Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda [Paperback]

Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda, by Peter H. Brothers, is a fascinating look at the career of a man who was not only one of the most important Japanese filmmakers of the 20th century, but also one of the most overlooked. While Akira Kurosawa justifiably gets accolades among film-scholars for such classics as Seven Samurai and Throne of Blood, it is the fantasy cinema of Ishiro Honda that has been beloved by moviegoers around the world for over fifty years. In films such as Godzilla, Mothra, and Rodan, Honda introduced us to some of the most memorable movie-monsters of all time, capturing the imaginations of generations of audiences. Yet the man behind the movies has remained largely unsung.

Here at last is the story of that man. In his book, Peter H. Brothers introduces us to the passions, the fears, the hopes, and the regrets of Ishiro Honda, offering a rarely-seen glimpse into the director's formative years and the life experiences that would influence all of his work. The book's in-depth biography traces Honda's life from early childhood to his initial experiences with Toho Studios, follows him through his wartime experiences, and then examines closely his prolific career. Each chapter focuses on a different era, beginning with the creative triumphs of the fifties, following up with the commercial successes of the early sixties, and finally exploring the creative differences between Honda and Toho that brought his career to a bitter halt.

The subject is vast, and there are times when one wishes that the material could have been explored in more detail. But despite this, facts emerge that have seldom, if ever, come to light, and both casual readers and fans of Honda's work will find much of interest. Of particular interest are Honda's rarely-discussed non-fantasy films, especially Eagle of the Pacific and Farewell Rabaul, commercial and critical successes that paved the way for the blockbusters that were to come. Equally fascinating, though, is the detailed analysis of each of Honda's fantasy films. The author's deep respect for Honda's work is evident on every page, yet he remains admirably objective, not shying away from harsh criticism when the director's work was less-than-satisfactory, yet always managing to find something positive to say, showcasing highly-entertaining films that many critics and mainstream movie-goers have unfairly dismissed.

The book is not perfect. There are a number of misprints throughout the book, and these will hopefully be corrected in any future printing. However, the positive aspects easily outweigh any negatives. It is engaging, informative, and highly entertaining. For students of film theory looking to explore the impact that Japanese fantasy film

Peter H. Brothers takes on the daunting task of introducing American readers to the entire scope of Ishiro Honda's Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror films for the first time ever. Brothers provides coverage on all 25 entries in Honda's canon of genre work, spanning the two decades following the release of Honda's (and Japan's) most successful film of all-time: GODZILLA. While the giant lizard would leave a lasting impression on Honda's career, Brothers proves to the uninitiated that this amazing director was capable of much greater feats in a wide variety of different themes.

Mushroom Clouds opens with a insider's look at the life of Ishiro Honda, from his early aspirations to become a filmmaker, through the marriage to his wife and his time spent in the Japanese military during World War II, to his distinguished career in film (through its highs and its lows). The book then groups together collections of Honda's Fantasy films based on the significant eras in his career, dedicating entire chapters to reviews and critical analysis of each individual picture.

As a reviewer, Brothers beautifully articulates his thoughts on each of the films, praising them for their strengths without any fear or restraint in pointing out their weaknesses. His opinions and arguments are all well-informed, citing key moments from each film and drawing from years of critical responses that have been left in the wake of Honda's career. Brothers' loving devotion for Honda's work is rarely clouded but always objective.

The endless amount of time and effort spent in research are clearly demonstrated in Brothers' impressive list of resources and rare interviews that have been carefully selected from over thirty years of source material. Insights and candid behind-the-scenes commentary are taken from the director, himself, as well as a wealth of individuals that worked closely with him. These key selections serve to humanize the man behind the camera, reflecting moments of self-doubt as well as uplifting anecdotes from close friends and family members.

There are only a few minor distractions that seem to have been overlooked, neither of which detract from the overall enjoyability of the read. The book is riddled with typographical errors that could easily be remedied by a professional edit job. Arguably, Brothers might also consider reeling back the extensive amount of content dedicated strictly to the music in Honda's films, which can often consume over a fourth of each chapter and review. He possesses an education and knowledge on the subject that easily surpasses the reader's own understanding, but readers that are uninterested in those particular aspects of the films will find themselves skipping ahead.

Peter Brothers proves to be an authority on the man and his work, and provides what many will consider to be the complete and definitive US publication of Ishiro Honda's career. Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men is required reading for any film fan with even a remote interest in Japanese cinema, classic Fantasy and SciFi cinema, or giant monster movies. Readers will walk away from the book with a wealth of new found knowledge and a desire to seek out a catalog of films that they may never have considered watching previously.

-Carl Manes
I Like Horror Movies

MUSHROOM CLOUDS AND MUSHROOM MEN, THE FANTASTIC CINEMA OF ISHIRO HONDA is the extraordinary tale of a humble Japanese filmmaker who became a prolific director in the fantasy genre. PETER H. BROTHERS delves into the work of Ishiro Honda, from Baran, The Giant Monster circa 1958 traveling through a parade of works culminating with Mechagodzilla's Counterattack, released in early 1975. The director has over 80 films to his credit, during a career spanning some 60 years. The author, Peter Brothers, has had a passionate life long affair with this genre, and this, his first book, is a fascinating and thorough tribute to hero Honda. Researched meticulously over many years, and with an impressive history of the author's writings for fanzines and periodicals specializing in this subject matter, MUSHROOM CLOUDS... is a must read. Even if fantasy film is not your thing. The book features intriguing discussions and complete details on crew, casts and other film facts. Consider George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese are amongst admirers of Ishiro Honda. Grab this book, and you too could join them. MUSHROOM CLOUDS AND MUSHROOM MEN: THE FANTASTIC CINEMA OF ISHIRO HONDA BY PETER H. BROTHERS is published by Author House. ISBN 978-1-4490-2771-1 [...]