Over the course of the Gamera film series, the individual films continued to make a profit while the studio that made them, Daiei Film, sank closer and closer towards bankruptcy. It was shortly after the completion of this seventh Gamera that Daiei’s finances finally … Continue reading REVIEW: Gamera vs Zigra (1971)
Daiei’s original Gamera franchise limped on into the 1970s, with a much-needed increase in the production budget but a general lack of enthusiasm that sours the experience. This sixth adventure for the giant space turtle and ‘friend to all children’ did not … Continue reading REVIEW: Gamera vs Jiger (1970)
Another year, another Gamera movie. 1969 saw the Daiei studio continuing to haemorrhage funds as Japanese audiences abandoned the cinemas for television and imported American product. Were it not for their lucrative Gamera and Zatoichi franchises, the company would have already been insolvent. As it was, … Continue reading REVIEW: Gamera vs Guiron (1969)
In 1968 Daiei produced their fourth annual Gamera feature. While the third film, Gamera vs Gyaos, had been a commercial success, other films released by Daiei had not been so lucky. While the studio was keen to profit from a fourth Gamera – … Continue reading REVIEW: Gamera vs Viras (1968)
When 1965’s Gamera the Giant Monster was an unexpected hit, the Daiei Studio commissioned a sequel, upped the budget and appointed a more prestigious director. When that follow-up, Gamera vs Barugon, was not the popular success the studio had imagined, they dropped the budget … Continue reading REVIEW: Gamera vs Gyaos (1967)
With the commercial success of their 1965 film Gamera the Giant Monster, the Daiei studio were quick to commission a sequel. This second Gamera film benefitted from a slightly bigger budget and a colour presentation, as well as what was seen as … Continue reading REVIEW: Gamera vs Barugon (1966)
Audiences around the world know Godzilla – and the best audiences like him as well. Most people will also be aware that Godzilla is not the only giant monster to demolish Japanese cities on screen: in the Toho studio’s own … Continue reading REVIEW: Gamera the Giant Monster (1965)
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