybe 6 or 7 years old. For many many years, practically my whole life, I would do a search for weird science fiction movies trying to describe my memory to find the title. I had a single scene from this movie in my head that I have never forgotten. For decades I have had a clear memory in my head of someone transforming from a star shaped lump of clay into a woman and also the reverse sequence. For a long time, I assumed since I was very young and my parents would never have let me watch a movie like this I must have turned it on to that one scene, but now I realize I must have seen the whole movie because I have memories of both sequences in my head, the transformation from a Pyran to a woman and woman to a Pyran. This image is so vividly clear in my memory even after 50 years. I do know at the time I was both terrified and utterly fascinated. That transformation as I recall was horrifying to me and I didn't understand it in the context of the plot (I was only 6), what would it be like to change like that? I just now found this whole movie on youtube and watched both sequences... wow... good god you have no idea what it's like to suddenly find a memory like this you haven't seen in 50 years. What a mind bender. Based on my age and where I remember watching this movie it would have to have been the late 60s, so the timing of the US release of this movie would have been right on the money. Straight to television around that same time. I can even remember the style and dirty off white plastic patina of the old black and white television.
I think Daiei had some of the best talent in the film industry, but were probably guilty of major studio interference. This is why their films have some of the most innovative ideas, cinematography, special effects, and design, but something always is off about the plot or it looks like money was not sunk into key effects, or marketing is completely misleading. This film is a great example. But I still love it, and have watched it about ten times.
While this movie is definitely not the greatest, it is significant in the history of tokusatsu, and I adore it both genuinely & ironically for its wacky blend of alien visitation, mystery/thriller elements, disaster film tropes, and B-movie goofiness, mashed together like only the Japanese can do 😆 Thanks for highlighting this often-disregarded gem, Finz.
I had honestly forgotten about this movie. Great review, I liked the comparisons between the Japanese and Western releases.
Color films in Japan: Toho and Toei would put Hibari Masora into many color musicals in the mid 1950's. High end historical movies and Toei's All Star Productions would also get color. In the late fifties Toho, Toei, Shochiku, Daiei etc. switched to color to compete with TV. In the mid sixties with the Japanese domestic box office contracting the movie studios would switch back to black and white as a cost savings. Mifune was in black and white movies in the mid 1960's. That was a big mistake by Toho, considering it could sell his movies to foreign markets. Katsu's Yakuza Soldiers series was shot in black and white, and so was Ichikawa Raizo;s Shinobi series. There are others. Daiei was a much smaller studio than Toho. It did not have the facilities or equipment that Toho had. That makes the modeling and effects shots more impressive. In the late 1940's when there was American censorship of Japanese movies the production companies had to come up with some product. Daiei made some American style detective movies and some Universal style monster movies. 1949's Invisable The Man Appears featured the effects photography of Tsuburaya Eiji. Tsuburaya had left Toho sometime before, but he did not like working at Daiei and he would rejoin Toho soon after. This movie also featured the otokoyaku Mizunoe Takiko so the casting is unusual..
@SlapstickGenius23
Жыл бұрын
Do you mean Hibari Misora? She was both a legendary Enka singer and a pretty good actress!
@michaelconnors7668
Жыл бұрын
@@SlapstickGenius23 Thanks for the catch. Hibari was a huge star for Shochiku and then for Toei. She mostly made musicals, but had a few non misical movies.
This film is the influence for the 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
I immediately recognized the starfish fellas from the Daicon IV video.
Those starfish aliens appear in the beginning of "The Evil Brain From Outer Space" with Starman !!!⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟
@marcellawong229
Жыл бұрын
@@Emmanuel-ms8pr not the same costumes.
@marcellawong229
Жыл бұрын
@@Emmanuel-ms8pr ok , bruh.
I have the same dvd collection. I remember when I’d always watch the extras more than the actual movies as a kid lol.
Guys in cloth costumes with fake eyes attached to the center.... a whole different level of absurd. Oh! How unique! The eyes have lights in them! Now, the 'star creatures' are really formidable! Don'tneed this one in my library....
The quality of the video you displayed is really good!!
I have that exact compilation, it almost put me off the Gamera franchise since it was my introduction to the Guardian of the Universe, thankfully I couldn't resist getting the Arrow collection while I had the chance. Where I found out that the compilation had the worst version, which Arrow also included for the fans of it, and I was able to enjoy the film subbed. I haven't finished the Showa series yet, but I can see why the Heisei trilogy is frequently considered some of the best kaiju movies ever made.
I really like Gorath for some reason
@queenglamazona8789
Жыл бұрын
Gorath is sort of like a Japanese Version of a George Pal film.
This channel is steadily improving
Just discovered your channel. Man, I love it. Keep doing what you are doing.👍👍
Great review and deep dive man. I have only seen bits and pieces of this and it is definitely a odd one. The scene were the Alien shapeshifts into the singer is a pretty cool effect, shame her character wasn't that interesting though. Wonder if she inspired the creators of other alien female characters taking the form of famous models like Lee from Critters 2, Serleena from MIB 2 and Miss Martian from Dc comics etc. haha. Keep up the great work
Keep up the great work 👍
Basically the first thing when I thought about seeing those starfish aliens was “If Starro was a good guy”
you should cover more underrated Tokusatsu films, like one you mentioned in this video, Gorath. If you do a review of that could you think of a way Maguma could have been better included
GREAT WORK LOVE WATCHING
You should Review jhonny sokko aka giant robo aka journey into space 1967 or gappa the Triphibian monster
@BlUsKrEEm
Жыл бұрын
I loved Gappa as a kid, but all I remember as an adult is the commercial for the movie that was included in my copy. It was a really catchy ad.
@Tboydd
Жыл бұрын
@@BlUsKrEEm there is a blu ray of it
I love it for its inocents. I first saw it at ten years old. In 74. At 4pm. And mom rush me to mass on satureday. Ltr i watch it at 8pm. Late seventies with my dad. Then be on late in the morning. I have it on vhs from tv. I miss tv then. It was great not knowen these films and they be on tv.
0:20 - I used to own that DVD set when I was younger. It introduced me to Gamera after all.
I love this movie. Such a hidden gem
Would have never known about this film of it wasn’t for you making this video.
Great review, I don't know if you done it if not can you review the Mysterians. Thnaks
I absolutely love the poster shown at 11:28. May have to get a print of that!
Hi there Paper Fiz. Love you video's. I enjoyed you vid on Half Human (1955) and I think you should do one on Godzilla vs. Megalon. Considering that it is seen by many as the worst Godzilla film, I've been doing my own Fan-fic on it and I think I can improve it.
You forgot to mention that Arrow Video officially released this film on Blu-ray in 2021 and in a superior print.
I had this set as a kid. The dvd this movie on was missing when I bought it, so I never saw it.
@queenglamazona8789
Жыл бұрын
I had it on VHS.
Very interesting, can you do The Mysterians?
This video sure was pretty interesting
No way just started watching this this week!
I always liked this movie...incongruities didn't worry me... also, there is a nice mood to some of the scenes, like the restaurant one at first of movie.
I think the Four Star / AIP-TV version is in the public domain but the film was given a really nice Bluray release by Arrow Films and I guess whoever currently owns the rights to the Daiei library supplied Arrow with a nice clean, uncut copy. It’s still no masterpiece but since all I’d ever seen before were heavily chopped up, faded-looking 16mm TV print transfers, I was very happy to finally get a copy the way it was meant to be seen.
It would be nice if someone did a remake of this movie, since it is in public domain.
I think the aliens from this movie inspired Staryu from Pokemon
They look like Starro the Conqueror from DC. 👁⭐️
They look like the Zonder from Gaogaigar episode 23
It's weird how these Starfish Aliens also showed up briefly in the Star Man Movies.
I watched this film just out of curiosity, I was expecting something like War of the World Wars, but it end it up more like a disaster film. Not to say I was disappointed with the film, in fact I love the cinematography, and the destruction scene were quite well done!
Oh hey, I had that same bootleg dvd set!
Kinda reminds me of the movie Arrival
The starfish men were the first super sentai team and you can’t change my mind
Now I've seen The Suicide Squad sir! You cannot fool me!
@RudeBoyKyle94
Жыл бұрын
We had the exact same exposure to this film actually haha! Great set
LOL I remember watching this when I was a kid!
It’s either real or it’s a dream there’s nothing that is in between.
"Kaiju" does not necessarily mean giant monsters. It translates from the Japanese as "strange creature". "Daikaiju" is translated as "giant strange creatures". Still a fun film, but no "daikaiju" to be found in it...
so smart
Oh yeah so Suicide Squad like, the updated version. And oh yeah it did mind control Superman on Batman Beyond.
It kind of reminds of starro from D.C. comics.
@rainemd6039
Жыл бұрын
Same
Dude, I have that DVD set!! Ha!! Love your content Ol’ Bud!! Keep it up!!
@teedup8995
Жыл бұрын
So do I, plus another video collection of movies from the same company which this movie would have fit in better on.
The Aliens Look Like Staro The Conquerer
Boy, can you review a few films about Tarzan competitors such as Kenya Boy and Buruuba?
Those starfish look like decarabi from the smt series.
Starmie from pokemon is a combination of ultraman and these pairans.
17:11 I'm clearly not well versed enough in Toho movies because i had no idea Gorath had it's own movie. I only knew it as "the planet from Godzilla Final Wars." It's so cool how many references to older toho projects were stuffed into that movie. Like Manda and the Atragon (Gotengo) too for example.
@khaymenbrock645
Жыл бұрын
Gorath is the movie that the giant walrus Kaiju comes from.
@jonatanluna1061
Жыл бұрын
@@khaymenbrock645 Alright, now i NEED to watch it.
@khaymenbrock645
Жыл бұрын
@@jonatanluna1061 The walrus only shows up for a bit at the end, and is in no way the main plot point, but it's fun!
@queenglamazona8789
Жыл бұрын
They put Rockets on the North Pole and move the Planet Earth away from Gorath, Avoiding a Collision. The Science in this Movie is a Bit Wonky.
0:46 dude holy shit I actually have that dvd
Glory to Gorzo!
Daiei and Toho have kinda generic aliens (I'm so sorry). But yeah, I imagine a world where daiei still has all of their monster films (like this one, Daimajin, and Gamera) just long enough to probably be featured in the monsterverse. 😞
@mrgodzillaraptors8632
Жыл бұрын
Pretty sure legendary wont brother with daiei
@M8tallicJi8ngshi
Жыл бұрын
@@mrgodzillaraptors8632 they wont because daiei and toho are rivals
This movie was so weird
I know this movie as "Astronomers make other scientists look bad"
6:32 Boring, perhaps, but SO easy on the eyes :)
Literally pillows 💀
The "Unknown Satellite" title might have been because Sputnik had been launched by the time the movie showed in the US, and "satellite" was just a fashionable space word at the time.
Fun fact: they show up in a Gamera manga
We need more cyclopeon starfish movies.
17:31 The Mysterians was released one year AFTER Warning From Space, not one year prior.
I was wondering have you played Gigabash yet
I watched this one time and vowed not to watch it again cuz I was bored af watching this
Also can you review The Last Dinosaur
@queenglamazona8789
Жыл бұрын
Love that Movie. Not sure if the Title refers to the T-Rex in the film, Or to Richard Boone's Character.
Can you Re-Upload One of Your Videos TItled "Why Kaiju Movies Are so Pricey?"
I wonder if the Star Aliens from Part Time UFO are based off of these
Starro the Movie.
The giant starfish reminds of Starro from The Suicide Squad
WHen i just saw that monster I just though of Starro from Dc conics
ah yes t-posing patricks go brrrt zappp pewpewpew
Looks like staro
When is the Darkhorse Godzilla Part 1 coming?
Yeah war of the worlds is basically you have two movies one that is from the 50s and the other is the modern day version
just curious what movies are daiei doing today?
Starfish monster
Iiiii'm fairly certain MST3K/the dudes with Riff Trax did this movie...
@Gappasaurus
Жыл бұрын
MST3K never riffed it (yet at least), but Rifftrax did… unfortunately it was a “Rifftrax Presents” release, meaning it was done by guest riffers, which never land for me ☹️
@frown
Жыл бұрын
@@Gappasaurus Guest riffers just don't have the chops.
Red Illuminati xd
It's a Kaiju movie, just not a "dai kaiju" movie.
Why wiki zilla has not let u guest host a video
2:32 What's that poster in the middle?
@PaperFinz
Жыл бұрын
The Legend of the White Serpent. Toho's 1st color Motion Picture
@BaldPerspective
Жыл бұрын
@@PaperFinz Thank you, homie. I would love to hear your take on Gorath eventually. The apocalyptic tone, Maguma, & my difficulty in being able to watch it just have me wildly interested in it.
I mean I love the plot of this movie when The aliens warned the people of the planet to destroy other planet but seriously they should have send the aliens to USA and the Soviet Union to used their nuclear weapons to stop the planet who is trying to collide with the earth but instead they just went to japan and it doesn’t have nuclear weapons 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
I liked it but the print wasn't so good
Starro is a fantastic 4 enemy
Is it a cheap toku film?
why is this a kaiju film WHY.