Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds Blu-ray Review
Ky�ry� kaich� no densetsu 恐竜・怪鳥の伝説
Score: 65
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds offers entertaining mayhem and old-school visuals, encapsulating '70s era charm with excellent Blu-ray presentation.
Disc Release Date
Video: 79
Discotek Media's Blu-ray debut of 'Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds' delivers a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC transfer that boasts exceptional resolution and detail, with a crisp and clean image free from notable print damage, though color presentation is slightly skewed with a yellow or green tint, which affects overall fidelity.
Audio: 79
The Blu-ray offers both an uncompressed PCM 2.0 English dub and the original Japanese track, with the latter providing a more authentic experience despite some wavering dialog clarity; the score's surreal horns and violins are distortion-free, enhancing the viewing experience for enthusiasts.
Extra: 21
Discotek Media's Blu-ray of 'Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds' impresses with its thoughtfully designed packaging featuring dynamic interior and disc art, complemented by two well-curated trailers showcasing the film.
Movie: 51
Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds offers wild, creative filmmaking with beautiful cinematography and an entertaining score; while its unfocused plot and sometimes absurd effects can detract, the film's imaginative dinosaur mayhem provides thrills and charm for classic monster movie fans and stands as a unique, surreal '70s curiosity.
Video: 79
The Blu-ray release of "Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds" from Discotek Media offers an impressive 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition presentation, maintaining the original 2.35:1 theatrical widescreen aspect ratio. The transfer is notable for its exceptional clarity and detail, largely avoiding common digital distractions such as excessive noise reduction, which often plagues older films. The picture showcases an organic, filmic quality, with a crisp and clean print free from dirt, debris, and scratches, highlighting the meticulous attention to restoration.
This Blu-ray debut represents a significant upgrade over previous formats, achieving superior fidelity and sharpness. The black levels are dynamic, providing deep and persistent shadows that add to the film's visual depth. While these shadows occasionally flirt with being too heavy, particularly in daylight scenes, they generally enhance the cinematic texture. However, the color presentation is slightly inconsistent, with a tendency toward exaggerated hues. Peak whites and other colors sometimes exhibit a yellow or green-ish tint, offering a vivid yet aged visual experience that feels somewhat skewed. Despite this, the primal vibrancy of the primaries injects life into the visual narrative.
In summary, Discotek Media delivers an impressive Blu-ray release that marks a substantial improvement in video quality for "Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds." While there are minor color inconsistencies, the overall presentation is highly detailed, engaging, and faithful to the original source material, ensuring that fans and new viewers alike will appreciate this high-definition upgrade.
Audio: 79
The Blu-ray audio presentation for "Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds" offers both the original Japanese language track and the English dub in uncompressed PCM 2.0 format. While the English dub has historic popularity due to its wider television exposure in North America, the original Japanese track is recommended for those seeking the authentic cinematic experience. As collectors often gravitate towards the native audio presentations, this option aligns more closely with the film's original artistic vision.
The audio quality, though predominantly clear, does exhibit variations in dynamics within the dialogue. Both the English and Japanese tracks occasionally show a wavering in clarity, resulting in a slightly scratchy texture. However, the essence of the dialogue remains intact and fully audible for viewers. The musical score is a standout, with its surreal blend of grinding horns and violins achieving a precise peak without any evident distortion, adding an atmospheric layer to the viewing experience.
This release effectively balances historical authenticity with accessible language options, although some minor imperfections in dialogue delivery should be anticipated by purists. Nonetheless, the emotional and tonal integrity of the score provides an engaging auditory backdrop to this classic feature. Overall, this audio presentation maintains a professional standard while presenting a compelling auditory complement to the visual narrative.
Extras: 21
The Extras section of the "Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds" Blu-ray presents a meticulously crafted offering by Discotek Media, providing an insight into the marketing layers of the film. The packaging is visually appealing, featuring a nicely designed o-card slipcover, consistent key artwork on the inside sleeve, and an engaging interior artwork complementing the overall design. The disc art is thoughtfully chosen, capturing an atmospheric still from the film itself. The included trailers serve to nostalgically enrich the viewing experience, although their brevity may leave some collectors desiring more expansive supplements. Maintaining a focus on visual aesthetics and vintage charm, this release largely satisfies fans of classic cinematic ephemera.
Extras included in this disc:
- Teaser Trailer: A brief sneak peek with standard definition visuals.
- Theatrical Trailer: A full-length trailer presented in high definition.
Movie: 51
"Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds" is an ambitious exploration into the realm of giant creature features, offering an intriguing blend of delightful pulp and chaotic storytelling. Produced by Keiichi Hashimoto and directed by Junji Kurata, the film attempts to capitalize on the late '70s fascination with giant monsters, although it often falls short of crafting a cohesive narrative. Despite this, Takashi Ashizawa's (Tsunehiko Watase) quest across the picturesque landscape of Mt. Fuji draws audiences into a world where ancient legends might just come to life. The appearance of a Plesiosaurus and other mythical creatures bring a surprising thrill while underscoring humanity's tenuous relationship with nature.
Technically, the film is both a triumph and a misstep. The cinematography by Sakuji Shiomi and Shigeru Akatsuka elevates "Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds" with mesmerizing visuals that capture the allure and danger of its natural settings. However, the screenplay falters with predictable characters and a disjointed plot. Edited by Isamu Ichida, the pacing can be erratic, sometimes hampering the film’s momentum, though not at the expense of its incidental charm. Masao Yagi’s score straddles between creativity and discordance, at times either enhancing the cinematic spectacle or inadvertently undermining tension with misaligned musical choices.
The film’s thematic core leans heavily into a cynical portrayal of humans—selfish, dismissive, and morally indifferent—against the backdrop of a destructive dinosaur confrontation. It draws on elements from "Jaws" and "King Kong," though it ultimately relies on unconvincing special effects that teeter between nostalgia and absurdity. Scenes featuring puppet creatures and rudimentary suits elicit unintended humor rather than dread. "Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds" might not meet the grandeur of its inspirations but offers a distinctive experience brimming with over-the-top fun for giant monster enthusiasts.
Total: 65
"Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds" is a quintessential example of classic monster cinema, directed by Junji Kurata. It combines nostalgia with energetic mayhem that is sure to captivate fans of the genre. The film stands out with its engaging and somewhat absurd narrative, punctuated by over-the-top visual effects which, while dated, are charmingly entertaining. Despite its uneven screenplay, the film’s vivid depiction of chaos and destruction provides an experience rich with old-school allure, delighting those who appreciate the eccentricity and creativity of vintage monster films.
This Blu-ray release by Discotek Media showcases commendable technical craftsmanship. The high-definition encode delivers a visually vibrant presentation, enhancing every chaotic scene with clarity that caters well to modern viewers. Coupled with lossless audio, the film's soundscape matches the visual intensity, wrapping viewers in an authentic ’70s cinematic experience. Although the selection of supplementary materials may be limited, the overall quality of this release ensures its distinction as a valuable addition to any collection. The package presents the film in a manner that amplifies and complements its original cinematic impact.
In conclusion, despite its occasionally flawed execution, "Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds" remains a fascinating exploration of human frailty through the lens of monster film ferocity. It leverages a fine balance between entertainment and thematic depth typical of the 1970s era. This Blu-ray release captures the unique spirit of the film, making it both an essential viewing for enthusiasts of the genre and a nostalgic delight for those drawn to cinematic tokenism from this iconic period. A captivating piece that holds merit beyond mere nostalgia—recommended for both collectors and casual viewers alike.
Blu-ray.com review by Neil LumbardRead review here
Video: 90
The image on the release is sharp and pleasing without the drawbacks of egregious digital-noise-reduction (DNR) or other distractions....
Audio: 90
The original Japanese language version is the preferred and recommended version for enthusiasts seeking the most authentic representation of the feature-film � as the original audio presentation provides...
Extras: 30
...
Movie: 70
Instead, Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds is more of an interesting experiment in classic effects work and monster-movie mayhem....
Total: 70
The film is enjoyable mayhem even with some of the over-the-top elements and a somewhat average screenplay....
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 80
Sharpness remains satisfying, the film stock preserved well, and source materials consistent....
Audio: 80
For the score, the surreal, grinding horns and violins nicely peaked, free from distortion....
Extras: 20
...
Movie: 40
It’s one thing to subvert expectations, another to obliterate tension by blaring pop songs as a lava flow threatens to consume the lead characters; that’s Legend of Dinosaurs, among the decade’s weirdest,...
Total: 55
Awful yet fascinating, Legend of Dinosaurs despises humanity in a way few monster movies do, creating a premium example of ’70s era fatalism....
Director: Junji Kurata
Actors: Tsunehiko Watase, Nobiko Sawa, Shôtarô Hayashi
PlotIn a small lakeside village near Mount Fuji, mysterious occurrences spark fear among the residents when strange fossils are discovered deep within nearby caves. A visiting geologist, Kazuma, hoping to impress his childhood sweetheart Akiko, investigates these findings. His initial excitement about the scientific discovery quickly turns to horror as rumors intensify about a monstrous creature lurking in the lake. Residents recount tales of seeing gigantic prehistoric beasts during their fishing trips. Skeptical at first, Kazuma soon witnesses bizarre happenings firsthand. Meanwhile, Akiko is drawn into the mystery when vivid nightmares reveal clues about the creatures.
As tension mounts, an atmospheric shift signals the release of long-dormant dinosaurs and a terrifying pterosaur-like creature from their ancient slumber, causing chaos and destruction in the region. With the local authorities dismissing the claims as mere folklore or hallucinations, Kazuma and Akiko embark on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth and devise a plan to stop the chaos. They race against time, navigating through underground passages, battling skepticism, and confronting their own fears. As these creatures wreak havoc, their determination is tested by forces they don't fully understand, pushing them to the edge of survival.
Writers: Masaru Igami, Isao Matsumoto, Ichirô Ôtsu
Release Date: 12 Oct 1977
Runtime: 92 min
Rating: N/A
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese