Gamera vs. Barugon

Gamera vs. Barugon

Infobox Film
name = Gamera vs. Barugon


image_size = 200px
caption = Theatrical poster
director = Shigeo Tanaka
producer = Masaichi Nagata
writer = Nisan Takahashi
narrator =
starring = Kojiro Hongo
Kyoko Enami
music = Chuji Kinoshita
cinematography = Michio Takahashi
editing = Tatsuji Nakashizu
distributor = Daiei Studios
released = April 17, 1966
runtime = 106 min
country = Japan
language = Japanese
budget =
preceded_by = Gamera
followed_by = Gamera vs. Gyaos
website =
amg_id = 1:19176
imdb_id = 0060446

nihongo|"Gamera vs. Barugon"|大怪獣決闘 ガメラ対バルゴン|Daikaijū kessen: Gamera tai Barugon|Giant Monster Duel: Gamera Versus Barugon is a 1966 daikaiju eiga (giant-monster movie) featuring the popular Gamera character created by Daiei Motion Picture Company. The film is the second to feature Gamera and the first in which the daikaiju is portrayed in a positive light. (In the first film, Gamera is the antagonist.) "Gamera vs. Barugon" was released in the United States by Sandy Frank. It is one of five "Gamera" films featured on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" (episode 304, June 22, 1991).

In the film, treasure-hunters who find a giant opal are soon horrified to find that the stone is actually an egg which hatches into the terrifying Barugon. The monster wreaks havoc until finally defeated by Gamera.

Barugon

Barugon (バルゴン) is a fictional monster featured in the second "Gamera" film, 1966's "Gamera vs. Barugon", (better known as "War of the Monsters" stateside.) Barugon is not to be confused with the similarly named Toho kaiju Baragon. The similarity in name is probably a coincidence, as katakana only offers a limited number of three syllable combinations. Barugon is a gigantic quadrupedal reptile, with sharp teeth, a horn on his snout, and a long whip-like tail. He has two rows of short spikes running down his back, which begin to glow when the creature is ready to attack. Barugon also possess a very long, stiff tongue with a clubbed tip, and has blue blood.

Origins

According to legends recounted in the film, a single Barugon hatches only once every thousand years. The rapid growth of this particular Barugon is an anomaly, however, caused by exposing the egg to infra-red radiation; a normal Barugon takes ten years to reach full maturity. Barugon was born from an egg which was at first believed to be a huge hunk of opal, found in a cave on a tropical island, which brought back to Japan. The ship is sunk and Barugon quickly comes to shore, fully grown.

Abilities

In addition to his teeth, claws, tail and horn, Barugon possesses other abilities. Barugon's main weapon is his tongue, which is able to emit a freeze ray. It proved to be extremely effective against the fire-breathing Gamera, who displayed a weakness to the cold; this was the weapon that won Barugon's first bout with the "Friend of All Children". In addition to the freeze ray, Barugon seemed to possess a kind of ESP, which allowed it to predict an incoming attack. It also had a deadly Rainbow attack that possessed incredible range, and it used both these powers to decimate the JSDF. However, this rainbow proved ineffective against Gamera, and when the JSDF turned it back upon Barugon with a giant mirror, the monster wisely stopped using it. Barugon does possess at least two unique weaknesses. The creature is vulnerable to water. Rain and mist can keep the creature dormant and at bay, and when submerged Barugon quickly drowns and bleeds profusely. The traditional method used to destroy a Barugon as recounted in the film is to charm it with a large, sparkling diamond, which is then used to lure the beast into the ocean. This plan at first fails against the mutated Barugon, but after exposing the diamond to the same radiation frequencies that caused Barugon's freak mutations its ability to enchant the creature is restored. Again the plan ultimately fails, though, when a jewel thief attempts to steal the diamond. Both the diamond and the thief are devoured by Barugon before he can be lead to water. Barugon finally met his end when Gamera eventually thawed and retaliated against the wounded monster, dragging him into a lake and drowning him.

Appearances

Barugon's only further appearance in the "Gamera" franchise came in the use of stock footage from his initial appearance, recycled in "". Ironically, Barugon, who had been Gamera's first monster opponent, was defeated last in the later film. "Gamera vs. Barugon" would be the first of several "Gamera" films lampooned on the comedy television series "Mystery Science Theater 3000", first featured in the fourth episode of the show's initial run on local station KTMA TV-23. The movie was featured a second time on the series during the third season of "MST3K"'s official run on Comedy Central. Elements of Barugon were later recycled into a new monster, Zedus, in the Millennium era film "Gamera the Brave". Like Barugon, Zedus also uses his long tongue as a weapon.
*The role of Gyaos in "" was originally written for Barugon but was rewritten because Gyaos is more popular in the USA and England.

External links

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