Gammera the
Invincible (1965) This was the only film in the original Gamera
series to be released to American theaters. It was originally presented in
America by World Entertainment Corp. and Harris Associates, Inc. who re-named
the film Gammera the Invincible. All subsequent entries in the series were
released directly to television by American International Productions
Television. Gammera the Invincible's American premiere was in New Orleans on
December 15, 1966. Gammera the Invincible was heavily re-edited from its
original Japanese version. Scenes were moved around and some were deleted
completely. New footage featuring American actors was spliced in to create a
more international feel and to replace scenes shot in the original cut
featuring American extras with poor acting. Theses new scenes featured actors
such as Albert Dekker and Brian Donlevy. The film was dubbed by Titan
Productions, Inc. It features the voices of Jack Curtis and Peter Fernandez,
who are best known as voices on Speed Racer and Ultraman.
The film opens with Gamera's awakening from the accidental detonation of an
atomic bomb as a result of an aerial assault by American fighters on Soviet
bombers caught crossing into North American airspace. Gamera wastes no time in
causing a rampage of destruction, first destroying a Japanese research ship,
then making its way to Japan to wreak havoc. In an attempt to stop the giant
turtle, Gamera is sedated with a freezing agent on a precipice, and powerful
explosives are placed at the base. The explosion knocks the monster on its
back, and while it seems as though mankind has scored a victory, this is not
the case: Gamera reveals its ability to fly. A second strategy, Plan Z, is
devised to stop the monster, this time by baiting it into a rocket bound for
Mars. The plan is successful and the Earth is safe from Gamera.
