Talkback: Frankenstein vs. Baragon (1965)

[Gamera vs Rodan]

^That's either a boot with fan-subs (or dub-subs) or a Japanese VHS without subtitles or dubbing.

Well, okay, I assumed it was the version with the original ending because it has the original name whereas the DVD bears the FCTW title.

[20th Century Boy]

This is one of my favorite kaiju movies ever. The plot was simple but engaging, as were the characters. Baragon was actually a threat instead of a cameo or a punching bag, like he was in other films. My only big complaint would be how they handled the Frankenstein monster, which I found to be kind of silly. It's kind of hard to take a giant Frankenstein seriously.

[Captain Aktion]

I have a special piece of memorabilia related to this movie which I'm posting on TK next year

Oh, you.

[MandaSaurus]

WotG stands well on it's own merits, but if I'd known back then that it was a f/u to FctW, & that the Gargantuas were actually created from the Frankenstein Monster, that would've explained A LOT. Esp the odd shape of their heads, which I could never fathom until I learned of the connection to FctW.

[Godzillian]

Fun kaiju film but the ending with the octopus is random and out of place the earthquake ending is much better.

[Rody]

Both endings are pretty random, if you ask me (the earthquake ending slightly less so).

[Gamera vs Rodan]

I feel like I already said this but my theory on the earthquake ending is it was because of Baragon tunneling through the ground, enough tunnels and the ground can just collapse.

[Killswitch]

Just watched this except it was called Frankenstein Conquers the World when I watched it. It was good stuff. I'm not the biggest fan of Frankenstein as a monster since he's a little too human for me, but the film worked really well on many levels despite my preferences lying elsewhere.

Frankenstein will always be a Universal Monster to me, and I've always had an issue trying to swallow the Frankenstein aspect in this film and in War of the Gargantuas. I like both these films but I wish Toho would of came up with their own monster.

I enjoy the Toho Kong too, but its not really Kong in my eyes. Its like making Spiderman or Batman Japanese - lol

Not a fan of Americanizing Godzilla either, but I wish nothing but the best for this new film.

[Captain Aktion]

Frankenstein will always be a Universal Monster to me, and I've always had an issue trying to swallow the Frankenstein aspect in this film and in War of the Gargantuas. I like both these films but I wish Toho would of came up with their own monster.

To be fair, Frankenstein wasn't created by Universal either and bears little actual resemblance in motive or character to the original. Basically, Toho did the same as Universal and DID come up with their own monster; the Franky here has nothing much in common with the Franky there.

And as a series of films, Hammer did Frankenstein better than Universal (beyond the transcendent Bride).

[Goji]

^ Actually going to have to agree with all of the above.

Toho's take on the character may seem outlandish to some, but I liked their approach. I personally thought it was a great way to integrate the giant monster aspect into the Frankenstein legend, as jarring as it may be to see a 'giant' man in make-up battling a dinosaur.

[Tek]

I used to love this film. Still like it a lot, but I think I enjoyed it most back in the late '90s when I first came across it. I love Baragon, and love the whole film's creepiness factor. A lot of dark nighttime rural Japan scenes... some great smaller characters (like the man with the dog chain who explains to Kumi Mizuno that a small boy has been eating dogs).

Great film to watch during a thunderstorm. And pretty solid fight between Franky and Baragon.

[PopInPicsPresents]

I remember liking the movie. I remember years ago stumbled upon a TV listing on AMC for 5AM so I set and alarm for it and woke up to watch it.

[DocVape]

never knew this movie existed until now
just watched the trailer on youtube
first thing I notice
"hey thats Glenn from Monster Zero"

I always wondered where Baragon came from.....obviously my Kaiju knowledge is lacking outside of the Godzilla films

[Captain Aktion]

^Get on it, it's great. One of the best Toho tokusatsu films period.

[gzilla46]

Honestly, I never heard much about this one. I mean, I know about it, but I don't what it's about. Is it a continuation of the Mary Shelley novel or something?

[ILL GREEN]

Its a good film indeed. In Germany, Frankenstein's place of origin, all of the showa Godzilla films had plots of Dr. Frankenstein sending monsters to destroy Earth but Godzilla foils his plan everytime. Those films I'm looking for.

[gzilla46]

Its a good film indeed. In Germany, Frankenstein's place of origin, all of the showa Godzilla films had plots of Dr. Frankenstein sending monsters to destroy Earth but Godzilla foils his plan everytime. Those films I'm looking for.

Wow. But, how did Frankenstein get so big, though? Wasn't he 8 feet tall in the novel?

[pta917]

I think it was radition.

[gzilla46]

I think it was radition.

Radiation. #1 cause for monsters.

[pta917]

http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/frankenstein.htm

Read this.