Hanuman vs. 7 Ultraman

So, we need to go on a little backstory on this film first. By 1974, The Ultra-Series, as it is known today, had just completed its sixth series, Ultraman Taro (1973-1974) and was moving onto its seventh, Ultraman Leo (1974-1975). The franchise was a huge success, but they really hadn't done anything on a theatrical film level yet. A mistake was made when Tsuburaya productions set up a Thailand branch (Chaiyo Productions) and worked out a deal to make a joint Japanese/Thai production of Ultraman. All of this lead to rights disputes, lawsuits and a lot of extra editing time, during this legal battle, that is still being fought today in the 21st century. So, because every one had to get their pound of flesh, there are at least three versions of this film out there.

This film is the Thai version. There also is a Japanese version known as, The 6 Ultra Brothers vs the Monster Army, which was released in Japanese theaters in 1979, which I am assuming, removed all the scenes of Hanuman. The film was repurposed again for the American/European television release and was known as, Space Warriors 2000 (1985), which is even more awful than this version. So, for this review I am only talking about the Thai/Japanese coproduction version. The version I found on YouTube is in great shape. I was impressed by the quality. It was in its original widescreen too. I watched it with the English subtitles. You can tell the difference between the Thai production and the Japanese production. There is a distinct difference in the film stock, color hues on the film and an overall, separated mood of the two different productions.

There is definitely a cultural difference going on here, especially from a western audience member's perspective, like me. The story is about Kochan, a young boy, who is brutally killed by thieves, invading his village's sacred ancient temple. Like Hayata with Ultraman, the Ultra people see Kochan get killed by these invaders and revive his body, as the essence of Hanuman. The kids are the only characters in the movie, that are in this part of the story. Where are the adults? There are no adults in the Thai village scenes? Anyway, the other half of the movie revolves around a scientist, who has invented a way to produce rain from the sky. An accident happens, blowing up his experiment, which unleashes a hoard of monsters on Earth. It'll take the combined efforts of Hanuman and the Ultra brothers to stop the monster army. That is, if you get this far into the story.

This film contains ridiculous moments of comedy, that bring the film to a screeching halt. There are two characters, who are supposed to be expert pilots, who more resemble keystone clowns (not cops, but clowns), than anything else. Their presence kills every scene they are in. There also is a story in the middle of the film, that explains nothing to us, but features some images, that make it seem like the director, was inspired by the silent film classics of Georges Melies. The special effects are not that bad, even though this film is on a limited budget and probably was done in Thailand, not Japan. The effects do capture the magic of kaiju films though. The music used in the film reflects the cultural background of the production, but totally does not radiate the feeling of a kaiju, Ultraman film. It is totally out of place. The one major issue with this film is Hanuman is the star and the Ultra brothers are his guest stars.

There also is a moment when Hanuman does some creepy stuff with his tail. It may not have looked strange in 1974 Thailand, but it sure looks strange for the 21st century. I wouldn't let kids under ten years old see this film. It does have some violent moments you wouldn't think would be in a film like this and Hanuman has no problem killing bad guys. Hanuman also doesn't have a problem cutting the monsters limbs and heads off either. Also, the bad guys didn't have a problem beating up Kochan before they killed him. Hanuman is a vengeful character (rightfully so). However, if you are looking at this film, as being good entertainment for the kids, just be prepared. I'll leave it up to you, if you think it's OK for young kids. The end couldn't come any quicker, because, just when you thought this film was over, more pain came. It is a tough film to watch and I hope it doesn't sour your exploration of Ultraman. This really isn't true Ultraman. All I did through this whole movie was shake my head. By the end of the film, I was hoping the Ultra brothers would turn and beat up that annoying Hanuman. I really feel like the Thai filmmakers wanted to ruin Ultraman, which probably explains why Tsuburaya Productions has been trying to hide this awful smear on Ultraman's resume, for the last four or five decades.

PMTM Grade: 2.1 (U) = 3 IMDB.

Having seen the Thai version of this complex stinker, about the only good thing about THE 6 ULTRA BROTHERS VS. THE MONSTER ARMY (Thai title: HANUMAN AND THE 7 ULTRAMEN) is the FX (directed by veteran Kazuo Sagawa) and monster/superhero action. But overall, as an Ultra-fan, I have to say that this is, by far, the worst, weakest Ultraman film EVER! If people hate GODZILLA VS. MEGALON so much, THE 6 ULTRA BROTHERS VS. THE MONSTER ARMY makes it look like Oscar-winning material.

The Hindu monkey-god Hanuman takes center stage in this film, so I think this film would've made a better solo vehicle for Hanuman. Otherwise the Ultra Brothers themselves (Ultraman, Zoffy, Ultra Seven, New Ultraman/Jack, Ultraman Ace and Ultraman Tarou) are just glorified henchmen for Hanuman, and they don't get as much screen time until the climactic 30 minutes. Also, the Ultra Brothers and monster suits (the monsters were Gomora from ULTRAMAN, Dustpan from MIRRORMAN, and Astromons, Tyranto and Dorobon from ULTRAMAN TAROU) were in pretty funky condition. Also, the story has no coherence and structure whatsoever. Everything is thrown around carelessly, especially music from ULTRAMAN and ULTRA SEVEN, which make up the majority of the film's underscore. (The Japanese version of this film had a new theme song sung by Isao Sasaki and the Columbia Cradle Club; It's one of the other good things about this film.)

Japan's Tsuburaya Productions, the creators of Ultraman, co-produced this film with the now-infamous Chaiyo Productions in Thailand, which not only co-produced another film the same year (JUMBORG ACE & GIANT), but its founder/president Sompote "Sands" Saengduenchai would later try to basically steal the Ultraman copyright from Tsuburaya Productions using a forged document supposedly by Eiji Tsuburaya's late second son Noboru Tsuburaya (who produced this film), resulting in a bitter ongoing court battle since 1996. As of this writing, up to early 2004, Tsuburaya has won all court appeals but one (Chaiyo won merchandising rights outside Japan to the first 6 shows, ULTRA Q through TAROU, and JUMBORG ACE), and contrary to false news reports in the English-language Thai media, Tsuburaya continues to take legal action against Chaiyo.

But if this is how Chaiyo wants to make Ultraman movies and shows, then it will be a nightmare for Ultra-fans. (And if you thought this movie was bad, the promos for their illegal MILLENNIUM ULTRAMAN stage show are even worse!)

Ultra-fans, watch this film at your own risk.