Himitsu Sentai GoRanger: The Red Death March (1975)
Production: Toei Corporation
Duration: 25 Minutes
By Jeffrey Couto

Introduction

Going into GoRanger: The Red Death March I could not remember if this was going to be a TV episode blown up to movie proportions or an original theatrical release production, but I was really hoping for the latter as the previous two films were taken straight from TV. As it turned out it was another GoRanger TV series episode (#36) blown up to movie screen proportions.

Ah well, classic Sentai action is always good!

The Story

"Black Cross’s newest agent Gunkan Kamen steals Eagle’s Secret Jet Engine System and incorporates it into their latest weapon, a flying battleship fortress. The Go-Ranger team attempt to retrieve the system back from Black Cross. Along the way Ki Ranger meets up and falls in love with the beautiful but mysterious Aiya who turns out to be a cyborg agent working for Black Cross Commander Tetsujin Kamen Temujin Shogun." -- Jmaruyama's GoRanger: The Red Death March Profile

Review

This movie was in many ways similar to the previous Blue Fortress film. The film/episode is action packed and features what is for the most part a well paced story, and amazing miniature work and special effects. Then again to me that’s a big part of the charm of these older hero programs.

I would venture to say that where it stands out from the previous two episodes/movies is in its frequent and intense level of violence against the GoRangers (especially Ki Ranger) and the civilian & military personnel that are part of their organization. People are killed violently onscreen and Ki Ranger is captured and his visors melted in a torture-like fashion that makes one wonder what they were trying to get at with that scene.

Action-wise the episode/film is up to par with Blue Fortress in terms of fight moves, settings, etc. As with most of these older shows the majority of the battles here unfold in a hand to hand combat fashion that throws in the occasional acrobatic move. This is very fun to watch and a nice change of pace from the more laser weapon oriented shows of today.

The special effects are more or less on the same level as the ones featured in the previous chapters of the series. Probably the most accomplished element we see here is the miniature work. From the flying battleship to the small buildings that get blown up everything is done well and comes across effectively (that is until you see the buildings explode revealing their hollow innards).

Conclusion

Even though it doesn’t differ vastly from the previous movie release in terms of production values and execution this is another good addition to any tokusatsu fan’s library of titles. It really reminds one of why these older shows are held in such high esteem by older generations that grew up with them. The next movie, Go Ranger: The Bomb Hurricane, was made specifically for the theaters so I'm look forward to sitting down to check that one out again.

Jeffrey Couto