Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders (1975)
A wild Thai-Japanese crossover uniting the Hindu god Hanuman with five cyborg superheroes against a monster-commanding villain.
Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders - Movie Information
- Original Title: หนุมานพบ 5 ไอ้มดแดง
- Release Year: 1975
- Directed by: Sompote Sands, Itaru Orita
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Horror
- Runtime: 1h 46m
- Original Language: Thai
- Spoken Languages: Thai
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 15, 1975 (Thailand)
- Alternative Titles: हनुमान और 5 नकाबपोश सवार (IN), หนุมานผจญ 5 ไอ้มดแดง (TH), 猴王与幪面超人 (SG), Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders (US), ハヌマーンと5人の仮面ライダー (JP), Böcek Adamlar (Aşk ve Zafer) (TR)
- Production Companies: Chaiyo Productions, Shaw Brothers (Taiwan) Ltd., Toei Company
- Production Countries: Thailand
Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders - Plot
With an unquenchable thirst for the blood of virgin women, the wicked King Dark enslaves the brilliant Thai scientist Dr. Wisut to create an army of monsters to put an end to the chivalrous efforts of the cyborg warrior Kamen Riders. Where their efforts fail, can the Hindu god Hanuman help? Semi official Thai/Japan co production between Chaiyo and Toei. Toei allowed the usage of the 5 Riders Vs King Dark film while Chaiyo forgot to license the characters out.
Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the action unfold:
Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sompote Sands
- Itaru Orita
Main Cast
- Yodchai Meksuwan
- Tanyarat Lohanan
- Pipop Pupinyo
- Kaan Boonchoo
- Ryô Hayami
- Hiroshi Fujioka
- Takeshi Sasaki
- Hiroshi Miyauchi
- Takehisa Yamaguchi
- Akiji Kobayashi
Producers
- Sompote Sands
Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders - FAQs
What is Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders about?
The film follows the villainous King Dark, who enslaves Thai scientist Dr. Wisut to build a monster army capable of destroying the Kamen Riders. When the cyborg heroes struggle to prevail, the Hindu deity Hanuman enters the battle, merging mythology with tokusatsu superhero action in this Thai-Japanese co-production.
Is Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders an official Toei production?
It occupies a legally ambiguous space. Toei permitted use of footage from the Kamen Rider film Five Riders vs. King Dark, but Chaiyo Productions did not properly license the characters. The film is widely regarded as a semi-official co-production rather than a fully authorized Toei release.
Who are the main actors in Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders?
The cast includes Yodchai Meksuwan as Dr. Wisut, Tanyarat Lohanan as Julie, Pipop Pupinyo as King Dark, and Kaan Boonchoo as Karn. Japanese actors include Hiroshi Fujioka, Takeshi Sasaki, Hiroshi Miyauchi, Takehisa Yamaguchi, Ryô Hayami, and Akiji Kobayashi reprising their iconic Kamen Rider roles.
When was Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders released?
Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders was released on March 15, 1975, in Thailand. The film was produced by Chaiyo Productions in collaboration with Toei Company and Shaw Brothers, making it one of the earliest Thai-Japanese superhero crossover films.
Who directed Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders?
The film was co-directed by Sompote Sands, the Thai filmmaker and founder of Chaiyo Productions known for blending Thai folklore with tokusatsu spectacle, and Itaru Orita, a Japanese director associated with Toei's superhero productions of the era.
What genre is Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders?
The film spans Action, Sci-Fi, and Horror genres. It blends the Japanese tokusatsu tradition — featuring cyborg superheroes and monster battles — with Thai mythology centered on the Hindu deity Hanuman, creating a distinctive cross-cultural genre hybrid rarely seen in 1970s cinema.
What are similar movies to Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders?
Fans of this film may enjoy Kamen Rider G (2009), Destroy All Monsters (1968), Ebirah Horror of the Deep (1966), Batman (1966), DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon (2017), and Mantra Warrior: The Bridge to Lanka (2024), all of which share its blend of superhero action, kaiju spectacle, or cross-cultural mythology.
How long is Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders?
Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders has a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes (106 minutes). The film packs its crossover premise — combining Thai mythology, Japanese tokusatsu footage, and original monster-battle sequences — into a briskly paced feature-length adventure.
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