Mothra (Masters of Cinema)

Description

One of the most iconic Japanese kaiju, Mothra has appeared in over a dozen feature films. Presented here is her debut, a gloriously vibrant piece of filmmaking that forever changed how kaiju eiga would be produced in Japan. Following reports of human life on Infant Island, the supposedly deserted site of atomic bomb tests, an international expedition to the heavily-radiated island discovers a native tribe and tiny twin female fairies called "Shobijin" who guard a sacred egg. The overzealous expedition leader kidnaps the Shobijin to exhibit in a Tokyo stage show but soon they summon their protector, hatching the egg and releasing a giant caterpillar. When Mothra arrives in Japan and transforms into her final form, the nation and its people face their destruction. Psychedelically colourful, with an intelligent, benevolent protector as its lead kaiju, Mothra was radically different to every other monster movie that had come before it, and it remains a classic of the genre to this day. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Ishir Honda s Mothra on Blu-ray for the first time on home video in the UK. LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES: Hardbound Slipcase Reversible poster featuring the film s original US and Japanese poster artworkIncludes both Japanese and English versions of each film (101 mins & 90 mins respectively) Original mono audio presentations (LPCM) English subtitles (Japanese version) and English SDH (English version) Brand new audio commentary with film historian and writer David Kalat Audio commentary with authors and Japanese sci-fi historians Steve Ryfle and Ed GodziszewskiKim Newman on Mothra an interview with film critic and author Kim Newman on the history and legacy of Mothra Stills Galleries featuring rare archival stills and ephemeraPLUS: A Perfect Bound 60-PAGE Collector s Booklet featuring essays by Christopher Stewardson and Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp (Midnight Eye); a new interview with Scott Chambliss (production designer on 2019 s Godzilla: King of the Monsters); an extract from Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski s Ishir Honda biography; and archival reviews and stills. PRESS: "Mothra is simply lovely. " Kim Newman, Sight & Sound "the most thoroughly and essentially Japanese of the pre-'62 kaiju films" Alternate Ending "one of the great unexpected movie-going pleasures" Toho Kingdom