The Mysterians (aka Chikyu Boeigun, 1957) is a great Japanese science fiction film produced by Toho Studios in 1957 and directed by Ishiro Honda, who's mostly remembered for his Godzilla movies.
The story involves a group of aliens called the Mysterians who arrive on earth from the planet Mysteroid with their giant destructive robot and immediately demand three-square kilometers of land and some Earth women to breed with. Naturally they are refused and humanity declares war on the Mysterians.
The Mysterians was one of the first Japanese films shot in anamorphic widescreen. Toho Studios called their anamorphic system "TohoScope" and they specifically made The Mysterians to showcase this new process. You can enjoy some vintage TohoScope space action in this great trailer for The Mysterians:
- Kimberly Lindbergs