Gamera: The Complete Collection - August 17, 2020

[MechaGodzilla]

For the first time ever in the UK, all 12 Gamera films are released on Blu-ray together in a box set by Arrow, as part of their Arrow Video line.

COLLECTOR’S EDITION BOXSET CONTENTS

• Limited collectors’ edition packaging, housed in a large-format rigid box, fully illustrated by Matt Frank
• Casebound, fully-illustrated disc book containing eight Blu-ray discs
• High Definition (1080p) versions of all twelve films, with lossless original Japanese audio and a complete collection of English dub tracks, including classic American International dubs on the Showa-era films remastered from original MGM elements
• Hardback 130-page comic book including a full-colour reprint of the four-issue Gamera comic series originally released by Dark Horse Comics in 1996, and the first-ever English-language printing of the prequel comic The Last Hope by Matt Frank and Joshua Bugosh
• Perfect-bound 80-page book including a new retrospective on the series by Patrick Macias, an archive interview with Noriaki Yuasa by David Milner, kaiju X-ray illustrations by Jolyon Yates, Fangoria set reports on the Heisei trilogy by Norman England, and a viewers’ guide to the English-dubbed versions of the films
• Double-sided four-panel poster of “Gamera’s Map of Japan” in both Japanese and English
• Collectors’ artcards for each film, featuring new artwork by Matt Frank

DISC ONE – GAMERA: THE GIANT MONSTER

• High Definition (1080p) transfer of Gamera the Giant Monster, with lossless original Japanese and dubbed English mono audio, and optional English subtitles
• Commentary and newly filmed introduction by August Ragone
• High Definition (1080p) transfer of Gammera the Invincible (Blu-ray premiere), the American theatrical version of the film, with lossless mono audio and optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Remembering the Gamera Series, an archive featurette from 1991, including interviews with director Noriaki Yuasa, writer Nisan Takahashi and others
• Interview with Noriaki Yuasa, filmed by Jörg Buttgereit in 2002
• Gamera Special, an hour-long best-of compilation supervised by Noriaki Yuasa in 1991
• Alternate English credits
• Trailer and image galleries

DISC TWO – GAMERA VS. BARUGON / GAMERA VS. GYAOS

• High Definition (1080p) transfers of Gamera vs. Barugon and Gamera vs. Gyaos, with lossless original Japanese and dubbed English mono audio, and optional English subtitles
• Commentary on Gamera vs. Barugon by August Ragone & Jason Varney
• Commentary on Gamera vs. Gyaos by Stuart Galbraith IV
• Newly filmed introductions to both films by August Ragone
• High Definition (1080p) transfer of War of the Monsters, the shorter American edit of Gamera vs. Barugon, with lossless English audio
• Alternate English credits for both films
• Trailer and image galleries

DISC THREE – GAMERA VS. VIRAS / GAMERA VS. GUIRON

• High Definition (1080p) transfers of Gamera vs. Viras and Gamera vs. Guiron, with lossless original Japanese and dubbed English mono audio, and optional English subtitles
• Choice of three different versions of Gamera vs. Viras via seamless branching (72-minute Theatrical Version, 81-minute Director’s Version and 90-minute US Extended Version)
• Commentary on Gamera vs. Viras by Carl Craig and Jim Cironella
• Commentary on Gamera vs. Guiron by David Kalat
• Newly filmed introductions to both films by August Ragone
• New featurette with actor Carl Craig showing his souvenirs and props from Gamera vs. Viras
• Highlights from the G-FEST X convention in 2003, featuring Noriaki Yuasa and Carl Craig
• The 4th Nippon Jamboree, a promotional film for the Boy Scouts of Japan directed by Yuasa in 1966
• Alternate English credits for both films
• Trailer and image galleries

DISC FOUR – GAMERA VS. JIGER / GAMERA VS. ZIGRA / GAMERA: SUPER MONSTER

• High Definition (1080p) transfers of Gamera vs. Jiger, Gamera vs. Zigra and Gamera Super Monster, with lossless original Japanese and dubbed English mono audio, and optional English subtitles
• Commentary on Gamera vs. Jiger by Edward L. Holland
• Commentary on Gamera vs. Zigra by Sean Rhoads & Brooke McCorkle
• Commentary on Gamera Super Monster by Richard Pusateri
• Newly filmed introductions to all three films by August Ragone
• Alternate English credits for all three films
• Trailer and image galleries

DISC FIVE – GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE

• High Definition (1080p) transfer of Gamera the Guardian of the Universe, from a 4K restoration by Kadokawa Pictures
• Original Japanese and dubbed English DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0 audio, with optional English subtitles
• Commentary by Matt Frank
• Newly filmed introduction by August Ragone
• A Testimony of 15 Years: Part 1, the first in an epic three-part documentary interviewing cast and crew of the Heisei Trilogy
• Interviews with director Shusuke Kaneko and SFX director Shinji Higuchi, filmed by Jörg Buttgereit in 2002
• Extended 90-min interview with Shinji Higuchi from 2001, focusing on the trilogy’s special effects
• Behind the scenes featurettes tracing the film’s production from announcement to release
• Alternate English credits
• Trailer and image galleries

DISC SIX – GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF LEGION

• High Definition (1080p) transfer of Gamera 2: Attack of Legion, from a 4K restoration by Kadokawa Pictures
• Original Japanese and dubbed English DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0 audio, with optional English subtitles
• Commentary by Kyle Yount
• Newly filmed introduction by August Ragone
• A Testimony of 15 Years: Part 2, the next part of the documentary interviewing cast and crew of the Heisei Trilogy
• On-set footage from the shooting of the film’s main unit and special effects filming
• Behind the scenes featurettes tracing the film’s production from announcement to release
• Alternate English credits
• “Lake Texarkana” comedic dub track
• Trailer and image galleries

DISC SEVEN – GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS

• High Definition (1080p) transfer of Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris, from a 4K restoration by Kadokawa Pictures
• Original Japanese and dubbed English DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0 audio, with optional English subtitles
• Commentary by Steve Ryfle & Ed Godziszewski
• Newly filmed introduction by August Ragone
• A Testimony of 15 Years: Part 3, the final part of the documentary interviewing cast and crew of the Heisei Trilogy
• Newly filmed interview with Kaho Tsutsumi about the DNA Tokasatsu exhibition in Tokyo, by kaiju historian Edward L. Holland
• Behind the scenes featurettes tracing the film’s production from announcement to release
• Deleted Scenes
• The Awakening of Irys (Remix), a montage of behind-the-scenes footage and work-in-progress special effects footage
• Alternate English credits
• Spoof commentary by “Gamera” & “Soldier No.6”
• Trailer and image galleries

DISC EIGHT – GAMERA THE BRAVE

• High Definition (1080p) transfer of Gamera the Brave
• Original Japanese and dubbed English DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0 audio, with optional English subtitles
• Commentary by Keith Aiken & Bob Johnson
• How to Make a Gamera Movie, a featurette hosted by director Ryuta Tasaki
• Behind The Scenes of Gamera the Brave, an all-access on-set documentary
• The Men That Made Gamera, a documentary looking back at the series from start to finish, featuring interviews with cast and crew
• Opening Day Premiere, a featurette showing the cast and crew presenting the film at its first showing
• Kaho’s Summer, an interview with the film’s young star
• Special Effects Supercut, a montage of effects shots overseen by FX supervisor Hajime Matsumoto
• Trailer and image galleries

[BigDaddyCool81]

Not a big fan of the older Gamera films (the cheesy quality of them even compared to the worst of the Showa Godzilla films is ridiculous) but the Heisei ones are amazing. This would be a definite purchase from me.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyCool81

Not a big fan of the older Gamera films (the cheesy quality of them even compared to the worst of the Showa Godzilla films is ridiculous) but the Heisei ones are amazing. This would be a definite purchase from me.

The Showa (1965-1980) series is definitely not great filmmaking. Much cheaper, and not at as well-made as the Godzilla films of the time. For me, their appeal lies in the absurdity (dream logic plots, the occasional surreal imagery, over the top brutality during monster fights) and the rough production values, which have a strange sort of charm about them.

The Heisei (1995-1999) trilogy is far superior, and represents not only the peak of this franchise but are some of the finest monster films ever made. Those have to be included to make this set truly worthwhile, and at that point you might as well also toss in 2006's Gamera the Brave for completion's sake.

[jcmw98]

YES! In for this 100%. With this and the new Godzilla set from Criterion, I'm a very happy guy.

[Faustus]

The two Shōwa era Mill Creek Collections are Region Free, as are their two Millennium era discs (the full trilogy on two discs). I don't know how much they cost nowadays, but they were really cheap a few years back.

The only one I'm missing on Blu is Gamera the Brave, but I have my doubts about whether or not Arrow would be able to get it, or if they'd even try. If by some miracle it gets a standalone, I'll snap it up.

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

The Heisei (1995-1999) trilogy is far superior, and represents not only the peak of this franchise but are some of the finest monster films ever made.

I agree. Parts II and III are fantastic.

[Darby1985]

I've not long bought all 11 from Mill Creek figuring no-one would bring them out here.

[Yautja_Warrior]

Great news, this will go along side the Godzilla collection nicely.

[Indiana Jones]

Originally Posted by Darby1985

I've not long bought all 11 from Mill Creek figuring no-one would bring them out here.

I bought the two Showa-era sets about 6 years ago and they are still sealed on my shelf lol

[omgitsgodzilla]

Originally Posted by Faustus

The only one I'm missing on Blu is Gamera the Brave, but I have my doubts about whether or not Arrow would be able to get it, or if they'd even try. If by some miracle it gets a standalone, I'll snap it up.

I don't see why Brave would be off the table, in the US or the UK. Media Blasters released it on DVD in the US way back in 2008, with a Blu-ray at some later point; both are long out of print. Did anyone ever release it in the UK?

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by Faustus

The two Shōwa era Mill Creek Collections are Region Free, as are their two Millennium era discs (the full trilogy on two discs). I don't know how much they cost nowadays, but they were really cheap a few years back.

The only one I'm missing on Blu is Gamera the Brave, but I have my doubts about whether or not Arrow would be able to get it, or if they'd even try. If by some miracle it gets a standalone, I'll snap it up.

Those are all OOP now and more expensive than they used to be, though some of them can be had for decent prices.

Regardless of cost though, I think Arrow's will still be worthwhile upgrades, as there are many areas where they can improve upon Mill Creek's releases. The '90s trilogy received new 4K transfers which so far have only been released in Japan, so that's one. Subtitles are another, and then there's potentially superior encoding (didn't MC's Showa sets suffer from compression issues?).

Not to mention additional special features, if one cares about those.

I agree. Parts II and III are fantastic.

It's one of those trilogies where each film is better than the last, though that doesn't mean Guardian of the Universe is bad; far from it. It's more like, it progresses from very good to fantastic.

Originally Posted by Darby1985

I've not long bought all 11 from Mill Creek figuring no-one would bring them out here.

I already own Mill Creek's releases of the trilogy, but I'm still hyped for these. I've long thought there was room for improvement, and what boutique label could do it better than Arrow?

[dwk]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

...(didn't MC's Showa sets suffer from compression issues?).

Yes, also, to make matters worse, they were crappy interlaced transfers.

[Faustus]

Originally Posted by omgitsgodzilla

I don't see why Brave would be off the table, in the US or the UK. Media Blasters released it on DVD in the US way back in 2008, with a Blu-ray at some later point; both are long out of print. Did anyone ever release it in the UK?

I hope you’re right and it does come to UK Blu. I rarely import US DVDs, but it’s one that I did look for it. Sadly, I was never able to find a copy at a reasonable price (that wasn’t a knock-off version).

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

Those are all OOP now and more expensive than they used to be, though some of them can be had for decent prices.

I didn’t know they were OOP. I’ve had them for years and paid buttons for them, so haven’t looked at prices recently.

Sorry if anyone got their hopes up based on my words.

I also didn’t know about the 4K scans. Glad to hear it; they deserve it.

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

I've long thought there was room for improvement, and what boutique label could do it better than Arrow?

I don’t have the same faith in Arrow, I’m afraid, given their track record with Asian films (e.g. Dark Water; Female Prisoner Scorpion). But I’ll be as happy as the next Gamera fan if they do manage to nail it.

[omgitsgodzilla]

Yep, four films to a disc. Blu-ray can handle large amounts of content better than DVD, but not that well.

[New Radical]

Oh wow! Quite surprised to hear this.

I own all the films on blu ray, but I would expect Arrow's release to be superior to any of them.

[TeraZilla5]

I'm super excited about this! I'll be waiting for the day when Arrow announces all the features!

[Yami]

This should be good. We're long overdue some kaiju from Arrow, it's such a natural fit. I imagine Kadokawa are easier to deal with than Toho, but I'd also love to see them continue on from Criterion and do Heisei and Millennium Godzilla sets.

[Killer Meteor]

I'd also love an HD release of GAPPA!

[omgitsgodzilla]

Originally Posted by Yami

I imagine Kadokawa are easier to deal with than Toho, but I'd also love to see them continue on from Criterion and do Heisei and Millennium Godzilla sets.

They're less uptight about dubs; we know that much. Hopefully they'll also allow new transfers of the Showa films.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by Faustus

I didn’t know they were OOP. I’ve had them for years and paid buttons for them, so haven’t looked at prices recently.

Sorry if anyone got their hopes up based on my words.

I also didn’t know about the 4K scans. Glad to hear it; they deserve it.



I don’t have the same faith in Arrow, I’m afraid, given their track record with Asian films (e.g. Dark Water; Female Prisoner Scorpion). But I’ll be as happy as the next Gamera fan if they do manage to nail it.

Sometimes they're obviously limited in what they can use, depending on the company they're dealing with. It's not uncommon for Japanese companies to be very... particular, about these kinds of things. But that isn't the fault of the boutique labels dealing with them, and personally I'd rather Arrow put out a release of say, Dark Water, that uses a flawed/dated transfer instead of not put it out at all. Those who think it's a big disappointment can skip it, and I will take it since it's the best we've got, even if it's not the best it could be.

Anyway, in the case of Kadokawa and Gamera, there's no reason to believe they'd withhold their best materials from Arrow, right? Time will tell, but I doubt we'll get anything inferior to the Japanese Blu-rays, in any case.

[Darby1985]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

Anyway, in the case of Kadokawa and Gamera, there's no reason to believe they'd withhold their best materials from Arrow, right? Time will tell, but I doubt we'll get anything inferior to the Japanese Blu-rays, in any case.

I don't think Arrow would release anything with the amount of films smashed onto so few discs in HD as the Mill Creek sets, either.

At the least surely they can get some comentaries, docs or book material.