In 1989, Tsuburaya Productions went to Australia to make a 13 episode Ultraman series in English. Although most of the actual work was done by the Australian team, a group from Tsuburaya was on site the whole time.
The 13 ep. series was called Ultraman: Towards the Future in all markets but Japan where it was called Ultraman Great. In 1990 it was syndicated in America. In a number of markets Ultraman's ratings beat those of then-current faves Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Unfortunately, with only 13 episodes, the series was never able to really capitalize on it's initial momentum and it has disappeared into obscurity. Bandai America even issued a line of toys based on the characters and monsters from the show. The 13 episodes came out on VHS in the US in the early 90's and can still be found occasionally.
The 13 episodes were later recut into 2 features. One was Ultraman: The Alien Invasion which covers the main story arc from the first half of the series. The other was called Ultraman: The Battle for Earth and covers the 2nd half of the series. These films may have played theatrically in Japan. I'm not sure. But they've been issued on video and VCD in a number of territories including the UK. Neither of the films was ever issued in the US or in Australia. In fact, the original 13 episode series was considered too violent for children's TV in Australia and was held back for a long time. When it finally played over there, only 11 episodes were shown.
ULTRAMAN: Towards The Future1990, 13 half-hour episodes
Astronaut Jack Shindo of UMA (Universal Multipurpose Agency) encounters the space monster Goudis on the surface of Mars. Goudis destroys his spacecraft and heads for Jack. Before the gigantic creature is able to destroy the astronaut it is intercepted by a gigantic red and silver humanoid; Ultraman. Goudis retreats and escapes towards the Earth.
On Earth, Goudis re-emerges in the form of virus which infects living creatures and transforms them into huge and terrifying monsters. UMA challenges the creatures but even their mighty forces are overwhelmed. Jack Shindo reappears. But now he has been given the Delta Plasma Pendant which allows him to transform into the gigantic form of Ultraman. Because of Earth's polluted atmosphere, Ultraman can only exist for three minutes at a time. Together the UMA team and Ultraman combat a horde of horrifying Goudis monsters as well as other threats to the peace of planet Earth.
This series combines the Oriental philosophical feel of the long established Ultraman character with a more Western approach to characters and story-telling. The result is a thrilling action adventure which has been compared in the press to a "combination of original Ultraman and the work of Gerry Anderson (Thunderbirds, Space:1999, UFO)." Filmed entirely on location in Australia with a multi-national cast, Ultraman: Towards The Future was the first live-action Ultraman series produced entirely in English. Filled with exotic locations, high speed action and intriguing science fiction concepts, Ultraman: Towards The Future is a series to please young and old alike.
ULTRAMAN: The Battle for Earth 1990
In this sequel to the film ULTRAMAN: THE ALIEN INVASION, Jack Shindo (Ultraman) and the UMA Team once again face terrifying monsters bent on causing havoc and destruction. The Goudis virus has been defeated, but nature has been thrown out of balance, both by the space virus Goudis and by man's neglect and misuse. In this film, Ultraman takes on Gazeboh, the guardian of the Australian forests and Rugulo, a monstrous "tourist" from outer space. Finally the gigantic superhero must face a pair of horrifying beasts from Earth's ancient past. Like ULTRAMAN: THE ALIEN INVASION, ULTRAMAN: THE BATTLE FOR EARTH was filmed entirely in English on location in Australia.
Information Provided By Brad Warner of Tsuburaya Productions
Ultraman: Towards the Future (1990)
Aka: Ultraman: Great, Ultraman G
South Australian Film Corporation
Tsuburaya Productions
Cast: Dore Kraus as Jack Shindo
Gia Carides as Jean Echo
Ralph Cotterill as Arthur Grant
Grace Parr as Kim Shaomin
Lloyd Morris as Charles Morgan
Rick Adams as Lloyd Wilder
Steve Apps as Ultraman
Robert Simper as Ultraman
Michael Read as Various Monsters
Johnny Hallyday as Various Monsters
Jay Hackett as Stanley Haggard
John Bonney as Narrator (voice)
David Grybowski as Ike
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