This is the first of the Daimajin trilogy that was created by Daiei on the backs of their famous Gamera series, and their samurai movies.
Kozasa, and Tadafumi are brother and sister of the Hanabusa clan who's father Tadakiyo (Ryuzo Shimada) is the lord of the Yamanaka castle. One night their fate is changed abruptly when their minister Samanosuke Odate (Yutaro Gomi) unleashes a coup against their father. They are rescued by their faithful servant Kogenta (Jun Fujimaki), and escapes. They are now on the run from Samanosuke. Kogenta has a aunt Shinobu (Otome Tsukimiya) who is a priestess for the shrine of Daimajin - a god who is sealed under the large stone statue located in a near by mountain. Kogenta seeks refuge under her, and together they decide to hide Kozasa, and Tadafumi in that mountain. 10 years later, people of their country are suffering under the oppressive regime of Samanosuke. There is now a guerrilla force that is attempting to regain control of the country by the Hanabusa clan. Tadafumi (Yoshihiko Aoyama), now grown up is planning to overthrow the regime of Samanosuke. One day Kogenta is captured by Samanosuke's men. They now suspect that Tadafumi is alive, and waits for him to show up to rescue Kogenta. Tadafumi in an attempt to rescue Kogenta is himself captured, and is scheduled for execution. Shinobu goes to see Samanosuke to convince him to release Kogenta and Tadafumi, warning him that he will incur wrath of Daimajin unless he changes his evil ways, but instead she is cut down by Samanosuke. Samanosuke now decides to destroy the statue of Daimajin to prove that there is no such thing as wrath of god, but unfortunately for him, Shinobu's words comes true for him. Samanosuke's men tries to destroy the stone statue by driving a spike through its head. The stone statue starts to bleed and Samanosuke's henchmen are frightened out of their wits. There're now stormy clouds that is conjured by the Daimajin as it comes alive and he is now coming after Samanosuke. It's a bad day for the bad guys from that point on.
This is a story about a fictitious folklore in the feudal age Japan coming to life. Ironically Daimajin himself has become somewhat of a lore in Japan making cameo appearance in comics, and other places. This is the seminal movie that started it all. Quality is very good as Daiei studio had much experience making samurai movies, and also worked on the Gamera series monster movies. It is a movie made mostly for the younger audience, but entertaining for the adults as well.
Good entertainment from the '60s Japan that is still worth watching, and a classic in its own right.
Kozasa, and Tadafumi are brother and sister of the Hanabusa clan who's father Tadakiyo (Ryuzo Shimada) is the lord of the Yamanaka castle. One night their fate is changed abruptly when their minister Samanosuke Odate (Yutaro Gomi) unleashes a coup against their father. They are rescued by their faithful servant Kogenta (Jun Fujimaki), and escapes. They are now on the run from Samanosuke. Kogenta has a aunt Shinobu (Otome Tsukimiya) who is a priestess for the shrine of Daimajin - a god who is sealed under the large stone statue located in a near by mountain. Kogenta seeks refuge under her, and together they decide to hide Kozasa, and Tadafumi in that mountain. 10 years later, people of their country are suffering under the oppressive regime of Samanosuke. There is now a guerrilla force that is attempting to regain control of the country by the Hanabusa clan. Tadafumi (Yoshihiko Aoyama), now grown up is planning to overthrow the regime of Samanosuke. One day Kogenta is captured by Samanosuke's men. They now suspect that Tadafumi is alive, and waits for him to show up to rescue Kogenta. Tadafumi in an attempt to rescue Kogenta is himself captured, and is scheduled for execution. Shinobu goes to see Samanosuke to convince him to release Kogenta and Tadafumi, warning him that he will incur wrath of Daimajin unless he changes his evil ways, but instead she is cut down by Samanosuke. Samanosuke now decides to destroy the statue of Daimajin to prove that there is no such thing as wrath of god, but unfortunately for him, Shinobu's words comes true for him. Samanosuke's men tries to destroy the stone statue by driving a spike through its head. The stone statue starts to bleed and Samanosuke's henchmen are frightened out of their wits. There're now stormy clouds that is conjured by the Daimajin as it comes alive and he is now coming after Samanosuke. It's a bad day for the bad guys from that point on.
This is a story about a fictitious folklore in the feudal age Japan coming to life. Ironically Daimajin himself has become somewhat of a lore in Japan making cameo appearance in comics, and other places. This is the seminal movie that started it all. Quality is very good as Daiei studio had much experience making samurai movies, and also worked on the Gamera series monster movies. It is a movie made mostly for the younger audience, but entertaining for the adults as well.
Good entertainment from the '60s Japan that is still worth watching, and a classic in its own right.