Gamera vs. Viras

Gamera vs. Viras, aka Destroy All Planets – invading space aliens need to get Gamera out of the way, unleasing their monster Viras

Gamera vs. Viras (1971)

In short, Gamera vs. Viras is a children’s movie. Frankly, I don’t have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is that it’s inserting 15 minutes of film from earlier Gamera movies. A clip show. Allegedly, the aliens scan Gamera’s mind, looking for a weakness. But in reality, it’s simply to pad out the movie. A sad ending to the original Gamera franchise, frankly.

Product description

A strange alien spacecraft approaches Earth to attack it. Gamera shows up and destroys the alien ship. However, before the UFO is destroyed, the aliens broadcast a warning to their world, identifying Gamera as their enemy.
When a second UFO appears, the aliens briefly manage to influence Gamera. But when the giant turtle evades the aliens, it attacks the spaceship. To defend themselves from the attacks, the strangers give up their human camouflage and merge into the giant monster Viras. A deadly battle breaks out between the monsters…

---

Earth is invaded by evil aliens from another galaxy. Their attack is stopped by the mighty force of prehistoric monster Gamera. The aliens scan Gamera’s brainwaves to discover and exploit his only weakness. By taking two young boys hostage, they are able to seize control of the monster and use his powers against the Earth. As Gamera ravages the cities of Japan, the two children struggle to escape, freeing him from the the aliens’ command and provoking a deadly final battle between space monsters and Earth’s colossal defender.

Trivia

• American-International titled its US version “Destroy All Planets” after the success it had with the release of Ishirô Honda’s Destroy All Monsters (1968)
• This was the first film in the series to use flashbacks from the previous Gamera films as a way of saving money on the production. In this film, the flashback sequence lasts approximately fifteen minutes.
• Series director Noriaki Yuasa named this as his personal favorite of the films he made, describing it as purely a children’s movie.

Cast of characters

• Kôjirô Hongô … Scout Master Mr. Shimida
• Tôru Takatsuka … Masao Nakaya
• Carl Craig … Jim Crane
• Michiko Yaegaki … Mariko
• Mari Atsumi … Junko Aoki
• Junko Yashiro … Masako Shibata
• Peter Williams … Dr. Dobie
• Kôji Fujiyama (Gamera Vs. Zigra) … Commander of Self Defense Force
• Yoshirô Kitahara (Gamera: The Giant Monster) … Masao’s Father
• Munehiko Takada … Jim’s Father
• Mary Morris … Mrs. Crane (as Mary Murrows)
• Chikara Hashimoto … Doctor A
• Kenji Gô … Doctor B
• Shô Natsuki … Doctor C
• Ken Nakahara … Doctor D
• Kenichiro Yamane … Doctor E
• Genzô Wakayama … Boss Voice

Additional cast

• Keiichi Noda (Gamera Vs. Zigra) … Alien (as Kei’ichi Noda)
• Corinne Orr … (voice)
• Teruo Aragaki … Gamera (uncredited)