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Information Exchange => Reader Comments => Topic started by: tyler on September 06, 2003, 08:19:35 PM



Title: Rodan
Post by: tyler on September 06, 2003, 08:19:35 PM
I own this movie on dvd and vhs.(The dvd is part of the godzilla 5 pack box set,and vhs is the first actual american print valued at over 125 dollars.)I love the music and the monsters.great story.best part is when the man finds the rodan egg and watches it hatch.the scene is to much for him to commprehend and the man forgets all.he soon relizes that their is a monster on the loose and he gains his memory back.he tells the japanese egg heads his story and the movie progreses.Toho outdid themselves this time.(Next to GMK,witch I saw on sci-fi channel,along with g vs megaguires.God bless their soules!)


Title: Rodan
Post by: Squishy on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
The miniature involving the collasping bridge is fantastic. It's one of those you don't realize is a miniature until it gets destroyed. Likewise, the jeep getting slammed into the rocks--complete with the poor driver's jellified legs hanging out--is the ultimate "ouch!" scene. It looks like it really, really hurts.

Shigeru does not narrate the ending of the Japanese version; Honda assumed the audience was bright enough to understand what was happening. I like it so much better...

What the hell does is that 'breath weapon' of Rodan's supposed to do? Not even Toho knows, apparently. Judging by the soldiers' reaction, it simply causes high wind-gusts, but some writers have described it as being anything from radioactive contaminants to poison gas. None of these makes a lot of sense in context, and the weapon was never used again--though in 1994's "Gojira vs MekaGojira" (US video title: "Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla 2"), the all-new Rodan gets a souped-up radiation-beam-weapon.

Fun facts: Rodan is really "Radon," pronounced rah-doh-n, not ray-don (like the gas). It is a kind of abbreviation of "pteRAnoDON." (Many kaiju get their names from similar reworkings of dinosaur names or Japanese words.) Forrest J. Ackerman refered to the mate as "Rodanna." I suppose Gilda Radner would've played "Rodan Rodanna-Dana."

Rodan's first meals, the meganeuron, return in the newest Godzilla movie, "Godzilla x Megaguirus"! In this version, they are the first stage of an interdimensional insect army that eventually evolves into the title 'villian.' They don't get a lot of screen time, but they are still vicious, violent maneaters. "GxM" might get a theatrical release in the summer of '01, definitely a video release.


Title: Rodan
Post by: Bryce on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
My favorite Jap monster movie. They should restore the original print though. It's full of scratches and it's really showing its age. But I love it. Love Rodan's shriek. Love the model work. Love the fact that it flies super fast amd mimics hurricane strenght winds. Love the whole plotline about the bugs and how Rodan(s) are introduce. Love the scene where the jeep smashes against the rock. With the original Godzilla and Godzilla vs the Thing (mothra), Rodan is the best Jap monster flicks.


Title: Rodan
Post by: Paul Westbrook on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Rodan had it's moments. Still, if you've seen one Toho flick, you've seen them all.


Title: Rodan
Post by: Chadzilla on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I believe that this was the first Kaiju opus filmed in scope and color.  Seeing a restored print in the widescreen would be nice.  Honda and company worked some real magic on this one, the details are incredible.  As far as your little comment of "seen one, seen 'em all" Mr. Westbrook, well that may be true.  But for addicts like me the old adage "One's too many and a hundred not enough" applies.  I can never get bored with these things, they're like potato chips.  Yummy yummy I got Kaiju in my tummy!  :-)


Title: Rodan
Post by: Megaloman on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
RODAN is better in it's American form than the original Japanese.  The ending narration is far more touching, and brings a true sense of pathos to the film.  You really feel sorry for the animals, even after they cause all the destruction earlier.  Hey, they are just hungry!
And RODAN was not filmed widescreen, just the Academy ratio, so that will never change.
Excellent monster movie.


Title: Rodan
Post by: Yuri Rentfro on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
The second best Toho monster movie ever made. Only the original "Mothra" was better. The dubbing was alright, better than most of the later Godzilla movies. The Akira Ifukube score was great but did not have the typical "Rodan" theme music that you hear in "Ghidrah: the three-headed monster" and all of the other movies Rodan was in. I love this movie. Rodan is one of my favorite Toho monsters. This movie just came out in japan on DVD.


Title: Rodan
Post by: Dr. Maniac on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
    If you want to appreciate this movie you have to see the uncut Japanese version.  For one thing it is minus the narration (that is Keye Luke dubbing Kenji Sahara's voice if you care) and there is more of the monsters.  I cannot be the only one who has noticed:
   1.  When the giant insects grab the two policemen on the hill the sound effects are from THE GIANT BEHEMOTH.
   2.  The insects vary in size depending on where they are standing at the time.
   3.  In the dubbed version the appearance of the second Rodan is done by flopping the film, in the original version Rodan 2 just shows up with no explanation.
   4.  Do Paul Frees and Marvin Miller dub every other voice in this picture?

   Still, I love thi spicture.  Gosharootie I even cried at the end when I was a kid, I loved those big birds THAT much!
I have the Japanese version now and love it just as much.  The dubbed version was released by the King Brothers who also gave us GORGO.  Knowing that makes the Americanised version acceptable if still a bit difficult to swallow.


Title: Rodan
Post by: Lance Manion on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
 My second favorite monster movie next to the first Godzilla.  Poor dubbing and Tokyo taking another beating right after Godzilla took a stroll through it.  My favorite line "Not only are thereone, but two Rodans"  


Title: Rodan
Post by: Bill Seibel on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
I first saw Rodan in 1957 as an eight year old in St.Louis,Missouri.  I think most people underestimate the influence and impact this movie had on kids at that time.  This was the biggest movie event of my childhood and for good reason.  There was a barage of tv commercials for the movie that got all of us kids in a frenzy.  Rodan opened exclusively at the huge Fox theatre in St.Louis and the St.Louis Post-Dispatch featured full page ads for the movie for the first week of its release. These went down to half page ads the second week.  You don't see movie ads this size in today's papers.  Rodan stayed at the Fox for 10 or 12 weeks before being distributed to the local neighborhood shows which is where I finally got to view it.  I went with my father and younger brother Chris to see it at the local Rio show(now a vacant lot on Riverview Boulevard) which was located in the middle of the block in a neighborhood named Walnut Park.  There were two massive lines to get in the show(one to the left and one to the right) both of which extended around the corner of the city block.  I have never before or since seen such a crowd at a movie house.  We waited almost 45 minutes to get into the small show and the movie had already begun so we had to stay for a second show to see what we had missed.  My Dad had to stand in the aisle as there were not enough seats.  He is not a patient man and not a monster fan and I still can't believe he suffered through this ordeal!  Rodan was not just a movie it was a major event in childhood.  I still love the movie and watch it at least once a year.  Incidently, the movie came to television in St.Louis in the 1960's and was shown on a local station,KPLR 11, at 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for five consecutive nights in a row and got big ratings. (Yes,I watched it every night!)


Title: Rodan
Post by: Anon on November 25, 2006, 04:09:03 PM
This is a very good movie. I dont know if I would consider it a B-movie (just an old movie), and I would not consider it a bad movie. It has a suprisingly thought out plot, and good characters. Entertaining.


Title: Rodan
Post by: Nathanial Meade on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
This is Toho's hidden gem in my opinion. Few of the giant monster movies are actually cinimatic gems, the original Godzilla for example. Even if you don't care for monster mayhem, do yourself a favor and watch this. By the way, get off your butt Andrew, and give us a review for the original '54 'Zilla! (please!!!)


Title: Rodan
Post by: Kooshmeister on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
I remember first seeing a preview for this movie at the end of an old VHS copy for the original Godzilla put out, I believe, by Vestron. As I recall it was a little too heavy on clips from the Rodans' attack on Sasebo, as well as the scene where Shigeru sees the first Rodan hatch from its egg in the cavern. Looking back, I'm surprised that seeing these scenes before I actually saw the movie didn't ruin it for me, and I'm sure it would have had it not been for the Meganurons. There was nothing about them in the preview for the film - it was like they were Vestron's trump card. I find it silly now, but watching the film back then for the first time I was initially convinced it was Rodan doing the killings in the mines. I guess I figured he was a baby at the time or something. Imagine how delighted I was when the first Meganuron waddled its merry way into Kyo's house to menace her and Shigeru. And I, too, got nightmares from the scene where an unseen Meganuron pulls the miner and the policeman down into the water, while the third man frantically tries to free himself.

Suffice to say my favorite part of the movie is the first half revolving around the antics of the Meganurons in the mines. But the Rodans are the main focus after all, and I think they're pretty cool as well. I love the scene where the first one stubbornly evades a pursuing pilot before finally making a major U-turn and kacking him. That they can generate typhoon-force winds by flapping their wings was also a very nifty ability, and their distinctive cry (which sounds a little like a looped bobcat growl) is very chilling.

This is easily my favorite non-Godzilla Toho kaiju film, with its astounding miniature work and overall creepy atmosphere. I recently got it on DVD (along with the original Godzilla) for only five bucks. What a bargain!


Title: Rodan
Post by: Todd Shields on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
A kaiju eiga that features two monsters who DON'T fight each other?
Maybe they can have the Gappas over for tea.


Title: Rodan
Post by: tyler on May 16, 2004, 12:43:00 PM
kooshmeister, I have the vestron video print of rodan and it has the preview for the first godzilla movie from vestron and I used to rent the vestron godzilla and it had a preview for rodan.cool.go to rarevideo.com and find out how much its worth.it really is 125 bucks.


Title: Rodan
Post by: night heron on June 09, 2004, 09:00:54 PM
I noticed how all the japaneese in it have american cars and jeeps as well as F-86 jets wow what a concept and as for supersonic pteridacktyles well i say wow how fast can they go? and remember when he recalled the egg hatching while watching the birds egg hatching and RODAN Jr is born


Title: Rodan
Post by: Supergodzilla1 on July 16, 2004, 07:41:32 AM
 The movie Rodan is one of my favorite movies in my collection! I can watch it again and again! The love story of the Rodans is very touching at the end! I cried when I first watched the ending! At least one survived!


Title: Rodan
Post by: firebird on July 18, 2004, 09:19:40 PM
Rodan Jr can feed himself after he hatches out of the egg and starts gobbling up the giant bugs like maybe a young bird will eat normal sized insects and the can indeed fly a supersonic speed and yes supergodzilla they were very faithful to the very end


Title: Rodan
Post by: CB Price on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
One of the best monster movies made. It's credible, not silly like some monster movies. Rodan ranks with "Godzilla: King of the Monsters", the original "Mothra" and the original "Gamera the Invincible"

Definately a PEPSI and POPCORN movie


Title: Rodan
Post by: Mark Radburn on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Rodan was excellent Rodan's Supersonic Speed and Destructive Attack on Tokyo was Outstanding and it's a Masterpiece for the Folks of Toho this movie has some of the best Special effects and the 1956 Rodan design was great and this film will just blow you away(I'm not kidding I'm seroius) The people of Toho make great Monster films Rodan is the best Toho movie ever.


Title: Rodan
Post by: giant claw on June 07, 2005, 09:24:30 PM
A real classic in japaneese films and remeber they brought him back and teamed him up with GODZILLA


Title: Rodan
Post by: kevin on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Rodan has to be one of the most under rated films ever made.  For all the non stop comments of Japanese films being phony over the years this is a film that is virtually flawless. Also I dont think there was ever a
expose' of how this film was made to date. When I look at Rodan today there are still scenes I can't figure out technically, such as the flying sequences or the incredible jet dogfights. POV shots of chasing the streaking Rodan. Just amazing stuff. I guess I never forgave Toho for not keeping up this level of film excellence. they really dogged many of the later productions and it certainly was not because of a lack of talent. It was really a lack of passion and respect for
the wonderful contribution these films made to Si Fi and cenema.


Title: Rodan
Post by: George on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Well well yet another in a series of sights for giant monsters,this time it's Rodan,or Radon,Rodan was also the name of a famous artist,although I don't know if he spelled his name that way,anyway Rodan was the first Toho classic to be filmed in living color!,in 1956,and then shown for the first time in theathers around the U.S. the following year,released by the people who would later call there  selfs American International Pictures.
As with any monster of that time the Rodans and giant insects are the result of atomic and nuclear bomb tests,and ironically it happens in southeasteren Japan!,yes despite the many mis-prints the original Rodans didn't make there nest in downtown Tokyo,but actually in Mt.Toya volcano and they did outright attack the city of Sosabo not Tokyo!,maybe a good thing because Tokyo was still trying to recover for Godzillas attack,filmed in glorious black and white,two note of interrest,one Rodan would prove to be the less popular of the Toho 3,(Godzilla,Mothra and Rodan),in fact Gameras second opponent Gaos would prove to the more popular bird monster than Rodan,and second of the 4 noted monsters,Godzilla,Rodan,Mothra and The Giant Turtel Gamera,Rodan is the only one of thoes 4 in there first movies that did not attack Tokyo.


Title: Rodan
Post by: IT on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Im sorry to say I liked this movie better than the original GODZILLA.RODAN was more destructive than GODZILLA himself.I'm a big GODZILLA fan myself but I GO  


Title: Rodan
Post by: MARLON THE MONSTER on June 06, 2006, 06:29:52 PM
I agree with IT this movie was ten times better then GODZILLA.RODAN gave GODZILLA a good butt kicking in GHIDRAH THE THREE HEADED MONSTER.The scenes of destruction in this movie was very well done and the giant Bugs were the scariest looking insect monsters in film since the giant ants in THEM.This movie is very entertaining and well made everyone should have it in their collection.


Title: Rodan
Post by: godzillavsdogora on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Probably the best of Toho's non-Godzilla kaiju flix. Suprisingly creepy. Gotta love Rodan... wicked awesome monster. The meganulons r cool 2 but unrealistic. Even the city-destroying scene is cool, and realistic. Thanx to Ishiro Honda, Akira Ifukube, and Eiji Tsuburaya.


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: john in covina on June 21, 2007, 09:23:16 PM
It is the narration of the English version that makes for some good suspense.  "It was a cool, evil smell..."


Title: Rodan
Post by: Xenorama on October 21, 2007, 03:37:28 PM
the end scene in the US version makes it better than the Japanese one.  the narration is what does it.  the Japanese version just ends and two monsters bite the dust.  it's way more moving with the US dubbing added.

David


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: Flangepart on October 24, 2007, 09:42:03 AM
I have to agree, the dub actually adds to the telling.
Down side : Ifukubi's music is cut for the stock Amurrican stuff. Boo!
Now, if you could have Ifukubi's music AND the american dub!... :thumbup:


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: Giant Claw Jr on March 15, 2008, 03:45:24 PM
Whats realy amazing is the lip sync is off and what about when the little bird egg hatches he remembers back to seeing THE SON OF RODAN being hatched and the japanese all have american made cars and a F-86


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: Kooshmeister on April 09, 2008, 07:27:37 PM
the japanese all have american made cars and a F-86

The same can be said for almost every Japanese monster movie of the era. The most commonly seen non-Japanese vehicle is the Willy's MB Jeep.  :tongueout:


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: Flangepart on April 11, 2008, 10:01:59 AM
the japanese all have american made cars and a F-86

The same can be said for almost every Japanese monster movie of the era. The most commonly seen non-Japanese vehicle is the Willy's MB Jeep.  :tongueout:
The F-86 was the F/H versions. Supersonic only in a dive. Ya know, the sheer mass of Rodan provides the power of the slip stream. Thats what breaks up the jets when he passes near.


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: Christopher E. Schneider on September 01, 2008, 08:59:21 PM
A couple of questions need answering:
a) Why doesn’t Tokyo suspend mass transit service when there is a monster attack?
b) Why does the Japanese government always stock pile it’s military with forty year old U.S jet fighters and tanks?
c) Wouldn’t attacking a monster that is the only one (or in this case two) of its kind an infringement on endangered species  acts?
d) Wouldn’t atomic bombs fry eggs, not incubate them?


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: Valentine Kutter on September 02, 2008, 11:29:03 PM
Answers.

A. Population control. Have to cull the herd somehow.
B. They get them wholesale.
C. Their Republicans at heart and hate all things not made of oil.
D. Only at a sustained even heat in a skillet the size of an aircraft carrier.

 :teddyr:
VK :thumbup:


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: Flangepart on September 03, 2008, 10:27:08 AM

c) Wouldn’t attacking a monster that is the only one (or in this case two) of its kind an infringement on endangered species  acts?

I think that depends on which species is the most endangered,
Them or us!


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: Giant Claw Jr on September 07, 2008, 11:12:22 AM
It maybe a japanese made movie but the funny fact is they all have american made cars,planes and cameras and that the offspring would hide away till he grew up a orphan :twirl:


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: Kooshmeister on September 15, 2008, 06:22:02 PM
Yeah, I mean, it makes no sense for a country to use cars made in another country. Anyway here's a good site showing the cars used in the film: http://imcdb.org/movie_49782-Sora-no-daikaiju-Radon.html (http://imcdb.org/movie_49782-Sora-no-daikaiju-Radon.html)


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: p.h. on April 07, 2010, 09:36:52 PM
Here's my synopsis:
Big bug kills people.
The ENTIRE Japanese military is dispatched to destroy it.  After one blast from a machine gun fails to do the trick, the entire Japanese military retreats.
Rodan= obvious plane footage.
Five minutes of destruction.
Five minutes of the entire Japanese military blowing s**t up.
AWESOME B MOVIE!!!


Title: Re: Rodan
Post by: Parralax view on May 20, 2016, 08:11:25 PM
This is one of those that felt flat to me as a 6 yr old kid in 54 that was terrified by Godzilla.  SO what, big unfortunately ugly birds.  The same poor f-86's on a string shooting firecrackers, and the woefully underprepared Japanese military that couldn't hit the ocean if aiming.  This one didn't do to much for me even as a 7 or 8 yr.  old by the time I saw it.  I was already mainlining Godzilla to be too impressed by a couple of birds.