Matango



Matango (1963) is one of Toho’s non-giant monster fantasy movies for the 1960’s, though it shares certain DNA with the better known Godzilla movies. Several Godzilla series regulars star, including Akira Kubo, Kumi Mizuno and Kenji Sahara, and there are model boats and guys in rubber suits. The movie's chief inspiration, however, is the early horror output of the British Hammer Studios.


From left to right: Gilligan, Mary Ann, Thurston, the Professor, Gillgan II, Ginger, and the Skipper.

A bunch of people who don't particularly like each other are taking a cruise on an expensive yacht. A storm hits and the yacht is crippled. There's a lot of talk about how expensive and safe the yacht is, yet the only radio onboard in right under an open hatch. The radio gets ruined, so everyone is helpless until the yacht is pulled towards a mysterious island.

On the island our heroes discover a grounded research boat (what it was researching and why is a minor mystery never explained) infested with mold and fungus. They make camp there and start searching the island for food. Unfortunately potential food is scarce, except for certain large mushrooms. The log book says the mushrooms are dangerous, so of course no one eats them.


Someone call Doctor Who!

Ha! Of course people eat them! Wouldn't be much of a movie if they didn't. First there are a bunch of creepy scenes where people glimpse things moving around the forest, and then the sleeping castaways are visited by a fleshy-headed mutant. Once the first people eats the mushrooms it becomes clear that all these things are related...

It may not be a great movie, but if you've got any interest in Japanese fantasy films it's a must have. That goes double when you take into account the new DVD from Media Blasters, which will cost you $15 most places but sports a beautiful widescreen print, English and Japanese soundtracks, and even a commentary track by Akira Kubo! This last feature should have been great, but it's really pretty boring and makes you wonder if he really understands the movie at all.


Next on Survivor: Haunted Island...

Posted: Sun - April 10, 2005 at      

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