War In Space (English Language TV Print) (1977)

aka’s: Wakusei Daisenso/Uchu Daisenso 2/Battle In Outer Space 2/Cosmos/
Great Planet War/Planet Wars/
惑星大戦争

Earth is under attack by alien spacecraft from the planet Venus. But a Japanese scientist (Ryo Ikebe) has constructed a super spacecraft, called the Gothen, by which he may save humanity. Also stars Kensaku Morita, Yuko Asano, Masaya Oki, Akihiko Hirata, David Perin and William Ross.

Japanese actor, Masaya Oki, ended his life by leaping from the top of a 47-story building (the Keio Plaza Hotel) on June 28th, 1983. Apparently, he had been suffering from bipolar disorder. The suicide note he left for his adoptive father, Tadao Hikage, read “Dad, I'm waiting in Nirvana.” He was 31.

This film was rushed into production and released in Japan just 7 months after the U.S. premier of Star Wars to cash in on the then current Sci-fi craze. Oddly enough, Star Wars was not released in Japan until June 30th, 1978, a full 6 months after the premier of this film in Japan. This even includes a yellow-horned, Chewbacca look-alike and a fine display of special effects. (In full-screen format).

NOTE: This rare English language TV print, which has not been seen on television since the 1980’s, features the English language credits which are missing from all consumer DVD releases.