Frankenstein vs. Baragon

Original title: Furankenshutain tai Chitei Kaijû Baragon

1965
Unrated
1h 27m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Kaiju Monster Horror Supernatural Horror Horror Sci-Fi Thriller

An American scientist and his Japanese colleagues study a feral boy born from the radiated heart of Frankenstein's monster, while a subterranean dinosaur ravages the Japanese countryside.An American scientist and his Japanese colleagues study a feral boy born from the radiated heart of Frankenstein's monster, while a subterranean dinosaur ravages the Japanese countryside.An American scientist and his Japanese colleagues study a feral boy born from the radiated heart of Frankenstein's monster, while a subterranean dinosaur ravages the Japanese countryside.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.5/10

2.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
When filming, the special effects crew was unaware which tree would be uprooted. Therefore, every single miniature tree seen on set was built with miniature roots and individually planted one by one.

Goofs
When Frankenstein tries to capture the wild boar, in the last shot of the boar running off, the tracks that the model is running on are visible.

Quotes
Dr. James Bowen: We must work to turn tragedy into eternal peace and happiness in the future.

Crazy credits
In the version being distributed by U.P.A., the opening credits lists producer Tomoyuki Tanaka as "Tomoyuka Tanaka."

Alternate versions
For Media Blaster's 2007 DVD release, a new copy of the American version was constructed using materials from Toho's original Japanese version. In 1966, American producer Henry Saperstein asked Toho for several new effects sequences following Frankenstein's initial escape. Since these scenes only appeared in AIP's theatrical release, the new DVD doesn't feature them.

Connections
Edited into Adiyug (1978)

User reviews69

Review

Featured review

More Toho fun!

Deep within the heart of me exists a love for films featuring giant creatures battling it out for supremecy in the streets of Tokyo. I just remember watching them with anticipation as a small child, waiting in anxiety to see who the victor would be of these mommoth clashes. Of course, with familiar characters like Gamera, Rodan, Mothra, Ghidra, Gigan, Baragon, King Kong, and, of course, Godzilla stomping Tokyo in each film, this one, titled "Frankenstein vs. Baragon" here in the U.S., takes the cake for taking the most risks.

This film sets up many important things for the Toho universe: It introduces Baragon, who would later become a favorite of the genre. In additon, it makes political statements on nuclear testing. Oh, and on a side-note, it also *takes Frankenstein's monster, grows him to giant heights, pits him against Baragon, and puts a classic Gothic monster's face into the gallery of gigantic monsters to rummage Japan.* If you aren't impressed by the first two factors, at least appretiate the third one simply for its camp value.

AND WHAT CAMP VALUE IT IS! The fights in this are some of the best of the Toho universe. Frankenstein looks like an overgrown caveman, and Baragon is effectively established as a leading monster. And while most of the battles simply take place in a few mountains outside of-- you guessed it-- Tokyo, the fun still exists, and its as just as a good time as you'll find in any given Godzilla or Gamera flick.

Silly, cliched, stupid, pointless...and one heckuva good time! LOOK OUT FOR THE BEATING HEART OF FRANKENSTEIN! AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T EAT IT!

*** out of ****