Spectreman (1971–1972) User Reviews

Tokusatsu Fever Dream Goodness

[ntropiano · 9/10 · 18 February 2018]

Bizarre -- even by 70's Japanese "tokusatsu" (special effects series) standards, and highly entertaining. This series was produced in 1971 by P Productions, which in the mid-60's created Space Giants, a UHF TV staple of the 70's. Spectreman was, improbably, brought to US shores in 1979, eight years after its Japanese run, by Mell Welles, who was best known for his role as Gravis Mushnick in the original 1960 Little Shop of Horrors.

Like Space Giants, Spectreman would fight the same monster several times over the course of two episodes, presumably to save on monster suit costs. Also, like Space Giants, the series nemesis, Dr. Gori, was a space villain seeking to rule the earth (this time using giant "pollution monsters" as his tactic of choice) who operated from a flying saucer, wearing an exquisitely cheesy gorilla mask and blonde wig. No doubt this character was aped from Dr Zaius in Planet of the Apes, which was very popular in Japan. And, again, like Space Giants, optical effects were eschewed. Instead, P Productions used (and reused) animated sequences for transformations and various beam weapons to cut costs.

Unlike the many other transforming heroes of Japan, Spectreman was not in control of his transformation. He answers to his "overlords", an orb-like spaceship that he can't contact in cloudy weather. In some episodes he must drive to where there is no cloud cover to contact the overlords. Sometimes they will insist he transform. Sometimes he will request transformation, and will be denied. The overlords are positioned as wise overseers, similar to the "Methuselah" character in Space Giants, both of whom are prone to lecture the hero.

In re-watching the series, it seemed to get a bit of a budget boost around a 1/3 of the way into the series. The FX were incredibly threadbare in the first 10 or so episodes with most monster battles occurring in open fields. Then Spectreman started having battles in cities with building miniatures, creatures started to appear in oceans and lakes requiring access to a wet FX set, and fighter jet miniatures started being used, along with more pyrotechnics.

Overall, Spectreman is inspired early-70's Japanese cinema outre fun.

Spectre of Fun

[hellraiser7 · 8/10 · 17 October 2019]

This is another under the radar gem, ok, it's not exactly under the radar as this show as the show was a hit on TV in both Japan and the US in the 70's. But as time when on this show has been forgotten in both regions as the fame of many more Super Sentai franchise have overshadow this show, despite the fact this is one of the first super sentai shows. And if it wasn't for this show and other super sentai we wouldn't have "Power Rangers" and many others we know and love today.

I remember seeing some of this show when I was about seven, my mom or brother rented out one of those VHS copies of the show that were at my local video store "Video City" damn I really miss those places. Anyway, this show was literally one of the first super sentai shows I've ever seen, I honestly never seen one in my life at the time let alone heard about them and you can imagine like any rookie to the genre it completely blew my mind. It was just a really cool concept being able to fight of super-sized foes.

It's true that this show doesn't really have much in character development, let alone plot development as most of them are episodic, let alone there is some campiness involved. But same can be said about most of the other Super Sentai shows of yesteryear. This was simply one of those shows that were plain fun, where you just simply turn your brain off and have fun and theirs nothing wrong with that. And those kind of shows I find rewatchable, then shows that have this stupid need to overcomplicate themselves but forget the fun part.

The characters aren't really much they all serve their functions, Spectre Man is sort of like "The Vision" from the Marvelverse/Movie Cinimatic Universe, even part of the design is uncannily similar as both have a jewel on their forehead. Just like the "The Vision" he's a highly powered cyborg but is one constantly learning the human condition while at the same time preserving it. But also, a little of Green Lantern, just like Hal Jorden/Green Lantern he serves an intergalactic alien authority, in this show their called "The Overlords".

George is the human identity of Spectre Man, much like with Clark Kent to Superman. Like with Clark Kent he works for a newspaper which is also like an emergency/science/defense center which is a strange but kind of cool combination; not just reporting the news but also contributing to the welfare of society.

There is one coworker George sometimes works for Rita whom to me is one of the weak points of the show, I really dislike her character, she's kind of a poor woman's Lois Lane. Her character is kind of a self- serving b.... as she constantly mistreats George/Spectreman for no good reason sometimes tries to steal his assignments but is also completely useless. Though thankfully her character just sort of disappeared later in the show, all I can say to that is good riddance. Though later on she was replaced by Margret whom was actually much better as she was useful, never mistreated George, and actually a lot more attractive. But once again didn't develop the relationship between the two enough despite hinted at becoming something more, which is the other weak point, but at least both are good friends so that what counts.

Though I feel the character that stand out the most and are the most interesting are Doctor Gori and his number two Karas. These two are fun villains, Doctor Gori is sort of like Gorilla Grodd/Lex Luthor in the DC verse, like him he's a genius that always has scientific nefarious plans for conquest. Ok, not totally nefarious, his motive is actually genuine which is to save the Earth, but his methodology is corrupt. Always like how there is this motion with his hands whenever he gets frustrated or expresses his latest plan which I always found kind of funny but interesting. Which probably helps acting wise as it's an actor in a gorilla mask which means he can't be expressive with his face.

Then there is his number two Karas whom is sort of his muscle much like who Odis is to Lex in the "Superman films" he's not a particularly smart which is why despite being a brute he is really cumbersome most of the time which always results in a lot of funny scenes.

But like with most to all super sentai shows we're all in it for the action and this show has plenty of it. The choreography in the fights is solid, though it might look a little rough in places but I feel that sort of adds to the combat you see, almost gives it a slight sense of realism, almost like seeing a person in the real world fighting the monsters. Always liked seeing Spectreman use his weapons like his lasers that shoot out of his hands, forearm blades, sometimes even shurikens that can cut though anything and are shaped like the sun, which makes sense as his name is Spectreman after all.

The effects are solid, though yeah not as impressive as most of the other well-known super sentai shows, as this show didn't quite run on the same budget as them, which is why in some places it may look amateurish. But I feel that just adds to the show gives it its charm, almost like if the Dead Gentlemen company ever made a Super Sentai show, despite how cheap it looks you can tell they put effort in what they were able to work with.

But they were good enough as we saw some of the usual Michel Bay like explosion effects. However, it's really the monsters that I really like, there are a lot of cool creative and daft memorable monsters that provide plenty of challenge for Spectre Man, as a kid I still wonder to this day where the heck they get the ideas. Their also kinda comical looking as some of them look like they could be the kind of creatures you'd see from a Sid and Marty Kraft show.

There is a two headed dragon, a flying giant alien whale, a Frankenstein like monster though he has a giant brain for a head and bolts on his neck, a hooded guy that looks like one of the jawies from "Star Wars" but with hooks for hands, and many more super-sized rogues you have to see to believe.

The music is very good, most of it is true to the era the show was made and released as some of it consists of 70's style music. You even some of the heroic tunes you here as Spectreman battles the big baddies. But I really love that theme song, both the Japanese and English version are both good in their own way but it's the English version I love the best, it's one of my favorite theme songs as it has that catchy 70's funk tone to it.

Overall if you're into the Super Sentai genre this is a forgotten gem with a small glimmer that's worth digging up, "Spectre Man" is a spectre of fun.

Rating: 3 stars

Great show from my childhood

[stein-892-780266 · 8/10 · 27 September 2013]

I have fondly memories of this show, and the theme music was a very big part of the show. When that tune hit, and Spectreman changed into his golden armor I got chills. The monster effects was as they was back then, and with effects today they may seem silly. The story itself is a typical superhero scenario, where Spectreman who is a robot was sent to Earth to defend them from an alien who has invaded earth. The alien is a monkey with lipstick and a blond wig, wearing a pink uniform.... very typical look for an evil mastermind. If you should feel for checking out Spectreman I know there are some clips on youtube. Spectreman was dubbed by and cut by a TV-station in Chicago, I have read that this is one of the issues making a new release difficult. The raw material from those productions where lost, but there are many who sell bootlegs online. May we pray for the day they find this treasure again, and makes a remastered version for sale.

Space Ape Doctor Gori rules!

[ChungMo · 20 February 2006]

One of the wonders of Japanese television. Spectreman was the creation of P Productions, a low-end children's programming company. Their previous shows were animation and the Tezuka created live action Commander Magma which was released here as "Space Giants". This show is a combination of both of their departments.

Much cheaper than the similar Ultraman series, Spectreman was populated with wacky monsters, and a chief villain blue ape on the level of a Halloween rubber mask. Laser beams, rays, and other similar special effects were accomplished by animating over still photographs of the characters! The cheapness was offset by the sheer energy of the show. They kept it moving and fun.

The show was originally presented as three separate series ending up with 63 episodes. It starts as a traditional monster of the week program but it changed into a Kamden Rider / Power Rangers type format with legions of strange fighting aliens battling the hero and his friends in extended martial art battles. The giant monsters never disappear. The design is just bizarre. It's hard to tell if the monsters are lumpy and misshapen on purpose or they just didn't know how to make the suits.

Great fun but somewhat obscure now, that's too bad.

A great tokusatsu show

[inkdcub · 10/10 · 6 February 2019]

I love Spectreman. It was so much fun, Dr. Gori was cool and the monsters were all so weird. One of the best 70's Japanese superhero shows! I own a bunch of the Marmit Parababy figures from this series, and I just got the articulated Evolution Toy HAF Spectreman. I even got his tattooed on my chest. Spectreman is great fun!

The Best Superhero Ever!

[alexandre006 · 10/10 · 25 May 2017]

I know it's sounds like crazy. I know it's a low budget show with poor special effects. But I love it! Forget about the effects, the card paper and Styrofoam scenarios. This is the story about a villain who falls in love by the Earth and wants to clean up the planet.(Eliminating the human race, it's true). To accomplish his mission, he creates monsters with garbage, wastes and leavings. He uses our own pollution against us. By other hand, Spectreman is a cyborg who is sent to stop him e protect the planet. He also falls in love by our planet. In one episode he refuses to exterminate a contaminated family and goes to the exile. Sometimes he takes a beating but never give up! The final episode is epic. How many villains confess their mistakes and commit suicide? Forgotten and amazing, just like a true hero! Spectreman for ever!!!

I have these on DVD as well...

[radioman970us · 9/10 · 3 August 2006]

I blind bought this series a few years ago from a bootleg seller on ebay. It wasn't much of a risk since Ultraman is one of the earliest show I remember watching and this is a pretty good knockoff. Oddly, I now find this show a slightly more entertaining watch than Ultraman. All the shows have a environmental theme and the creatures are often hilarious! I love how the female character changes often. It's like they keep upgrading her. Heh! But I can't recommend this enough to fans. I paid about $50 for it. That's a lot, but I wasn't disappointed. Maybe BCI will release this like they did Ultraman. If the quality is equal to that release, I'd upgrade my bootlegs in a minute.

A very good and fun series!

[Movie Nuttball · 11 February 2003]

I have always liked this series. The hero Spectreman is so cool. The villains which are gorilla like but they are some time very funny. The monsters are neat and the action is very good. Back years ago it was somewhat easy to find videos of this good show but now its a different story. I really liked Spectreman and hopefully one day some company will re-release it soon!

This show was one of the best of its era and a funky 70's background soundtrack added to its coolness.

[private_private · 10 June 2004]

A pleasure to have these on DVD as they are now in the public domain. Ever since watching them alongside Ultraman, Space Giants, Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot on KTVU Channel 2 in the San Francisco Bay Area during the mid-70's, I've always wanted to be able to view them again. A time when a hero was a hero and stood up to the evils posed by giant monsters and space aliens. Doesn't get much better than that, unless you actually have a real transformation crystal. This show was one of the best of its era and the funky 70's background soundtrack added to its coolness. I advise you to pick up a DVD set on EBay or some other auction site and share the adventure with your family and friends. The great retro looks, music and cheesy acting will take you back to those halcyon days.

I love spectreman

[XxInSanePyScHox · 27 September 2002]

I really really liked this show growing up. the video store next to my house only had two episodes and i always used to rent them. I thought i was the only person outside of japan to see this show but now i know that there are others. I want to buy some videos or dvd of the shows if i ever find them. Hey if you bought a few videos dont be shy please let me know where you bought them.

Japanese Planet of the Apes

[StuOz · 18 May 2024]

Japanese kid's show about space invaders dressed like Planet of the Apes rejects.

The first few episodes are very entertaining and fans of 70s Planet of the Apes films will be very happy indeed. An English dubbed version is available on Youtube which made it a different viewing experience to my 60s/70s Ultraman screenings (not dubbed, subtitles instead).

However, I am sorry to report that Spectreman begins in a pleasing straight tone but soon gets a little silly. However, my first screenings were made as an adult in his 50s so maybe little kids will get a good laugh out of it??

I might suggest watching the first half a dozen episodes then dropping out.

Childhood is the best

[gestalta · 14 August 2002]

From young age to old Some films just stick in your mind. For me this was one. I actually owned a copy of what i assume was the pilot and the only episode made. If anyone remembers it I am sure that the lead bad guy (man in baboon mask) was actually rather scary. the whole film owed so much to the rules laid out in many Martial Arts films. bad guys with strong looks and silver hair saddled with henchman that , lets face it can ber spotted a mile away(or kilometers if you prefer). the good guy was strong and flawed, it was a cross between Iron Man & Superman and i thought it was above average for a kids pilot. The films deserved a longer run and i think that it should be included in the recent trend for reprinting on DVDs. i would love to know if any one else has seen this or if i am the only person outside of Japan.