Daimajin Trilogy (1966) Review
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- Опубликовано: 27 янв 2023
- Finally, right?! I hope you enjoy this video, especially those of you who have been waiting a long time for it. :)
Special thanks to everyone who has helped support the channel at ko-fi.com/weiselberry ! 
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🇯🇵📽️ An enjoyable review of this trilogy.Miss Weiselberry, Thank you.😊You NAILED IT! (Sorry, I couldn't resist).
Thanks for pointing these out JW! Somehow these films have escaped my viewing, but you've whetted my appetite, so I'll be sure to rectify that soon.
The full name of the Harryhausen colossus was Talos, Scourge of Owls and Nemesis of All Those Who Forget His Name. Oh well, emember his Achilles heel!
Thank you so much for your review - you were spot on with everything. I have long felt this was the least known and respected Kaiju series of films . I felt that the mature or unflinching stories and the medieval setting made it unique, with its slightly gothic tinged visual look and generally , superior effects . As you point out - the mix of Eastern European, Japanese and Southern European lore (whether real or created) added much flavor to this series . I absolutely loved your review !!!
Thank you!
I, too, was under the impression this was based on folklore. Daimajin, for Kaiju, was about 15 meters high but left some memorable scenes. The twisting removal of the spike from his forehead and the girl begging Daimajin to stop his rampage. There is a lot of "eye" acting going on from all the characters. I first saw this paired with The Mushroom People (Matango) in the late 60's. The statue of the resting Daimijn is based on the Haniwa Samurai statue circa 600 AD(?). Such statues are still sold today. Your Golem comparison is spot on - Great review!
Wow, never heard about this trilogy. Looks interesting
Hello, new subscriber here. I loved the Daimajin series because of how atmospheric they were. The decent production values reminded me of the Zatoichi series, which hopefully you have seen and will hopefully review in the future as it is monumental.
I was introduced to the Daimajin Trilogy years back when the first High Definition Satellite Network Voom was launched. (2010ish) They were short lived as a satellite delivery service, but had several interesting channels...chiefly the Monsters HD channel, which was probably the coolest satellite network channel ever produced. It focused on a wide variety of Monster movies from all of the decades, delivered for the first time in HD, 24/7. Think of it as a Turner Classic Movies focused solely on Monster movies (and some horror). The Daimajin trilogy was shown occasionally, and it was glorious. I remember thinking how could such a well-made Japanese monster flick remain almost unknown in the US? Godzilla, Kong, and the Bug movies were routinely available. Anyhoo...Voom was soon purchased by Dish Network with obvious intentions, just to kill the competitor, and the Monsters HD channel was soon shelved and replaced with a standard definition horror themed channel which played mostly 1980s era slasher movies. RIP Voom. You were spectacular.
Hello Jerome! Keep doing the awesome job on reviewing old school films! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks, Tony--you too!
Prior to his death in 1993 Godzilla director Ishiro Honda was set to direct a Daimajin remake.
A trilogy about a giant Samurai Kaiju warrior, sounds good lol. These are probably kaiju films my brother would’ve liked, well he might have been open to watching them at least lol, he loved anything Samurai. The reference you made to the Golem was fantastic, it does seem very similar.
~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~
Watching this trilogy as a Christian brought to mind the Psalm that reads "The gods of the nations are demons". Daimajin is devoid of compassion and seemingly only moved to action by human sacrifice.
I love this channel. Keep up the good work 😎
Thank you!
I actually saw the second Daimajin film first on a Saturday afternoon on a local Chicago TV station in the early 70’s. I turned on the TV about halfway through the presentation, so I wasn’t sure about the supernatural aspect of the story…I thought it was just a Japanese samurai film as I began to watch it…It was a poor pan-and-scan version of the film…the print quality wasn’t very good - the wide screen theater format was sorely missed, and the English language dubbing wasn’t very good…nonetheless, the film held me spellbound…I had never seen anything quite like this film, and I wanted to see more…the ending where the divine spirit of vengeance is personified as a giant angry and wrathful deity coming to life to exact judgment and revenge just blew me away!…at that time I didn’t know this film was part of a trilogy…it took me almost 40+ years to discover the three Daimajin films were available on home video…I was ecstatic when I purchased the Mill Creek Blu-ray three disc set and sat down to watch these films, literally back-to-back-to-back…I was immediately struck how beautiful these films looked in their original widescreen format, and how pristine the films looked in Blu-ray…these were not those run of the mill kaiju films that were being churned out by Toho or the other Japanese studios in the middle late 60’s and early 70’s…these were handsomely crafted and beautifully mounted films with epic stories to tell…what’s great about the Mill Creek release is that the English dubbing was quite good, but I prefer watching the films in their original Japanese language with English subtitles…I feel the subtitled dialogue is closer in spirit to the Japanese language that is spoken than the English dubbing…thank you for giving these three films the accolades they deserve…as a huge fan of the Daimajin trilogy, I fully appreciate your wonderful review of these films…thank you…🙂
Have you ever considered playing story driven videogames and reviewing them? I think this would fit right up your alley. Story's in videogames can often surprise you in how rich they can be, since you are not just a spectator to the plot but right inside of a living world.
There are A and B games just like films and so may of them to explore. Plot in games evolved steadily throughout the years and as of now in 2023 there is a large array of content and quality to chose from.
Anyways, hope you read this and consider the idea. Cheers!
These are among the best Japanese Kaiju movies made back in the day. Beautifully filmed and directed, acted, and fabulous scores by Akira Ifukube! Classics all the way!
Great review! I don't think I had even heard of these movies. I will definitely need to track them them down. What a great idea to mix together the samurai and daikaiju genres.
Thank you! I agree, it was a clever idea, and I think it turned out very well. I hope you get a chance to see them soon!
I remember seeing two of these movies. I enjoyed your reviews.
Hi J. Thanks to opening my eyes to this well crafted trilogy. Now the challenge is to find the subtitled versions for myself. Nice to hear that the music does the job; I'm a Godzilla music fan now for sure. Just wanted to point out an odd thing I saw at the 9:27 mark - that red structure near the center. It might be a cross painted red, or pretty unlikely, one of those Inflatable Men you see waving around at car dealerships and other places. How weird would that be? I did enjoy your comparisons to stories like these in other cultures, makes them seem universal. Have a great week, J, looking forward to what else you saw this month.
Yes, the structure you mention is the red arch marking the entrance to the majin's shrine on the island. At one point the arch gets broken, and the way it's photographed makes it look very cross-like, at least to my eyes. Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the review and I hope you're able to find the films somewhere. I believe the version of the first movie that's on RUclips is subtitled and the same as what I watched. But unless I'm missing something, it appears the only versions of the sequels that are available are dubs.
Does anyone else go "Hello Wieselberry" when Wieselberry goes "Hello Everyone". 😂
countdown to 10,000 subs
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I had a feeling you would!
A nice mix of samurai melodrama and Kaiju-ness (Kaiju stuff? Kaiju moments?).
You were right!
Hm... Kaijuesque content?
Hi Jerome! I've been meaning to see this trilogy after hearing good things about this and i will very soon!!! Great review!!!!
Thanks! I hope you like it when you do get the chance to watch it!
This just popped up in my notifications. I can't watch it now. I can't wait to watch this tonight.
ok. No worries.
Awesome this is one of the best Kaiju trilogy next to the Gamera trilogy 😍
Thanks for bringing this trilogy to my attention.
You're welcome!
@@JeromeWeiselberry keep doing what you are doing !
@@damianstarks3338 Thanks! I hope to continue for as long as I can!
@@JeromeWeiselberry I hope the same for you too !
I love the original films and books you review. Always makes me want to go and find the ones I haven't watched/read. Great content and review as always!
That's awesome! I'm happy to be able to toss some worthy titles in your direction. Thank you!
Happy Valentine's day.
I... have never heard of these films. Not even ringing a tiny bell. Thanks for another discovery!
You're welcome! Glad I could point out something new!
Thanks for this super neat review!
Glad you enjoyed it!
There are subtitles on the DVD set. They're just hard to find. I think they're under Set-up.
I'm sure that I looked there...
Thanks for another great review! I very much look forward to your reviews! When I first saw "Majin, the Monster of Terror" on WTCG (later TBS) back in 1978, I was disappointed because I was expecting a Godzilla style movie. But now, I see them in a different light and can appreciate their qualities. There is a 1967movie you might want to check out called "Yongary, Monster From the Deep" which, incidentally, is South Korean in origin. It does have the most annoying kid to ever appear in one of these types of movies. But the monster looks great and would have fitted in the Godzilla universe.
I've got Yongary on my to-do list, and I wouldn't be surprised if I got to it sometime this year. Woo! Thanks. :)
I've only seen the first one; at the time, I thought it was slow. I was only thirteen.
I need to watch this again.
Have you reviewed 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, the 1954 Disney version?
No, I haven't even seen it. It's been recommended a few times, though, and is on the list.
@@JeromeWeiselberry If you can get it, get the Special Edition DVD; the extras are as fascinating as the film.
1966 Year of the Daimajin
I like this trilogy.Discovered them about 4 years ago.Didn't know anything before that.I have read print that has described them
as giant Golem films.When you did your review last year of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,I decided that it was high time that I
caught up with the 1920 The Golem.That was real good.
The structure of these films makes me wonder what if?In the last half hour of Seven Samurai.Godzilla turns up in a warriors
costume and starts burning up bandits.Once again.He would survive.
The director of the 2nd Daimajin,Kenji Misumi went on to helm 4 out of the 6 Lone Wolf and Cub series.This told of the wanderings
of a hunted former executioner and his young son,who is pushed around in a deadly pram.The father takes on all comers.
Leading to much arterial spraying of red paint.These films are great.Although I do not know if they are in your wheelhouse?
It is hard to know?You are in many ways mysterious.I have digressed.Again.
I am pleased that you and your mother enjoyed Daimajin x 3.And the next time somebody asks you if you have seen the trilogy?
You can direct them to your review and put a smile on their face.Thank you.
Haha, yeah, that is kind of what this is, Seven Samurai but Godzilla ends it. If Seven Samurai were a Daimajin movie, it might have been an hour or two shorter; then again, maybe not, since the statue doesn't exactly jump at the first request for help. I noticed the Daimajin vs. Godzilla concept floating around out there. Hard to say who would win in that fight. I don't know the Daimajin's height, and how he stacks up physically would depend on what version of Godzilla he's facing, but Godzilla (usually) doesn't have supernatural powers, so there's that.
I'm familiar with the Lone Wolf and Cub series by name only.
"Arterial spraying of red paint"--that's always a guarantee of a good time!
@@JeromeWeiselberry I can't get my
head around a Daimajin vs. Godzilla
hypothetical battle royale.I am
pondering what they are going to do
with Kong and Godzilla?With round 2.
They can't just keep beating up on
each other.It has to be a cop buddy
movie."Mr. Lonely is fighting to save
the world.But this time he is not alone."
ROOOARRR.
Did I mention that this is a really terrific
review?You managed to provide a large
amount of information in just under
21 minutes.I learned A lot.
I actually did hear that the Japanese
films used paint for blood.Made the
red more distinctive.You might not
care to know that.
Thank you for your reply.
Will be reviewing kaiju movies Atragon and Varan the Unbelievable?
I've seen one of these - I had no idea there were three! I think it was the water one. I liked it very much. Hearing that someone pestered you 4 times about watching it I feel like I can pester you about a movie I have mentioned before. Big Man Japan. It is like no other kaiju movie I have ever seen. It is strange and presents a whole new perspective. I really don't want to spoil it by giving any details but I do want to recommend it.
You have the mad pesterer's permission. Ahem.
Came here for a good review of a classic Japanese "monster movie."
Stayed for the theatrical theme & global history lesson--felt like I was back in highschool, during English and History classes---loved it!
Where is the "suggestion box" Jerome, because I love all the backstory and cultural references.
Thank you! I debated taking some of the asides out (to make the video shorter or keep it focused), so I'm glad to hear you particularly enjoyed them!
I love this trilogy. I have that Blu-ray. I'm going to get the Arrow Video Special Edition next month.
I think I agree with your ranking. 1, 3, and 2.
I think overall I like them mostly equally.
But I think 1 has the most compelling story.
2 repeats too many beats of the 1st.
I appreciate how different the majority of 3 is from the other two.
A fun well done review. Thanks. Now I think I'll watch The Magic Serpent for a laugh.
Nice. Daimajin series.
Tonight, if you hear the soft cheers echoing in the distance, that's the one fan that's been requesting this four times getting the notification. A second, but softer cheer is mine after Jerome gave a confused shoutout to my favorite Dragon Ball Z character, Majin Buu.
LOL! Confused, indeed.
I watched these three movies last year on recommendation and so glad I did. I really enjoyed them all. The first is the best (they nearly always are) but they're all great. Frankly, I was just enjoying it as a movie and wasn't actually missing the big guy but it was nice when he finally put in an appearance to dispatch the bad guys. I definitely had flashbacks to Saturday afternoon t.v. watching Jason and the Argonauts.
Wow, what a coincidence! :D It's a good testament to the quality of the rest of the movie (story, characters, etc.) that you can get so invested in it that you kind of forget some giant thing is supposed to come and smash everything up, haha. I'm so glad you enjoyed the movies!
I had never heard of these movies. Although drawing on Japanese lore, I wonder how much of their stories can be attributed to western influence.
Awesome review
Thanks!
Great review!
Thanks!
Big Jerome Weiselberry fan btw
Great 🎉
Have you ever thought of ever reviewing the Ultraman series?
It's been suggested to me a few times, but having looked into it some, I'm afraid I'm not interested in taking that project on.
Have you seen "Kwaidan"? It's not a kaiju movie, but a set of four ghost stories. I've seen quite a few Japanese films, and I believe that this is easily the greatest Japanese film ever made. Criterion has put out an excellent blu-ray.
I haven't seen it, but I read a synopsis and article about it a few months ago.
It is an amazing film. The colors and the production design are mind-blowing! @@JeromeWeiselberry
Sounds like you're giving us a scolding. Luckily, I was reading through your comments and found that someone else laid claim to the "four times". I am pretty sure that I would have recommended this at least once and may have brought it up again when you were reviewing a couple of the Gamera films. My thoughts were similar to yours, "is this the same company that made Gamera?" Yes! I know that I've already recommended the Yokai Monsters movies, but I'll do it again just in case anyone else is reading. Spook Warfare is my clear favorite, although all are decent - including the 2005 film. This is 60's Daiei also. Both of these series are available on Arrow Video collections which are both very good sets - lots of extras. They can be a little expensive. One of them I got in Region B blu-ray because it was much cheaper - I do have an all-region player for just such occasions.
It's been a couple of years since I've seen these, so I can't really rank them. However, I can say that I liked all of them just about the same. They are all very similar, which is the only weakness of the series. The ending of all three movies makes it worth it, though. It's great to see the Daimajiin wreck house - very satifying. Very happy to see this review. I was guessing, and hoping, that you would like them. Glad you did.
Daimajin 3 aka Daimajin meets Stand By Me aka Daimajin: The Friend of All Children hehe
Oh no, that's without a doubt The Magic Serpent. The most blood thirsty children's film ever.
@@matthewdavies2057 this is the best thing I've read on the internet today
I just watched the first Daimajin for the first time last week.
I was very impressed by it but ultimately I felt dissatisfied.
The setbacks the good guys accrue one after the other became so annoying that by the time Daimajin finally woke up I had ceased to care.
It was a very well shot and acted movie but it felt drawn out and then there was no falling action.
So I didn't bother with the second movie when hovering over it on youtube I saw yet another slave labor camp waiting for retribution.
The third film, though, being an adventure piece may be more my speed.
Now, I have to note as a fan of James Cameron's Avatar the similarities here, we start in the forest, go to the ocean, and in film 3 will be in a mountainous volcanic region. But I suppose that's just the way of it, anime and videogames take this kind of world tour as well, as did the Toho kaiju movies.
Daimajin
Daimajin's Wrath or Wrath of Daimajin
Daimajin's Counterattack
OR
Daimajin
Daimajin 2
Daimajin 3
LOL
Hello sweetheart
she won't respond to that.
Ew
@@louisborselio8608 Would you?
@@matthewdavies2057 Me? Maybe.
Gf material
Woops...stopped watching too soon before the end and commented, having missed the reference Jerome made re: the actor who plays Daimajin, so sheepishly deleting my post, haha. It pays to watch till the very end!
Mainly watched Oscar nominated stuff just to see what the fuss is about or not.
Tár [2022]
Triangle of Sadness [2022]
Aftersun [2022]
The Fablemans [usual Spielberg crap 2022]