Atragon (1963)

When an ancient underground civilization and their snake-like guardian plots to reclaim the surface world, those of the surface fights back.

Director:

Ishirô Honda

Writers:

Shin'ichi Sekizawa (screenplay), Shunrô Oshikawa (novel)

Stars:

Tadao Takashima, Yôko Fujiyama, Yû Fujiki

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tadao Takashima	...	Commercial Photographer Susumu Hatanaka
Yôko Fujiyama	...	Makoto Jinguji, the Captain's Daughter
Yû Fujiki	...	Yoshito Nishibe
Kenji Sahara	...	Uoto Unno - Journalist / Mu Agent
Ken Uehara	...	Retired Admiral Kusumi
Hiroshi Koizumi	...	Detective Itô
Jun Tazaki	...	Captain Hachiro Jinguji
Yoshifumi Tajima	...	Tome 'Amano' Amanoshome
Akihiko Hirata	...	Mu Agent #23
Hideyo Amamoto	...	High Priest of Mu
Susumu Fujita	...	Defense Commander
Minoru Takada	...	Government Official
Hisaya Itô	...	Shindo, Kidnapped Scientist
Ikio Sawamura	...	Taxi Driver
Tetsuko Kobayashi	...	Empress of Mu

Storyline

Several strange occurrences are taking place all over the world including the disappearance of two engineers. Also, former admiral Kosumi is nearly kidnapped along with his secretary, and goddaughter, Makoto Jinguji. The kidnap attempt is thwarted by photographer Susumu Hatanaka and his assistant Yoshito Nishibe. It is later revealed the Mu Empire, which disappeared 12,000 years earlier, are responsible for all the occurrences and are planning to invade the surface world to reclaim their supposed colonies. Also, the Muans manage to steal the I-403 submarine from embittered Captain Jinguji, Makoto's father, and in the process steal the plans for and even greater sub, Atragon (aka Gotengo). As the attacks by the Muans increase the world anxiously asks Jinguji for his help, even his daughter Makoto makes an impassioned plea for him to join the fight against Mu. Unfortunately, Jinguji is still bitter about the defeat of Japan in World War II and won't help. However, the fight becomes ...

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Plot Keywords:

submarine | submarine crew | japanese nationalist | mu civilization | mu continent | 

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Taglines:

The Ultimate Weapon!

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-Y7

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

11 March 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Atragon

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toho Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min 89 min (English dubbed)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Media Blasters had originally intended to release the DVD of the film with not only the original Japanese version, but with the American International version, which was dubbed by Titra sound. However, when Toho heard their plans, they refused to give them permission, unless they put their internationally dubbed version on instead. Media Blasters acquiesced and the AIP version still has not had a proper DVD release.

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Goofs

In some of the scenes were Atragon (aka. Gotengo) is flying, the strings holding the model are visible.

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Quotes

Captain Hachiro Jinguji: Let her go. Let her die with her nation.

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Connections

Referenced in Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer (1984)

User Reviews

Flying Submarine/Drill Bit versus Undersea Super Civilization - Incredible!

There's something about this film that I can't help but like.

Everything is just one step beyond plausible. The bad guys have all sorts of powers that are used once and then never used again. The flying submarine Atragon has been built completely in secret by an Japanese Navy unit, in self-imposed exile, that is preparing to win World War 2 for Japan in 1963! There's a giant pet serpent that attacks the submarine. An entire city is destroyed in a way I won't describe but is completely wacky.

Silly and lots of fun. The special effects go from great to cheap to unbelievably weird. The movie is slow at points but when the sub finally takes off, it's non-stop action. You'll recognize the actors from many of the Godzilla films.