I wasn’t aware of the Daimajin films when this set was first announced. I do enjoy many films from Japan though and was intrigued when I read about it. Digging up information on it I found that the series wasn’t long, especially when you realize that Godzilla is still going strong, but it was popular when released and did decent business. It must have when you realize that there are three films included here.
To understand what takes place in all three films you must first know who the Daimajin is. Daimajin is a giant stone god, one that looks like nothing more than a statue. Dressed as a samurai warrior with a passive face, he looks like nothing more than a giant carved icon. But when roused from his slumbers his face changes into a hideous mask with peering eyes as he sets out on a path of destruction for those who dare disrespect him.
Distributed by Daiei Films, the first movie in the set is DAIMAJIN. Taking place in the distant past of Japan when samurais still held sway it tells the story of a small village where they worship an ancient with reverence known as Daimajin. This stone god was trapped in the mountain and the people of the village pay tribute to it all year round. A coupe against the ruler of this area finds the new ruler unafraid of superstitious nonsense and he kills the royal family with the exception of the ruler’s two small children. They grow up to their late teens raised by the mother of a trusted samurai who protected their father. When they turn 18 they eventually attempt to reclaim their title but the young man is captured. His sister and the priestess who raised them plead for mercy but the new ruler is unwavering and kills the old woman who places a curse on him. The wrath of the Daimajin is roused and he comes back to deliver justices to those who revered him.
The second films is RETURN OF DAIMAJIN. This time around we find an island in the middle of a lake where two peaceful villages reside nearby, Chigusa and Nagoshi. All is well until the ruler of a third village decides to take over and rule all three villages. Attacking during a festival the people of both villages are pursued to the island. The ruler orders his men to demolish the statue of the Daimajin with explosives which they do. But an angry god is not about to be stopped by something like this and he rises from the watery depths to wreak his wrath on this unbeliever.
The third and final film is DAIMAJIN STRIKES AGAIN. In this tale a small village is doing their best to survive. But their best craftsmen and workers have been captured by and evil lord and are now working for him constructing a temple and wall to honor him. When their village is made aware, four children of various workers set off to rescue their fathers. The easiest path to reach them is through an area designated for the Daimajin. Passing through the four young children pay their respects and beg forgiveness for using this path. The evil lord’s men are not so kind of respectful. Neither is the evil lord who ridicules the worship of this deity. Big mistake as the Daimajin rises to once more show why respect is due.
While the movements of the giant stone creature are slow, like most giant creatures from these Japanese films, it does offer a benevolent defender who is still frightening to look at. The stories are all morality tales that revolve around evil tyrants being bested when their hubris grows too large. Each time they think of themselves as godlike a true god comes in to show them how far off they are. These stories of oppression reversed on those who treat others wrongly are a decent story to tell.
Made in 1966 the special effects seen here are not the CGI that movie fans of today would expect. And yet the effects here work perfectly for the stories being told and the character of Daimajin. Nothing more than a hand passing in front of his face changes his appearance from stone god to vengeful samurai.
Each of the films is well done and stands on its own. The third film tends to lean more towards younger viewers with our heroes being 4 children. But all three are entertaining and worth watching.
Arrow has once more brought to the world a classic that would have been missed and have included plenty of extras. To begin with the films are all presented on high definition Blu-ray for the first time ever. Extras include an illustrated 100 page book featuring new essays by Jonathan Clements, Keith Aiken, Ed Godziszewski, Raffael Coronelli, Erik Homenick, Robin Gatto and Kevin Derendorf, postcards featuring the original Japanese artwork for all three films and reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Frank. For DAIMAJIN there is a new audio commentary by Japanese film expert Stuart Galbraith IV, a newly filmed introduction by critic Kim Newman, “Bringing the Avenging God to Life” a new video essay about the special effects of the films by film historian Ed Godziszewski, alternate opening credits for the US release as MAJIN: THE MONSTER OF TERROR, trailers for the original and US release and an image gallery. On RETURN OF DAIMAKIN there is a new audio commentary track by Japanese film experts Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp, “My Summer Holidays with Daimajin” a new filmed interview with Professor Yoneo Ota (director of the Toy Film Museum, Kyoto Film Art Culture Research Institute) about the production of the Daimajin films at Daiei Kyoto, “From Storyboard to Screen: Bringing Return of Daimajin to Life” a comparison of several key scenes in Return of Daimajin with the original storyboards, alternate opening credits for the US release as Return of the Giant Majin, trailers of the original Japanese and US releases and an image gallery. On WRATH OF DAIMAJIN there is a new audio commentary by Asian historian Jonathan Clements, an interview with cinematographer Fujio Morita discussing his career at Daiei and his work on the three films, trailers for the original Japanese release and an image gallery.
As is apparent Arrow Video went all out. Bravo to them for
doing so. And for those who enjoy giant creatures, Japanese cinema, foreign
films or just having a good old time then pick this one up.
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