In Monster from a Prehistoric Planet, a Japanese tycoon sends out an expedition to a remote South Pacific island. Their purpose: to recover rare animals for an attraction he’s building. Arriving with reporters in tow, the expedition soon discovers a small reptilian creature in an underground cavern.
Monster from a Prehistoric Planet (1967) aka. Gappa the Triphibian Monster
Despite the warnings of the natives to leave it alone, the expedition takes the creature, named Gappa, back to Japan to be exhibited at the tycoon’s theme park. Unfortunately, the creature’s parents decide to retrieve their baby and storm Japan intent on doing so, regardless of the damage they must inflict.
Review
Editorial review of Monster from a Prehistoric Planet courtesy of Amazon.com
A team of explorers searching for exotic wildlife unwittingly release a horrific force on Japan. Refusing to heed the natives’ warnings, they return from a South Seas island with a strange triphibian creature. Plans to use Gappa as a tourist attraction are derailed when the monster’s vengeful parents descend on Tokyo. Laying waste to entire cities in the pursuit of their offspring, the giant monsters are unaffected by modern weaponry. As the island prepares itself for total annihilation, scientists rally with a daring plan to reunite the creatures and preserve humanity. Monster from a Prehistoric Planet, also known as Gappa the Triphibian Monster, is bolstered by the special effects work of Akira Watanabe, whose groundbreaking work on the Godzilla series inspired many imitators.
Cast of characters
- Tamio Kawaji (Ultraman: Tigo) … Hiroshi Kurosaki (as Tamio Kawachi). One of the expedition members who discover Gappa’s egg.
- Yôko Yamamoto (Gamera: The Giant Monster) … Itoko Koyanagi. The other expedition member who discovers Gappa’s egg.
- Yûji Odaka … Professor Daize Tonooka (as Yuji Kodaka). The expedition scientist.
- Kôji Wada … Mashida
- Tatsuya Fuji … George Inoue
- Keisuke Inoue … President Funazu. The wealthy publisher of Playmate Magazine, who wants to turn an island into a resort, populated by rare animals. When Gappa hatches, he refuses to release it back to its’ parents, despite the devastation they cause. Until Hiroshi, itoko, and Professor Tonooka convince him.
- Zenji Yamada … Captain of the Kamome-maru
- Bumon Koto … Chieftain
- Kôtarô Sugie … Reporter #1
- Saburô Hiromatsu … Hosoda
- Binnosuke Nagao … Cmdr. Riku
- Masaru Kamiyama … Professor
- Kokan Katsura … Saburo Hayashi
- Shirô Oshimi … Oyama
- Yôko Ôyagi … Aihara (as Yoko Oyagi)
- Sanpei Mine … Islander 1
- Takashi Koshiba … Reporter 2
- Kensuke Tamai … Islander 2
- Minoru Sato … Reporter 3
- Kiyoshi Matsuoka … Islander 3 (as Seiji Matsuoka)
- Hiroshi Itoh … Reporter 4
- Mike Danning … Petty Officer (as Mike Danine)
- Luigi Fidanza … Captain of the Sea Angels (as Ruich Fidancer)
- Paul Schumann … Professor (as Paul Scheman)
- Masanori Machida … Saki. The cute native child, who repeatedly warns the people against angering Gappa. Which they ignore since Gappa’s totally mythic — right? Later, after Gappa’s parents destroy the village, he’s the only survivor, rescued by an American Navy fleet and brought to Japan.
