Daiei Film released Gamera, the Giant Monster to an eager Japanese audience on 27 November 1965. Its US release was a year and a half later.

People instinctively dismiss the Gamera films. It’s understandable. People see it as a cheap rip-off of Godzilla. There are two ways to respond to this — both involve Ray Harryhausen:

1. Gamera was actually ripping off The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, not Godzilla.
2. Godzilla was ripping off The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. All films rip off films that went before.

Both those are true.

The first time I watched Gamera, the Giant Monster, I thought the spinning turtle was ridiculous. But that’s true of all these kinds of films. King Kong is hardly believable — especially with all the dinosaurs.

Over time, Gamera becomes a hero — much like Godzilla’s more complicated narrative arc. But it starts pretty good in this first film. The giant flying turtle saves the little boy. That is the opposite of it kicking a dog. And audiences loved it! So later films did not disappoint fans.

“But isn’t this film series just too silly?” I don’t think so. All these films are nothing more than a fun romp. No one thinks that everyone in Japan will be dead due to Gamera or Godzilla.

Gamera is the most absurd of these giant monsters. But making a big deal of this is equally absurd. The others are 98% absurd and the flying turtle is 99% absurd. No one would notice if they were presented together. But everyone is used to Godzilla and King Kong.

Don’t let this stop you. It is the 60th anniversary of Gamera, the Giant Monster. It’s a lot of fun. And if you have children, let them watch with you. Gamera loves children!

This is an English dub of the film. If you want to watch it with subtitles, feel free. Just don’t expect anyone to be impressed with your sophistication!

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Gamera, the Giant Monster (1965) poster via Wikipedia under Fair Use.