Shochiku is one of Japan’s earliest filmmaking studios most commonly known for their melodramas and the work they produced by legendary filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu. In 1967, however, the company decided to switch things up and attempt to bring some sci-fi and horror genre films into the mix to compete with rival studio Toho, and their beloved Godzilla series. The first, and most famous of these films is The X From Outer Space, also known as Uchu Dai Kaiju Girara, featuring the space monster that looks ever so slightly like a chicken, Guilala.
The movie is admittedly lacking in fast pacing during its first half, showcasing a mission to Mars that keeps running into problems along the way, but the lighthearted tone keeps the film feeling fun despite this. The characters each have very distinguished personalities and are incredibly likable, their focus in the early half of the film help the stakes feel more personal as the film progresses. There are a few scenes with some well handled tension, well, as tense as a 1967 cheesy sci-fi movie focusing on style over substance can be. Something I personally really appreciate in this film is the handling of one of its female leads, played by the late Peggy Neal. The character in question specifically has agency in the plot besides just the typical damsel in distress, and is crucial in the plot to defeat Guilala. She also doesn’t exist to be a love interest, although unfortunately she does play a part in a pretty standard love triangle. The eventual climax of the film picks up on the pacing problem, and does a great job of putting all of each of the characters in a high risk situation in a desperate attempt to defeat the indestructible monster.
As the plot thickens we get a very similar starting point as Twenty Million Miles to Earth, released a decade prior in the West, with a space object slowly becoming a giant monster. Once he finally appears, the focal antagonistic Guilala oozes with personality. He frequently throws his hands around, almost as if he is flexing and showing off his power and size, like a kaiju-sized professional wrestler. To add to the exemplary portrayal of the creature, he loses some energy after being exposed to copious amounts of Guilalanium (Yes, that’s what it’s called.), and his arms begin to rag doll around. His corny design and portrayal make him a kaiju icon that has even made it into the shirt designs for fan conventions, such as G-FEST, and collectible figures by companies like Marmit. Guilala is one of the most original kaiju that I think has ever been put to screen, sporting a more alien design than most monsters, of which are frequently based on ordinary animals.
Overall, The X From Outer Space is an incredibly fun film, full of over the top scenarios, an iconic monster, and characters that are fun to watch on screen. It doesn’t have a lot of purpose aside from being a fun ride, but that isn’t a bad thing. The effects are solid for the time, a little dated and somewhat hokey, but they feed into what makes the film have so much personality. I think this film gets a lot more negative feedback than it deserves overall. It was the studio’s first attempt at a sci-fi film and honestly I think it does a great job with what it gives. Guilala will forever be a personal favorite monster for me thanks to the film surrounding him.
Watch The X From Outer Space on The Criterion Channel
Pick Up “When Horror Came to Shochiku” Eclipse Series
