Movielogr
Brain 17 (1982)
Directed by Minoru Yamada, Michael Part
Twitter Facebook Google+Action | Science Fiction | Family
Overview
Brain is the world’s greatest computer, and also the most intelligent being on planet Earth. One day, Brain decides to abandon its terrestrial moorings, and it’s up to The Defenders to track it down. Unfortunately, Brain has developed an amazing army of deadly giant robots, including one with a huge “17” emblazoned on its chest-plate, with which it plans to subjugate its creators. A young boy whose family was killed by Brain’s followers manages to activate Daitetsujin 17, which thereafter comes to his rescue whenever he is in danger from Brain’s minions.
Length 72 minutes
Actors
Akihiko Hirata | Tadao Nakamaru | Osman Yusuf | Akira Yamaguchi | Ulf Otsuki | Masahiro Kamiya | Masahiro Takashina | Midori Takei | Kaho Shimada | Kenji Tamiya | Gō Haraguchi | Lucia Santo | Mio Ota
Viewing History (seen 2 times)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/02/2023 | TV | Broadcast | TV | 6 stars |
| 05/02/2020 | TV | Broadcast | Other | 5 stars |
| (Average) 5.5 stars |
Viewing Notes
DKUTV ran a bunch of giant robot movies and episodes for their Friday Theme Night, which was Shogun Warriors (all IPs that were later repurposed in the US as Shogun Warriors toys). I watched the entire 5+ hour block on the rebroadcast starting around 11pm so some of these were well into Saturday morning (this one ended at 4:30am).
This was the final movie in the giant robot block and another I had not seen before nor was all that familiar w/the property, Brain 17. This is the Americanized film version of the two Japanese episodes created for this robot “17” and the only live action film of the block. The original series is Daitetsujin 17.
I recall seeing the “17” robot many years ago but never knew what the 17 meant. According to this adaptation of the original material, it doesn’t mean anything! The kid who be-friends the robot asks the robot what his name is and when it doesn’t answer the kid just sees the giant numbers 1 and 7 on his chest and says “oh you are one seven!” So the robot is called “One Seven” for the rest of the movie… EXCEPT BY THE ENGLISH NARRATER WHO REFERS TO THE ROBOT AS “SEVENTEEN” what the hell?? So bizarre.
Anyways, the best thing about this are the steampunk looking robots that One Seven has to battle. There are three and all are different and unique including the first giant robot that has a giant steamroller wheel. It looks like one of those concrete yard flatteners we had when I was a kid.
The story is another boy and his robot thing and very much a lift of Johnny Socko. The English dialogue is comical. This would be an ideal flick for B-Fest. It’s just so funny to hear in the context of this movie. Also the Brain, who is the evil entity sending the bad robots after One Seven, is voiced by the same guy that does the voice in Robotech for the main Zentraedi leader. They even apply the same effect on his voice. So funny.
No comments yet. Log in and be the first!