BUKIMISHA: Varan the Unbelievable Daikaijū

CD Includes Digital Download / Digital Booklet

Beloved by a few, forgotten by most, VARAN was born as the result of a co-production deal with an American television network as a planned 3-part mini-series broadcast. Originally entitled BARAN, MONSTER OF THE EAST, it was shot in monochrome and framed for the TV screen. At some point, a decision was made to create a theatrical version instead, now called DAIKAIJŪ BARAN.

When the TV mini-series morphed into a theatrical feature, a majority of the film was rescored. The employment of a larger orchestra enriched and expanded scope of the movie, resulting in one of Ifukube’s best scores. Regrettably, his stirring efforts were almost completely jettisoned thanks to the heavy recutting made for the “Americanized” VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE (1962).

Bukimisha has recreated both the complete original TV and film scores, plus our album also includes two symphonic bonus tracks Ifukube originally composed in 1944, during the war. “Prélude du Soldat” and “Obertura Festiva: Sa Bago Filipinas” (Overture to the Philippines) are relics of the international hostilities, and the composer more or less "retired" them.

VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE (1958 Theatrical Score)
01. Main Title 1:30
02. Mystery of the 20th Century 1:03
03. Iwatani Village 0:58
04. The Wrath of Baradagi 0:56
05. Baradagi, God of the Mountains 1:13
06. Fierceness of Varan I 4:04
07. Bombardment of the Lake 1:43
08. Fierceness of Varan II* 5:22
09. Varan Flies* 0:39
10. Fishing Boat Disaster 0:44
11. Varan vs. Fighter-Bomber ‘Neptune’ 2:18
12. Varan vs. Destroyer ‘Uranami’ A  1:34
13. Varan vs. Destroyer ‘Uranami’ B  1:15
14. Depth Charge Attack Begins 2:17
15. Special Vehicle Squad Dispatched 0:23
16. Varan Lands at Haneda Airport*  3:29
17. Special Gunpowder  0:59
18. Varan Revival* 2:35
19. Ending  2:43

*Originally composed for TV Version

BARAN, MONSTER FROM THE EAST (1958 TV Score)
20. Main Title 1:22
21. Rocket and the Oriental Monster  1:43
22. Self-Defense Forces Dispatched  0:57
23. Lake of Baran   2:23
24. Baran Appears  2:50
25. Yuriko’s Crisis  1:11
26. Second Part Introduction 1:29
27. Evacuation Order  1:00
28. Special Gunpowder 1:28
29. Ending 2:41

BONUS TRACKS
30. Prélude du Soldat (1944)  8:40
31. Obertura Festiva: Sa Bago Filipinas (Overture to the Philippines) (1944)  12:56

TOTAL TIME: 74:09