I can't help but be tickled by the very idea of this little film. A low-budget, crowdfunded, modern-day, somewhat fictionalized dramatization of the events in the early 60s behind a failed project that would in turn result in the production of 1965's 'Gamera, the giant monster?' Now that's something I can get behind. Unserious, and filled with cheeky humor, filmmaker Yokokawa Hiroto nevertheless endeavored to capture all the known facts of what happened to 'Giant horde beast Nezura,' and the lighthearted mood about it all only makes the whole even more endearing. Moreover, one can plainly see how much fun everyone had while making this fake documentary, and their high spirits are infectious. Bare-faced, bare-bones production values and hammed-up acting readily betray the winking artifice, only ever being thinly veiled where pretending to show test footage from the aborted 1964 release. Honestly, it's hard not to like this tiny flick.
As sparing details of the past endeavor are brought out through these brisk fifty-three minutes, one gains an understanding of what it might have actually looked like. Between existing kaiju pictures, and infamous B-movies like 'Night of the lepus,' we've seen similar fare, and one also comes to understand how 'Giant horde beast Nezura' gave birth in time to 'Gamera.' At the same time, the dramatization of events behind the scenes at Daiei makes for an interesting story in and of itself - while also making it clear why cinema history turned out as it did. And still, for as modest as Yokokawa's feature is, I appreciate the work that went into it. The cast are having a blast, and one recognizes where the crowdfunded money went to put it together, particularly with regards to the constructed models and miniatures. Imahori Takuya and Watanabe Michiaki's music keeps in step with the mirthful tenor at hand. The approach was giddy, but the intent was honest, and the result is enjoyable.
It's worth observing that the core "substance" here is actually only about forty minutes or so, and the remainder provides glimpses behind the scenes of Yokokawa's effort before several minutes of credits take over. By no means is this something one needs to specifically concern themselves with watching. But I like what 'Nezura 1964' did, and anyone who has spent time with Gamera, kaiju, or kindred genre pieces will also likely be charmed by this short passion project. For as quick a watch as it is, why not?
