Hachigatsu wrote:
There are two "invisible" period films: THE INVISIBLE SWORDSMAN (Tomei Kenshi) and THE INVISIBLE TENGU (Tomei Tengu), I believe -- I'm away from home right now and cannot look up the exact titles. Honda's origina and uncut version of THE HUMAN VAPOR is quite superior to the re-edited American version -- Honda's is told in a linear narrative, not in flashback, and the film unfolds like a crime story, rather than a love story. Although, I do have to give props for some of the well-written monolouges written for voice dubber James Hong. Also, the US version removes much of the original and powerful score by Kunio Miyauchi, and replaces it with soggy and tired library cues. I would love to see a Media Blaster's release of this film materialize for US fans.
Are the rights free on this one yet? As I said, I think's up there with Honda and Tsuburaya's best work and really should be more widely seen.

I hear Honda preferred the Japanese version but Tsuchiya prefers the US version since it gives his character more importance. In all honestly, I like them about equal, though the soundtrack screwing around in the US, like the Noh being replaced with Kabuki and Miyauchi's score being altered, bothers me a bit too.