Half-Human: Any good?

[Moonshadow]

I recently became aware of a film I've never seen called "Half-Human". It was made in 1955 by Toho, and features the Abominable Snowman (who is half-human, hence the title). I guess it was also released in the US as "The Abominable Snowman." I'm surprised I haven't seen this, and frustrated that it doesn't appear to be available on DVD or on YouTube. It looks intriguing, and the creature suit actually looks pretty good -before the Toho fans start throwing sushi at me, I say this because I thought the King Kong suit was far below their typical standards.

Has anyone seen it, and can you give me your impressions? Am I missing a classic, or am I lucky I never saw it?

Half Human (1955) - Theatrical Trailer

[Unknown Primate]

Karen - I have the American version on dvd, and although I like it, the added American footage and deleted original footage makes it tough to watch. but only when Carradine & his crew are in the scene, babbling on, LOL!  The creature(s) are really cool, though.  I even have a vinyl figure of the ol' man!  The original movie would'ave really been something, I think.

Here's some info on the film - BTW, Loren Coleman cites the original movie as to what got him interested in cryptozoology.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_Human

There used to be a 10 minute rampage scene on You Tube (which is NOT in the American version) that was awesome - but, alas, I can't find it for some reason.

[Moonshadow]

Hey Mark, it figures you would be the one to get back to me on this flick!    Funny, I just saw a video clip of Loren Coleman talking about Half-Human. It's great that his interest in that movie lead him into his cryptozoological career.

I erally like what little I can see of the costume. SO much cooler than the Kong. That was just a travesty. Well, I shall keep my eyes peeled for this. Perhaps I'll get lucky and see a bootleg DVD at Monsterpalooza!

[Dr. Jitters]

I got my copy from Sinister Cinema (it's the version Unknown Primate has) and I like it, though your mileage may vary.  Cool scenes of the creature in a cave.  Not a classic but worth seeing.

[Moonshadow]

Dr. J, thanks for bringing up Sinister Cinema. I was unaware of them. I'll have to really think about whether I want to spend $17 sight unseen. But it's tempting. I wish Netflix would add this!

[Scatter]

Agreed..........not a classic, a bit talky in parts, but I enjoyed it.

[Paul L]

According to Wikipedia--take it or leave it--HH is removed from circulation in Japan. The original screenplay, "refers to the inhabitants of a remote area, similar to the Ainu people (an indigenous group) as being deformed by generations of inbreeding".

I've never seen the US version, sounds like no big loss, & it's unlikely we'll see the Japanese cut.

[Scatter]

Karen, here's the American version on YouTube........it was released here in '57 it seems.

The Abominable Snowman (1957)

[Moonshadow]

Karen, here's the American version on YouTube........it was released here in '57 it seems.

The Abominable Snowman (1957)

Hi Gary, thanks but that's actually the Forrest Tucker/Peter Cushing film. I found that on YouTube yesterday and thought it was the Toho one at first but soon discovered otherwise!

The controversy surrounding the film is interesting. I recall reading about the Ainu back in college for a class. I seem to recall they got a pretty raw deal from the Japanese (land being taken away and such).

[Unknown Primate]

I sent you a pm.

[Pauspy]

Karen - I have the American version on dvd, and although I like it, the added American footage and deleted original footage makes it tough to watch. but only when Carradine & his crew are in the scene, babbling on, LOL! 

I agree-I have a copy of this version, and it kind of makes you long to see what the original was like. The original scenes were fun, though.

[king_ghidorah]

I've seen the Japanese version without subtitles...gets pretty dark towards the end.  I like it. 

And from everything I've seen/ heard....the American version if VASTLY inferior to the Japanese version. 

[Scatter]

And from everything I've seen/ heard....the American version if VASTLY inferior to the Japanese version.

You say that about EVERY movie 

[RedKing]

Wikipedia is quite correct about Half Human. Toho pulled both the original and the US versions from circulation because of the negative portrayal of the native people. Rhino breifly released the US version on VHS in the late 90s, but the rights reverted to Toho and they pulled it. I have the original version with no subs and it is much better than the US version, as King Ghidorah said. I do however also enjoy the US version a great deal. Unfortunately, we will probably never see a legit release of this film in any form again thanks to Toho's vaulting of it. there are also stills of the 1955 Godzilla squaring off with the Half Human taken on the backlot at Toho. While I happen to like the Toho Kong, i agree that the Half Human suit was much better!

[Unknown Primate]

I'm jealous - there, I said it!