-
Varan the Unbelievable AKA Daikaijû Baran AKA The Monster Varan AKA Baran: Monster from the East (1958)
In an effort to find an economic means of purifying salt water, a joint US-Japanese military command is set up on an isolated Japanese island where an unusual salt water lake is situated. However, their purifying experiments arouse the prehistoric monsterDirector: Ishirô Honda, Jerry A. Baerwitz (US-version)
Year of Copyright: 1958
Year of Production: 1958
OVERALL: Draw-
-
Extras:* The Film: Original theatrical version
* The Film: Unused TV version (in two parts):
- Part 1 (27:01)
- Part 2 (25:59)
Audio commentary on the theatrical version by monster suit sculptor Keizô Murase, moderated by Tetsu Nakamura (in Japanese, with optional English subtitles) (2005)
"High School Molding Seminar II: Hands-On Workshop with Keizô Murase, Fuyuki Shinada, Yasuo Kurashiki (Announcer): Final Episode Making Varan's Skin and Scales" 2005 featurette (29:02)
Promotional Trailers (4:00):
- Trailer #1 (2:57)
- Trailer #2 (1:03)
Previews:
- One Missed Call (1:14)
- The Mysterians (1:43)
- Matango: Attack of the Mushroom People (2:18)
- Sky High (1:42) -
Subtitles:English (optional)
-
Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
-
Picture Format:Anamorphic
-
TV System:NTSC
-
Soundtrack(s):Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 (theatrical)
Japanese Dolby Digital 3.1 (theatrical)
Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (both versions) -
Case type:Keep Case
-
Notes:Extras are in Japanese, with optional English subtitles.
The theatrical version is quite heavily windowboxed.
The TV version is in non-anamorphic 2.35:1. -
Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
-
-
Extras:Introduction by Jörg Buttgereit and Bodo Traber
"Monster Special with Jörg Buttgereit" featurette (6:16)
Original Trailer (in German) (2:44)
2 Original Trailers (in Japanese) (4:00)
2 Bonus Trailers for "Ghidorah" -
Subtitles:German
-
Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
-
Picture Format:Anamorphic
-
TV System:PAL
-
Soundtrack(s):Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
German Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono -
Case type:Steelbook
-
Notes:An NTSC > PAL transfer.
Includes 4 Collector Cards.
Extras are in German except for the Japanese trailers.
Limited to 2000 copies. -
Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
-
-
Extras:* The Film: Original theatrical version
* The Film: Unused TV version (in two parts):
- Part 1 (27:01)
- Part 2 (25:59)
Audio commentary by monster suit sculptor Keizô Murase, moderated by Tetsu Nakamura (2005)
"High School Molding Seminar II: Hands-On Workshop with Keizô Murase, Fuyuki Shinada, Yasuo Kurashiki (Announcer): Final Episode Making Varan's Skin and Scales" 2005 featurette (29:04)
Promotional Trailers (4:01):
- Trailer #1 (2:57)
- Trailer #2 (1:04) -
Subtitles:Japanese
-
Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
-
Picture Format:Anamorphic
-
TV System:NTSC
-
Soundtrack(s):Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1
Japanese Dolby Digital 3.1
Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono -
Case type:Keep Case
-
Notes:Includes an 8-page liner notes booklet.
Extras are in Japanese without subtitles. -
Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
-
OVERALL: Draw
The US R1 and the Japanese R2 have identical extras, but note the US is English friendly. Note the German release has some exclusive German extras.
General note (IMDB):
This movie was originally released in Japan as "Daikaijû Baran (1958)". The US version has a heavily altered plot, lots of additional footage featuring American actors, and most of Akira Ifukube's music is replaced (this version is not included on DVD). The US version is available on multiple public domain DVDs, but we currently don't have specs for any of those releases.
Also note, that the IMDB-link is for the Japanese-version of the film, and here's the link for the US-version:
LINK -
CUTS:
- R1 America- Media Blasters - No cuts - Original Japanese theatrical version (86:34 NTSC) and the unused television version (54:03 NTSC)
- R2 Germany- 8 Films - No cuts - Japanese theatrical version (86:34 NTSC > PAL)
- R2 Japan- Toho - No cuts - Original Japanese theatrical version (86:34 NTSC), and the unused television version (54:03 NTSC)
-
Do you own a release not listed? Then please visit our forums and let us know!
-
Comparison added by Jari_Kovalainen on 22/07/05
Comparison last updated by Rick_Curzon on 17/06/22UPDATE LOG:
27/12/15: Addition of Germany, updated Japan runtimes, added US ASIN.
Please ensure you read our disclaimer.
18/06/22: Tidyup.
-
