Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965)

During WWII, a human heart taken from a certain lab in Europe (Dr. Frankenstein's) is kept in a Japanese lab, when it gets exposed to the radiation of the bombing of Hiroshima. The heart ... See full summary »

Director:

Ishirô Honda

Writers:

Reuben Bercovitch (story), Takeshi Kimura (screenplay) (as Kaoru Mabuchi)

Stars:

Tadao Takashima, Nick Adams, Kumi Mizuno

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tadao Takashima	...	Dr. Yuzo Kawaji
Nick Adams	...	Dr. James Bowen (as Nikku Adamusu)
Kumi Mizuno	...	Dr. Sueko Togami
Yoshio Tsuchiya	...	Mr. Kawai
Kôji Furuhata	...	Frankenstein
Jun Tazaki	...	Military Advisor
Susumu Fujita	...	Osaka Police Chief
Takashi Shimura	...	Axis Scientist
Nobuo Nakamura	...	Skeptical Museum Chief
Kenji Sahara	...	Soldier
Yoshifumi Tajima	...	Submarine Commander
Kôzô Nomura	...	Overzealous Reporter (as Terunobu Nomura)
Haruya Katô	...	TV Director
Ikio Sawamura	...	Man Walking Dog
Yoshio Kosugi	...	Mountain Soldier

Storyline

During WWII, a human heart taken from a certain lab in Europe (Dr. Frankenstein's) is kept in a Japanese lab, when it gets exposed to the radiation of the bombing of Hiroshima. The heart grows in size, mutates and sprouts appendages, and eventually grows into a complete body and escapes. Later, a feral boy with a certain physical deformity (a large head with a flat top) is captured by scientists who refer to the boy as Frankenstein. The creature grows to the height of 20 feet, escapes again, fights police and army, and is practically indestructible. Later, a reptilian monster goes on a rampage. Eventually the Frankenstein creature and the reptile face off in a terrible battle.

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Plot Keywords:

doctor victor frankenstein character | psychotronic film | baragon character | frankenstein's monster | monster | 

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Taglines:

He rolled the Seven Wonders of the World into one!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

8 July 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Frankenstein Conquers the World

Filming Locations:

Tokyo, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Henry G. Saperstein Enterprises Inc., Toho Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 93 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In addition to the giant octopus sequence, the American producers also requested Toho shoot alternate footage of Frankenstein on the loose in Hiroshima. Unlike the alternate ending, however, these new shots were utilized in the American theatrical release.

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Goofs

When the 3 scientists drive to the mountains to search for the monster,they are in a gray sedan. When they stop to continue on foot,they are in a red convertible.

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Quotes

Axis Scientist: Frankenstein's heart.
Mr. Kawai: Frankenstein? It's alive?
Axis Scientist: It is immortal.
Mr. Kawai: Immortal?
Axis Scientist: You never heard what was said of Frankenstein's experiments?
Mr. Kawai: Yes, but I heard he was destroyed.
Axis Scientist: Well, a long time ago, a German scientist sewed together the parts of a man in hopes to bring it back to life. He used an electric shock to bring it to life.
Mr. Kawai: But what can we gain from the research?
Axis Scientist: We might learn how to process or grow any part of the human body.
Mr. Kawai: Please don't joke with me.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

In the original U.S. version distributed by American International, the noted Japanese actor Tadao Takashima is listed in the onscreen credits as "Takao Takashima."

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Alternate Versions

In the mid 1980s, the distribution of this film was taken over by U.P.A. who transferred the film to tape for television syndication. They reshot the opening credits (on tape), trying to duplicate the look of the original title sequence. Apparently they mistimed the footage causing the sound in the first reel to be at lease a full second out of sync. Also, due to sloppy handing of the changeovers, there is slight footage missing at each changeover point causing the running time to be reduced to 86 minutes. This may be one of the worst video transfers ever. By mid-2003, there has been no sign that any attempt has been made to correct the problems and this print remains in distribution.

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Connections

Referenced in Godzilla: Unleashed (2007)

User Reviews

Guilty Pleasure.

Here's a movie about a radioactive child growing into a large, homeless 100 foot tall looking brute who grunts, and then fights a nappy looking dinosaur. Okay, it's not Ingmar Bergman, but damn, is it silly, fun and entertaining. It's chock full of cliches, but the pace is amazingly fast. One of the best elements of this happy cinematic misfire is actor Tadao Takashima. His normally bland white-lab coated scientist has some fascinating charcater elements (He's an alky, and has an interesting dark streak) The VHS copy I have has tacked on the ending where Frankenstein vs. A-Big-Octopus-That-Comes-Out-Of-Nowhere. Silly, and fun. Cool party movie.