This film is based
on a manga serial penned by Yasuo Nagamatsu which ran in Shonen
Boken magazine before the Second World War. Much of the scientific
theories are long outdated and the story is absurdly naive (like Flash
Gordon in the West), but as a fantasy it still holds an unassuming
charm.
Arch-villain Nazo
wants to end the human race. He [somehow] shifts the orbit of mega comet
Icarus so that it will crash into and destroy the Earth. A team of scientists
lead by Commander Yamatone (an early role by Sonny Chiba before his STREETFIGHTER
notoriety) have created a Super Powerful Laser Cannon which has the capability
of shattering the comet in space but they are missing the necessary ruby
lens. Their search takes them to a small uncharted island in the Pacific
where they find remnants of the lost continent Atlantis and specifically
the dormant body of 10,000 year old Golden Bat. After reviving the ancient
superhero, he vows assistance in locating the lens and thwarting the evil
Nazo before the Earth is obliterated.
Director
Hajime Sato would make only one more feature film, the legendary GOKE:
BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL. He had a short seven year career (which
also produced GHOST
OF THE HUNCHBACK) before his death from a heart attack at age
66 in May 1975.
A Japanese
film with English subtitles; widescreen format (16:9), uncut (74 minutes),
DVD encoded for ALL REGION NTSC WORLD FORMAT; extras include original
theatrical trailer.
