It's Kaijuly! Movie #5 is "Half Human" (1955)

by Joseph Perry and Mike Imboden

In our “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict” film reviews, Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. For this installment, it’s Half Human (Jû jin yuki otoko; Japan, 1955), which is part of our inaugural “Kaijuly” look at some giant monster films (of which we both love thanks to seeing them in our childhood of the 60s and 70s).

Note: As with our previous review (Godzilla Raids Again), we will be talking about the original Japanese version and not the watered down and poorly edited U.S. version.

Synopsis

Told from the perspective of flashbacks by a mountaineering club from Towa university, who return from the Japanese alps wounded and traumatized. As they are being interviewed by a reporter, they recall their experience. They went up to the Japanese Alps to go skiing, and during their trip they encountered a strange, unknown village and the inhuman creature they worship.

The Good

Joseph: You can see the seeds planted for future Toho kaiju movies in Half Human, including the man-in-a-suit monsters for which the studio would become well known — I find the adult snowman particularly impressive. I love the beautiful painted matte scenery, and there are also two fun stop-motion sequences: When the snowman pulls the rope with one of the club members up the cliff, and when he climbs in the cave at the climax. The performances are solid, and the cast includes such Toho kaiju movie legends as Akira Takarada, Momoko Kôchi, and Nobuo Nakamura, with direction by the one and only Ishirô Honda.

Mike: It should be noted right up front that while Half Human IS a kaiju (monster) movie, it does NOT feature a giant monster (daikaiju). With that said;

The film showcases impressive practical effects for its time, especially in the design and execution of the creature (call him Yeti or call him Snowman, just don’t call him late for dinner). The creature's appearance is quite effective, and the atmospheric direction of Ishirō Honda, who masterfully uses lighting, shadows, and camera angles to create a moody and eerie ambiance. The snowy landscapes also contribute to the overall sense of isolation and danger, enhancing the film's suspense. This environment is quite different from the urban settings typical of other kaiju films, giving Half Human a unique feel which, if you ask me, adds to the film's appeal.

The Bad

Joseph: Toho has banned this film for many years because of the way that the indigenous tribe is portrayed and for the misogynistic treatment of the character Chika (Akemi Negishi), which includes beatings from the men of her tribe. These factors indeed make for some uncomfortable viewing. On a lesser note, plentiful scenes of skiing and hiking tend to bog things down in the first act.

Mike: Half Human’s plot is thin with some uneven pacing with some scenes feeling unnecessarily drawn out. Characters are somewhat one-dimensional, making it challenging to invest in their fates. Most glaringly, there is surprisingly little screen time dedicated to the actual monster with the film focusing more on the human drama, leaving the titular creature in the background for much of the movie. With the aforementioned weak characters, this could make things feel like a chore to get through.

The Verdict

Joseph: There are several caveats that go along with Half Human, but if you are a Toho monster movie purist or completist, or have been curious about this film for some time and have the opportunity to finally watch it, give it a shot.

Mike: When watching the film, viewers should keep in mind that while Half Human may not have aged well in some aspects, it's important to understand its historical context and though it portrays the indigenous people in ways that can be seen as perpetuating negative stereotypes and expressing cultural insensitivity, it provides a unique window into the portrayal of mythical creatures and the cultural fascination with unknown entities in mid-20th-century Japan and remains an interesting piece of cinematic history as a pioneer in the kaiju genre.

Half Human, from Toho Company, does not appear to be currently streaming on any U.S. services.

Half Human