Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)
"Kaijû daisensô" (original title)

Aliens from Planet X request the use of Godzilla and Rodan to fight off King Ghidorah, but have a better use for the three monsters.

Director:

Ishirô Honda

Writer:

Shin'ichi Sekizawa

Stars:

Nick Adams, Akira Takarada, Jun Tazaki

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nick Adams	...	Astronaut Glenn Amer
Akira Takarada	...	Astronaut K. Fuji
Jun Tazaki	...	Dr. Sakurai
Akira Kubo	...	Tetsuo Teri
Kumi Mizuno	...	Miss Namikawa
Keiko Sawai	...	Haruno Fuji
Yoshio Tsuchiya	...	Controller of Planet X
Takamaru Sasaki	...	Chairman of Earth Committee
Gen Shimizu	...	Minister of Defense
Kenzô Tabu	...	Commander from Planet X
Yoshifumi Tajima	...	General
Nadao Kirino	...	Military Aide
Kôji Uno	...	Namikawa's Associate
Tôru Ibuki	...	Xian
Kazuo Suzuki	...	Xian

Storyline

Aliens from the mysterious Planet X, which resides on the dark side of of Jupiter, come to Earth asking its people to help them save their world from the dreaded King Ghidrah by letting them "borrow" Godzilla and Rodan. The aliens are actually planning to use the three monsters to take over our planet.

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Plot Keywords:

rodan | godzilla | alien | astronaut | space exploration | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese English

Release Date:

29 July 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Godzilla vs. Monster Zero

Filming Locations:

Lake Myojin, Kochi, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toho Company, United Productions of America (UPA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 74 min (re-issue)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After its initial U.S. showings, the film was advertised in some venues under the title "Invasion of the Astros", although the actual prints used still carried the "Monster Zero" title.

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Goofs

In several scenes the strings holding Rodan, Ghidorah and the flying saucers are clearly seen.

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Quotes

Tetsuo: [both Glenn and Tetsuo pop up out of the water] Well, what are we going to do now?
Glenn: Well, we sure ain't gonna wait for the next ferry. Swim!

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Connections

Followed by Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)

User Reviews

Godzilla Vs. Ghidorah Again!

Some astronauts(two to be specific...one of which is Nick Adams) leave planet Earth and fly to planet X. Once there, they discover life underground that supposedly lives in fear of King Ghidorah. They ask Earth to send Rodan and Godzilla to their planet to fight Ghidorah. Earth agrees, and the aliens send a tape back with the astronauts after their second voyage that tells Earthlings to submit to the alien will, or King Ghidorah, really their own private monster, will destroy them. This is an interesting film in the Godzilla series that has some pretty good sci-fi elements blended with good ole Godzilla fun. The monsters are what you would expect and the acting is pretty pedestrian as a rule. Adams is an unwelcome addition as his acting ability is somewhat suspect, and he tends to stick out like a sore thumb. Nevertheless, the film zips along at a nice pace. My only major criticism is that the monsters, and in particular Godzilla, have too few scenes. Inshiro Hondo directed this one, and it has many of his distinctive touches.