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Set in feudal Korea, Pulgasari follows the titular creature, a Godzilla-like kaiju created by an imprisoned blacksmith and brought to life by his daughter, Ami (Chang Son Hui), creating a bond with her. Pulgasari then becomes an ally of the rebels against the region's oppressive ruler. Although the premise might not sound overly special, it is the story behind the production of the film what sets it apart.
Pulgasari's director, Shin Sang-ok, had been kidnapped along with his wife, by North Korea's "Supreme Leader" Kim Jong Il. An avid cinephile himself, Kim wanted the filmmaking couple to make propaganda films for the nation. Pulgasari ended up being Shin's last film for the ruler, before he escaped in 1986. As a result, Kim removed his name from the credits and the film was banned for several years.
Granted, the external information about its production doesn't really contribute to the film's quality, but it does add a certain layer to its story of oppressed people rebelling against their oppressors. That fact probably wasn't lost on Shin, or probably on most of the cast and crew involved on making the film. It's worth mentioning that Kim sought out Toho employees that had worked on Godzilla films to work on Pulgasari.
The film's special effects do look a bit dated, even by 1980s standards. They look more like 60s or 70s effects, but they still work to a certain degree. The war choreographies were well executed, and the overall production values were decent. In the end, Pulgasari might have its flaws, but it still makes for a historically interesting and overall fun watch; especially for fans of the kaiju subgenre.
Grade:
PULGASARI
(1985, Shin)
A film whose title starts with the letters O or P ● A film from North Korea
(1985, Shin)
A film whose title starts with the letters O or P ● A film from North Korea
"Everyone, as long as Pulgasari is with us, our victory is assured!"
Set in feudal Korea, Pulgasari follows the titular creature, a Godzilla-like kaiju created by an imprisoned blacksmith and brought to life by his daughter, Ami (Chang Son Hui), creating a bond with her. Pulgasari then becomes an ally of the rebels against the region's oppressive ruler. Although the premise might not sound overly special, it is the story behind the production of the film what sets it apart.
Pulgasari's director, Shin Sang-ok, had been kidnapped along with his wife, by North Korea's "Supreme Leader" Kim Jong Il. An avid cinephile himself, Kim wanted the filmmaking couple to make propaganda films for the nation. Pulgasari ended up being Shin's last film for the ruler, before he escaped in 1986. As a result, Kim removed his name from the credits and the film was banned for several years.
Granted, the external information about its production doesn't really contribute to the film's quality, but it does add a certain layer to its story of oppressed people rebelling against their oppressors. That fact probably wasn't lost on Shin, or probably on most of the cast and crew involved on making the film. It's worth mentioning that Kim sought out Toho employees that had worked on Godzilla films to work on Pulgasari.
The film's special effects do look a bit dated, even by 1980s standards. They look more like 60s or 70s effects, but they still work to a certain degree. The war choreographies were well executed, and the overall production values were decent. In the end, Pulgasari might have its flaws, but it still makes for a historically interesting and overall fun watch; especially for fans of the kaiju subgenre.
Grade: