Atragon (1963)

[海底軍艦]

Director: Ishiro Honda
Starring: Jun Tazaki, Tadao Takashima, Yoko Fujiyama

Synopsis:
A series of kidnappings is connected to the legend of the lost continent of Mu.

Impressions:
I decided to check this movie out to see the origin of the Gotengo from Godzilla: Final Wars. I was expecting this to be a kaijuu film focusing on the Gotengo battling Manda, but it turns out that Manda is a rather small part of the story (and I can see why it was dispatched so quickly in Final Wars). There are some interesting ideas here, such as Captain Jinguji and his men being holdouts from the war and a resurgent Mu Empire. However, I would've liked to see the Muians developed more and get a better handle on their culture, but so it goes. With most of the film spent building up to the final battle, the payoff is fairly weak. I can't give this too strong of a recommendation, but if you're a Tohoverse completionist, you may want to give it a watch. Take it or leave it.

Rating:
50/50