Blu-ray Review: Warning From Space (1956)

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

In the 50s science fiction was quite the rage. People loved films about outer space, flying saucers and alien creatures. That is why so many were made, it seemed like the world couldn't get their fill of the sci-fi genre.

Some of the best sci-fi in the 50s came from Japanese Tokusatsu films. Arrow Video recently made kaiju fans dreams come true with the amazing release of the Complete Gamera Collection. You can read our full written review of that release here. But now it's time for another Japanese classic to get it's time to shine. This time it is  the first Japanese science fiction film to be made in colour, Koji Shima’s Warning from Space.

Earth is on a collision course with a meteor. giant starfish like aliens want to warn Earth but instead of causing a panic by appearing in their true form they take the form of a popular female singer to bring the warning from space. Now as the meteor approaches earth is getting hotter and hotter. Mankind must build a anti-meteor weapon to save the world.

Warning from Space is no Godzilla, Mothra, or Gamera. But that doesn't mean it isn't a very entertaining sci-fi film. I think one of the major problems with this film there is no real clear cut protagonist. However the script is well written, the actors do a great job in their roles and the special effects are amazing as in all the kaiju films.

Now the English dubbed version of this film fell into the public domain and has been released on countless DVDs and is online to be viewed. But I must warn you none of these version can hold a candle to this release. On Arrow Video's Blu-ray release they have cleaned up the video and audio and this film has never looked better.




We all love the beautifully restored films from Arrow Video, but we really love is all the bonus features that Arrow Video loads onto their Blu-rays. So here is what is included in the Warning from Space Blu-ray.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation

Original uncompressed Japanese mono audio

Optional newly translated English subtitles

Brand new commentary by Stuart Galbraith IV, author of Monsters Are Attacking Tokyo!

First-ever HD transfer of the American release version of the film, including a newly restored English dub track

Theatrical trailers

Image galleries

Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet featuring an essay on artist Taro Okamoto by Japanese art historian Nick West, and an essay on the production of the American edit of the film by David Cairns.

I have to say that Arrow Video keeps impressing me with their releases. After Gamera and Warning from Space. I wonder what might be next for kaiju fans.

If you are a fan of Kaiju films or sci-fi films of the 50's I highly recommend Warning from Space on Blu-ray from Arrow Video. You can get a copy of this Blu-ray by heading over to Amazon.com.

Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best Arrow Video's Blu-ray release of Warning from Space receives....