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Destroy All Monsters - AIP HD Reconstruction (Released)

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dam

Version 2.0 of the AIP Destroy All Monsters reconstruction is available now!

The improved 1080p HD reconstruction of the original US version of Destroy All Monsters, dubbed at Titan Studios and released by AIP, is completed and available to download! Look spleenward or send a private message for details.

Notes on this release:

  • The bulk of film was sourced from the Media Blasters Blu-ray. The aspect ratio was corrected to the original 2.35:1 from something like 2.41:1 and the contrast and saturation were increased to alleviate the flat appearance of the Toho transfer.
  • This version uses the audio from the Siren DVD, slowed down from PAL speed, for most of the audio; since that version was seemingly made from a TV print that cuts some of the more violent scenes, the audio sometimes reverts to the bootleg VHS audio, which has had its bass levels increased to better match the Siren DVD.
  • The various splices/missing frames in the bootleg VHS used as a sync/visual reference were approached differently for this version. Instead of trimming the HD video to match the sync reference, the sync reference was adjusted at these points to leave the HD video intact, instead leaving a gap in the audio. Most of these were filled in using the Siren audio, but there are a couple of points where both sources were missing material, meaning the finished reconstruction still has a gap in it.
  • The color of the AIP logo at the beginning of the film was corrected to white, instead of v1.0’s beige.

Original post:

Now that a decently polished 720p version of Godzilla 1985 is out and available, and another TK member is working on recreating the Walter Reade-Sterling version of Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (which I was originally planning as a follow-up), I’ve decided to undertake another, less labor-intensive project while we wait for the Kraken Blu-ray of The Return of Godzilla. I’m going to attempt a widescreen, HD reconstruction of the AIP version of Destroy All Monsters.

While I know that the AIP dub was included on the OOP version of the Media Blasters Blu-ray, that track was altered to account for minor edits made to the original US release of the movie so it would sync properly to the Japanese print used for Toho’s transfer. What I’m talking about making is a complete recreation of the AIP version as originally released, cuts, credits and all.

I’ll be using the current Media Blasters Blu-ray (which I have) as my main source, but at the moment I don’t have an audio source/visual reference on hand for the AIP version. I do have an old DVD bootleg back home that’s got the AIP version on it, and I could have my family mail it to me, but I could get started sooner if someone could either direct me to a non-torrent download option or send it to me via Google Drive, MEGA, MediaFire or some other file storage/transfer service.

Basically what I’m predicting this will entail is remaking the credits and such in widescreen (I already downloaded the font AIP seemed to generally use for titles/credits a while ago just because I liked it), then syncing the MB footage to the AIP version and replicating whatever edits there are. This should be a much simpler and easier job than Godzilla 1985, and I already have access to a 1080p source, so this should be completed in far less time than my last project was/will be.

TL;DR: Anyone have/know where to find a copy of the AIP version?

Toho Kingdom thread

v1.0 announcement:

The AIP Destroy All Monsters reconstruction is available now!

The 1080p HD reconstruction of the original US version of Destroy All Monsters, dubbed at Titan Studios and released by AIP, is completed and available to download! Send a private message for details.

UPDATE 10/30/2016: I’ve just made an MKV of the reconstruction that features higher quality, chapter stops and is encoded for easy remuxing and burning to Blu-ray! Hit me up for the details, or check the usual spot if you know where to look.

Notes on this release:

  • The bulk of film was sourced from the Media Blasters Blu-ray. The aspect ratio was corrected to the original 2.35:1 from something like 2.41:1 and the contrast was increased to alleviate some of the weaknesses of the Toho transfer.
  • The AIP logo, main title card, “the end” title card and end credits have all been carefully digitally recreated.
  • There are a several splices in the print of the AIP version that I used as a guide and audio source for this version, which result in a few missing frames each. These have been duplicated in this version to maintain proper synchronization with the original source.
  • One such splice occurs in a spot which interrupts an optical wipe present in the widescreen Japanese print; in that case, a digital wipe was employed to hide the problem and mimic the editing of the Japanese version while maintaining proper synchronization with the AIP version. This is the only such embellishment made in this edit; it is otherwise wholly faithful to the editing of the AIP version.

For those interested, here’s a more comprehensive list of the edits made in the AIP version:

  • The Toho logo and the accompanying section of Ifukube’s score are cut. The AIP logo and title card appear over the background originally used for the Japanese title card, and the score picks up at the appropriate spot as well.
  • The opening credits are removed. There is a straight cut from the shot of the Moonlight SY-3 cockpit to the overhead shot of Ogasawara Island that comes after the credits in the Japanese version.
  • The scene transition from Dr. Otani aboard the SY-3 leaving Monsterland to him riding in the back of a car with Katsuo and Dr. Yoshida is altered; where the Japanese version used an optical wipe to transition from a close-up on Dr. Otani to a close-up of Katsuo that pans over to Otani and Yoshida, the AIP version cuts directly from Otani aboard the rocket to Otani in the car, keeping his face framed in almost the same spot. (This was the edit noted above that was changed to a digital wipe.)
  • The pan across the aftermath of Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra and Manda’s rampage through Tokyo ends sooner in the AIP version. The Japanese version ends by zooming in on a sign in Japanese bearing the name of some sort of emergency bunker or headquarters, then cuts to Katsuo inside. The AIP version cuts the sign and goes straight from the wreckage to Katsuo.
  • There is one shot of the SY-3 landing in the Kilaak base on the moon that seems to be longer in the AIP version; this was matched by slowing down the shot that appears in the Japanese version - It’s a brief shot but it is notable.
  • Not one, but two shots of Minilla are cut from the battle with King Ghidorah: One as Mothra and Kumonga spray Ghidorah with silk and webbing, and one as Angilas loses his grip on Ghidorah’s neck and falls to the ground.
  • The final shot of Ogasawara Island, there the “The End” title appears, is longer in the AIP version, and the title appears much later.
  • Finally, the film’s credits are displayed at the end over a black background, using the music cue that played under the opening credits in the Japanese version. Notably, Ishiro Honda’s name is spelled correctly, as opposed to the commonly-used incorrect Romanization “Inoshiro.”
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I have this … it is the International Version … Kubota did this one … a few words about what he did … “English visuals (the opening credits and end title from 35mm) onto the MB DVD’s video track and synchronized the Frontier Enterprises dubbed audio from the old letterboxed ADV release of the international version (the actual MB release lowered the pitch by 4% for some unknown reason). Missing bits during reel changes have patched with the Japanese mono track in a similar fashion.”

Video
ID : 2
Format : MPEG Video
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Main@Main
Format settings, BVOP : Yes
Format settings, Matrix : Default
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=12
Codec ID : V_MPEG2
Codec ID/Info : MPEG 1 or 2 Video
Duration : 1h 28mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 5 869 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 9 500 Kbps
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.708
Time code of first frame : 00:00:00:00
Time code source : Group of pictures header
GOP, Open/Closed : Open
GOP, Open/Closed of first frame : Closed
Stream size : 3.64 GiB (95%)
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio
ID : 1
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 3
Codec ID : A_MPEG/L3
Codec ID/Hint : MP3
Duration : 1h 28mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 192 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy

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Just a status update: I’ve synced the movie up, recreated the opening AIP logo and title card as well as the “The End” card, and now all that’s left to do is the background for the logo/title and the end credits. A few videos I made to show my progress:

An editing problem and the solution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDH8Un5euDk

The AIP logo and title without the background: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcNWsxP2Q2M

The ending with the AIP “The End” card: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Ds0Q-7SIU

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I absolutely LOVED how this turned out. You did a great job making an old experience new again.

😃

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I’m really glad you’re enjoying these so much! I’m always surprised by responses like those, and I think it’s at least partially because of my age. I have my personal reasons for wanting to do these projects (getting versions of these films out there that studios seemingly don’t want us to see, preserving notable and unique versions for future audiences in the best possible quality), but I often forget that while to me they’re interesting and sometimes more enjoyable alternate versions of some of my favorite movies, to a lot of other people they’re the versions they’ve grown up with. I don’t always realize the amount of nostalgic value these versions hold for some people, but it’s always great to hear that what I’m doing is of some value to someone.

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I’m a monster movie nut … Godzilla and Gamera were my heroes for a long time (probably says something weird about me but I digress, LOL). I STILL love to watch these films. Saturday afternoons were always freeking awesome for me as a kid because of these. Any chance I get to see one the way I saw it or an alternate version that I am familiar with to some extent is gold.

The work done to preserve these films is always appreciated in my book.

😃

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How might one acquire such a masterpiece?

"Ollie, wontcha speak to me…?

“I have nothing to say.”

L&H

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You know, it would be great to see a basic tut on how to do this kind of thing for those of us interested in it but inexperienced in all but enjoying these kind of things once they come our way.

😃

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GrindhouseGuru said:

How might one acquire such a masterpiece?

Shoot me a message; I’ll hook you up!

Jetrell Fo said:

You know, it would be great to see a basic tut on how to do this kind of thing for those of us interested in it but inexperienced in all but enjoying these kind of things once they come our way.

😃

I might write one up at some point! It’s actually surprisingly easy; I started the Godzilla 1985 project with only pretty basic-to-intermediate video editing knowledge, and most of what I actually learned was technical stuff related to frame rates, bit rates, digital media formats, etc.

ray_afraid said:

I can only echo what Jetrell just said!
I just got to watch this and I can’t thank you enough! You deserve to be a known name in the Kaiju fandom!

Thanks man, that means a lot! I’ve been in touch with Tumblr user astoundingbeyondbelief regarding these projects, and he’s been helping to promote this one in particular a little more over on blue hell. He’s one of the more prominent kaiju bloggers on that site as far as I’m aware, so it’s great to have something of a larger platform and audience thanks to him. I suppose it would be nice to be known to some extent in kaiju fandom, but the greatest benefit would be having more people know about and have access to my work. I think these versions ought to be available in high quality and as widely as possible; anything else that comes of that is icing on the cake. This is for the benefit of my comrades 😉

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ray_afraid said:

Yeah, I follow Astounding and actually saw the DAM project on Tumblr before I saw it here!
Here’s me by the way.

And here’s me

If you guys want to follow that is. After seeing your page I decided it was time to create one so I could find other things as well.

😃

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I was inspired to make a cover for this project as well. Here are two versions of a retro style cover with accompanying disc art. PM me for links.



Visit my *NEW* Star Wars on Video Collection site:

http://www.swonvideo.com

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This is another magnificent recreation from Red Menace, bringing us a nearly pristine copy of the AIP version to cherish for years to come. From the rock-steady title cards to the pin-sharp end titles, the entire presentation exceeds a normal restoration. The presentation is technically flawless, with pleasing contrasts, pure colours and clear audio. I can’t imagine an official release, using a scan of any original AIP prints, could ever match nor surpass it.

I came in late, only seeking out Godzilla films since they started being released on Blu-ray in the U.S. and thus have only ever seen those versions. I have no sentimental attachments to the old US versions, but find myself enjoying this and the G84 recreations even more than the originals. On principle I prefer uncut original language versions but, with these two Godzilla films at least, the dumbed down editing and the gung-ho dubbing seems to fit very well, making them more accessible to me as a “casual” viewer.

My small contribution to these projects have been the custom covers. They were meant to complement the vintage of the actual films and so far have been received very well. They are my way of showing support for the continuing efforts of Red Menace, and to express my gratitude for sharing his final results with us.

Visit my *NEW* Star Wars on Video Collection site:

http://www.swonvideo.com

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Hey all, I’ve just completed a new render of the reconstruction, which I’ve contained in an MKV. It features a 25mbps AVC video stream with AC3 audio and chapter stops, making it ideal for remuxing and burning to Blu-ray. I’ve uploaded it in a zip file with Video Collectors excellent Blu-ray cover art.

Message me for the details on where to download it if you don’t already know where to look!

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Would love the “re-do” Thank you so much!

"Ollie, wontcha speak to me…?

“I have nothing to say.”

L&H

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Just bumping this with a little update - I’ve just uploaded both the MP4 and MKV versions of this project to a private tracker that’s popular 'round these parts, so head on spleenwards if you’re interested! I’m hoping to at least get one other seed on each by sometime tomorrow, since I’ll have to disconnect from the internet for a bit in order to render my newest project without my laptop crashing, so grab them now or there’ll probably be a couple days where they’re not available.

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That shot of Dr. Otani and the others in the car is not a cut. It’s a physical damage splice in the 16mm print you used for reference.

So, a new book came out and we learned so much, and it is called, “Anguilosaurus, Killer of the Living”.

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I thought it might be. I may go back sometime and do a corrected version of this where instead of recreating the splices (and covering one up as I did here), I just leave a gap in the audio. For some reason that approach didn’t occur to me while I was making this.

Also, I suspect a couple other cuts might be splices, except that I could also see them being intentional edits - cutting out the sign outside the emergency headquarters in that shot of the ruins of Tokyo, for instance, since most of the US audience wouldn’t be able to read it anyway.