Daimajin
Daimajin
| 17 April 1966 (USA)
Daimajin Trailers

A giant stone statue comes to life to protect the residents of a small town against the depradations of an evil warlord.

Reviews
Diagonaldi Very well executed
Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible
Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.
Ed-from-HI This first 'Daimajin' film (starting the series of Japanese Daiei-Studio films circa1966) is actually quite well-made showcasing an abundance of authentic intensity, seriousness & scares with very little that could be classified as silly or childish (as compared with those kid-centric Giant flying-turtle 'Gamera' outings also produced by mid-1960's Daiei Film-Studios).  'Daimajin' features realistic samurai-action with a solid injection of intriguing Asian-mysticism and even 'morality-play' set during the unsympathetic Era in belligerent feudal-Japanese history when harsh arbitrary rules were meted-out by brutal Clan-Warlords.Thankfully, the humble + honest villagers have an unlikely Champion in the form of 'Daimajin' the gargantuan stone statue encasing-embodying a fierce ancient Asian-deity when at rest appears placid-meek-tranquil, like the amid-Buddha, but possesses the dual capacity to explosively-transform into a sword-wielding giant stone-cast samurai-Demon =  with extremely-fierce visage, and fiery phosphorous-red eyes whenever aroused by the sensing of overwhelming injustice perpetrated by the mercilessly-powerful preying upon the humble peaceful citizenry.Surprisingly, this first 'Daimajin' film (and sequels) features realistic acting, intriguing Story, and period costumes that all feel quite authentic to the hazardous time in Japan when merciless feudal warlords and rogue samurai could impose their will (usually by ruthless force) upon the meek rural citizens and farmers (with unarmed villagers desperately seeking and praying for an unlikely defender).This 'Daimajin' film (especially the first-installment originally released circa1966) holds-up well and the special-effects still appear extraordinarily eerie, especially the way Daimajin's red-glowing phosphorous eyes seem extremely enraged & lifelike.  The transformation scenes are quite riveting, going from completely calm-placid-serene to a blisteringly-furious unstoppable vengeful-spirit all accomplished long before CGI-effects.
OllieSuave-007 This movie was made by Daiei Studios, known for its Gamera movies. It is about a samurai lord who was murdered by one of his own men. He claims his throne, forcing his predecessor's two children to flee into the woods, where they conceal themselves near a huge stone statue for 10 years. Years later, the samurai lord was proved to be very brutal and ruthless towards the villagers; therefore, they pray to the demon god to ask for his powers and spirit to save them from this treachery. It's a powerful story of survival and hope and good vs.evil - full of excitement and samurai action. I especially liked the part where the children struggles to remain in hiding as the evil warlord searching for them. A fast-paced film that will have you glued to the screen. Grade A
Gafke A good and just samurai lord is betrayed and murdered by one of his own men, who then claims the throne for himself. The samurai's two children, a boy and a girl, escape to the mountains and take refuge near a huge stone statue...a statue called Daimaijin, a huge man-god whom all fear. Ten years go by and the evil new lord has decimated the valley, enslaving all of its inhabitants and turning a deaf ear to the warnings of the wise woman; Daimaijin will not allow the evil overlord to go unpunished...and neither will the samurai's now adult son, who descends from the mountain, seeking vengeance.Daimaijin is a simplistic fairy tale, beautifully executed. The noble samurai, the evil usurper, the determined son and the innocent girl whose voice and tears are the only thing the giant Daimaijin will respond to; all of the necessary elements are here. Though perhaps too violent for very young children, this film still reminded me of the films I loved as a child, i.e. Sinbad or Jason and the Argonauts. It's a simple tale of good versus evil with a triumphant, satisfying ending and lots of real estate trampled beneath Daimaijins stone feet. If you liked Godzilla, or the massive monsters created by Ray Harryhausen, you should see this one.
Horror Fan Evil warlord puts a town through pain and suffering. Not long before they call upon giant stone samurai Daimaijin for help. Daimaijin soon comes and really gets the warlord with all his viscious might. The revenge climax is really funny as Daimajin squashes guys under his feet and crushes guys with his fist and even drives a spike though a man's heart.