Evil Brain from Outer Space (1965)

A monstrous evil brain from outer space leads his minions on a crusade to conquer the universe, and unleashes hideous monsters on Earth that spread deadly diseases. Superhero Starman must ... See full summary »

Directors:

Koreyoshi Akasaka, Teruo Ishii

Writer:

Ichirô Miyagawa

Stars:

Ken Utsui, Junko Ikeuchi, Minoru Takada

Cast

Credited cast:
Ken Utsui	...	Starman / Super Giant
Junko Ikeuchi
Minoru Takada
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Makoto Abe	...	Fumio Sakurai
Hiroshi Asami	...	Kawada
Kami Ashita
Chisako Hara	...	Kyôko Sakurai (as Chisako Tahara)
Hiroshi Hayashi
Terumi Hoshi
Noriko Katsuma	...	Noriko Sakurai
Shûji Kawabe	...	One Leg Man
Den Kunikata	...	Detective Okamoto
Shinsuke Mikimoto
Utako Mitsuya
Fumiko Miyata

Storyline

A monstrous evil brain from outer space leads his minions on a crusade to conquer the universe, and unleashes hideous monsters on Earth that spread deadly diseases. Superhero Starman must rescue Earth from the menace of the evil brain while battling armies of monsters the brain sends against him.

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Plot Keywords:

non comic book superhero | evil brain | alien brain | alien villain | alien monster | 

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

Japan USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Super Giant 7, 8 & 9

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fuji Eiga Company, Shintoho Film Distribution Committee, Walter Manley Enterprises

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Starman: I was not born on your planet Earth. Instead, I was sent here to save you from the Zemarians. You will die if I fail to kill him. Starman is what I am called.

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Connections

Followed by Attack from Space (1965)

User Reviews

I'm rooting for the monsters!

This movie seems to be edited together from episodes of a serial -- it jumps from sub-plot to sub-plot, and introduces a whole raft of new characters without developing any of them. It's Shin-Toho Studio's entry in the Superheroes from Space genre, which puts it side-by-side with those MST3K staples, "Invasion of the Neptune Men" and "Prince of Space".

Like those other movies, this one is frequently laughable. Jump cuts are used to make it seem as though the hero, Starman, and his monster opponent are jumping great distances... but the effect only works if you're under the age of ten and in a very forgiving mood. The meandering plot is juvenile; and the opening scene features an interplanetary council of some of the most hilariously unlikely aliens you'll ever see. Worst of all, I find Starman an uncharismatic and slightly stuffy hero.

What distinguishes "Evil Brain", though, is its monsters, which are genuinely disturbing: one is a swift, chattering beast, with glaring eyes (one of which is on its stomach), huge fangs and long "cobalt nails". It also has two filigreed crests on its head (like bizarre Mickey Mouse ears), breathes smoky radioactive fumes, and has the ability to turn invisible... The other mutant is a silent woman whose face resembles a beaked bird of prey. She also has special skills: she can turn invisible, and she kills with one touch from her fingertips. In fact, she kills a young mother while her two small daughters are playing (a scene which probably explains why this movie doesn't turn up on TV any more!).

Finally, as I write this, I note that IMDB recommends I might also enjoy "Tanin no Kao/The Face of Another". Hmmm... I'm afraid if I followed "Evil Brain" with Kobo Abe's intense, disturbing, and very mature fantasy, my head would explode.