Varan the Unbelievable

Watch Varan the Unbelievable

"From a world below, it came to terrorize - to destroy - to revenge!"
  • NR
  • 1958
  • 1 hr 27 min
  • 4.5  (840)

Varan the Unbelievable is a classic Japanese kaiju film from 1962 directed by Ishirō Honda. The film follows a group of scientists and military personnel who embark on a mission to investigate strange activity in the mountains of Japan. What they find is a giant prehistoric creature named Varan who is awakened from his slumber and wreaks havoc on the surrounding cities.

The film opens with a group of indigenous people performing a ritual to appease a god that resides in the mountains. However, their ceremony is interrupted when a mining company begins blasting in the area. This results in an earthquake that awakens Varan from his hibernation. The creature is initially peaceful, but as it ventures closer to civilization, it becomes more aggressive and destructive.

A team of scientists, including the American geologist Jim, is sent to investigate the strange occurrences. Along with the military, they set up a base camp close to the creature's known location. The team quickly realizes the sheer size and power of Varan and begins planning a way to stop it from causing further destruction.

Varan is unlike any other kaiju seen on screen at this time. It has large wings that it can use to fly, and its skin is covered in impenetrable scales that make it almost invulnerable to regular weaponry. This makes the situation all the more urgent, as it seems that Varan cannot be stopped through conventional means.

One of the standout features of Varan the Unbelievable is the way it explores the scientific and political implications of the creature's existence. While the military is focused on finding ways to neutralize Varan, the scientific team is working to understand the creature's behavior and biology.

The film also takes a closer look at how different cultures perceive natural phenomena. The indigenous people that live in the area see Varan as a god, while the more modernized military and scientific personnel see it as a threat that needs to be dealt with. This contrast adds a layer of complexity to the story that sets it apart from other kaiju films of the time.

The special effects in Varan the Unbelievable are impressive for the time period. While some of the effects may look dated by today's standards, they were groundbreaking at the time. The scenes of destruction are also well-executed and add to the sense of urgency and danger.

The performances in the film are solid, with Myron Healey playing the American scientist Jim and Tsuruko Kobayashi playing the Japanese scientist Yuriko. The two share a platonic relationship that is refreshing to see in a monster movie. Clifford Kawada also delivers a memorable performance as one of the military personnel tasked with stopping Varan.

Overall, Varan the Unbelievable is a well-crafted kaiju film that explores themes beyond simple destruction and spectacle. While it may not be as well-known as some of the other kaiju films from the era, it deserves to be seen by fans of the genre.

Varan the Unbelievable is a 1958 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5.

Varan the Unbelievable
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  • Release Date
    1958
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 27 min
  • Language
    Japanese
  • IMDB Rating
    4.5  (840)
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