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Message from Space
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Message from Space
Message from Space (Japanese: 宇宙からのメッセージ, Hepburn: Uchū Kara no Messēji) is a 1978 Japanese space opera film directed by Kinji Fukasaku. It stars Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi, and Vic Morrow. Produced by Toei with a cost between the equivalent of US$5 and 6 million, it was the most expensive film made in Japan at the time.
Upon release in the United States, Message from Space received generally negative reviews from critics who not only found many similarities with the previous year's Star Wars (1977), but also felt the special effects were poorly executed in comparison to the American film. It was however nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 7th Saturn Awards in 1980.
The planet Jillucia, located in the Andromeda galaxy, is conquered by the steel-skinned Gavanas Empire, who transform it into a military fortress. Kido, the leader of the Jillucians, sends eight Liabe Seeds to find help. Princess Emeralida and the warrior Urocco flee Jillucia in a space galleon as the Gavanas, led by Emperor Rockseia XXII, pursue them.
The Liabe Seeds reach various individuals, including Shiro and Aaron, two reckless space pilots; Jack, a friend entangled in debts to gangsters; Meia, a young aristocrat; and General Garuda, a disillusioned officer. These characters encounter the Jillucians and learn of the seeds' divine selection of warriors to liberate Jillucia. Initial reluctance and betrayal occur, including Jack selling out Urocco and Emeralida, though Jack later regrets his actions. Urocco survives an assassination attempt, and Gavanas troops capture Emeralida.
The group eventually unites when Garuda, persuaded by a glowing Liabe seed, joins the cause. They discover Prince Hans, the rightful heir to the Gavanas throne, who reveals Rockseia's betrayal of his family. Meanwhile, Rockseia forces the Jillucians to watch as he propels Jillucia toward Earth as part of his conquest plans. The Earth government seeks a peaceful resolution, but Rockseia rejects their envoy, General Garuda, and destroys Earth's moon as a warning.
The Liabe warriors infiltrate the Gavanas base, intending to destroy the reactor that powers the empire's fortress. Urocco, initially disillusioned, sacrifices himself in battle, becoming the eighth Liabe warrior as he dies. Prince Hans leads the Jillucians in revolt, ultimately killing Rockseia in combat. Shiro and Aaron destroy the reactor, escaping just as Jillucia is destroyed in the explosion.
As the planet disintegrates, the surviving Jillucians escape on a space galleon, joined by Garuda, Beba-2, and the remaining Liabe warriors. Shiro, Aaron, and Meia carry out a suicidal attack on the Gavanas space carrier, causing it to crash. They awaken on the space galleon, miraculously saved by the power of the Liabe seeds. Offered asylum on Earth, the Jillucians decline and set off in search of a new home.
Message from Space cost between US$5 and 6 million, roughly half the budget of Star Wars (1977), which made it the most expensive Japanese film, until it was beaten by Fukasaku's later film Virus (1980).
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Message from Space AI simulator
(@Message from Space_simulator)
Message from Space
Message from Space (Japanese: 宇宙からのメッセージ, Hepburn: Uchū Kara no Messēji) is a 1978 Japanese space opera film directed by Kinji Fukasaku. It stars Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi, and Vic Morrow. Produced by Toei with a cost between the equivalent of US$5 and 6 million, it was the most expensive film made in Japan at the time.
Upon release in the United States, Message from Space received generally negative reviews from critics who not only found many similarities with the previous year's Star Wars (1977), but also felt the special effects were poorly executed in comparison to the American film. It was however nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 7th Saturn Awards in 1980.
The planet Jillucia, located in the Andromeda galaxy, is conquered by the steel-skinned Gavanas Empire, who transform it into a military fortress. Kido, the leader of the Jillucians, sends eight Liabe Seeds to find help. Princess Emeralida and the warrior Urocco flee Jillucia in a space galleon as the Gavanas, led by Emperor Rockseia XXII, pursue them.
The Liabe Seeds reach various individuals, including Shiro and Aaron, two reckless space pilots; Jack, a friend entangled in debts to gangsters; Meia, a young aristocrat; and General Garuda, a disillusioned officer. These characters encounter the Jillucians and learn of the seeds' divine selection of warriors to liberate Jillucia. Initial reluctance and betrayal occur, including Jack selling out Urocco and Emeralida, though Jack later regrets his actions. Urocco survives an assassination attempt, and Gavanas troops capture Emeralida.
The group eventually unites when Garuda, persuaded by a glowing Liabe seed, joins the cause. They discover Prince Hans, the rightful heir to the Gavanas throne, who reveals Rockseia's betrayal of his family. Meanwhile, Rockseia forces the Jillucians to watch as he propels Jillucia toward Earth as part of his conquest plans. The Earth government seeks a peaceful resolution, but Rockseia rejects their envoy, General Garuda, and destroys Earth's moon as a warning.
The Liabe warriors infiltrate the Gavanas base, intending to destroy the reactor that powers the empire's fortress. Urocco, initially disillusioned, sacrifices himself in battle, becoming the eighth Liabe warrior as he dies. Prince Hans leads the Jillucians in revolt, ultimately killing Rockseia in combat. Shiro and Aaron destroy the reactor, escaping just as Jillucia is destroyed in the explosion.
As the planet disintegrates, the surviving Jillucians escape on a space galleon, joined by Garuda, Beba-2, and the remaining Liabe warriors. Shiro, Aaron, and Meia carry out a suicidal attack on the Gavanas space carrier, causing it to crash. They awaken on the space galleon, miraculously saved by the power of the Liabe seeds. Offered asylum on Earth, the Jillucians decline and set off in search of a new home.
Message from Space cost between US$5 and 6 million, roughly half the budget of Star Wars (1977), which made it the most expensive Japanese film, until it was beaten by Fukasaku's later film Virus (1980).