Maijin Returns!

RETURN OF DAIMAIJIN-1966-An evil warlord conquers a village but the leader Lord Juro (Kojiro Hongo; also in a couple of GAMMERA movies) escapes. The warlord's army goes to the next village to look for him. Unfortunately for the warlord and minions the village is protected by the stone giant Maijin who's already angry. It gets even angrier when the warlord sends soldiers to destroy the statue, has village leader killed and holds his son hostage. His daughter goes to pray to Maljin for help. While mourning the destruction, she and her servant bodyguard find Jiro. A boat of soldiers lead by a mean subordinate is swallowed up by the lake. After lots of intrigue, swordplay and praying Jiro and the son and daughter are condemned to death. At the 61 minute mark Maijin makes its appearance and trounces the bad guys. It's still impressive but I thought the SFX in the first one were better. This Japanese production is a sequel to MAJIN: MONSTER OF TERROR. It was followed by a third installment THE WRATH OF DAIMAIJIN.