is a 1956

independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s * Independe ...

Japanese ''tokusatsu''

science fiction film Science fiction (or sci-fi) is a film genre that uses speculative, fictional science-based depictions of phenomena that are not fully accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial lifeforms, spacecraft, robots, cyborgs, interstel ...

directed and written by Shinichi Sekizawa, with special effects and cinematography by Sadao Uemura. Produced by Kokumotsu Films and distributed by Shintoho, it is Sekizawa's sole directorial credit. The film stars Tadao Takashima, Junko Ebata, Taiji Tonoyama, Hiroshi Sugi,

Shigeru Amachi was a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than 120 films from 1953 to 1984. Career Amachi joined the Shintoho studio as one of its "New Face" actors of 1951 and established himself in action and jidaigeki films. He gained fame for the nihilist ...

, and Junji Masuda. In the film, a group of Japanese scientists deal with a sudden alien invasion by inventing a rocket in order to save the planet. ''Fearful Attack of the Flying Saucers'' was released nationwide in Japan by Shintoho on November 7, 1956. After its release, it was considered lost until a

16mm 16 mm film is a historically popular and economical gauge of film. 16 mm refers to the width of the film (about inch); other common film gauges include 8 and 35 mm. It is generally used for non-theatrical (e.g., industrial, edu ...

cut was found in 2010 and sold for auction online for 2.1 million yen.『映画秘宝』June 2010 Issue Plans were made for a DVD release following the auction, though they have yet to materialize.

Plot

While tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union's nuclear tests cause severe neuroticism in Japan, alleged sightings of flying saucers wreaking havoc occur in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

, and

Hong Kong Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a List of cities in China, city and Special administrative regions of China, special ...

but are deemed merely hallucinations by officials. The following day, the ''Dai Tōkyō Shinpō'' reported that a flying saucer was recently spotted over the skies of

Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.46 ...

. The

Defense Agency The is an executive department of the Government of Japan responsible for preserving the peace and independence of Japan, and maintaining the country’s national security and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The ministry is headed by the Min ...

holds a meeting with Dr. Hiroto Otsuki, and Dr. Kuroi of the Nuclear Research Institute on defensive measures against the flying saucers that cause devastating destruction using their ray weapons. ''Dai Tōkyō Shinpō'' reporter Masao Hayashi questions Dr. Otsuki regarding efforts to defeat the saucers. During his interview, Otsuki reveals that a new metal that is capable of withstanding the flying saucer's rays is nearing completion. The following morning, the

Japan Self-Defense Forces The Japan Self-Defense Forces ( ja, 自衛隊, Jieitai; abbreviated JSDF), also informally known as the Japanese Armed Forces, are the unified ''de facto''Since Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution outlaws the formation of armed forces, th ...

surround a saucer that has materialized above Akasaka's television tower. After an alien robot named Dulles emerges from the saucer, jets attempt an aerial assault on the flying saucer but are obliterated by its ray. Several flying saucers then proceed to eradicate Tokyo's prominent institutes. Fortunately, the group of human scientists decodes the language spoken by Dulles before the M87 Nebula aliens destroyed the city's landmarks. Dr. Hoshina, a paralyzed space scientist who was tortured because he refused to collaborate with the army during World War II, concludes that the scientists must construct a rocket to combat the aliens or the saucers will destroy civilization and the planet. Hence, the scientists secretly build the R-1 Rocket underwater off the west coast of Izu in an underground hangar. One day, the aliens discover the secret location and try to destroy their threat, the R-1 prior to its completion. The group attempts to defend the rocket by using guided missiles, which, despite not having any effect on the flying saucer, causes it to fly away. Shortly thereafter, Kaoru Hoshina, Dr. Otsuki's secretary, is assailed by an alien robot that rises from the sea while embracing her boyfriend, Hayashi, on a beach at night. The aliens commence their counterattack, creating a chaotic scene on the land, but fortunately, the R-1 Rocket is ultimately launched to save humanity and defeat the aliens flying saucers. While running the R-1 operation, Dr. Hoshina faints after being assailed by an alien robot in the laboratory. The R-1 Rocket uses its XQ Proton Destruction Cannon to obliterate the flying saucers, saving the planet.

Cast

* Tadao Takashima as Masao Hayashi, reporter for the ''Dai Tōkyō Shinpō'' * Junko Ebata as Kaoru Hoshina, Dr. Hiroto Otsuki's secretary and Hayashi's lover * Taiji Tonoyama as Dr. Hiroto Otsuki, nuclear researcher * Hiroshi Sugi as Dr. Hoshina, space scientist *

as Assistant Osugi * Junji Masuda as Dr. Kuroi, nuclear researcher

Production

The film was Shinichi Sekizawa's first and only role as a director after working as an assistant director for Hiroshi Shimizu and its special effects were created by Sadao Uemura and Shigeji Nishitani.

Release

''Fearful Attack of the Flying Saucers'' was released nationwide in Japan on November 7, 1956. Following its release, the film was considered lost until a

cut was found in 2010 and sold for auction online for 2.1 million yen. Plans were made for a DVD release following the auction, though they have yet to materialize.

Notes

References

External links

* * 1956 films 1950s science fiction films Japanese black-and-white films Japanese science fiction films Alien invasions in films Shintoho films Films with screenplays by Shinichi Sekizawa Tokusatsu films 1950s Japanese-language films 1950s Japanese films {{1950s-Japan-film-stub