Written by: Michael Den Boer on May 16th, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1969
Director: Ishiro Honda
Cast: Tomonori Yazaki, Eisei Amamoto, Sachio Sakai,Kazuo Suzuki, Kenji Sahara, Machiko Naka, Shigeki Ishida
| DVD released: | 2006 | 2008 |
| Approximate running time: | 66m59s | 69m25s (Japanese Version) 69m26s (US Version) |
| Aspect Ratio: | 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen | 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen |
| Rating: | M | NR |
| Sound: | Dolby Digital 5.1 & Dolby Mono Japanese & English with English Subtitles | Dolby Digital Mono Japanese & English with English Subtitles |
| DVD Release: | Madmen Entertainment | Classic Media |
| Region Coding: | Region 4 PAL | Region 1 NTSC |
| Retail Price: | $24.95 | $19.95 |
Madmen Entertainment’s Region 4 DVD
Classic Media’s Region 1 DVD
Madmen Entertainment’s Region 4 DVD
Classic Media’s Region 1 DVD
Madmen Entertainment’s Region 4 DVD
Classic Media’s Region 1 DVD
The Film :
Ichiro is a quite and withdrawn young boy who is being bullied by his classmates. During his free time Ichiro likes to day dream about visiting Monster Island and watching Godzilla fight the other monsters. Ichiro becomes friends with Godzilla’s son Minilla. One day after running away from some bullies Ichiro stumbles across an abandoned building where two bank robbers have been hiding out. The more time Ichiro spends on Monster Island the more his courage and confidence grows. Will Ichiro be able to face his fears head on or will he quickly restore to the frightened little boy his once was?
Both releases present the original Japanese version of the film in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The madman release is Progressive and The Classic Media release is progressive for the Japanese version and interlaced for the U.S. version of the films. Transfer wise there really is not much difference between the two releases outside of the Classic media release looking more natural flesh tone and color wise. Both releases are free of any print damage and details look sharp throughout.
The Madmen release comes with four audio options and two languages (Japanese and English). The audio is available in either Dolby Digital 5.1 or Dolby Digital mono. The 5.1 remix’s sound don’t sound as good as the mono mixes. The English Dolby Digital mono mix is the weakest of the four mixes. Removable English subtitles have been included. The Classic Media release gives each version one audio option a Dolby Digital mono mix in either Japanese or English. The audio sounds evenly balanced and free of any audio defects. Removable English subtitles have been included with the Japanese version. The mono mixes on the Classic Media release are the best sounding mixes out of the two releases.
Madmen Entertainment’s release comes with the following extras the original Japanese trailer, a poster gallery with three images, a trivia gallery and trailers for other titles released by Madmen including other Godzilla titles. This release comes with a reversible cover that has alternative cover art on the inside cover and Japanese text written on it. Classic Media’s release comes with the following extras the original Japanese language trailer, image gallery, poster slide show, Ishiro Honda and an audio commnetary with Richard A. Pusateri.
The Classic Media release comes with better extras and the audio/video presentation is slightly better than the Madman release.