Shipwreck survivors are found on Beiru Island (Infanto tô), which was previously used for atomic tests. The interior is amazingly free of radiation effects, and they believe that they were ...
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Title: Mothra (1961)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Furankî Sakai | ... |
Senichiro 'Sen-chan' Fukuda (AKA Bulldog)
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Hiroshi Koizumi | ... | |
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Kyôko Kagawa | ... |
Photographer Michi Hanamura
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Za Pînattsu |
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Yumi Itô | ... |
Shobijin (Twin Fairy)
(as Yumi Ito)
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Emi Itô | ... | |
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Jerry Itô | ... |
Kurâruku Neruson
(as Jerî Itô)
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Ken Uehara | ... |
Dr. Harada
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Akihiko Hirata | ... |
Doctor
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Kenji Sahara | ... |
Helicopter Pilot
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Seizaburô Kawazu | ... |
General
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| Takashi Shimura | ... |
News Editor
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Yoshio Kosugi | ... |
Ship Captain
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Yoshifumi Tajima | ... |
Military Advisor
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Ren Yamamoto | ... |
Ship Survivor
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Edit
Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
Shipwreck survivors are found on Beiru Island (Infanto tô), which was previously used for atomic tests. The interior is amazingly free of radiation effects, and they believe that they were protected by a special juice that was given to them by the island's residents. A joint expedition of Rolisican and Japanese scientists explores Beiru and discovers many curious things, including two women only one foot (30 centimeters) high. Unscrupulous expedition leader Clark Nelson abducts the women and puts them in a vaudeville show. But their sweet singing contains a telepathic cry for help to Mothra, a gigantic moth that is worshiped as a deity by the island people. The giant monster heeds the call of the women and heads to Tokyo, wreaking destruction in its path. Written by Molly Malloy <mailcall@bluemarble.net>
Taglines:
Monster Ravages Earth! See more »Parents Guide:
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
JapanRelease Date:
10 May 1962 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Mothra See more »Filming Locations:
Tokyo, JapanCompany Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (re-issue) | (theatrical) | (re-issue) (VHS) | (TV)Sound Mix:
Perspecta StereoColor:
Color (Eastmancolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Journalist Senichiro 'Sen-chan' Fukuda: Mothra?
Shobijin, Shobijin: Mothra, she'll rescue us, and return us to our island!
See more »
Written by Kôji Kajita (as Susumu Ike)
Performed by Za Pînattsu
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
In the American version, Mothra's home's name is changed from Infant Island to Beiru. However, in the American versions of her next three appearances, the island is called Infant Island. See more »Goofs
When Dr. Shinichi is showing the symbols he discovered in the cave to Senchan, you can see someone in black pants and shoes walking down the stairs behind Senchan's head. See more »Quotes
Shobijin, Shobijin: Mothra will soon be here.Journalist Senichiro 'Sen-chan' Fukuda: Mothra?
Shobijin, Shobijin: Mothra, she'll rescue us, and return us to our island!
See more »
Crazy Credits
In the credits for the U.S. version, including promo material released by Columbia Pictures, Eurasian model Jerry Ito (who plays the villianous Mr. Nelson) is billed as "Jelly Ito." See more »Soundtracks
Infanto no musumeWritten by Kôji Kajita (as Susumu Ike)
Performed by Za Pînattsu
See more »
I think what makes this movie special is not the "giant insect" aspect but the mysticism involved. Godzilla is a legend in the original at least but Mothra is actually a deity--and a hands-on deity at that. Inlikethe other creatures in this bestiary, Monthra is beloved of those who live with it and is protected by it, often by direct intercession.
Unlike the other monsters, Mothra can die, and has done so. But it continues to protect its people by reproducing the old fashioned way--it lays eggs. IT is also intelligent and intuitive, and its nature is NOT aggressive or violent. It's almost Buddhist in nature.
The only other time they tried to work this kind of mysticism into these movies was with King Cesar--a giant cocker spaniel with contacts. The beast was just too goofy to be taken seriously.
Mothra is a great addition to the canon.