Talkback: Matango (1963)
-
- Young Farmer
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu May 03, 2012 8:09 am
Re: Matango the original Gilligan's Island?
Several have pointed out that the timing is wrong for the TV show to be inspired by the movie. The similarities between the two works is hard to ignore, and the timing of their releases so close together suggests they might have been submitted around the same time.
So there's only one conclusion I can draw: They are both based on a true story.
We may never know what REALLY happened, whether the crew and guests were American, Japanese, or from somewhere else entirely, or whether the tycoon was married or sleeping with the celebrity or perhaps both. But I think we can be pretty certain that the Professor was the sole survivor and that he died shortly after rescue. As for mind-controlling fungus versus coconut-powered bamboo cars, we can only hope they had both.
So there's only one conclusion I can draw: They are both based on a true story.
We may never know what REALLY happened, whether the crew and guests were American, Japanese, or from somewhere else entirely, or whether the tycoon was married or sleeping with the celebrity or perhaps both. But I think we can be pretty certain that the Professor was the sole survivor and that he died shortly after rescue. As for mind-controlling fungus versus coconut-powered bamboo cars, we can only hope they had both.
- menschenjaeger
- Monsterland Worker
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:53 am
Re: Matango the original Gilligan's Island?
^^ That's definitely it.
And there was that Gilligan's Island episode with the giant radioactive vegetables...
And there was that Gilligan's Island episode with the giant radioactive vegetables...
- SUPERTOHOREMIX
- Futurian
- Posts: 3511
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2011 1:56 pm
Re: Matango (1963)
( This thread ( and film ) needs more love, period )
This film was the core reason why I wanted to get that triple pack, and I really do not regret doing so.
And now, Matango is not only my favourite Honda film ... But my absolute favourite out of Toho's Sci-fi entries.
I love it so much . It is soo well crafted. And it got quite disturbing at times ... Love it!
This film was the core reason why I wanted to get that triple pack, and I really do not regret doing so.
And now, Matango is not only my favourite Honda film ... But my absolute favourite out of Toho's Sci-fi entries.
I love it so much . It is soo well crafted. And it got quite disturbing at times ... Love it!
- Arbok
- Kingdom Mikado
- Posts: 2131
- Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:44 pm
- Contact:
Re: Matango (1963)
GIGAN05 wrote:( This thread ( and film ) needs more love, period )
Concur, was shocked at the lack of conversation on it. Still one of my favorite movies, and one of the few Toho science fiction films that my gf enjoyed, so that must count for something. Try to make sure to watch this film every couple of years, which is saying something considering how exhaustive my film collection is now.
If it bites... don't mess with it!
- eabaker
- Administrator
- Posts: 13758
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:16 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Matango (1963)
Very high on my list of Honda's best, just below the original Godzilla, and alongside Mothra and Mothra vs. Godzilla.
I wish Honda had been assigned more atmospheric horror stories, as he did a fantastic job on both Matango and H-Man.
I wish Honda had been assigned more atmospheric horror stories, as he did a fantastic job on both Matango and H-Man.
Tokyo, a smoldering memorial to the unknown, an unknown which at this very moment still prevails and could at any time lash out with its terrible destruction anywhere else in the world.
-
- Futurian
- Posts: 3615
- Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:39 pm
Re: Matango (1963)
Agreed. This is one of the best survival films of all time. It's truly something watching the characters' trusts break down and their attempted alliances fail despite the fact that they came to the island as friends. It reminds me of Night of the Living Dead, except with mushrooms, of course.
- eabaker
- Administrator
- Posts: 13758
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:16 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Matango (1963)
(Night of the Living Dead + Gilligan's Island + Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) / 3 = Matango20th Century Boy wrote:Agreed. This is one of the best survival films of all time. It's truly something watching the characters' trusts break down and their attempted alliances fail despite the fact that they came to the island as friends. It reminds me of Night of the Living Dead, except with mushrooms, of course.
Tokyo, a smoldering memorial to the unknown, an unknown which at this very moment still prevails and could at any time lash out with its terrible destruction anywhere else in the world.
- Ookondru99
- Monarch Researcher
- Posts: 332
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:31 am
- Location: Letchi Island chillin w/ the Red Bamboo
Mystery of Matango
I just got done watching 1963's Matango and I couldn't help but wonder what the purpose of the original shipwrecked crew (Those who wrecked prior to the main character's arrival on the island) was. It is somewhat said they might have been studying the effects of radiation, and if so, does that mean the Matango fungus was caused by some sort of mutation due to radioactivity? Just a thought, I'm probably over analyzing this....
TK's Resident Red Bamboo :destoroyah:
- Arbok
- Kingdom Mikado
- Posts: 2131
- Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:44 pm
- Contact:
Re: Mystery of Matango
It's possible that Matango was created by radiation... or the radiation angle could just be used to explain why no one went searching for such a large ship when it went missing if they were involved in such things.Ookondru99 wrote:I just got done watching 1963's Matango and I couldn't help but wonder what the purpose of the original shipwrecked crew (Those who wrecked prior to the main character's arrival on the island) was. It is somewhat said they might have been studying the effects of radiation, and if so, does that mean the Matango fungus was caused by some sort of mutation due to radioactivity? Just a thought, I'm probably over analyzing this....
What is clear is that they had a Matango species on the ship in storage, which is where the name came from, and while not conclusive, the species originating from the ship is likely.
If it bites... don't mess with it!
-
- Xilien Halfling
- Posts: 7393
- Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 3:19 pm
- Location: noitacoL
Re: Matango (1963)
Haven't seen it and I don't want to sound like a dick er anything but I have no desire to see it. Although I could be convinced I don't actually no what it about and my only exposure to matango is the matango spawn and mini boss in G:MOM
- eabaker
- Administrator
- Posts: 13758
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:16 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Matango (1963)
Well, if you like stylish, atmospheric horror, I'd say it's a borderline must-see.Beef Bigshot wrote:Haven't seen it and I don't want to sound like a dick er anything but I have no desire to see it. Although I could be convinced I don't actually no what it about and my only exposure to matango is the matango spawn and mini boss in G:MOM
Tokyo, a smoldering memorial to the unknown, an unknown which at this very moment still prevails and could at any time lash out with its terrible destruction anywhere else in the world.
- Legionmaster
- Xilien Halfling
- Posts: 5374
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:33 pm
- Location: Skyloft, seducing Peatrice
- Contact:
Re: Matango (1963)
Or if you like hot chicks dancing on boats.eabaker wrote:Well, if you like stylish, atmospheric horror, I'd say it's a borderline must-see.Beef Bigshot wrote:Haven't seen it and I don't want to sound like a dick er anything but I have no desire to see it. Although I could be convinced I don't actually no what it about and my only exposure to matango is the matango spawn and mini boss in G:MOM
bleep bloop
- eabaker
- Administrator
- Posts: 13758
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:16 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Matango (1963)
Or if you're fascinated by Gilligan's Island parallels whenever and wherever they occur.Legionmaster wrote:Or if you like hot chicks dancing on boats.eabaker wrote:Well, if you like stylish, atmospheric horror, I'd say it's a borderline must-see.Beef Bigshot wrote:Haven't seen it and I don't want to sound like a dick er anything but I have no desire to see it. Although I could be convinced I don't actually no what it about and my only exposure to matango is the matango spawn and mini boss in G:MOM
Tokyo, a smoldering memorial to the unknown, an unknown which at this very moment still prevails and could at any time lash out with its terrible destruction anywhere else in the world.
- Ookondru99
- Monarch Researcher
- Posts: 332
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:31 am
- Location: Letchi Island chillin w/ the Red Bamboo
Re: Matango (1963)
I really enjoyed this movie. I was expecting a crap movie when i heard the american title "Attack of the Mushroom People" , but after some research and my first viewing I was genuinely impressed with it.
TK's Resident Red Bamboo :destoroyah:
- Arbok
- Kingdom Mikado
- Posts: 2131
- Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:44 pm
- Contact:
Re: Matango (1963)
Well since you posted, I'm curious: what turns you off from the premise that makes you uninterested in seeing it?Beef Bigshot wrote:Haven't seen it and I don't want to sound like a dick er anything but I have no desire to see it.
If it bites... don't mess with it!
- eabaker
- Administrator
- Posts: 13758
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:16 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Matango (1963)
Never trust the titles of exploitation releases.Ookondru99 wrote:I really enjoyed this movie. I was expecting a crap movie when i heard the american title "Attack of the Mushroom People" , but after some research and my first viewing I was genuinely impressed with it.
Tokyo, a smoldering memorial to the unknown, an unknown which at this very moment still prevails and could at any time lash out with its terrible destruction anywhere else in the world.
- MaxRebo320
- EDF Instructor
- Posts: 2893
- Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2012 5:56 pm
- Location: albaquarky
- Contact:
Re: Matango (1963)
cuz thers no godzila godArbok wrote:Well since you posted, I'm curious: what turns you off from the premise that makes you uninterested in seeing it?
Beta Capsule Reviews - Your Guide to Ultraman & other Tokusatsu episode-by-episode!
https://betacapsulereviews.wordpress.com
https://betacapsulereviews.wordpress.com
three wrote:leave me be maxrebo! damn you and your ability to play the game here....
- eabaker
- Administrator
- Posts: 13758
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:16 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Matango (1963)
I always assumed that Godzilla was about to rise out of the ocean immediately following the final shot.Cimmerian Dragon wrote:That's why I refused to watch "The 400 Blows" for years.MaxRebo320 wrote:cuz thers no godzila godArbok wrote:Well since you posted, I'm curious: what turns you off from the premise that makes you uninterested in seeing it?
Tokyo, a smoldering memorial to the unknown, an unknown which at this very moment still prevails and could at any time lash out with its terrible destruction anywhere else in the world.
- Ookondru99
- Monarch Researcher
- Posts: 332
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:31 am
- Location: Letchi Island chillin w/ the Red Bamboo
Re: Matango (1963)
Something else I've noticed/wondered about this film, why does the main cast all have identical necklaces? I didn't notice this until recently
TK's Resident Red Bamboo :destoroyah:
- MaxRebo320
- EDF Instructor
- Posts: 2893
- Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2012 5:56 pm
- Location: albaquarky
- Contact:
Re: Matango (1963)
C A N O NCimmerian Dragon wrote:I fully endorse this for the inevitable remake.eabaker wrote:I always assumed that Godzilla was about to rise out of the ocean immediately following the final shot.
Beta Capsule Reviews - Your Guide to Ultraman & other Tokusatsu episode-by-episode!
https://betacapsulereviews.wordpress.com
https://betacapsulereviews.wordpress.com
three wrote:leave me be maxrebo! damn you and your ability to play the game here....