Original subtitles

(crowd yelling)

(siren wailing)

(radio beeping)

(speaking foreign language)

(walls crumbling)

(yelling)

(walls crumbling)

(screaming)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(chanting)

(intense orchestral music)

(light orchestral music)

- [James] The island of Kunashira Shima,

bleak, rugged, and lonely.

More than half, jungle.

With the exception of one modern city, Oneida,

the populace is limited to a few small fishing villages.

I was sent to Kunashira Shima under sealed orders

by the Japanese government.

They called it Operation Shizuka.

The lake is situated not more than 200 yards from the ocean.

It maintains a consistent water level

due to a subterranean passage

which carries salt water directly from the sea.

It is my opinion, and that of Captain Mazataki Kishi, comma,

who commands a small detachment of troops here, comma,

that the island of Kunashira Shima

will be an ideal proving ground

for our proposed oceanography tests.

Dated this fifth day of October, 1959.

Signed--

- Signed Commander James L. Brandon, USN.

My very smart and overworked husband.

- [James] Compliments and sympathy appreciated.

Now you enter those notes in the logbook

like a good secretary, hmm?

- I'll start getting dinner ready, like a good housewife.

- [James] Huh.

- These things should be stated in, like a diary.

- That's a very important diary, Anna.

It's a written, detailed report of everything we see and do.

I don't anticipate trouble, but if there is any,

perhaps I can find out why by referring back to the log.

- [Anna] When do you plan to post home?

- Next week.

As soon as Captain Kishi can evacuate the village.

- [Anna] James.

- [James] Hmm?

- Must you evacuate the village?

All those poor people sent to another island.

- I'm afraid there's no other way.

That lake water is going to be contaminated

after we finish the tests.

Probably affect the fish, too.

We just can't take any chances.

- But those people have depended on their lake

for their livelihood all their lives.

And their parents before them.

- Anna, the Japanese government is going

to take good care of them.

Now should we be this concerned

about a handful of people when we might perfect something

that can benefit all mankind?

Hm?

- All right, Jim.

(Matsu roaring)

- Matsu.

- Scare you good and plenty, like American Halloween.

- Well, we don't celebrate Halloween around here, Matsu.

This is where you're living and this is where you're

supposed to be working.

- Only go to village to say, how are you to little sister.

- Three times a day?

- Matsu, Mr. Bradley hired you because I told him

you could help me with the household chores.

- That's right.

Chasing after that village every chance you get

isn't helping out much around here at all, is it?

- No, sir.

- Then snap to it, boy.

- Yessiree.

(chanting)

(dramatic orchestral music)

- [James Voiceover] Drums.

Drums and weird native chants.

A strange serenade for some make-believe monster.

They really think can scare me away with this

superstitious nonsense?

There's a job to do here.

It'll take a lot more than mumbo jumbo

to make me leave before I finish that job.

(ominous orchestral music)

(thudding) (grunting)

(grunting)

(grunting)

- What's the matter, Jim?

Can't you sleep?

- Well, no.

Not with those natives chanting their prayers all night,

I couldn't.

- Natives?

Chanting?

I don't hear anything.

(laughing)

Is my husband disturbed by bad dreams?

- I could be.

Used to have nightmares when I was a kid.

October 10th.

Captain Kishi and his men have made several attempts

to evacuate the natives from the Koshida village.

At my suggestion, Kishi brought in government officials

to persuade them.

But to know avail.

Today Captain Kishi and I will meet

to discuss the native problem further.

(dramatic orchestral music)

I decided not to mention last night's native visitor

who made it quite clear I was not welcome

on Kunashira Shima.

Hello, Kishi.

- Commander.

I'm beginning to realize just how stubborn

we Japanese can be.

- The evacuation order you posted?

- Just a piece of paper to them.

If I might suggest, sir.

- [James] Please do.

- The Koshida natives are simple, primitive people.

We dropped our standard operating procedure,

and handled them in a different way.

- You mean force?

Well, you warned them that might be the consequences

if they don't obey your orders.

- But they know I haven't enough men to back up what I say.

I could send a radio message to Army CQ in Tokyo,

and request another detachment of men, heavy weapons.

Sorry, sir.

I sometimes forget you're Commanding Officer here.

- Well, Kishi, as far as I'm concerned,

you're in charge of the military end of this operation.

But one way or another,

those natives have to be moved away from their village.

For their own sake.

- Yes, sir.

That message to CQ?

- Well, I suppose you'd better send it.

I only hope when the detachment arrives,

it won't have an adverse psychological effect

on the natives.

- Don't worry, sir.

There won't be any trouble.

Once the natives see we have more troops,

they'll fall right in line.

- [James] And by the way, Kishi,

I heard there were a couple of cases

of typhus in the village.

- Lieutenant Shimara examined both local patients.

As a qualified doctor, he assured me

there was nothing more than upset stomach.

- [James] Good.

- Just another excuse to keep from moving them out.

- Another excuse?

- The main one is Obake.

- [James Voiceover] Obake was their word

for prehistoric reptile.

The Koshida village natives for generations

had worshipped animaginary monster,

believed to be asleep at the bottom of the lake.

Kishi informed me that, according to legend,

if the effects of my experiments were harmful,

the monster would awaken,

rise out of the water,

and destroy the world.

October 14th.

I have just learned that Captain Kishi's request

for additional men and heavier weapons

has been widely publicized.

Japanese newspapers in Tokyo have picked up the story

about the Koshida natives refusing to move.

It was good copy.

But the headline story concerned Obake,

the monster in the lake.

(dramatic orchestral music)

When the new detachment of troops arrived from Oneida,

they brought enough battle equipment

to wage a small-scale war.

Artillery, bazookas, tanks,

weapons I thought unnecessary to help us move

a small village of harmless natives.

The troops also brought two civilians with them,

Paul and Shidori Iso,

feature writers for a top Japanese news service

and several scientific periodicals.

Paul and I were old friends.

He was familiar with my work

and I've always considered him one of the most able writers

in the scientific field.

Shidori, his wife and collaborator,

had been one of Anna's former schoolmates.

In Japanese journalistic circles, they have a saying.

Whenever something of importance happens,

and if there's a story in it,

that's where you'll find Paul and Shidori.

- Taking over my job?

- No, honey.

I just thought you'd like to go into the village again.

See Paul and Shidori.

- I was thinking of it.

- Well, don't just think about it.

You do it.

Get away from this routine.

- You sure you don't mind?

- No, no it will be good for you.

Oh, and why don't you ask them to drop by here

once in a while, spend an evening with us.

You know, when I finish this invoice,

I'm going to want to see that canvas back on the crates

where it belongs.

- How do you know I take this back to village before I hid?

- Matsu, where you're concerned, I'm almost psychic.

- Ah so.

- Ah so, huh?

- Ah so.

The house needs it more than the ground.

- The rest of the loading equipment came

while you were in the village.

Sorry, I couldn't go with you.

Hey, why are you so quiet?

- Nothing, Jim.

Paul and Shidori send their best.

- Good.

I, uh, I thought you'd bring them back here.

You did ask them to stay with us, didn't you?

- For the time being,

they'd prefer to stay in the village.

- Well, maybe they've got a point.

They might get a better story if they stay close

to their source of material.

How long has it been since you've seen Shidori?

- Not since college, seven years ago.

- Long time.

Must be fun after all that while, couple of college chums

get together and sort of compare notes.

I know they've had a real good marriage.

Husband and wife writing team, traveling together,

working together the way they do.

A lot of ways they're something like us.

- I know.

(dramatic orchestral music)

Jim?

- Huh?

- I must ask something of you.

As your wife, it's not my place to ask,

- Well, it won't be the first time.

Go ahead.

- Would it be possible for you to find another lake

to conduct the test?

There must be other place we could go.

- Honey, there are lots of other places,

salt water lakes and lagoons,

but this one here on Kunashira Shima is perfect.

The right size, the right depth, not too much undertow.

Anna, you know the time and expense involved,

just checking underwater currents.

How can you even suggest we stop,

that we go somewhere else, when we're this close?

- Close to what, Jim?

Purifying salt water with chemicals?

They have machinery.

- I know, I know, they have machinery

that does the same job.

The distillation method is far too expensive right now.

Anna, when we left Tokyo, you were all excited,

you were enthused about this assignment.

- I still am.

- No.

No, there's a difference.

I can tell.

(mysterious orchestral music)

- There is something that's more important to me.

- What?

- You.

Shidori tells me all over Tokyo there's talk

about Commander James L. Brandon.

Saw it in the newspaper.

- Hey.

Hey, we'll just face it.

Come on, you'd better say what you have to say.

(crying)

- They're saying bad things about you.

Calling you, the tyrant,

who drives harmless natives from their home

and pollutes their sacred lakes.

- Well, you know how stories get twisted, how people gossip.

- They bring shame to my honorable husband.

- There are worse than that, Anna.

They bring tears to my wife.

Weather permitting, I begin my first test tomorrow

at dawn, before the rays of the sun

can affect the temperature of the water.

Anna, I have to see Captain Kishi about something.

I'll be back soon.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

- Go on in.

- Captain Kishi.

- Commander.

- Have you heard about the publicity

we're getting in Tokyo?

- Yes, sir.

- At ease, Kishi.

You know, when I came here,

I was hoping I could carry on my experiments

without too much fanfare.

- [Kishi] Sorry, sir.

- Oh, I'm not blaming you.

I just thought you might have some answers

as to why we're suddenly getting all this notoriety.

No.

- Commander Bradley, I would never have sent

for those troops had I known--

- Had you known it would turn me into an ogre.

Thank you, Captain.

I understand they're calling me

the Tyrant of Kunashira Shima,is that right?

- They should have laws and regulations

governing newspaper reporters and the people they work for.

- No, Kishi, no.

The press reports the facts.

The public distorts them.

The public and the Army Command.

For example, we requested logical reinforcements here,

but the Army went overboard, in order

to appease public opinion.

They sent us tanks, bazookas, full battle equipment.

Not so much as to intimidate a few negatives

into leaving a village, but ostensibly,

to protect them against some prehistoric animal

rumored to be lying at the bottom of the lake.

Captain, this whole thing has gotten out of proportion,

out of balance.

I'm going to put a stop to it.

- How, sir?

- When do you plan to evacuate the natives?

- First thing In the morning,

as you ordered, sir.

- I'm changing that order.

They'll remain in the village.

- They'll remain there even during your test in the lake?

- That's right.

- Won't that be dangerous?

Chemicals in the water.

They use that lake every day.

Fishing, bathing.

- Kishi, it's going to be your job to make sure no one

goes near the lake until I conclude my final experiment.

The lake and the village.

You post half of your men here.

Spread them out.

I want the entire area blocked off.

Keep the men on guard duty, 24 hours around the clock.

No one goes through and I mean no one.

Will half your men be enough for the job?

- More than enough with the new detachment

that just came in.

- Good.

- And the rest of the men, sir?

- That's a supply detail.

We're cutting off the villagers' supply

of fish from that lake.

We'll have to make up for it.

Now there's plenty of wild food on this island,

plenty of small game,

fresh water streams.

You have the balance of your men gather up as much food

as they can, and deliver it to that village every day.

We will supplement that from our own rations.

- Yes, sir.

Anything else?

- No, I think that's it,

unless you have something to add.

- I have, Commander Bradley.

Thank you.

- For what?

- For a decision that will put things back in proportion,

back in balance.

- You carry on, Kishi.

(dramatic orchestral music)

Let's go to work, honey.

I have some more notes.

Ready?

- Ready.

- The problem of evacuating the local natives

has been settled.

They will be provided for within the confines

of their own village.

But they will remain in the custody

of Captain Kishi's troops

until such time as all tests in the lake

have been concluded.

This action will no doubt meet with the firm approval

of the majority of public-spirited Japanese citizens

in Tokyo.

(light orchestral music)

As well as certain individuals of my acquaintance

who expressed their negative opinion

when the question of evacuating the village first arose.

Anna, did I word that all right?

- Beautifully.

- [James] Not having to labor for their food

has been a new experience for the natives

of the Koshida village.

Naturally, Paul and Shidori Iso are doing their job, too,

writing their stories about the strange

and mysterious ceremonies of the local natives,

as well as informative articles

pertaining to my experiments.

October 17th.

This was the day for my anti-saline test.

Captain Kishi's men are standing by,

ready to assist me in launching chemical cylinders.

(soldiers yelling)

(speaking foreign language)

We made it just in time.

One minute to go.

You ready, Anna?

Kishi, you stand by.

(speaking foreign language)

- Ready, Commander.

- Anna, on a trajectory 45 degrees,

point of impact center of lake.

Detonating charges on cylinders are set to go at 20 fathoms.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

- Ready, Kishi.

Let them go.

(speaking foreign language)

(radio beeping)

(guns firing)

- Point of impact, perfect.

Detonating charges, which are attached to the cylinders,

should be going off now,

releasing anti-saline chemicals.

According to my calculations,

it will take a little more than 24 hours

before the chemical spreads

and saturates the entire lake.

(speaking foreign language)

- Thanks, Captain.

So far, so good.

- Whenever you're hungry, we have sandwiches and hot tea.

- That sounds fine.

- You're planning on staying out here, sir?

- Uh huh.

For the next 24 hours, we are.

(mysterious orchestral music)

Anna, take this down.

There's visual evidence that anti-saline chemical

after having merged with salt water,

has toxic effect on fish.

Kishi, now do you understand how important it is

to keep everybody away from that lake?

- Yes, sir.

- I think that's it for the day.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

If the lake is not entirely clear of bottom residue

by 1400 hours tomorrow,

the anti-saline chemical will drift down

to a depth that will make it impossible to conduct

normal shallow water tests.

If such is the case, I have no alternative,

but to launch more chemical cylinders.

Fortunately, I have an additional supply

in the harbor warehouse at Oneida.

So far, I have taken five specimens of lake water.

The analyzed results have been negative.

Now it's time to compare another.

Mud again.

Nothing but mud and sand.

(glass shattering)

Every hour for six hours I take a specimen

of water out of that lake, and all I get is sediment.

I'm sorry, Anna.

I, uh,

I guess I've been pushing this thing too hard,

setting my hopes too high.

Instead of acting like a halfway intelligent scientist,

I'm acting like a little boy.

And an irritable husband.

- I'm happy we spoke.

Headache?

- No.

No, I'm just tired.

- Why don't you take a rest?

Take a nap.

- It's a real tempting offer.

Might as well, there's not much more we can do,

except wait for the lake to clear.

I just don't understand it, Anna.

All that mud and sand.

There must be an underwater tremor,

an earthquake or something.

Maybe it's that monster

that Matsu's always talking about,

hmm?

Yeah.

Yeah, that's it, it's Matsu's monster kicking up a fuss.

Way down there on the bottom of the lake.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(rumbling)

(rumbling)

(ominous orchestral music)

It was a tremor.

They have a lot of them in these islands.

It's all right.

(gun firing)

(gun cocking)

(roaring)

(intense orchestral music)

- Private Zeki.

- Did you the expression in his eyes, sir?

- Yes.

Fired every shot.

Kishi, this doesn't make sense.

- No, we hear shots.

Arrive shortly after.

- [James] To find one of your men like this,

no visible marks of violence.

But, but look at his expression.

I'd almost swear he died of fright.

(rumbling)

After last night's experience,

I had Captain Kishi send his men out to search the entire

area surrounding the lake.

Kishi reported that one of his men

had made a strange discovery.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

I have no idea what caused it or how it came to be there.

I only know it looks something like a gigantic footprint.

A man of science draws the line between fact and fiction,

but these facts are unparalleled in my experience.

First, strong and continual traces of mud and sand

in the lake water.

Second, a Japanese soldier dies of sheer fright.

Third, those strange and unusual tremors of the earth.

And now this.

Accordingly, I've instructed Captain Kishi

to double the number of men

patrolling the perimeter of the lake.

(speaking foreign language)

- [James Voiceover] I used to scoff

when people had premonitions.

Now I wonder.

My suspicions are unconfirmed, but nevertheless,

I've decided to send Anna back to Tokyo.

There I know she'll be safe.

- Jim, I still don't understand.

You still haven't told me why this sudden decision to--

- Anna, when I join you in Tokyo,

I'll give you all the answers.

But right now I just want you to be a good girl and--

(rumbling)

(guns firing)

(speaking foreign language)

- [James] What's all that racket?

- My men have spotted something in the lake.

(speaking foreign language)

- You and Mrs. Bradley better come along with me.

- Where?

- Come up the canyon.

Please get in, sir.

- In you go.

(crowd shouting)

(guns firing)

(guns firing)

(crowd shouting)

(speaking foreign language)

(radio beeping)

(rumbling)

- Whatever it was, my men sighted, it's in the lake.

That's the news now, sir.

- Oh.

Make sure they keep some guides posted

on all the high points around the lake, hmm?

- Yes, sir.

(speaking foreign language)

- Five hours now.

If there is anything in that lake...

- Why don't you finish it, Captain?

Or do you want me to say it?

You want me to say I think there's

some kind of a monster down there?

I don't know.

I only know that the chemical in that water

should be settling near the bottom.

I have no way of knowing what effects it could have

on any living creature other than fish.

(guns firing)

Anna, get back in the cave.

(guns firing)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(speaking foreign language)

(guns firing)

- Let's get back.

(guns firing)

(monster roaring) (guns firing)

(speaking foreign language)

- Nothing will stop him.

Bullets, shells, nothing.

- Where's he headed?

Which direction?

(speaking foreign language)

(monster roaring)

(guns firing)

(monster roaring)

(all screaming)

(screaming)

(speaking foreign language)

(all shouting)

- Kishi, get a message through to Oneida Airport.

Tell them to send every available plane

and alert all Naval too.

And I want Mr. And Mrs. Paul Iso evacuated

to Oneida immediately.

- Yes, sir.

(speaking foreign language)

(radio beeping)

(monster roaring)

(truck exploding)

(speaking foreign language) (radio beeping)

- It moved right through the fire.

Approaching Koshida village.

- What about the natives?

- No report.

(all yelling)

- Last resort, but if that help doesn't come soon,

the village will be destroyed.

- Jim, Jim, Paul and Shidori are there.

And, and, Matsu.

- I know.

There's a chance they might be saved.

Captain Kishi's been in contact

with his troops in the village.

(monster roaring)

(all yelling)

(house crumbling)

(monster roaring) (house crumbling)

(all yelling)

(house crumbling)

(monster roaring)

- Commander, Koshida village.

More than half of it leveled out.

- It's all my fault.

All those people who stayed.

If I hadn't--

- Anna.

No one is to blame for this.

- But you wanted to evacuate the village,

but then you changed your plans

just to to please me.

(crying)

(monster roaring)

(house crumbling)

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(monster roaring)

(screaming)

(rocks crumbling)

- Jim, Jim, Jim, Jim!

(rocks crumbling) (monster roaring)

- Stay back.

- You think the flares distracted the beast?

- Looks that way.

It's all clear, little one.

(speaking foreign language)

- The aircraft reports beast moving toward Sony Beach.

(speaking foreign language)

- It's been more than an hour since the last report.

Is it possible it could move in the water

and up the coastline?

- To Oneida?

- The city's there.

Thousands of people.

- What can we do to stop it?

- [James] That last radio report had it moving out to sea.

- It hasn't been sighted since.

- [James] Which means it could be headed anywhere,

even back here.

- If it does, this canyon--

- This canyon's no longer safe for us.

That's right, Kishi, we'll head back for Oneida.

You two keep a close eye on the road.

I'll be driving without headlights.

If that thing is in this area,

we don't want to attract attention.

(horn honking)

(speaking foreign language)

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(speaking foreign language)

(screaming)

(radio beeping)

(speaking foreign language)

(missile firing)

(missile firing)

(missiles firing)

(plane exploding)

(speaking foreign language)

- Oneida aircraft and Naval gunboats firing on monster

less than 20 miles out of Oneida Harbor.

- How far are we from Oneida?

- 30 or 35 miles.

- I doubt if we can make it in time, but we can try.

Kishi, get another message through to Oneida.

I mean, Naval Headquarters.

Tell them I have a supply of chemical cylinders

in the harbor warehouse.

If they attach time-fused detonating charges,

they can be launched to fire like any other shell.

Let's get on it.

(speaking foreign language)

- We've been attempting to send a message

to Army officials in Oneida telling them of my

surplus anti-saline chemical in the warehouse there,

and how it can effectively be put to use

against this menace.

I also want them to contact Paul Iso,

who has the knowledge required to handle the chemicals.

Kishi has repeatedly sent this message

without receiving an answer.

What's the matter?

- Sorry, sir, we're not getting through.

- We've got to get through.

It's our only chance.

Can you fix it?

- I can try.

The trouble's in the transmitter.

- Strip it down and go to work.

(speaking foreign language)

(guns firing)

(speaking foreign language)

(radar pinging)

(speaking foreign language)

(guns firing)

(bombs exploding)

(speaking foreign language)

- One more is using depth charges on monster underwater.

Expect attack on Oneida at anytime.

Entire city is being evacuated.

(sirens wailing)

(people yelling)

(speaking foreign language)

- We've got to find it, Kishi.

We've just to get that message through.

- Jim?

- Huh?

- Will the chemical in the cylinder stop the monster?

- I don't know, Anna.

I just don't know.

I can only go on the effect

that the chemical had in the lake.

In a more powerful, more concentrated form,

it might be deadly.

We better pray that it is.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(guns firing)

(speaking foreign language)

- Monster's attacking airport at Oneida.

(radio beeping)

(guns firing)

There's a humming, sir.

- That's it.

That's it.

(speaking foreign language)

(guns firing)

- I think we made contact, sir.

- Thank, God.

Parachute flares had created enough distraction

to save our lives.

I had Captain Kishi transmit a message to Oneida,

advising that they use similar flares in a delaying action.

(guns firing)

(speaking foreign language)

(guns firing)

(monster roaring)

- Attach those fuses.

(monster roaring)

(bombs exploding)

(speaking foreign language)

(monster roaring)

(bombs exploding)

(speaking foreign language)

(gas hissing)

(monster roaring)

(house crumbling)

(speaking foreign language)

- [James Voiceover] Periodically, I had Kishi

repeat the message to Oneida.

I wanted to be certain the officials there understood

about the chemical in the warehouse,

and how Paul Iso could put it to use.

(speaking foreign language)

(rumbling)

(guns firing)

(monster roaring)

(speaking foreign language)

(distant guns firing)

(siren wailing)

(guns firing)

(speaking foreign language)

(intense orchestral music)

(monster roaring)

(grunting)

(monster roaring)

(gas exploding)

(speaking foreign language)

(monster roaring)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(speaking foreign language)

(monster roaring)

(speaking foreign language)

- Army Headquarters in Oneida thank you, sir.

The chemicals stopped the beast.

- Is it dead, Kishi?

- It appears to be dying.

It managed to crawl back in the water.

- Well, that's all right.

Whether it's dead or alive, we won't have to worry anymore.

We'll always have that chemical.

(light orchestral music)

Three days have passed since I conducted my tests.

Anna and I are now ready to leave Kunashira Shima.

Obake has not reappeared and he is presumed to be dead.

The Koshida natives continue to believe

their devil monster is alive at the bottom of the lake.

- How are you doing, Jim?

We're all ready to go.

- I'm just thinking, sort of daydreaming, I guess.

- About what?

- Remember you once asked me if there was some other place

we could conduct my experiments?

And I said, yes, there were lots of other saltwater lakes.

- Mm-hmm.

- Well, there's a big one in Southern California.

And if I can convince the Navy Department to go along

with my suggestion,

you and I are going to take a nice, long trip.

Come on.

More than half of the Earth's surface is covered by water,

its bottomless depths uncharted, unexplored.

Who can really say that Obake does not lurk

somewhere in the deep,

waiting for the right moment to return?

It could happen.

Maybe 100 years from now, maybe tomorrow.

It might even happen today.

(suspenseful orchestral music)