Gamera Vs. Zigra

In Gamera Vs. Zigra, an alien woman from the planet Zigra and her spaceship creates a series of earthquakes around the globe. Two children at a marine park are caught in the crossfire. And Gamera must combat the monster Zigra to save the earth.

Gamera Vs. Zigra (1971)

Gamera Vs. Zigra is set at Sea World. No, seriously.

Kenny: Ah, Gamera!
Helen: I don’t like monsters.
Kenny: Gamera is the friend of all children!
Helen: Is he really?

Why, yes. Yes, he is. Why else would he be in this movie? It’s not the worst Gamera movie, but its clearly in the bottom of the list.

The villainous aliens used to live in the oceans, until pollution drove them away. So, they explored the other planets, and discovered that Earth will be perfect. So, they will cause massive earthquakes to bring Earth’s governments to their knees. And, accept the aliens as their new leaders.

Zigra Attacks

Soon, the villainous alien woman kidnaps two families, zaps the dads with her hypnotic eye beams, and the cute little kids lead the escape. It is a kids movie, after all. Then, Zigra orders the alien woman to kill only the children. Since the adults will make useful slaves. And then, the children, having escaped, see a mysterious sea monster …. Then Gamera to the rescue! Yay.

After some comedy relief, the beautiful alien woman disguises herself as a beautiful Japanese woman. Then, she’s searching for the escaped children. To kill them, of course. When she finds them, they attack her with a teddy bear (seriously), and the chase is on. At Sea World, no less.

Jigura (Japanese version): Once again Zigra will prove to the other planets of the world that Zigra is all powerful. 

Well, not really. Soon, Gamera tracks the alien space ship under the ocean, leading to the inevitable monster fight. But, Gamera’s defeated. Boo!

Soon after, the scientists discover that sonic waves will free the dads. And, it turns out that the “alien” woman is actually a Japanese astronaut. She was kidnapped during Zigra’s attack on the moon at the beginning of the movie. Then brainwashed. But the sonics have freed her as well. And, the sonics may awaken Gamera as well! Yay!

Then follows the inevitable rematch. In fact, several rematches. With Gamera eventually triumphant. After playing on the monster’s back, like a xylophone. Seriously. Yay again, I guess.

Editorial review of Gamera Vs. Zigra , courtesy of Amazon.com

An alien woman from the planet Zigra and her spaceship creates a series of earthquakes around the globe. Two children at a marine park are caught in the crossfire as Gamera must combat the monster Zigra to save the earth.

Trivia

• Gamera vs. Zigra was the only classic Gamera film not released in the U.S. until the advent of home video. All the previous films had been picked up for theatrical distribution or for television. Gamera vs. Zigra first appeared in the U.S. in 1987 via video tape.
• Zigra in full shark mode resembles a Goblin shark, a rare species of deep sea shark found most commonly near Japan. 

Cast of characters

• Kôji Fujiyama (Gamera: the Giant Monster) … Dr. Tom Wallace. Father of one of the cute children.
• Daigo Inoue (Gamera: the Giant Monster)
• Reiko Kasahara (Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance) … Woman X / Chikako Sugawara
• Daihachi Kita
• Goro Kumon
• Shin Minatsu
• Akira Natsuki … Doctor
• Keiichi Noda … Jigura (Japanese version) (voice) (as Kei’ichi Noda)
• Isamu Saeki … Dr. Yosuke Ishikawa
• Yasushi Sakagami … Kenichi Ishikawa
• Mikiko Tsubouchi … Mrs. Ishikawa
• Eiko Yanami … Kiyoko Ishikawa
• Yoshio Yoshida (Godzilla vs the Smog Monster)
• Arlene Zoellner … Margie Wallace
• Gloria Zoellner … Helen Wallace