005 4 The movie that started it all was also the best . Although much has been written of the splicing-in of select scenes for Raymond Burr to Americanize the movie for its release in the USA , this movie , nonetheless is a classic . Any discussion of this movie is not complete without mentioning the haunting and throbbing musical score ; right from the beginning of the film when we are shown a destroyed and burning downtown Tokyo , the music only enhances the horror aspects of this film . This is one of the few pre - 80 ' s Godzilla movies in which the monster looks and acts likes a monster rather than some guy in a suit , for 1950 ' s technology , the special effects in this film are way ahead of their time . Subsequent Godzilla sequels never came close to the atmosphere and tension of this first classic . Many sequels showed Godzilla as the defender and friend of humanity , but here in the original , he is the fearsome beast of destruction .
068 4 Inexcuseable . Being a short movie there would have been ample room on the DVD to include the original Japaneese version of the film . The Raymond Burr version presents broken shards of the original film interspersed with an american narrator spliced in to soothe the minds of racist 1950 ' s america . Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon viewers can choose between english subtitling or english dubbing . Godzilla fans get neither . DVD extras are a nice , but what's the point when they don't include the movie in the first place ?
014 4 There is none better . The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is for the spliced-in Raymond Burr scenes to Americanize the story . I have a VHS copy of the original JAPANESE ONLY release , not shown in the U.S . That versin is longer , the scenes are in different order and the story takes on a whole new look , focusing more on the characters . Oh for a DVD of that version !
That aside , this is the film by which I judge all ' creature features ' . You forget the monster is a man in a rubber suit , stomping around a miniature set . The black & white photography , the attention to lighting details make this a winner all around .
I feel guilty for being sad at the end as Godzilla dies , but that's just how the story pulls you in . The 1995 movie of the same name was an insult to this near-masterpiece .
054 4 This is the very first Godzilla movie ever made . Its also one of the best ones , too . The basic plot is a surviving dinosaur is exposed to radiation and turns into a monster that breathes nuclear fire . Then , Godzilla attacks Tokyo and kills thousands . Godzilla is defeated by . . . Nah , I won't tell you . It will spoil the surprise . Godzilla , King of the Monsters is an awesome movie . Unlike King Kong ( 1933 ) , Godzilla is a man in a suit . The special FX , acting , and music are AWESOME ! Its just that there is some bad dubbing , but thats it . Go check out this movie . You will absolutely LOVE IT ! !
081 4 i have read that TOHO has just remastered ( sept 2009 ) this in 4K HD 1080p and it is pristine-it is also pillarboxed-so you see more than the DVD $65 at YESASIA
all region no subs-but we all know the story by heart dont we ?
087 4 When I was my nephews age I enjoyed Godzilla very much . Now that I am much older and this movie is much older too ( at least 30 years ago ) I was very very surprised that my nephew gave this movie 4 STARS when I asked him how many he would give it . When a movie like Godzilla can still touch my nephew soul just as the way it touched my soul as well as my brothers soul when we were his age this is truly how to define a movie a CLASSIC : )
136 4 THIS IS MAYBE THE BEST CLASSIC MOVIE EVER MADE ! I WOULD DIE IF GODZILLA WAS NEVER MADE !
140 4 I have just got done watching this movie and I have to say THIS IS THE BEST GODZILLA MOVIE EVER ! ! ! I've been a fan of the series for more than eight and a half years and have been disapointed with only three movies thus far ( Godzilla VS . Gigan , Megalon and Revenge ) . Usually when I watch Godzilla , I skip the story and just watch the battles but this movie had me watching the whole thing . Raymond Burr did a excellent job as Steve Martin and I definetly liked the scene when Godzilla gets killed by the Oxegen Destroyer . I recommend this movie to every G fan out there , a true masterpiece .
141 4 Hey all you G fans , I can't tell you my name but the nickname is DC and I'll let you Know Im one of the Biggest G fans out there . Ive been a fan of the series for more than eight and a half years and have been dissapointed with only three films thus far ( Godzilla vs . Megalon , Gigan and Revenge ) . I just got done watching this movie and let me tell you this is the BEST GODZILLA MOVIE EVER ! ! ! The acting was suberb and the effects were beyond great ! Raymond Burr did an excellent job as reporter Steve Martin and Godzilla was evil ( That's the way its supposed to be ) . I give this movie a five star rating for its great story , acting , and most of all , its a Godzilla film . A great movie to watch on the weekends . Indeed , this movie is a true masterpiece .
148 4 Hello . The names DC , and Im one of the BIGGEST GODZILLA FANS out there . I have just got done watching this movie and I have to say THIS IS THE BEST GODZILLA MOVIE EVER ! ! ! I've been a fan of the series for more than eight and a half years and have been disapointed with only three movies thus far ( Godzilla VS . Gigan , Megalon and Revenge ) . Usually when I watch Godzilla , I skip the story and just watch the battles but this movie had me watching the whole thing . Raymond Burr did a excellent job as Steve Martin and I definetly liked the scene when Godzilla gets killed by the Oxegen Destroyer . I recommend this movie to every G fan out there , a true masterpiece .
022 4 If you enjoy Godzilla movies , and I do , then this is a must have . I have not seen the restored original but I hope to do so soon . What makes this so well done is the cutting and editing that was done to make Raymond Burr's character actually part of the movie . This was the version I saw as a kid in the theatre on a Saturday afternoon and I still love it . Give yourself a treat and watch it .
120 4 * * * * * . the first and one of the best godzilla films ever ! the score was brillent the plot was good the destuction of tokyo was the best part if you want to buy this film get the simtar edtion because the screen quality is nice and it's loaded with special stuff after the movie !
124 4 Godzilla is a anti war film . To appreciate it fully you have to watch the Japan version without any Hollywood actors and in the original language . No Raymond Burr etc . This version is almost impossible to find . I saw it in NY at the Film Forum about 3 years ago . It speaks about the aftermath of the bombings on Nagasaki and Hiroshima .
058 4 Today , after countless B-movie remakes as well as big budget Amercanized attempts at the franchise , Godzilla has become the penultimate movie monster , forever trapped in the cycle of rising from the ocean to wreak havoc upon a city , or to wage battle with other never before seen monsters . The films have reached iconic status and have been parodied numerous times before , but if one looks at the original movie that launched the entire franchise , 1954 ' s GOJIRA , a much different understanding of the impetus behind the creature becomes apparent . Unfortunately though for American audiences , this original Japanese version of the film was completely repackaged for its release in the states as the 1956 film , GODZILLA , KING OF THE MONSTERS . To say that the film was re-edited would be an understatement , for in actuality , it was simply put , butchered . For GODZILLA , KING OF THE MONSTERS , footage from the original GOJIRA was merely spliced together with footage of Raymond Burr as an American reporter in Japan , and the result was a greatly diminished and vastly diluted remnant of writer and director Ishiro Honda's vision that was established in GOJIRA . Classic Media has now released the original Japanese version of the film from 1954 on Blu-ray so audiences can finally experience the film as it was meant to be seen , and without the intercut American scenes .
GOJIRA follows the story of a 50 - meter tall sea creature from the Jurassic Period who , after atomic bomb tests , arises from the depths of the Pacific Ocean and begins to rampage through the streets of Tokyo . Seemingly unable to be stopped , a brilliant young scientist , Serizawa ( Akihiko Hirata ) , has developed a plan that could save the people of Japan from the monster , but he is reluctant to allow it to be used , for it could mean ecological disaster for Japan , and if it falls into the wrong hands , it could be used as a weapon that has the possibility of destroying humankind . Made less than a decade after the atomic bomb blasts that annihilated Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 , GOJIRA becomes more than just a standard horror film , but instead presents a cautionary tale about the effects of building weapons that can destroy populations en masse . GOJIRA metaphorically then represents the philosophy behind the beginning of the Cold War , that the way to counter a destructive force is with the amassing of an even greater destructive force . The choice Serizawa must make , whether to use his oxygen destroyer device or not , becomes the central core of GOJIRA , and is the catalyst that drives the four intersecting character arcs of the four principal players , Serizawa , Dr . Yamane ( Takashi Shimura ) , Emiko ( Momoko Kochi ) and Ogata ( Akira Takarada ) .
This focus on character development , and the implications of their actions , sets a more serious tone for the film than is found in any of the later movies that followed in the franchise , and Honda , alongside the film's other writers , Shigeru Kayama and Takeo Murata , is able to build an engaging film that helps to define the era . The writing team effectively creates a pervasive layer of fear throughout the entire film that at any moment , an entire village can be randomly destroyed by something that is completely not able to be controlled . Godzilla's initial appearance takes place at nighttime , during a typhoon , never allowing the audience to really see the monster that is creating the destruction . It is here that the psychological element of fear within the picture is established , and when finally the dinosaur like Godzilla is seen in daylight for the first time , it proves to be the culmination of a collective fear , something that is bigger than life and that has never before been imagined .
Special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya and his team of artists did a phenomenal job of fully realizing the aesthetics of Godzilla , creating something that looks like it could have existed millions of years ago while at the same time something that has been ravaged by the effects of radiation . While many may take for granted the fact that Godzilla is actually just a guy in a suit walking through a miniature set , the fact is , in 1954 , that approach had never been taken before , and Tsuburaya is able to create some very effective and innovative shots that help convey Godzilla's size and sheer mass . This serves to amplify the magnitude of the destruction , and while the decision to put a guy in a monster suit as opposed to filming miniature armatures such as seen in KING KONG was one that was made out of budgetary and time constraint based reasons , it actually helped serve to establish an innovative look to the special effects in GOJIRA that still remain relevant today .
GOJIRA does get bogged down in its story at some points though and the film seems a bit heavy handed at times , but it is still monumentally superior to the Amercanized version of the movie . With its socially poignant storyline , engaging characters and innovative special effects , it still remains a film that even fifty-five years later , should be seen .
The Blu-ray release though is unfortunately disappointing at best . The film has not been restored so the picture is filled with numerous scratches and spots throughout and there are some scenes that tend to have a shakiness to them . For bonus features there are two very informative featurettes , one focusing on the development of the story and one on the construction of the Godzilla suit . There is also audio commentary and the film's original trailer . What is missing though from the Blu-ray release that was included in a DVD edition is the 1956 American version of the film . Having both of the movies and being able to compare them with one another provides great insight into the tonal reception of the picture and the cultural differences in its interpretation , and the exclusion of GODZILLA , KING OF THE MONSTERS , was a grave oversight . Had the picture been either restored or improved , and had both versions of the film been included , the Blu-ray release of GOJIRA would be worth the investment , but unfortunately as it stands , the DVD edition is still the better buy .
001 4 This review is mainly concerned with the original , Japanese version of Gojira ( not dubbed ) . I find that inserting Raymond Burr's character and removing some of the original to do so takes a great deal away from this movie and what it represents .
Godzilla rises from his long sleep due to the effects of the hydrogen bomb . With each attack , the creature becomes more bold until Tokyo suffers a devasting attack , and only a miracle can save the country from another tragic visit by this risen giant .
The love affair plays a secondary but important part in the film . Emiko has been promised in marriage to a brilliant young scientist but has fallen in love with another man . It is the old world traditions clashing with modernity . Her father is a paleontologist who is probably the only person sharing empathy with Godzilla , feeling that destroying the beast will be depriving science of its one and only chance to study a creature from the prehistoric past .
What is often overlooked ( and not really stressed in the American version ) is the terrible dilemma the young scientist faces when he is begged to use his oxygen destroyer weapon against Godzilla . Only the viewing of the destruction and sadness make him realize there is only one course to take . I feel he is the most crucial and yet saddest character in the entire movie . He actually loses on a number of counts - - his life's work ( he destroys his formula so it could never fall into the wrong hands ) , his fiancee has decided to wed another , and in true samurai-like tradition , ends his life nobly . The scene of Godzilla's painful death at the same moment that this brave but troubled researcher ends his own is poignant in the extreme .
This film is not just about humans against an ancient monster awakened from the past . It is about the universal emotions of love , dedication and the dangers to which science can lead us . It is also about sacrifice and triumph over impossible odds .
It is important to remember that the original movie was produced not that many years after the devastation wrought on Japan by the atomic bombs . It does not take much of the imagination to see the same destroyed cities , dying and injured people and the heartache produced by an attack , whether monster or man-made , on such a massive scale . The burning buildings , high levels of radioactivity , the melting metal all conjure up the effects of the atomic bomb , and in many ways this movie is an illustration of what Japan experienced , as well as providing a cathartic effect to a nation that suffered perhaps the greatest horror of this century .
The underlying message here is that , like the oxygen destroyer , atomic weapons are the most destructive device ever invented by man . This movie , besides being a very scary monster film ( it gave me nightmares when I was a little girl ) is an anti-nuclear weapon vehicle which gets its message across through the characters of a enormous beast , a scientist faced with a moral decision , and a people bent on surviving . Godzilla is more then a movie ; it is a social statement against any weapon that has the power to alter our world , and the people in it , forever .
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the old gentleman who was encased within the Godzilla costume . A very short man playing a huge monster ( he was about 5 feet tall ) , he was nevertheless delighted and surprised that his portrayal of the beast has continued to draw audiences even after all these years . It was an honor to meet him .
My advice is the best way to see this movie is in the original , uncut Japanese version without dubbing . I am not a big fan of dubbing anyway , and feel that since people know the story and what is being said , the language barrier disappears and the emotional impact of the film is felt on a much higher scale .
To me , this is one of the best movies produced and has stood the passing of time . It holds many lessons for those who are open to the warnings and human tragedies , both physical and emotional , that we are forced to face in a world that has advanced to the point of self-annihilation .
002 4 HA ! Imagine that , I'm the first one to get to review one of the old classics ! HA ! Finally , today is my day .
First of all , I like all these old monster movies , especially the really big monsters . Godzilla is somewhere between 300 and 400 feet tall ( I got that from the dialogue in the movie ) , that constitutes BIG . So you can expect my review to be a half star to one star higher than most others .
So lets get with it . ( I'm watching it again as I review it ) .
PROS :
1 . Stars Raymond Burr , that's a star .
2 . Great music , four notes on a piano and three notes on a clarinet - - works just fine . That's a star .
3 . Special effects , everybody knows the Japanise did the best scaling on cities and toy cars and things than anybody else . Though you can in several scenes ( where godzilla is jerking around ) tell it's just a man in a rubber suit . . . so what . It's all shot in that great old Black and white film . They get a star .
4 . The acting , directing , writing are just fine for an old popcorn movie , that's a star .
5 . The idea . That's another star because of the way it is handled . A very big lizard is waken up , or resurrected , or frankensteined together , because of H Bomb Test . And what's a big lizard to do when woke up from a 200 million year sleep ? . . . go find the guys who did it and stomp their city to rubble . Yes sir , NOBODY does it better or equal to godzilla ! The story starts off with Raymond Burr's plane flying several miles above the ocean just as the big lizard decides to sink its first ship . He is questioned by the authorities - - he was asleep and spends some part of the movie running around with the scientist and military as they try to figure out what is going one . It helps that godzilla stomps his way onto one of the islands late night and smashes a rather large village , small town . Of course it has to be the one Ramond is sleeping on . He doesn't see the monster but everybody hears it coming . I guess the whole world knows THOSE foot steps . We don't get to see it either except for the bottom part of its ' left leg . But that's okay , the next time it comes stomping ashore it does so in full day light .
Welp . . . there's no doubt now !
Yea know , godzilla has just about the same amount of respect for a military tank as a tornado does for a trailer . . . something about those two just don't get along !
Moving along : There a few incidents , all of them seem well done , the scaling continues to be the best out there . . . no need for computer graphics in these old movies . They must have had background actors in the high hundreds to low thousands to shoot some of these scenes .
Well , I don't want to giveaway all the story to those of you who have never seen this movie before - - all three of you . I will say , it is a clean movie through and through . It is the stuff that used to give me nightmares when I was a young kid 45 or more years ago . Some of the scenes actually look real . I do recomment it to all the growing popcorn crowd and all of you who like to watch ' old ' classics . For all the old giant monster type movies this is probably the best one to ever come from overseas .
CONS :
1 . I could set here and pick this or any popcorn movie to pieces . . . but why do it ? It is a fine movie . It is a monster movie . It is a BIG monster movie . I've seen better , I've seen worse . It is a BIG MONSTER movie that demands popcorn and soda . Remember , it is a classic and is the original godzilla from which all the others came from .
Buy , don't rent the classics .
Bye !
003 4 I bought the 2 disc dvd of Gojira that was released a few years ago . I definitely prefer the original Japanese version of the film versus the U.S . cut . I was very excited to find out that this monster movie / horror classic was coming to blu-ray . I eagerly awaited getting this disc home and watching it . BE WARNED : this blu-ray only displays up to 1080i . The picture is not that bad but it could have been better . This film is in dire need of a full restoration ; if it is possible . The video is a notch better than the dvd ; but not breathtaking by any means . In Japan , Godzilla movies are coming out on blu-ray . Let's hope that some of them come out on blu-ray over here : preferably GMK-Giant Monsters All-Out Attack , Godzilla Final Wars , Mothra vs . Godzilla ( 1964 ) , Godzilla vs . MechaGodzilla ( 1974 ) , Destroy All Monsters , Godzilla vs . Hedorah , Godzilla vs . Biollante , Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster and other Toho mammoth hits like : Frankenstein vs , Baragon , War Of The Gargantuas and Rodan . And hopefully they will be full restorations . After all the money we pay for blu-ray discs , we should not accept half-done , half-job upgrades . If anyone does not believe old films can not be totally digitally restored , watch Live And Let Die ( 1973 ) , The Day The Earth Stood Still ( 1951 ) and In The Realm Of The Senses ( 1976 ) Criterion Collection .
004 4 NOTE : This review was written in 2004 for the now discontinued American version of Godzilla . That version did NOT include the Japanese version . Amazon links all versions of the DVD , so my review is now showing up for the newer DVD version .
The original version of this film , entitled Gojiro , was a huge hit in Japan , and was even nominated for their Best Film award . However , American distributors apparently thought that it would not play well in the U.S . So they sheared about 20 minutes from the original and added new scenes featuring Raymond Burr , fresh from the success of Rear Window .
Burr plays Steve Martin , an American reporter visiting Japan . When Burr arrives in Tokyo , he receives news that a giant monster named Godzilla has attacked a ship and is wreaking havoc . His friend , Dr . Kyohei Yamane , is one of the preeminent scientists trying to solve the mystery of Godzilla , giving Burr a front seat view to the proceedings .
Unfortunately , the new scenes with Burr are not well-integrated , with many scenes featuring Burr standing with a few Asian extras . In addition , by deleting scenes , the action becomes rather incomprehensible , and the Japanese stars are reduced to minor characters . In particular , an important love triangle featuring Dr . Yamane's daughter , Emiko , is completely stripped of context . All the tension is drained from this version as the audience doesn't connect with the Japanese stars . Although the original version is now available , this one is what you're likely to catch on TV . A real abomination .
008 4 This is the original Japanese ' man in a lizard suit ' movie , and is still very respectable despite being 48 years old . This movie is a gritty , darker type of Godzilla movie than the films that follow in the series . In this one Godzilla is clearly the bad guy ( not so in many later incarnations ) and obliterates Tokyo . As is virtually always the case in films of this genre from Japan of that era , the movie is essentially an anti-nuclear cautionary tale , and as such is vastly more effective than most of the films that followed in its footsteps .
Originally a 100 minute ( or so ) movie made in Japan with an all Japanese cast , the film was edited to its present 78 minutes and Raymond Burr was added as a reporter to position it better at the American box office . Although this was probably unnecessary , Burr acquits himself well , and it is not jarringly edited like some films in which additional scenes have been added later .
It's a given that the special effects are cheesy , but that does not denigrate this as a meritorious film . The acting and script are quite good , and the scenes generally are done quite dramatically , using the actors and sets to good effect . No fan of sci-fi should be without this , the original , and still best , Japanese monster movie .
010 4 This review is from :
Godzilla , King of the Monsters ( 1998 Re-Release of the American Version ) ( DVD )
Godzilla King of the Monsters . The title says it all . Not the first , nor the last , not the biggest but certainly the baddest . In this movie we see no cuteness , no fun and games , no friggin cutesy wootsey with little bumbling Japanese kids . In this film we see a walking , stalking city destroying nightmare . Walking armageddon with atomic breath . For the first and last time we see the human consequences of having a firebreathing dragon destroying one of the largest cities in the world . People burned , maimed , irradiated and over it all the thunderous sound of his footsteps and the savage cry of a beast born of nature and man's twisted science of destruction .
Sigh if only the DVD were worthy of the subject matter . Why in Heaven's name are we stuck with what looks like a copy of a print someone used to grate cheese . It's full of pops , streaks and the dubbing good lord . Why can't we get the undubbed original without Raymond Burr ? ? ? ! ! ! ! Is anyone listening ?
011 4 Godzilla King of the Monsters . The title says it all . Not the first , nor the last , not the biggest but certainly the baddest . In this movie we see no cuteness , no fun and games , no friggin cutesy wootsey with little bumbling Japanese kids . In this film we see a walking , stalking city destroying nightmare . Walking armageddon with atomic breath . For the first and last time we see the human consequences of having a firebreathing dragon destroying one of the largest cities in the world . People burned , maimed , irradiated and over it all the thunderous sound of his footsteps and the savage cry of a beast born of nature and man's twisted science of destruction .
Sigh if only the DVD were worthy of the subject matter . Why in Heaven's name are we stuck with what looks like a copy of a print someone used to grate cheese . It's full of pops , streaks and the dubbing good lord . Why can't we get the undubbed original without Raymond Burr ? ? ? ! ! ! ! Is anyone listening ?
012 4 This review is from :
Gojira [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
This review is for the Blu-Ray version of Gojira . Which Amazon , in its infinite wisdom , has not only bunched the reviews , but the contents of the regular DVD into the description .
I'm torn between liking this and hating this Blu-Ray version . The picture is tight . And I mean real tight . The images on my Sony XBR 34 HD are practically 3D . The lighting , except for some natural blemish , is gorgeous just like the night scenes are beautifully hellish . It's also cool seeing all the wires ( FX ) and folds of the G-suit in Blu-Ray tightness . My complaints are the following : This print should have been restored . To have all the lines and scratches on a Blu-Ray transfer just doesn't make sense and makes you feel like you've wasted some cash . I also believe that even in this original Japanese version there was a scene cut out . I remember Ogata and crew travelling on a train and Emiko talking about how she survived Nagasaki . At least I think I saw this in the Realto version when they had a limited release a few years ago in NYC . I would have also like to have seen some sort of interview , whether made for the DVD or old newsreel clips , of the people who took part in creating the film . Such as Ishiro Honda , Akira Ifukube and so on . The extras provided by American fans are actually interesting but it would have been a nice accompaniment to have the real players involved .
That is all .
013 4 This review is for the Blu-Ray version of Gojira . Which Amazon , in its infinite wisdom , has not only bunched the reviews , but the contents of the regular DVD into the description .
I'm torn between liking this and hating this Blu-Ray version . The picture is tight . And I mean real tight . The images on my Sony XBR 34 HD are practically 3D . The lighting , except for some natural blemish , is gorgeous just like the night scenes are beautifully hellish . It's also cool seeing all the wires ( FX ) and folds of the G-suit in Blu-Ray tightness . My complaints are the following : This print should have been restored . To have all the lines and scratches on a Blu-Ray transfer just doesn't make sense and makes you feel like you've wasted some cash . I also believe that even in this original Japanese version there was a scene cut out . I remember Ogata and crew travelling on a train and Emiko talking about how she survived Nagasaki . At least I think I saw this in the Realto version when they had a limited release a few years ago in NYC . I would have also like to have seen some sort of interview , whether made for the DVD or old newsreel clips , of the people who took part in creating the film . Such as Ishiro Honda , Akira Ifukube and so on . The extras provided by American fans are actually interesting but it would have been a nice accompaniment to have the real players involved .
That is all .
015 4 For any movie to merit a sequel , or 22 sequels for that matter , it has to be special . Gojira stands on the lofty summit with Dracula ; Frankenstein ; Forbidden planet ; War of the Worlds and 2001 : A Space Odyssey as one of the great science fiction films of all time . What we have here is a synergy of a monster tale , a moral dilemma , and a powerful anti-war message . Together the film becomes a visionary tale of man trying to survive the fury of the Atom bomb made flesh . It examines the consequences of our sins , and asks directly if we have learned from our mistakes and what we are willing to do to prevent making those same mistakes again . Gojira is about the green big one , yes , but it also examines like no other film in the series the consequences of the monster's rampages . Gojira was made to be a drama first , a science fiction fantasy second . The film portrays real human suffering because of Godzilla's depredations . This draws the viewer wholeheartedly into the struggle of the Japanese people as they try to survive this catastrophe . As a drama , Gojira invests the time to develop characters who we can in turn invest in . Dr . Serizawa's dilemma at using his invention to save Japan at the possible cost of the world is brilliantly acted . As is Emiko Yamane's torment at having to betray her fiancée to a man she really loves in order to save Japan from Godzilla . The film doesn't shy away from messy solutions either . Like most science fiction films , the scientist uses an invention to destroy the monster at the end of the film . Unlike most science fiction films , the scientist chooses to die with his invention rather than let it be used for evil ends . It is this kind of daring and innovative filmmaking that lifted Gojira above the multitude of other 50 ' s radioactive monster films onto a level all its own . The final testament to the power of Gojira is that it is the only old Godzilla film that is not diminished when adapted for an English speaking audience . Rather , the addition extra scenes with Raymond Burr as reporter Steve Martin , add a clever and worthwhile perspective to the action unfolding in the film . If you only watch one Godzilla film - make it this one .
016 4 Godzilla , King of the Monsters depicts the Big G as he was meant to be ; massive , menacing and just plain mean . There is nothing cute about this movie , and Godzilla , unlike his many later incarnations , doesn't save anyone from anything .
The Americanized version removes much of the background and detail footage from the original Gojira , replacing it with Raymond Burr as ace reporter Steve Martin , and his Japanese colleague , security officer Tomo Iwanaga . The spliced in scenes cause some continuity problems , but not nearly enough to detract from the effectiveness of the film . An atmospheric and eerie soundtrack adds a powerful sense of foreboding to many scenes .
This disc offers many worthwhile extra features . First , the movie itself is included in both the original theatrical version ( widescreen ) and in the full-frame television format , including your choice of mono or surround sound soundtracks !
A Godzilla Film Trailer collection is included , alongwith a brief documentary history of Sci-Fi Monsters . There is also an interactive trivia game and some biographical data .
The disc also offers Cd-Rom features including printable photo and art galleries and full motion screen savers .
Considering the age of the original film , this DVD offers more than many more recent efforts . Well worth the investment !
017 4 Godzilla is awakened by Nuclear weapon testing in his film debut . After G causes a few mysterious disasters off the coast of Japan , the people of Tokyo come face to face with the ancient , giant , powerful , terrifying , fire breathing monster , who has the power to trample all of Tokyo . My Thoughts
Godzilla , King of the Monsters was certainly a movie I enjoyed watching , but it isn't my favorite of the Godzilla movies . It had some exciting parts but , likewise had parts that were a bit corny or dull . The movie surprised me a bit by being smartly creative , and also potrayed Godzilla destroying Tokyo well . I additionally thought , ( although his part is greatly criticized by many G fans ) that Raymond Burr ( Steve Martin ) did a nice acting job . He added some fear to the movie , and his description of Godzilla and his attack on Tokyo was classic . What makes this one of the better Godzilla films though is the seriousness and realism of the film . Godzilla wasn't a cartoonish good guy like he is in most of his later movies , he was what he was supposed to be , a terrifying creature people feared , hated , and wanted to see killed . Overall , Godzilla , King of the Monsters was a fairly well made film , better than any other original monster movie during the 50s and 60s monster era , I liked , and other Godzilla fans should like too ! END END
018 4 The Simitar two-sided dvd contains a fullscreen version
on one side , and a so-called theatrical letterbox version on the other .
WARNING : The letterbox version is misleading - it's not in true widescreen at all . The top and bottom of the picture was merely chopped off , a fact which becomes painfully obvious when comparing scenes of this version with the fullscreen . But there are some decent extras on this dvd nonetheless , such as the documentary on movie monsters , and the Godzilla art gallery .
The Sony Classic Media dvd release contains the fullscreen version , and virtually no extras , when compared to the Simitar edition . But having found it in a bargain bin for $5 , it was an okay deal , with the quality of the movie itself comparable and seemingly slightly better ( such as it is , scratches and all ) than the Simitar release . Skip the Dolby-Surround sound options on both releases - the Dolby mono is a bit clearer and less distorted .
This classic movie deserves far better treatment on dvd .
C'mon big shot video producers / sellers - if you put the original Gojira with English subtitles on dvd ,
people will buy it . Maybe pair it up with the second
Fire Lizard feature .
019 4 First Godzilla movie . Now , right there is enough reason to buy this movie , but there are many more reasons too . Special effects wise , it's great and a treat to the eye ( especially compared to Godzilla vs . The Smog Monster or Godzilla vs . Megalon ) . Effects include : puppets , suit mation , and stop motion . This is where Godzilla is still an atomic , horrifing creature that kills and not the smiling , kid freindly monster . Just Godzilla , no Minya , no Rodan , and best of all no Jet Jaguar ! The american scenes with Raymond Burr kind of dull down the film which is why it only gets 4 stars , but I try to overlook the american scenes and concentrate on Godzilla's awsome rampages through japanese cities . The footage of death and destruction in that glorious stark black and white are an awe inspiring site !
Filmed in stark black and white , this is the very best movie to start with if you want to see all the Godzilla movies . Watch all the movies in order from this 1956 film to Godzilla vs . Destroyer made in 1995 . As you progress through the series you will find out that Godzilla turns into a totally diffrent creature and then turns back to a mean creature again .
021 4 I can recall the awe I felt when seeing Godzilla for the first time as a young child ; I had nightmares about the giant beast walking through the streets of my neighborhood . I dreamt I was hiding from the stomping feet of the great lizard . Of course , I didn't really know what good filmmaking was in those days .
The one good thing about any version of the original Godzilla is the amazing roar the creature produced - is there anything else like it ? Who could forget the great blast of sound that shook an entire city , and became the legendary voice of the great beast ? Whether one likes the Godzilla films or not , all know that sound . . .
The Americanized version of Godzilla seems to suck the life right out of the film . Raymond Burr's inserted scenes mostly consist of reaction shots with a blank look on his face - and there are many of them . Then there is the obvious difference in film stock quality : the original Japanese scenes are grayer and of poor quality , the American scenes of far better quality . The English dubbing for the Japanese characters is plain laughable ; it is clear they are not really talking about the same thing the dubbing indicates ! Due to this fact , many scenes in the film seem to make no sense whatsoever .
I recently saw the film on the AMC cable channel , and found myself wishing I could see the original version in Japanese with subtitles - fortunately a restored DVD with both the Raymond Burr scenes and the original Japanese version will soon be available . At last , Godzilla will be seen the way he should be .
Alas , 3 stars is all I can muster for the butchered American version of this classic .
024 4 Before Godzilla was turned into a colorful film series for the kids - - and before it was turned into an high-priced snoozefest starring Ferris Bueller - - the story of a resurrected dinosaur terrorizing Japan was a tragic and brilliant cautionary tale of science gone wrong . The American re-edit of this seminal Japanese film features Raymond Burr as a reporter who is pulled almost literally into the story of a lifetime , as he witnesses the berserk creature destroy modern Tokyo . With its atmospheric cinematography , serious tone , and sincere acting , Godzilla is as effective as any other classic of the period , including Them , The Thing from Another World and Invasion of the Body Snatchers . Even American adults used to offering snickers and snide remarks about Japanese monster movies will find little here to deride , other than , perhaps , the overreliance on Burr's narration . ( Of course , the joke's on them - - few of those films are aimed at anyone older than a young child . ) It's good enough that Michael Crichton and Steven Spielberg would seem to raid Godzilla for ideas in their modern redux , the Jurassic Park movies .
025 4 It's a pity , no , a CRIME , that the Americanized version of this movie is the only one widely available here . The original , longer Japanese version is easily one of the most under-rated and under-distributed films of the last 50 years , probably because it hits on points we simply don't want to think about . The horrible doom-laden footsteps of this ancient monster are transparent allusions to the sound of approaching bombs . One scene in particular , with the Japanese children singing a hopeless hymn in a vain attempt to stave off yet another raid , has been edited to minimize the burns , scars , and disfigurations those in the original version wore . The nuclear references have been minimized or eliminated altogether . Oddly enough , both versions refer to the monster as being two million years old - someone didn't bother to research the time scales we're talking about here . But as an allegory for a country having been bombed nearly back to the Stone Age just nine years earlier , I'm sure that Gojira gave more Japanese adults than children nightmares . You can't blame Raymond Burr for being in this movie , but by all means , try to get your hands on an original version and give it a decent chance . And whatever you do , don't waste any time on the ' 98 US remake : no amount of money can disguise the jaw-dropping lack of ability evidenced in * * every * * aspect of that fiasco .
026 4 Since the first time I saw the movie on television during the late 60 ' s I have found it frightening . Produced and released in Japan in 1954 , this was Toho Studios first entry in the giant-monster genre , their answer to the West's Giant Behemoth and Beast from 20,000 Fathoms . With a production budget of close to the U.S . equivalent of one million dollars ( a large expenditure for a Japanese movie in those years ) , Toho created what was to become an international classic . Instead of using the popular stop-motion technique , they chose to employ an actor in a monster suit , miniature buildings and ships , and a large water tank from which they were able to create an effect of considerable realism . The fact that this movie was shot in black-and-white , along with Akira Ifubuke's dramatic music score , created a very errie and gloomy quality to the film . Considering the available technology , the special effects , overall , are pretty good . One major flaw is the use of odd and different-looking puppets of Godzilla's upperbody and head . There are at least three with distinctly different looks . . . one with oddly-focused eyes . . . seen primarily when he sprays his atomic breath . There are also some scenes in which the composite photography is sloppy ( especially compared to later Toho films ) . . . understandable considering this was the studio's first attempt at making such a motion picture . There were , however , several impressive sfx scenes . I'm sure there was much trial-and-error and learning going on with the special effects crew . Overall , the American version ( originally released in the U.S . in 1956 ) , with the inserted footage of Raymond Burr , is fairly well-done and blends in well with the Japanese version . My general impression of the film , after having seen it many times over the years , is that it is more creepy and suspenseful than any other description I can use . I do not consider this movie to be one of the best of the series , but was a fine initial effort by the studio and certainly set the stage for the many Toho monster films to follow .
027 4 If you've only seen the Hollywood Godzilla do yourself a favor and buy this video . The DVD has two sides , one with the widescreen version ( which has so little off the top and bottom of the screen that it's almost the same as the pan and scan version on the other side ) as well as a documentary of monster films , which is really nothing more than trailers of old monster flicks . The other side also has a trivia game with questions about the movie . While it can't compare with the effects of computer animation , this is a more interesting film to watch . The music is excelllent . This is the version with Raymond Burr , whose footage was inserted for US release . There is little dubbing , quite a bit of dialog is in Japanese , with Burr explaining what is going on . Maybe someday the original Japenese version will be released with subtitles .
028 4 Believe it or not , the answer to the question posed in the title is Yes . The movie , a Japanese production , was originally made in 1954 . This edition was remade for an American audience in 1956 by using Raymond Burr as reporter Steve Martin . He serves as an on-scene reporter ( and narrator ) of the movie .
The film begins with Godzilla rising from the ocean floor , killing a number of peaceful Japanese fishermen . The historical parallel is to the real life radioactive contamination of 23 Japanese fishermen on the Lucky Dragon 5 fishing boat . The first two nuclear test explosions on the Bikini Atoll and the ocean surrounding the atoll were conducted in 1946 ( learn more at my review of Radio Bikini ) . The fishermen were contaminated by a 1954 test in the same area .
Godzilla is a product of a nuclear explosion . Unleashed on Tokyo the destruction he reeks is as destructive as the fire bombing of Tokyo in WWII and , of course , the A-bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki . That is the point of the movie . In 1956 the Japanese were raising the question of what the unintended consequences of the use of the atomic bomb would be in the future . The movie's answer : monstrous mutations like Godzilla .
After this movie the Godzilla monster retreated into standard monster fare . Later Godzilla movies were mostly a matter of finding another appropriate monstrous colossus to fight it . Raymond Burr's performance is solid as usual . Everyone else in the movie is Japanese and dubbed in English .
One piece of trivia I found interesting is that Burr turned down the role when it was first offered to him because of time commitments . He was persuaded to take it when he was promised that he would only be required to work one day . The producers then made him work a straight 24 hours with only occasional breaks . Monstrous !
029 4 Honestly , for those of you who have yet to heed the warnings of the other reviewers who have claimed that this movie is a travesty , you really ought to do yourselves a favor and actually find a way to see the original film , like I did . Fortunately I saw the original before I saw this god-awful thing .
Though the original is by no means a movie you'll be able to refrain from laughing at ( the machine used to kill Godzilla is called the Oxygen Destroyer , for Christ sakes ) , there's an entirely relevant load of substance to the Japanese characters subtly portrayed in the Americanized version that the movie itself loses all of its dignity along with all of that substance . Though to some ( including myself ) both versions were a laugh-fest due to the fact the primitive methods used to portray special effects in the 1950s are hilarious , the Japanese version included a very touching romance between Hideto Ogata and Emiko Yemani that ended tragically and heroically through Ogata's selfless sacrifice in order to put a stop to Godzilla . This emotional scene is completely ruined in the American version with constant incoherent cuts to Raymond Burr's ugly mug . Those who have seen the Japanese version might have actually taken a break from their laughter to perhaps realize the same moral learned by those who saw the same movie in Japan when it was first released , too . Every shred of evidence that this movie is an allegory to the disastrous affects of the a-bomb usage has been deleted . So , the original has character substance . However , if you're watching this DVD's version you'll get nothing but a man in a rubber suit thrashing about with fishing line attached to his tail so he can knock down a train or two until there's an arbitrary cut to Burr's face wide-eyed with astonishment .
If you love Godzilla for the laughs I highly recommend this title , as it is shoddy 1950s special effects at their comedic zenith . However , if you would like to see why so many appreciated the original film ( as well as laugh at the outrageous name given to the device given to Godzilla that's mentioned seriously a hundred times ) then I would highly recommend you do some research and find some means of watching the original Gojira . I saw it at a local independent theater , though there's rumor that it may be headed to DVD this winter .
031 4 For anyone who has not seen this movie , you absolutly MUST see it ! The acting was great , the speacial effects are great , better than King Kong's speacial effects too . ( Godzilla's a guy in a highly detailed suit , King Kong's a toy so he moves around stiffly ) This is probably the best cult-classic movie ever . Highly recommended .
033 4 This was made along time ago before the original Little Shop of Horros was shot . This was the king of scifi first film . Lots of actions destruction and may han . The special effect could have been better most of this film I rate 3 to 5 stars .
The act is great Godzilla is intimidate . The death of tragic Dr . Hizaro change me . It cares a good less I show how humans careless nature often gettings then caugh up in dangerous and deadly situations .
I am a Godzilla fanatic the firtst film I saw was Godzilla Versus the Sea Monster I was realy young about may be 6 . At first I hate it and had nightmares . Then I got older about 10 I fall In love with it and started collected them I have all of them Today except for Godzilla Vs Smog Monster , Godzilla Raids Again , Godzilla Revenge , Godzilla Versus Meglarus , and Godzilla aganist Mecha Godzilla .
This was very good for his first movie I will contiunue to watch godzilla for the rest of the life know until the afterlife .
034 4 For any movie to merit a sequel , or 22 sequels for that matter , it has to be special . Gojira stands on the lofty summit with Dracula ; Frankenstein ; Forbidden planet ; War of the Worlds and 2001 : A Space Odyssey as one of the great science fiction films of all time . What we have here is a synergy of a monster tale , a moral dilemma , and a powerful anti-war message . Together the film becomes a visionary tale of man trying to survive the fury of the Atom bomb made flesh . It examines the consequences of our sins , and asks directly if we have learned from our mistakes and what we are willing to do to prevent making those same mistakes again . Gojira is about the green big one , yes , but it also examines like no other film in the series the consequences of the monster's rampages . Gojira was made to be a drama first , a science fiction fantasy second . The film portrays real human suffering because of Godzilla's depredations . This draws the viewer wholeheartedly into the struggle of the Japanese people as they try to survive this catastrophe . As a drama , Gojira invests the time to develop characters who we can in turn invest in . Dr . Serizawa's dilemma at using his invention to save Japan at the possible cost of the world is brilliantly acted . As is Emiko Yamane's torment at having to betray her fiancée to a man she really loves in order to save Japan from Godzilla . The film doesn't shy away from messy solutions either . Like most science fiction films , the scientist uses an invention to destroy the monster at the end of the film . Unlike most science fiction films , the scientist chooses to die with his invention rather than let it be used for evil ends . It is this kind of daring and innovative filmmaking that lifted Gojira above the multitude of other 50 ' s radioactive monster films onto a level all its own . The final testament to the power of Gojira is that it is the only old Godzilla film that is not diminished when adapted for an English speaking audience . Rather , the addition extra scenes with Raymond Burr as reporter Steve Martin , add a clever and worthwhile perspective to the action unfolding in the film . If you only watch one Godzilla film - make it this one .
036 4 GODZILLA's chances for American distribution were nil until a savvy Hollywood company snapped up the rights , chopped out a chunk , and replaced the edited footage with new scenes starring Raymond Burr . The resulting film was a mix of bad acting , static cinematography , and expensive but essentially B level special effects - - but when Godzilla stomped up from Tokyo Bay with the worst breath this side of Osaka , the American public took him to heart , and he's been a cult icon ever since .
In theory , the film is a serious and subtle commentary on the dangers of nuclear warfare . In practice , it doesn't quite work out that way . The Japanese and American scenes blend very badly ; the Japanese cast either overplays or underplays to a ridiculous degree ; and Raymond Burr is about as expressive as Mount Rushmore . What with fainting lab assistants , boiling fish , hysterical sailors , and Burr's clenched lips , serious and subtle don't stand a chance . And then there's the monster . This was actually one of the most expensive films made in Japan up to that time - - but even so , Japan was light years away from Hollywood when it came to special effects . Godzilla is very clearly a man in a rubber suit . Tokyo is very clearly a miniture set . But the surprising thing about this is that it's a darned good rubber suit and a darned good miniture set . And it proves extremely entertaining .
The DVD is good as it gets quality with your choice of widescreen or pan-and-scan ; frankly , there's not much difference between the two . There are also a number of cheesy extras that are kinda fun as well . Kids raised on computer graphics will probably hate the whole thing - - but for a true Godzilla fan or a classic B movie collector , this DVD is the way to go . Tell Tokyo I said hello !
037 4 This film is considered by many to be the best Godzilla film there is . Filled with great SPFX ( for the time ) , awesome but somber music , great acting and a good plot . When mentioning the big-G to people you usually receive the expected response . Thats right , the , those movies are so old fasioned or the even more popular , those movies are so fake .
That just proves those people aren't familar with GKOTM . What Toho managed to create was a classic Sci-Fi monster film .
The music is one thing about it that just sets the mood for when Godzilla does arrive in Tokyo .
038 4 Here's the original Godzilla in a nutshell : Good acting ( escpecially by Raymond Burr , who had to look at the movie and react to it in the US scenes filmed two years after the Japanese film was released ) , great special effects ( for the time ) , hauntingly good music , the only scary and suspensful Godzilla movie , a great plot , and good directing.If you're a kid and you don't watch because it's black and white , you're missing out on a great Godzilla film.Not being in color makes it even more scarry ( the first time you see it ) .
039 4 This review is from :
Gojira [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
One expects a higher priced Blu-ray Edition to be an improvement over the DVD Release . This release omits the Raymond Burr Godzilla King Of the Monsters version . Now instead of passing thew DVD on to a youngster I'll HAVE to keep both . I will not get tripled dipped on this one . Classic Media dropped the ball with this release . They've tarnished their impressive record of Kaiju releases
040 4 One expects a higher priced Blu-ray Edition to be an improvement over the DVD Release . This release omits the Raymond Burr Godzilla King Of the Monsters version . Now instead of passing thew DVD on to a youngster I'll HAVE to keep both . I will not get tripled dipped on this one . Classic Media dropped the ball with this release . They've tarnished their impressive record of Kaiju releases
041 4 This review is from :
Gojira [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
There's a bunch of people saying that this is just the Americanized version of the film , but this is completely false . The Japanese version of the film is included on one disc . The original 98 minute Japanese version without Raymond Burr . Everything from Classic Media's 2006 2 DVD release is being included on one disc here , except for the disappointing omission of the American version and the great commentary that went with it .
If I have on disappointment with this release it's that the disc appears like it won't feature any upgrades from the 2006 DVD version . So you will get two documentary's , the creation of the Godzilla suit and story development , one audio commentary ( which is outstanding ) , and the original trailer . These are good extras , particularly the commentary , which is one of the best for any DVD , or Blu-Ray release that I have ever heard , but if you own the DVD you already have this plus the American version of the film and a commentary to go along with it .
Personally I was hoping that Classic media would wait until they could get Toho's brand new remastered print for this film . That print is being released along with the rest of the Godzilla catalog starting now in Japan for about 68 $ apiece . In fact Japan's release of this film comes out this month as well . The print used here is the same one that was used for the DVD release . Which means it is serviceable , but there is a lot of print damage throughout . Perhaps Classic Media is planning on re releasing this film in the future with the new remastered print . We'll have to see what they do .
Regardless , if you already have the 2006 release all that your getting here is the same print with the same extras minus the American version of the film and the commentary that went with it , which seems like a waste of money to me . If you don't own the DVD release or this Blu-Ray yet then I recommend sticking with the 2006 DVD release for now .
042 4 There's a bunch of people saying that this is just the Americanized version of the film , but this is completely false . The Japanese version of the film is included on one disc . The original 98 minute Japanese version without Raymond Burr . Everything from Classic Media's 2006 2 DVD release is being included on one disc here , except for the disappointing omission of the American version and the great commentary that went with it .
If I have on disappointment with this release it's that the disc appears like it won't feature any upgrades from the 2006 DVD version . So you will get two documentary's , the creation of the Godzilla suit and story development , one audio commentary ( which is outstanding ) , and the original trailer . These are good extras , particularly the commentary , which is one of the best for any DVD , or Blu-Ray release that I have ever heard , but if you own the DVD you already have this plus the American version of the film and a commentary to go along with it .
Personally I was hoping that Classic media would wait until they could get Toho's brand new remastered print for this film . That print is being released along with the rest of the Godzilla catalog starting now in Japan for about 68 $ apiece . In fact Japan's release of this film comes out this month as well . The print used here is the same one that was used for the DVD release . Which means it is serviceable , but there is a lot of print damage throughout . Perhaps Classic Media is planning on re releasing this film in the future with the new remastered print . We'll have to see what they do .
Regardless , if you already have the 2006 release all that your getting here is the same print with the same extras minus the American version of the film and the commentary that went with it , which seems like a waste of money to me . If you don't own the DVD release or this Blu-Ray yet then I recommend sticking with the 2006 DVD release for now .
044 4 - - - - As a note the American version of the DVD was edited a lot , and raymond burr was added in , the uncut version ( Which I hear will be out on DVD some time soon ) was a lot more dramatic , or at least for a country that at the time was still living in a post nuclear bombing phase . - - - -
Wow it sure is amazing . When I was kid back in 94 and beyond we would be watching dubbed tapes of Godzilla VS the Sea monster and other things , and let me tell you , those were great times . BUT I never got the cahcne to watch to classic motion picture Godzilla : King of the monsters till recently .
Now at the time this film came out , it was amazing , because at the time there were no computers , or anything to really do any amazing special effects , with that said and done everything actually looks pretty good , even though you can tell what millitary veichles and cars were models , everything is actually kind of conving . And for Japan this was kind of a hard movie to swallow , in the origanal version there were scenes when a mother held her child and said Its okay , we will be with daddy soon . before Godzilla crushed them . Many scenes like that were edited or removed , and if you notice there is a scene on a train where people are laughing , but what they cut out was when a woman said I survived the ( I forgot what the city was called ) bombing . and some guy laughed and said Then you wont surive this . momets before Godzilla picked up the train and ate it ( which is one of the MOST popular Godzilla images , Godzilla with that train in his mouth ) It was probably very hard for the Japanese people to stomach seeing a monster spawned out of nuclear testing destroying their city , so shortly after millions died from atomic bombings .
One beef I have , is that sense the film was in black and white it was some times hard to see Godzilla during the night shots ( That or my TV had low contrast or something ) . And the whole Raymond Burr thing .
But let me tell you , With the deep soundtrack ( You can hear the original versions of many rememberal Godzilla songs here ) and other things you seem to have a real sense of terror when Godzilla destroys the cities .
Overall I would suguest this film highly , even though it is in fact edited ( Almost 30 minutes were removed , and 20 minutes added with Raymond burr ) from the Japanese version , it is still a good watch , and afterthe uncut editon comes out , it will be interesting to have the Old American version . ( I think they were going to put that on dvd , wernt they ? )
045 4 A true classic monster movie . . . done just how it should be done , with shaky scientific explanations , atomic age wariness , and a look into the human side of monster-made disasters . Those who grew up with the 70 ' s-era movies with it's cheesiness need to see the original , with Godzilla very much the bad guy . The Americanized segments with Raymond Burr are actually not that bad , giving the film a more documentary-like feel , and emphasizing the helplessness of the many victims , though it trips the continuity somewhat .
The most commendable aspect of this feature is its focus on the victims with haunting images of the injured and dying , and unforgettable location shots of Tokyo in flames . There is no monster vs . monster battle , just simply humans vs . monster , and the results are powerful and stick with you . It's back to the basics with this one folks , and you'll love it !
046 4 I rented this movie , and the quality was horrible . I have the Simitar release , and that was way better . Now I have the R2 uncut Japanese version of this movie , and that is far superior than any release here of this version . It was remastered , so there are hardly any scratch marks on the print , which is what it should be when released for dvd . It was worth the price I paid . While the original version wasn't made with a widescreen format , the US release was , and only the Simitar release is widescreen , this isn't . Classic Media should be punished by all us Godzilla fans for this blasphemy ! !
047 4 This review is from :
Godzilla King of the Monsters ( DVD )
Have always been a fan of the original horror flicks . This one can't be beat . The technology is amazing , especially being done without computers . Those were real action movies .
048 4 Have always been a fan of the original horror flicks . This one can't be beat . The technology is amazing , especially being done without computers . Those were real action movies .
050 4 The only reason i didnt rate this as a 5 because of Raymond Burr
splice part.First off the reason they put him in there because
they wanto up the sale on godzilla in the U.S . and show more interest.This Movie tells it all that all I have to Say.Costume ,
music , suspence and etc all good.Must have G fan Movie .
P.S . : Suggest you find the original japanese verison which is
longer and no Raymon Burr
051 4 There's nothing like seeing one of the most classic monster movies right from the start . I still can't get over Raymond Burr's portrayel of Steve Martin . The scene where he persuades a doctor's daughter to help destroy Godzilla is simply impressive . I wouldn't mind the captions for the Japanese being in English considering I can't read Japanese characters . But then nobody's perfect .
I recommend this movie to any Godzilla fans or to anybody who just collects monster movies like The Blob , War of the Gargantuas , and Reptilicus .
053 4 The first Godzilla film in what has proven to be an immensely popular and profitable series is totally unlike its sequels . The viewing public has seen so many of these sequels that it tends to forget that the original Tokyo-bashing creature was no fun-loving overgrown house pet whose primary job it was to battle other and equally juvenile monsters . This Godzilla was a serious-minded throwback to the Jurassic that somehow had imbibed our twentieth century nuclear fires to lay waste a country that just ten years earlier had two of its cities serve as holocaustic predecessors for Godzilla's rampages .
As with many movies , one can interpret GODZILLA on a literal or symbolic level . Symbolically , one can see in the crushed city remains a stark reminder of the consequences of the lethality of nuclear bombs , not so much on the military , but on the scarred bodies of dead and dying women and children . Literally , the movie is a surprisingly effective feast for the eye and the ear . You would think that a rampaging outsized Tyrannosaurus Rex would be little more than a creature to behold in all its fury and then run from that sight . And certainly the fear-drenched residents of Tokyo see it and run , only to find that there is no place for them to run . But what is often overlooked in analyses of the movie is director Inoshiro Honda's innovative wedding of sound to sight . The opening scene as the credits flash on the screen radiate a strange howling shriek of a creature that has since been caricatured to the point that it now seems worthy of note only as the bubbling babbling of some disrespecting and disrespected guy in a cheap rubber suit . But if the viewer can somehow disassociate himself from these pathetic future wailings , then the banshee shriek of the monster can be appreciated for what it is : a warning cry to an unsuspecting world that an old enemy with new power is about to make an unexpected entrance . This focus on noise allied with sight can now be seen as the movie's central metaphor . In the initial destruction of the freighter to the later demolition of the pleasure boat in Tokyo harbor the viewer can hear but cannot see Godzilla . On Odo Island itself , as the creature smashes his way from one end of the island to the other , all you can see of it is a fragmentary glimpse of its trailing tail , all the while your ears are being hammered with a cacophony of storm winds and a warning bell rung by a panic-stricken islander . Later as Steven Martin , played by Raymond Burr with as near an absence of facial expression as I have ever seen from any actor , and a band of curious villagers climb the hill on Odo Island , director Honda wisely continues to build suspense , first by letting us hear the creature , then permitting us to see only its oversized head . Godzilla's retreating footsteps punctuate a cadence of future city stomping resonances that will be repeated each time it appears on screen .
The middle part of the movie shows how helpless man is to defeat this lumbering leviathan . The chosen weapons of the city's defender's are as loud as they are useless . The ra-ta-ta-ting of machine guns merely hurts the viewer more than the creature . The snapping and crackling of the half-million volts of electricity ringing the city do little more than play a funeral dirge . One of the most graphic combinations of sight and sound that I have ever seen in any monster movie occurs when Godzilla is approaching an iron tower as tall as he is . On the tower is a Japanese news reporter excitedly shouting into his microphone , trying desperately to report to the world the advance of this creature . As it approaches , his voice rises several octaves to a crescendo of panic . Then , in a startling display of photographic camera bulb flashing and popping , Godzilla faces what seems nothing less than a fusillade of paparazzi collectively taking his picture , with each pop of the camera accompanied by what sounds like gunshots . Godzilla does not hesitate , he attacks the tower , biting it in two . As the tower collapses , the viewer witnesses the collapse from the perspective of the reporter , with the ground rushing up to meet him in a death call .
The final third of the movie details the destruction of Godzilla , using the oxygen destroyer . As one of the two Japanese divers triggers the mechanism underwater , you not only can see Godzilla get ripped apart you can actually hear his death knell as he surfaces one more time to roar out his defiance for a last time .
GODZILLA is an often overlooked masterpiece of cinematic monster-making , more so despite the cheesy and primitive special effects then avaliable . The movie succeeds in reaching the inner core of audience that has been long conditioned to view a menace using only the sense of sight . When that audience can hear the violence , the result is a series of images that persists long after the future ridiculous antics of sequels that pathetically try to capture the essence of a creature that resists taming .
055 4 The original Godzilla is one of the greatest monster movies ever made , few movies can compare to it , it's better than Gorgo , King Kong , and Rodan . The film is very dark , it features excellent special effects ( for the time ) , good music , and a lot of action . It is kind of scary , seeing all the injured people who felt the wrath of Godzilla . This movie is far better than any other monster on the loose movie , If you only see one Godzilla movie see this one .
056 4 Godzilla , man what can I say Godzilla is the best monster movie of all time . For being made in the 1950 ' s this movie was really well done plus the fact that ( Perry Mason himself ) Raymond Burr is in the movie made it the best Godilla ever . I highly recommend this movies to any fan of Godzilla or new fans , if not after seeing this movie you will be .
057 4 This happened to be the first Godzilla movie I've ever seen . Well it ends up that some Japanese boats are being destroyed and Japan wants to know who the heck is doing this ? ( Kinda ' obvious ) . Godzilla attacks Tokyo twice and kills many people . The special effects are very good ! ( 50s wise ) . A great score by Akira Ifukube ! If there were only one Godzilla movie you were able to see in your whole entire lifetime , it would be this one . Whether you just became a Godzilla fan , or you are an old Godzilla fan but don't have this one , get it . It is worth it !
061 4 Obviously the U.S . appears to be a gigantic radioactive monster in this movie . It was what they potray the U.S . to be at that time , and I would have to agree with that .
Gojira rocks !
063 4 ( Please note that the DVD release I am reviewing is the one produced by GoodTimes . It features a copy of the movie , and absolutely nothing else . On the other hand , it does claim to be Region Free although I have no means of verifying that . )
Everyone knows the story of Godzilla . Radioactive sciencey stuff awakens a great big monster , which proceeds to stomp through downtown Tokyo killing many , and making a general nuisance of himself . The Japanese military tries to stop Godzilla , because it gives them something to do . Nothing political , nothing controversial - just a fun movie about big things beating up on little things . For the US release of this , the first film in the series , they decided to add footage of Raymond Burr , which brings us to the first obvious thing to talk about .
Raymond Burr is so badly inserted into the original movie , one would believe that he shot all of his scenes in a single afternoon . He talks to people from the main movie on the phone ; he spies at them through binoculars . Occasionally one of the characters from the actual film will speak to him . Raymond Burr's character ( hilariously named Steve Martin - I cracked up every time that was mentioned ) will then hold a fascinating conversation with the back of some extra's head . He lurks in the background with little to do but smoke , and ask his Japanese friends for translations .
The beginning of the movie drags quite a bit . This is because it takes half an hour for the eponymous star to appear in the flesh . And frankly , if there isn't a giant guy in a rubber suit smashing cardboard buildings , then I ask myself what the point is . That said , I was impressed by those initial Godzilla attacks . There's an obvious metaphor for nuclear destruction being played out in the opening sections , which is handled quite well . However , once the monster appears in the flesh , we move away from the artsy similes and move on to the smashing . Yes !
Godzilla smashes a lot in the film . I counted ships , trains , power-lines , police cars and lots of random buildings as destroyed during this rampage . Thousands dead , Tokyo in ruins - a good day for the big guy .
This particular DVD probably wouldn't be the one to use if you're going to show off your brand-new , ultra-expensive home entertainment system to your friends . The picture is scratchy , the sound isn't great , but it's a movie about a big monster smashing Japanese stuff , so who cares what the quality is like ?
You should know exactly what you're getting in for before you even think about buying this DVD . I've not seen all of the films in the Godzilla series , although I must say that I do prefer the other entries that significantly increased the cheese-factor . This , the first , is a decent enough film . I was entertained during much of it , and I don't really ask for much more from monster movies .
064 4 Godzilla King of the Monsters ( 1956 ) ( Sony 2002 ) 2 / 5
Just have to say this movie is [ stuff ] compaired to the Japanese original un-edited version .
Okay here we go anohter [ bad ] godzilla dvd . This disc contains a 4 : 3 picture ( I don't know if this is the original ratio so I won't comment ) which has alot of film damage in places although it is good in others , it doesn't suffer from compression though . It has a mono soundtrack as standard , the sound is patchy , most of the reshot peices with Raymond Burr sound quite clear , but the Japanese orginal material is very hissy . Ever wanted to watch Godzilla in the bathroom but can't because there's no electrical outlets there ? Well now you can simulate it by turning on the BONUS 5.1 remix of the soundtrack which is one of the very worst I have ever listened to . The sound is echoed and reverbed all over so everywhere sounds like a bathroom . Now the final Extra reveals the true reason for this release , the preview of Destroy All Monsters for the GameCube , this makes it more obvious than ever that this is just a [ low ] tie-in release to get a bit of interest in the game .
Good Points : It does have an animated menu which is okay . It also have plenty of chapters and decent cutting points .
Bad Points : It doesn't have an option for the original american version , the film hasn't been restored at all , the 5.1 remix [ is quite bad ] and finally not even a trailer as an extra ? ?
The rating above is for this DVD not the film , I rated it 2 stars because it isn't as bad as the Jackie Chan box and watchable as a bog standard version of the movie but more dedicated fans should save their money for a future release .
065 4 This movie is alright . But I saw the original 98 minute version
with sub-titles . That was better . Does anyone know if its available anywhere . Last version was dubbed .
066 4 The title pretty much says it all . Indeed , Godzilla is king of the monsters . This is in many ways the greatest of the Godzilla movies , particularly those of the original series . This first film was unique ; indeed , some may not realize just how serious-minded a movie this was . The theme of this movie can clearly be seen as an indictment of the use of nuclear weapons ; the images of a devastated Tokyo bespeak themselves closely of the real-life scenes in Hiroshima and Nagasaki following the atomic bombs dropped on those cities . Coming just over a decade after the end of World War II , the message condemning nuclear proliferation is understandable and easily understood . Nuclear tests gave birth to Godzilla , unleashing a havoc that proved all but impossible to contain . Only a scientific miracle of sorts and a good bit of luck saved Tokyo ( and presumably the rest of the world ) from the unspeakable horror unleashed by man's experiments with a weapon of mass destruction .
We tend to see Godzilla now in comical terms , due largely to later films starring the big lizard , but the debut of Godzilla must truly have seemed horrific to film audiences in the 1950s . The monster's first appearance , as his head rises up over the crest of a hill , is very well conceived and impressively presented . For the most part , the special effects in this film are excellent . The fact that this movie is in black and white helps a great deal in this regard , I believe . In no way does Godzilla appear as a man wearing a rubber suit ; the face and mouth seemed particularly well done and realistic to me , and I was most impressed by the way the creature's eyes seemed to bug out at times . There was one scene involving a helicopter being blown over that bespoke the word model , but everything else , especially Godzilla's destructive march through Tokyo , seemed very well done and quite realistic enough for me . Not until the new Godzilla series of the 1990s would the monster look so monstrous . The music is very well done and adds much to the atmosphere of horror evoked by the destruction and menace of the monster .
I have not seen the original Japanese version of the movie , but I imagine it would be even better than the Americanized version featuring Raymond Burr . For the most part , Burr's insertions into the film were well done and presented no continuity problems . It does seem strange that an American , and a reporter at that , should so easily be taken into the confidence of Japan's military and scientific leaders , but this feeling is quite assuaged by the knowledge that young boys , no matter how annoying they might be , are commonly given the same privilege in a spate of later Japanese monster movies . Burr's acting is a little overdramatic after he is injured , and he tends to look like a prop smoking a pipe in many of the scenes leading up to the climax , but I cannot bring myself to give this movie less than five stars . I am sure , however , that the original Japanese version is much better and much more powerful , especially in the anti-nuclear message it evokes . It is unfortunate that American distributors apparently chose to remove a number of images they viewed as too uncomfortable for Cold War audiences .
067 4 I love Godzilla . I grew up on the old Godzilla cartoons ( as cheesy as they were ) and the even more cheesier films . My favorite Godzilla movie has to be the original 1956 black and white film . The premise of the film was much more darker and serious than the campier films from the ' 70s and ' 80s . Godzilla comes to life due to nuclear radiation . The film is a cautionary tale of the dangers of nuclear weapons and Godzilla ( in some bizarre way ) is a metaphor for nuclear bombs ) . The results is pure chaos . No one is safe from the fire breathing monster . Raymond Burr plays an American journalist who witnesses the catastrophic mess that Godzilla leaves in his wake . The ' special effects ' are rather limited but that is what film studios were given at the time . Actually I will take the cheesy props and special effects over most CGI used in films today ( especially what was in that monstrosity of the Americanize , watered down version of Godzilla ) . My only flaw with this dvd is that I wish that this version of the film was the original Japanese version minus Raymond Burr . I don't mind Raymond per say but it would have been nice if there was a dvd that included the original Japanese film .
069 4 I'm really hoping that with the original version of the movie making it's way around the country that it eventually makes it to DVD as I havn't been anywhere near any of the the cities that are showing the original . . . unAmericanized . . . version of the movie .
073 4 It's a good movie . Boring at times but fun seeing the part where Godzilla practicly demolishes Tokyo . Why always Tokyo ? Why not Chicago ? Oh well . I guess it will always be a mystery . I also love the part where that guy goes underwater and uses the oxygen destroyer on Godzilla . After you watch this , you should watch Godzilla 1985 . Then , you should watch Godzilla vs Destroyah ( 1995 ) where Godzilla blows up . Godzilla ( 1954 ) is , and will always be , a good movie .
075 4 Bare bones movie only edition , with no extras , but fortunately , a nice clear print of the film . A much darker tone than we've become accustomed to in a Godzilla film . Still waiting for the DVD treatment this film deserves , a Special Edition that includes not only the American cut with Raymond Burr , but the original Japanese version as well .
076 4 This is it , people . The landmark film that started the Japanese sci-fi phenomenon . Let's set the record straight , this movie isn't for everyone . We should admit that some viewers would dismiss this film as unsophisticated , juvenile , and even a little silly . The basic story was freely borrowed from American monster on the loose films of the 1950s ( e.g . The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms ) . The special effects are primitive , to say the least . For this reviewer , however , there is a soberness and subtlety to this movie that raises it above the crowd , and more than compensates the viewer for its faults . This film can be taken as an allegory of the atomic bomb , and the destruction and suffering it inflicted on Japan . The dark , moody B W photography and the atmospheric music blend effectively with the grim visual images of a monstrous creature of sheer radioactive force that inflicts death and destruction on much of Tokyo . An emotionally powerful segment is the day after Godzilla's fiery night attack on Tokyo . While the viewer sees the mass destruction and listens to the screaming victims , a memorial service with a children's choir singing a funeral dirge is heard in the background . This frames the key scene showing Ogata and a tearful Emiko persuading Dr . Serizawa to use his oxygen destroyer against Godzilla . There is poignancy in this scene , and especially in Serizawa's inner anguish , that is uniquely Japanese ( in this Mid-Westerner's opinion ) . This type of emotion is rare in a monster movie . The American version of this movie has scenes spliced in featuring Raymond Burr as an American reporter . These extra scenes create some choppy continuity , but the overall serious tone is not compromised . Japanese sci-fi films eventually developed a chuckle-headed , self-mocking quality that diminished their stature . These later films are fun in their own way , but this film is an opportunity to view a serious sci-fi film from TOHO Studios . Godzilla , King of the Monsters and the original Rodan film are without question the best of the Japanese sci-fi films . Recommended viewing for monster movie aficionados .
082 4 This review is from :
Gojira [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
There is so much that I like about this film that's its hard to begin . The plot of this film is really good , and has a dark tone to it . The love triangle between Emiko , Ogata , and Serizawa was very well done . The character of Dr . Yamane is probably the best character of the humans anyway . Yamane wants to study Godzilla , and find out why it was able to survive and absorb the radiation , while the others want to kill it . The soundtrack for this film is amazing , and is some of the greatest work of composer Akira Ifukube . The title monster is really iconic ( it has 28 films don't you know ) , and is an allegory to the nuclear bomb . The destruction the creature causes was an allusion to the destruction caused by the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki . The whole message that Yamane gave at the end about using nuclear weapons , and the possibility of another Godzilla appearing was really wonderful . The scene where Dr . Serizawa chose to kill himself so the oxygen destroyer won't end up in the wrong hands was GREAT.This film is so great that there hasn't been any Giant Monster movie that comes close to how great this is . . . . . until 1999 when Gamera 3 : Revenge of Iris was released . The best thing about this film is that you really get a sense of the power of Nuclear destruction in Godzilla's rampage .
There is a noticeable difference between the puppet version of Godzilla's head and that of the actual suit , but to it didn't take away from my enjoyment at all .
You can read my review for the special features on this disc here : [ . . . ]
083 4 There is so much that I like about this film that's its hard to begin . The plot of this film is really good , and has a dark tone to it . The love triangle between Emiko , Ogata , and Serizawa was very well done . The character of Dr . Yamane is probably the best character of the humans anyway . Yamane wants to study Godzilla , and find out why it was able to survive and absorb the radiation , while the others want to kill it . The soundtrack for this film is amazing , and is some of the greatest work of composer Akira Ifukube . The title monster is really iconic ( it has 28 films don't you know ) , and is an allegory to the nuclear bomb . The destruction the creature causes was an allusion to the destruction caused by the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki . The whole message that Yamane gave at the end about using nuclear weapons , and the possibility of another Godzilla appearing was really wonderful . The scene where Dr . Serizawa chose to kill himself so the oxygen destroyer won't end up in the wrong hands was GREAT.This film is so great that there hasn't been any Giant Monster movie that comes close to how great this is . . . . . until 1999 when Gamera 3 : Revenge of Iris was released . The best thing about this film is that you really get a sense of the power of Nuclear destruction in Godzilla's rampage .
There is a noticeable difference between the puppet version of Godzilla's head and that of the actual suit , but to it didn't take away from my enjoyment at all .
You can read my review for the special features on this disc here : [ . . . ]
084 4 Gojira BD has a great picture of scratchy lines , dirt and speckles covering good and not very good prints of what must have been a great cinema shoot . But , please have HD fun with my favorite monster and love the scratches . Aside from that , it looks and sounds better than the DVD . The disc is tuned for your system , the DVD isn't .
This Blu-ray is close to the print used on the DVD , adjusted a bit more than you can do on your TV ; . . . and get it for that . But also / or buy the the DVD with the US Version with the Mythical Raymond Burr , who did a sequel !
Is it budget or creativity ; this BD gives you a true ' retro ' picture .
085 4 This review is from :
Godzilla : King of the Monsters ( DVD )
Everyone has seen this movie . It's a classic . Watch it now in 5.1 surround sound . Godzilla will shake the house .
086 4 Everyone has seen this movie . It's a classic . Watch it now in 5.1 surround sound . Godzilla will shake the house .
088 4 Allthough the American version of Gojira is not quite as good as the original Japanese version , give Raymond Burr credit for doing a pretty job of not only his narration during the course of the film , but for his portrayal of United World News reporter Steve Martin as well . Sure , people may think that the American version of this film is not quite as good , but I think the American version does alright .
Nonetheless , the special effects for this film are very good and after seeing this film for the first time , it scared me out of my socks . I also became a huge Godzilla fan because of this movie . Godzilla , King of the Monsters , as it is known in the USA , or Gojira , as Japanese fans know this movie , are both good . Purchase the Japanese and American versions of this cult classic and judge them for yourself .
089 4 This is an incredible movie . The look and feel of the movie is just as good as if it were today . No really big special fx needed to make this story great . Having Burr added to the movie in the American movie made it even better , I don't think his presence hurt the movie at all . Incredible movie .
The menu screen is cool .
090 4 This American version of Gojira stinks . The quality is horrible , the audio is horrible and the only special feature is a corney and home-made trailer for the now out-of-date Godzilla : Destroy all Monsters . Ramond Burr ruins the whole movie and who the heck would go on a trip to Egypt from The East coast and stop in Tokyo ? You go ove rthe Atlantic Ocean duh ! Unfortunetly , as for the time being this is the only DVD of the black and white classic you can get . Simitar had the rights to it but Simitar's now out of business and the DVD costs a heck of a lot more because of supply and demand . I'd wait for the Ratio Pictures DVD release of the original Gojira if they ever do release it .
091 4 This film is truelly a classic . In 1944 an atomic bomb bombed Sogell Island . 10 years later shipwreaks where happening in the same spot in the ocean . as US reporter Steve Martin along with some freinds try to uncover the dark truth which is Godzilla , King Of The Monsters . This film was not only voted second best in Japan in 1954 but now ( I'm not just saying this ) this amazing spectableis on the list of the top fifty greatest Si-Fi films ever made ( that's more than 300 films ! ) . One thing I don't get is how in the world is this boring ? And unlike others I don't love it because it was the first G-film , I love it because it's never boring ! There's always a sighting of Godzilla , a bombing , or an observation on how the king works or how he was made to be . Also this G-suit is amazing and this movie was one of the biggest successes in America and Japan . I can't wait for the Japanese version to come out .
092 4 This is normally considered the best Godzilla movie among fans , but I don't know . Please don't hold it against me if you disagree with me , but I just found the whole enterprise kind of boring . Frankly , a nuclear message movie and a giant monster movie just don't mix . Likewise , it's too somber a movie . It just doesn't have the fun , silly elements that I see a Godzilla movie for . It takes itself too seriously . Godzilla 2000 is my favorite of the series because it was constantly winking at its audience .
The DVD is about as good as you'd expect . There is a full frame version ( 1.33 : 1 ) , and a widescreen version ( 1.37 : 1 ) . The letterboxing is so modest it really doesn't matter which version you choose . The picture is about what you'd expect . Night scenes are murky and the picture is sometimes scratchy and sometimes clean . On the special features front , there is a collection of trailers ( not the originals , unfortunately ) , an art gallery , a trivia game , and some hidden film facts and biographies on side one . On side two there is a sci-fi monsters documentary , which is basically a collection of theatrical trailers for movies from War of the Worlds and The Day the Earth Stood Still to Robot Monster and The Giant Claw . It's not very professional , but it's enjoyable .
093 4 One of the most awesome films ever made , this is the original and very best Godzilla movie ! If you think of Godzilla as something for little kids you should get this movie . It shows that the disgrace that appaered in later films whos boss ! This and the Heisi ( Godzilla 1985 through Godzilla vs . Destroyah ) are the very best Godzsilla films !
094 4 This is the first move appearance of the greatest monster of all time , and what an amazing thing to behold it is ! The suit is amazingly fearsome and the black and white adds to the movie's somber feel . The king is all death and destruction as he destroys Japan in this classic , and the miniature cities are amazingly realistic . With such great acting , special effects , and an amazing script , who cares if the dubbing is bad ? Probably the most underated film of all time , this not only is a must-see , but a must-own for Godzilla fans and non-Godzilla fans alike !
095 4 One of the best monster films ever made . Godzilla , King of the Monsters is the very first Godzilla film . The radioactive , mutated dinosaur starts out his destructive rampage by sinking ships . Then , he rips apart villages on islands . Finally , he destroys Tokyo . The movie is totally awesome . It has the best Special FX and Music of the 1950 ' s . Go buy and watch this movie . You won't regret it ! ; )
096 4 Okay , everyone knows that this is a commentary on the dangers of atomic power and that Godzilla is a symbol for America that won't be satisfied until it destroys the earth .
It still rocks ! ! No other monster has such staying power ( or a hit rock song ) . Burr is good in his running dialogue interjecting the human element of the love-triangle into the flick .
The wholesale destruction is enough to satisfy the most barbaric of us while the plot is smart enough to entertain the rest .
098 4 godzilla smashes his way through tokyo , japan in his first ever expedition of MANY , MANY ! to come . i wouldn't say that this was the best one in the whole godzilla series but probably one of them . the man in the rubber suit smashes tokyo with a huge punch . ships are going down but no one knows excactly who or what is doing it . the local tribal people believe it is their ancient monster from the seas whom they call Godzilla . little do they know how RIGHT they are . they would make sacrifices to godzilla whenever on schedual . godzilla decides to start making his own . one japanese man creats an under-water oxygen weapon , but will it be enough to stop the mighty godzilla's rampage ? maybe , . . . .
099 4 I'm writing reviews for each of the godzilla movies , so this is going to be short and to the point .
Summary : A giant , prehistoric monster is released upon Japan after being awakened from its long slumber by atomic bomb testing .
Good starting point for the series with lots of atmosphere and tension . However , the absence of a second monster slows the film's pace a little .
next is godzilla raids again .
100 4 Most people overlook the morals to movies like Godzilla . Sure , it's an old japanese b-movie starring a man in a rubber suit , butthere's a deep seeded moral to the tale of the dinosaur who survived brutal nuclear levels only to survive and wreak havoc on the very beings who created him , and the only true monsters : Humans . My favorites in the whole series are Godzilla , King of the mosters ; Godzilla ( 1985 ) , and Godzilla ( 1998 ) . These teach the strongest message : When you harm mother nature , she retaliates . In the case of the first movie , nature responds to nuclear testing ( see Godzilla vs . King Ghidora ( 1992 ) for this interesting background story ) on a remote island by sparing one of the island's inhabitants , a Godzillasaur who has lived peacefully on the island for many eons , and changing him into her own Dark Warrior . Godzilla is not evil . It is the prevailer of good . Mankind is the only true enemy for harming the very Nature that created it . The monster appeared first back in 1944 to destroy the city of Tokyo and to teach the humans to respect mother nature . The pitiful little humans fell before this titan of justice like small flies . The humans eventually destroyed the monster not with firepower , but with knowledge of how Nature itself works on living things . Just for the record , no corpse was ever found . None of the sequels in the original series stuck to that formula , Nature vs man . Instead , the introduced silly monsters and made Godzilla the good guy . . . . . . so I don't consider them true sequels . The only TRUE sequel is Godzilla ( 1985 ) and an acceptable movie bearing that name came out in 1998 . The theme was the same : Man screws with his creator . Man's creator makes monster . Monster kills man . Man finally stops monster . The monster in that movie wasn't really the same monster from the japanese movies , but the morals remained and there is a lesson to be learned . Godzilla is not a monster , it is a force of good . So stop rooting for mankind and start rooting for the good guy . GO , GODZILLA , GO !
101 4 There are two things you souldn't believe when people tell you about this movie . 1 . It is not the best Godzilla movie . 2 . It is not a Japanese remake of the Beast from 20,000 Fathoms .
Godzilla made waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better movies than this . This movie goes into the catagory of unbelievable solution . Oxygen Destroyer , puuuh-leeze . If you want the better of the two Black and Whites , with it's less than believable , but more than unbelievable solution , see Godzilla Raids Again .
Godzilla , King of the Monsters was not a remake of the Beast from 20,000 Fathoms for two reasons . 1 . Inoshiro Honda had production of a movie he was working on cut , so he had to find a quick replacement . He first thought of a giant octopuss , but he went with the the giant lizard situation instead . 2 . Many people believe the American Godzilla was the remake of the Beast from 20,000 Fathoms .
This movie only gets a 2 star on the Godzilla-Scale ( would have gotten worse , but it lead to Godzilla vs . Destroyah , which has got to count for somthing ) , but a 5 star on the Movie-Scale .
102 4 The title says it all . It's a shame that the acting is lessened by the poor dubbing and addition of Raymond Burr , but this movie will still blow you away . Godzilla's first outing in somber black and white is definatley the best of the lot , and holds up against admirably against everything Toho has created since . This isn't just another B-grade monster movie , despite it's American reputation ; the storyflow and acting are the best , and the special effects hold up beatifully . The addition of footage with Raymond Burr as Steve Martin wasn't exactly an improving feature , but it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been . Bottom line - never mind Mothra , disregard Ghidorah and screw the Tristar creature . This is the one to see .
105 4 This movie is great . . . even today . The movie is eerie and Godzilla is relentless . The acting was very good and Godzilla walking through Tokyo was impressive . He may not be fighting any monsters , but that's okay . The ending was equally impressive . This movie was unequalled until Godzilla vs King Ghidorah .
106 4 As always , I urge the reader to get an uncut , undubbed Japanese version of this movie , so they can see the craft and moments of sheer genius that went into making Japanese monster movies . . . particularly this one , the one that started it all . Don't get me wrong , Raymond Burr is just fine in his role as the American reporter who must narrate the action , and the recutting of this movie for American audiences is actually deft and clever most of the time . However , the original Japanese version - - Gojira - - is positively sublime . The most believable Godzilla of all is the first one , in stark black & white documentary-style photography . I could go into entensive detail about everything concerning this movie , but that is best left to several excellent books that have hit the market recently ( such as Monsters Are Attacking Tokyo ! and Japan's Favorite Mon-Star ) . Instead , I'll wrap up with this brief summation : not only is Godzilla the very first Godzilla movie , or even the first Japanese giant monster movie . It is the point where many aspects of today's Japanese pop culture were born : Godzilla blazed the trail for the many who would follow . So in that respect , Gojira is not only a great monster movie , but an essential part of pop culture history as well .
* * * ADDED NOTE : With Godzilla's 50th Anniversary now upon us in 2004 , and the original Gojira finally getting a proper US theatrical release , this film becomes even more relevant and important that before . See it NOW .
107 4 Very few films have ever given me nightmares , but this one haunted me for years . Godzilla , King of the Monsters , portrays the great lizard as he was meant to be ; huge , ponderous , menacing and about as friendly as the average rattlesnake . Yes , the Japanese miniatures are laughable , but they are only a minute part of a well-developed , nerve-wracking story that proves special effects aren't everything . Emyko Yomani is a nuisance ( grossly stereotyped ) , but the only distraction in a well acted film that received many bad comments due to a pathetic job of dubbing . Raymond Burr's footage was edited in as inobtrusively as possible , but still creates numerous problems in the overall flow . Nonetheless , this is a powerful , very effective science fiction film that fully deserves its reputation as a classic . The only reason I don't give it five stars is that I have seen the original Japanese production , Gojira , which is light-years ahead of the Americanized release . Despite all of these minor problems , Godzilla , King of the Monsters is a must see !
109 4 This is arguably the best giant monster movie of all time . The plot was tight , the acting was realistic ( pity the dubbing killed it ) , the FX were great for their time and even hold up well today , the mood was dark and gothic , and the message was potent . Godzilla himself looks like death personified in this movie , with his sinister eyes and fangs and sharp , angular lines . Sadly , lots of good scenes were cut from the original release to make room for Raymond Burr . But even WITH Burr's robot monotone , the movie is still absolutely amazing .
If you haven't seen TriStar's leezard Godzilla yet , don't bother : this one's the only way to go .
110 4 This one really takes you back to the classic , golden age of Godzilla . IT's got good effects for its time period , the acting is great , and the dark gritty atmosphere plus a bit of gore help it stand among the few Godzilla movies that have ever scared me . If you ever see the Tristar movie , pop this in the VCR and forget Devlin .
111 4 This is the original and the best . Screw the tristar film and even the 1985 re-make , this is the one to see . Godzilla is a powerful statement in this film , as it is , after all , a comment about the atomic age and a message about neuclear warfare . The director wanted to make a vision about the horrors he had seen shortly after the bombs fell in WWII . In this film , it is Godzilla who represents that force of evil and destruction . The drama and the gritty black and white photography leave all the other films behind in the dust ( fun thought they are ) . Still though , Godzilla proves his invincibility once more , as he survives to make a score of sequels .
113 4 This review is from :
Gojira [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
I already have the standard deff release of this classic , cant wait to see what the Blu-ray version looks like .
But I dont need to see it to rate it 5 stars , unless the studio does something really stupid with the transfer .
EDIT : I still give the original Japanese version 5 stars , but I have learned from the comments , and after reading
the review of the Blu-ray release compared to the Sony and BFI versions at DVDBeaver , the Blu-ray transfer is sadly lacking .
What a downer ! ! ! I canceled my Blu-ray pre-order . I guess I will just stick with my Sony version which has the
original and the Americanized chopped up version with Raymond Burr on a seperate disc .
Maybe someday someone will release this classic on Blu and do it right . I am so dissapointed .
114 4 I already have the standard deff release of this classic , cant wait to see what the Blu-ray version looks like .
But I dont need to see it to rate it 5 stars , unless the studio does something really stupid with the transfer .
EDIT : I still give the original Japanese version 5 stars , but I have learned from the comments , and after reading
the review of the Blu-ray release compared to the Sony and BFI versions at DVDBeaver , the Blu-ray transfer is sadly lacking .
What a downer ! ! ! I canceled my Blu-ray pre-order . I guess I will just stick with my Sony version which has the
original and the Americanized chopped up version with Raymond Burr on a seperate disc .
Maybe someday someone will release this classic on Blu and do it right . I am so dissapointed .
115 4 The disc wasn't scratched or obviously damaged , but it started skipping about halfway through the movie on several DVD players , including a PC DVD drive . My guess is that the factory pressed a few bad discs and I got one of them . Amazon gave me a full refund so I'm not too disappointed .
117 4 I stare at this blank form in wonder of what i should say . Words alone cannot praise this film ( and all of its sequels , for that matter ) enough . It is a true master piece , not only for the generation - but for all time . This is the one that started it all . Not just my obsession , but the obsession of millions across the world . Enter , Godzilla - King of the Monsters . The film begins with a narraration by Steve Martin ( Raymond Burr , who is not in the original Japaneese version ) - and his description of an odd occourence the night before . Then we are visited by a nightmarish montage of people dead , dying or wounded . The film continues on with the ' adventures ' of Martin and a doctor , Doctor Serizawa ( a brilliant one for that matter , he has discovered the formula to kill oxygen ) - both trying to discover a way to kill a beast that has been stalking the harbors of Japan for a while . That beast - is Godzilla . This film is flawless . Steve Martin ( Burr ) add's alot of realism to this with his new editorial like commentary , and the image of Godzilla has burned an image in everyone's mind who has viewed this film . As the final scene in glorious black and white rolled , tears came to my eye . This film began a lifelong obsession with me . The Godzilla suit is the best one . The most fearsom and menacing , with razor sharp teeth , sinster and narrow eyes and cat-like ears . As the film moves along , you are no longer a part of this word - you enter a world much like this one , only there is a giant , lizard like , mutated , atomic monster in this one . The story wraps around your brain and doesn't let you go . You cheer and jeer as the image of Godzilla's image flashes onto the screen , but shiver in fear at the same time . You feel the terror of Steve Martin , Doctor Serizawa and the rest of the cast - and the joy of Godzilla as he breathes his Radioactive Breath onto hoards of helpless citizens . Godzilla Is , most definetly , and always will be - The King of the Monsters.Now about the DVD . This is a very good transfer . Although the picture is a bit murky , it is still very crisp and sharp , and a bit scratchy here and there . The sound is great ! On a sorround-sound Dobly Digital 5.0 setup , the sound quality is very very good , the kind you need to view a Godzilla Flick . This disc is a region 1 disc , if anyone really needs to know - if you all have strict Region - 1 players . Sony really did a good job on the transfer ( unlike Simitar who had a video-like transfer ) but they could have added some special features for this historical film . . Maybe even a 2nd disc , with the Japaneese Version . But that is a bit of a high hope . But this is still a great-quality DVD , for a flawless , beautiful , perfect film.Godzilla - Charge Free Power-Line Destroyer since 1954 . Long Live The King of the Monsters !
119 4 Although I prefer the original version without Raymond Burr edited in ( it includes more footage from the original film ) , anyway you can get your hands on this classic film should be taken seriously . Though 90% of the G films are camp ( though check out the 90 ' s films - - Mothra , Ghidora , Mechagodzilla , Destoyer ) , the first G was not only serious but had a far better plot ( and better acting ) then any other monster films I can think of from this period . I am not sure , but I think one of the professors ( the paleontologist ) is played by the same actor who is in Kurosawa's The Seven Samurai , if that gives the film any legitamacy . Better yet , despite the age of this film , Godzilla looks very good , not at all like the goofy godzilla in later films ( gamera , gigan , smog monster , etc ) . All in all , if you are into older movies or Japanese cinema , this film is a real treat , and a surprise given how Godzilla is in general considered a joke . Incidentally , the soundtrack is also fantastic .
121 4 I readily admit that I have never seen the original Godzilla , only the American cut version . ( If anyone knows if I can get the original Japanease version feel free to tell me . ) However this version is not all bad . The editing was nothing short of genius . What they managed to do by inserting a character into a movie that he wasn't in was very crafty . It actually seems as if Steve Martin is interacting with the original actors . That is done very well .
The major qualm that I have with this film is that it is sometimes dubbed and sometimes it is not . There are extended scenes where everything is in Japanease and no subtitles . Steve Martin is often there for the sole surpose of asking hey what did those folks just say ?
Considering that this movie was made 50 years ago ( hmm . . . warrants a demicentenial edition methinks ) , it has stood the test of time . Godzilla's rampages look just as real , if not more real than those of later Godzilla movies . The anti-nuke message is also very powerful even in the watered down American version .
Overall this movie is recommended to everyone and anyone , but would probably be better if you can get your hands on the American version .
123 4 GODZILLA , KING OF THE MONSTERS ! was the first film to feature the legendary beast of destruction who wipes out Tokyo , Japan . I've only seen a handfull of the Godzilla movies , and this one is by far the best . It shows Godzilla as a terrible beast who is awakened and partly created by man's destructive technology . In the later films , Godzilla is often portrayed as an almost cartoony , giant monster hero , who instead of terrorizing Japan tries to save it .
The added scenes with Raymond Burr make the film more understandable for we dumb Americans , almost totally preventing any jokes to be made about bad dubbing . The special effects on the film are pretty good for a mid - 1950 ' s film , let alone a mid - 1950 ' s Japanese film . This is the only film where Godzilla actually looks real and not like a man walking around in a rubber suit on a set of minitures .
Overall , this film isn't too bad . If you're a Godzilla film , it is a must have and if you have any interest at all in Godzilla or movie history , it's worth watching to see how this grand monster franchise began .
126 4 On August 6 , 1945 the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima . An estimated 130,000 people were killed and 90% of the city was completely leveled . Japan never completely recovered from that incident .
Ten years later Japan was the site of another catastrophic event . On November 3 , 1955 many Japanese fishing boats were being destroyed by what was called a wall of fire on the ocean . Many scientists were called in to investigate the mystery . It was eventually discovered that the cause of the burning fire on the ocean was a prehistoric creature resurrected from its eternal rest by the resulting radiation of the Hiroshima incident . The prehistoric creature , was known as Godzilla .
Driven by animal instincts Godzilla eventually made his way to Tokyo where he proceeded to decimate the entire city . Japan's army fought by bravely , but their efforts proved futile against Godzilla's sheer strength and resistance . Although his attack was brief , the death toll and destruction was even higher then the Hiroshima blast .
Godzilla was too big of a threat for the world to ignore , something had to be done and quickly , before Godzilla could attack again . Shortly after the last attack , Dr . Serizawa came public with his latest discovery . A device capable of removing all oxygen in the area of water it resided in . This device was dubbed the Oxygen Destroyer . It was decided that the Oxygen Destroyer was the only means capable of defeating Godzilla .
Dr . Serizawa hesitantly let his creation be used . He was lowered into Tokyo Bay near the location of Godzilla , where the Oxygen Destroyer was activated . The device proved to be a success and Godzilla was destroyed , suffering a very slow , painful death , leaving behind nothing more than a gigantic skeleton . Unfortunately Dr . Serizawa was also lost . He committed suicide and died with Godzilla , taking the secrets of the Oxygen Destroyer with him to the grave .
With Godzilla gone , the survivors set about the arduous task of rebuilding their once impressive civilization .
This is truly a classic amongst monster movies . To this day I can still remember the terror I felt when I saw Godzilla for the first time when it appeared on TNT during an all night marathon .
For years I've searched for a good copy of this movie and just recently I found the movie that first introduced me to what was destined to become a legend of epic proportion .
Film quality-wise the movie looks old in some scenes . It could've been cleaned up but I think it helps add to the atmosphere of the movie .
The reason for the four star rating is because of the DVD itself . It would've received a five if it had more features . It should've had a copy of the orginal Japanese version with English subtitles , maybe a two disc package for collectors .
Overall I wold reccomend this DVD to anyone who can't find the original Gojira . If you saw it as a kid , get it and rediscover the sense of terror you felt so long ago .
128 4 You seen him , you heard him , he is knockiong at your door . Don't open it unless you like flaming Listerine !
I am teasing but this film is a true classic !
For trivia buffs , when the film was released in North America , the scenes with Raymond Burr were edited in to make it more appealing . Notice you never see him with original actors .
I have a warm heart for him because he was from BC Canada , but more significantly I don't have to drone about him because he became more famous for his Perry Mason role but he was a true gentleman and philanthropist > , this movie made Samuel Z Arkoff stinking rich .
He made B movies part of our culture and he has a biography that I highly recommend ! But back to the movie . . . almost forgot . . .
THis is by far , in my thoughts , the best first > Godzilla movie !
It was generously made with high speed photography , making the monster mo ve more slowly . THis cost a hell of a lot of money but this film was taken very seriously .
The story hints at nuclear devestation and while the dubbing is distracting and far from perfect , that is all moot .
Godzilla is truly King of the Monsters don't forget this was made 50 years ago before computers > and reigns today ! Awesome for the whole family with lights out and sound turned up ! ! !
131 4 The grandaddy of all kaiju films ; one that puts all of those just a guy at a computer terminal monster flicks to shame ! Godzilla , KOTM survives the inevitable American hack job to stand as a powerful expression of post WWII atomic dread . Godzilla , himself , is the bomb ; a vast , powerful juggernaut come to incinerate the dwellings of an arrogant mankind and lay waste to the world . Ishiro Honda imbues the film with a documentary-style realism and a pervasive sense of impending doom . The spfx are top notch . . . certainly better than the American spfx films of the time ( excepting Ray Harryhausen , of course ) . Akira Ifukube's debut as a kaiju composer ranks as one of his best : eerie , imposing , and ultimately sad . The scenes with Raymond Burr are inserted with as good as possible results and the toning down of the atomic bomb allegory does not greatly affect the film's power . A wonderful , timeless and important film !
133 4 I suppose you've seen the latest Gozilla with Matthew Broderick ; if you havn't , don't bother . This is the one to see . Even though about a quarter of the damn film is cut and scenes of the fabulas Raymond Burr have been added , this is still chunky , nostalgic entertainment . I hav'nt seen the original 1953 uncut , undubbed film ( meaning I badly want to ) but I'm sure you can order a copy of this website . Till then , stick with this one .
134 4 I watched Godzilla when I was just a kid and I've been watching it ever since . I guess you could say it's my Rocky Horror Picture Show . The acting isn't great by any stretch of the imagination , but there's just something about it that I love ! It's entertaining in its own way . I've never been priveleged to see the original movie that this one was based on . I'd love to sometime , but for now , as bad as the movie purists say this is , I love my Godzilla ! !
135 4 This is ok but , I have three reasons why it got two stars . 1 . should not of put Burr in it 2 . 20 minutes cut out ( or something like that ) 3 . Classic scenes are cut out
137 4 This is where all the popular Godzilla films began . The only sequel that comes close to this classic is Godzilla 2000 . This one is the best . The story takes place in Japan , that was bombed about 60 years ago . The radioactivity how ever , made this huge creature that the Japanese call Godzilla . Godzilla has returnd and is destroying Toyko . Great film and the only one of the series that has good acting . Great , and a classic .
139 4 Well this is the first time I've ever watched this film . It's in black & white , and really takes on shows like Lost in Space , or maybe even Dracula , Creature from the Black Lagoon , Frankenstien . It's really old so it didn't have to be convincing in terms of special effects . It's the nostalgia of the times .
What I enjoyed was the Japanese Americans actors they used throughout the movie . Their Japanese is minimal but certainly was convincing enough for me to believe that the white guy reporter was originally in the film . ( he was added in for the U.S . ) . Also there seemed to be more close up shots of everyone . For instance the boats that were dissappearing . They actually showed sailors aboard them having fun , before they were torn apart by Godzilla . Also the some of the scenes used lots of extras which are at the bottom of Tokyo . This makes it more terrifying for the movie . The rubber suit Godzilla doesn't look so fake , once you see injuries and people starving and looking for their loved ones that were lost at sea .
Okay with this said , I would still say the old school Godzilla sequals with Mothra , Mecha Godzilla still rule my collection .
142 4 Godzilla is the king of all monsters no matter what anybody says . King Kong has nothing on Godzilla
145 4 the first the great godzilla film
other good ones before they got dumb
Godzilla , king of the monsters 1954
Godzilla raids again 1955
King Kong vs . Godzilla 1963
Godzilla vs . Mothra 1964
Ghidrah , the three headed monster 1965
Godzilla vs . Monster Zero 1966
Godzilla vs . the Sea Monster 1967
Son of Godzilla 1968
Destroy all monsters 1969
Godzilla's revenge 1970
Godzilla vs . the Smog Monster 1971
Godzilla vs . Gigan 1972
Godzilla vs . Megalon 1973
Godzilla vs . MechaGodzilla 1974
Terror of MechaGodzilla 1975
Godzilla 1985 1984
Godzilla vs . Biollante 1989
Godzilla vs . King Ghidora 1991
even some of these films were not that great but were better than anything that came after them
072 4 As with many here I have several versions of Godzilla on different media . I could not resist the Blu-ray offer . It is the original with an English subtitle option and a few DVD extras . But there was no effort to clean up the scratches from the old film . The scratches are clearer and sharper . There is the obligatory overlaid commentary .
He wanted us to be happy . . .
We get a full Godzilla with the warning about what happens if you didle around with the bomb . The anticipation of the big lizard is lots of fun but if you have not seem the film before you will have to read the subtitles fast . Then you will need to re-watch the film to see the acting .
If you watch many Japanese movies you will notice that many of the actors are majors in other movies . Emiko Yamane is played by Momoko 。 。 chi one of my favorite from The Mysterians ( 1957 ) . The paleontologist is played by Takashi Shimura from The Seven Samurai ( 1954 ) .
The Mysterians ~ Momoko 。 。 chi
072 4 As with many here I have several versions of Godzilla on different media . I could not resist the Blu-ray offer . It is the original with an English subtitle option and a few DVD extras . But there was no effort to clean up the scratches from the old film . The scratches are clearer and sharper . There is the obligatory overlaid commentary .
He wanted us to be happy . . .
We get a full Godzilla with the warning about what happens if you didle around with the bomb . The anticipation of the big lizard is lots of fun but if you have not seem the film before you will have to read the subtitles fast . Then you will need to re-watch the film to see the acting .
If you watch many Japanese movies you will notice that many of the actors are majors in other movies . Emiko Yamane is played by Momoko 。。chi one of my favorite from The Mysterians ( 1957 ) . The paleontologist is played by Takashi Shimura from The Seven Samurai ( 1954 ) .
The Mysterians ~ Momoko 。。chi
097 4 Godzilla King of the Monsters was by far the best in the series by Toho . My brother is a diehard G-fan , and he was introduced to Godzilla when Disney showed the second b / w one ( i cant remember its name ! ) Son of Godzilla , and Godzilla vs the Sea Monster . Then , TNT had King of Monsters on during a New Years Monsterfest . We taped it , and I've loved KOTM ever since . Godzilla vs Mothra , was good , but those agrivatin Barbie doll lookalikes spoiled it for me . Son of Godzilla was a funny movie , but Godzilla aint sposed to be funny . Its sposed to be horrifyin . The 2 scary ones were the black and white ones , and the b / w ones were the BEST ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
023 4 The one that started it all , and along with King Kong ( 1933 ) the best monster movie ever made . Made as a protest against the H-Bomb , its a very touching motion picture . Nothing at all like its sequels . And of course , please see it in its original Japanese language without Burr ( KOTM cuts 40 minutes out and changes everything )
103 4 Essential a remake of the classic in its own right The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms , this movie was the essential giant movie in Japan and who's shadow has eclipsed all Toho's subsequent efforts . The miniatures are great cept the firetruck scene . The creature breath is more impressive as a vaporous gas unlike the latter Toho versions . None of the Giant monster movies made after comes close to the dark noirish imagery except for Tri-Star's remake .
127 4 Godzilla : King of the monstersGives birth to a generation of campyhorror films.But this gothic is the best.The ending makes me cry.There are more happening in this shortfilm than in a hundred other movies.It has to be seen over and over to fully appreciate .
138 4 If you pick this up expecting blu-ray quality like I did , save your money . Whoever transfered this to blu-ray did so without cleaning up the film first . It's full of scratches . I had the standard DVD release of this and was disappointed when i put on the blu-ray version and saw all the flaws still in it . They didn't even have the courtesy of English-dubbing it . If you don't understand Japanese , sitting through 2 hours hearing all the screaming in a language unknown , it grates on your last nerve . Why couldn't they English-dub it like Criterion did to Salo ? In a nutshell , I think the manufacturers of this blu-ray release are in it purely for the money . The bonus features are pretty decent , including the making of the Godzilla suit , which was interesting but other than that , I'd say don't waste your money . You can get the standard dvd of this at a fraction of the cost with the same quality .
118 4 This movie was good I liked both this godzilla and it's sequel they should have made the very original godzilla at least 1900 meters tall that would have been awesome and he really would look like the true king of the monsters he would be the biggest and most powerful monster ever . what an awesome movie thumbs up . plus it is much better then the tristar godzilla 1998
129 4 GODZILLA ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I LOVE this movie . Sure Godzilla dies in the movie , but he comes back !
132 4 This movie was great I loved it godzilla looked really good and i am a big godzilla fan and always will be I would like to sometime make my own godzilla movie this movie I give it a thumbs up Also you should have checked it sequel GODZILLA 1985
143 4 This was a Great Godzilla movie . It's scary ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! You should watch it at night ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
149 4 I'm well-aware that this movie had been chopped up by us Americans when we released this movie in the states . And so my following mini-review is based on Godzilla , King of the Monsters starring Raymond Bore . . . I know it's spelled Burr but since there was no respect for the original Japanese edit of this movie , I'll show similar respect for this actor's wooden performance .
First off , why ? Why on Earth did there have to be inserts of an American actor ? Did we put an American actor in Seven Samurai before it was shown in the US ? No , so what's the deal ?
I'm only griping about this because , well , Raymond Burr is BORING . He shows no range of acting ability - it's therefore a mystery as to why we felt the need for his presence ? He adds nothing special to the flick . He can't act . He's boring . And he can't even pronounce shortlived correctly which is sad considering he's American . I feel no remorse in knocking every little flaw about Raymond Bore because someone important thought he could do a better job than the Japanese star . And because of our need to put a caucasion star in the movie , we end up with a series of human scenes in which the star doesn't interact with the rest of the cast . Sure , they try to make it look like he's talking to some of the REAL Japanese stars , but overall , Raymond Bore feels like he's in his own little world devoid of character interaction .
In any case , I'm not sure who to blame for this one , but the scenes don't flow well together . As a matter of fact , they don't flow period . Watching this movie is like watching a series of unrelated scenes thrown together for no apparent reason ; the only thing binding the scenes together is that they're all part of this movie called Godzilla .
As for the monster scenes , they're way too over-rated . I wasn't entertained at all by Godzilla's presence . It was boring , and I never felt his impact . The humans don't really confront him - the movie says they do , but you don't really see it . So you get very little action between Godzilla and the military . And if I didn't say so already , the monster scenes don't flow well with the human scenes .
In the final scene where the scientist and the other guy go underwater to place the Oxygen-destroyer , I didn't feel the emotional impact that I was supposed to feel . Even when the scientist decides to end his life , I felt nothing . I was saying to myself who really cares ? I mean , the movie tried to play it serious and emotional , but it fails .
Overall , you get a serious movie that doesn't engage / interest the viewer very well . You get horrible character interaction between the stars . None of the scenes flow well together . The monster action is boring . A very weak title . It's really no wonder why the most popular Godzilla movies are the really campy ones with hilarious dialogue , and great monster action . I have yet to see a serious Godzilla movie that entertained me .
Yes , I wish I had access to the original Japanese version . But I still don't know if I'd like it due to its serious content which rarely impresses me in a Kaiju movie . I'd still recommend seeing either version at least once just to say you've seen the Original Godzilla . After you've seen it , feel free to let your disc collect dust because you're unlikely to ever watch it again .
009 4 It's bizarre and frustrating that , considering DVD technology , no one has released a disc of the ORIGINAL un-cut Japanese movie Godzilla with subtitles . The film on this DVD is Godzilla , King of the Monsters ! , an American re-edit of the original film with insert footage of Raymond Burr to Americanize the Japanese footage . This edited and re-shot version is the only way the film can currently be seen in the U.S . , and it's high time for the original to finally make it stateside .
That being said , the Americanized Godzilla , King of the Monsters ! is pretty good for what it is . The original film isn't ruined , but it is a lesser experience . It's worth a three-star rating at least , but the uncut Japanese version is a five-star classic and it's unfortunate that most Americans haven't had a chance to experience it .
For non-Godzilla fans , a bit of explanation of exactly what is on this disc is necessary . Godzilla ( the Japanese title is actually Gojira , a fanciful combination of the words for gorilla and whale ) was released in 1954 and was a huge hit in its home country . It was a frightening vision of radioactive horror returning to mainland Japan , and director Ishiro Honda poured his heart and soul into the terror and sorrow of the story . The original film is devastating in its impact , and Eiji Tsubaraya's effects are startling in their intensity : shots of Godzilla's immense shadow lumbering over a Tokyo in flames , helpless victims cowering in the destruction , are images that cannot be erased from memory , and the pounding , threatening score only heightens the sense of doom .
A group of American businessmen picked up the film to distribute to U.S . audiences in 1956 , who at the time were lining up to see big bug and monster flicks like Them and The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms ( which actually inspired the original Godzilla in the first place ) . The distributors recognized a potential hit , but knew there would be no money in it if it were released in subtitled form : they wanted to get the matinee and drive-in teen crowd . So they re-edited the film , removing around 30% of the Japanese footage and replacing it with footage of Raymond Burr ( who , no kidding , shot all his scenes in a single twenty-four hour period ) , who plays a reporter named Steve Martin ( no snickering , please ) who is in Tokyo during Godzilla's rampage . Other footage was juggled around and rearranged , and some of the context and story were altered , much of which dampened Godzilla's radioactive nature .
The new footage is actually quite clever , and fits in well with the Japanese footage . Using extras shot from the back actually allows Raymond Burr to interact with the film's stars in a few scenes . Burr gives a serious performance that is respectful to the original film . Because a guide translates much of the dialogue for Raymond Burr , many scenes are able to stay in Japanese ( this means less dubbing , good news for everybody , since the dubbed scenes are horribly synced . ) The American producers obviously were trying to manufacture the best film they could , and I think they succeeded .
But , no doubt , it is an inferior 3 - star version of the movie . Godzilla himself is still there in all his terror and majesty , and the central Tokyo rampage remains a stunning piece of work . Banish thoughts of heroic Godzilla ; this is the embodiment of radioactive horror and man's own destructive impulse . But the story surrounding Godzilla , about tragic scientist Dr . Serizawa and elder scientist Dr . Yamane , and the love triangle between the three young leads , is severely weakened . Serizawa's story no longer packs the punch that is required for the real human element of the story to work . Scenes of Japanese citizenry reacting to what amounts to a second atomic bombing of their country have also been cut out . The Americanized version is a darn good monster flick , but not much more . ( And , sadly , the quality of the print on this DVD isn't the best . )
So understand what you are getting on this disc : a pretty good Americanized version of the film , but not the Japanese masterpiece that needs to get its own special edition DVD one of these days .
020 4 If you are looking for the 2004 restored and re-released version of the ORIGINAL Japanese version ( with the original 98 minutes of footage restored and without the lousy American version Ramond Burr scenes ) then you DON'T want this DVD .
The original Japanese version of this movie was a much different , and much better , version of the story . The Americanized version destroys the sublety of the film and reduces it to a giant guy in a rubber suit crush-crumble-chomp fest .
Everyone has seen this version of the movie dozens of times on late night TV . Avoid this purchase and you'll be much happier .
043 4 I recently saw the ORIGINAL Godzilla released in 1954 , which was directed by I . Honda . The AMERICAN version has cut out critical footage to make the film lacking in writing and direction by Terry Morse . This version is a rock solid lack of truth , because of the failure of Hollywood to leave it alone .
All reading this review should see the original and not purchase the 1956 version which has been cut to ribbons
The film because of Hollywood is a disaster , and should be avoided at all costs
070 4 I first saw this movie when I was three years old . It is one of my most vivid memories from childhood . I just watched it again tonight . I remembered GODZILLA destroying Tokyo . I didn't remember Raymond Burr . As an adult , this movie seemed a lot more boring than it did back in the day . The original version was deemed too japanese , so we added our own americanized scenes to placate american audiences . I see this as a mistake . The scenes with Burr ( as a reporter ) were totally unnecessary . They are obvious afterthoughts , and delay the attack of our true hero for far too long ! Let's face it , this isn't Othello . Bring on the big lizard ! Start the explosions already ! I love Godzilla and will always get a warm feeling whenever I think of him , but his mass destruction and radioactive-fire breath are the only reasons to watch him . GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS does have an excellent final 20 minutes or so . It's worth the wait . I recommend fast forwarding through the dull narrated parts . I still give it 4 stars because of Godzilla's march through Tokyo . An absolutely perfect scene of total mega-carnage ! This is the ONLY time I've ever seen the guy in the rubber suit look good ! Check it out for yourself . . .
074 4 I would prefer the ORIGINAL without Raymond Bore ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? , if its possible to find it that is.But Godzillas presence is simply breath taking.I just love that growl and the destructive mind that Godzilla has.The Godzilla sequels are childish compared to this and they make godzilla look like a joke.In this movie Godzilla is not a joke hes out there to DESTROY everything and to terrify the little people .
130 4 Godzilla truly is the perfect monster . Other creatures go down in movie cinema history as some of the best to . But this monster gave the world the perfect metaphor the perfect monster the perfect everything to associate with the monster parts of scifi . This is one of the best of its genre . Despite poor special effects poor knowledge of what dinosaurs ( which the Godzilla suit was based on . this was made in the 1950 ' s during a time when many of dinosaur knowlege is considered inaccurate now . ) this film was one of the best . Unlike Independence day , Jurassic Park or even The Mummy ( 1999 ) this film relies on a sense of awe somber metaphorical note . We don't see Godzilla that much . Even by today's standards when we see Godzilla it is thoroughly satisfying enough not to make it look human . It looks almost convincng despite outdated technology now . The suit which was used by Haruo Nakajima a pro stunt actor performed wonderfully . The suit weighed about over 210 punds i think . So it was heavy but Nakajima performed beautifully . Godzilla is and always will be king of the monsters .
Godzilla King of the Monsters ( DVD )
What evil genius thought to splice a Japanese monster movie together with US-shot Raymond Burr footage to create the PERFECT monster movie ? !
The differences in production values between the original and the manufactured scenes is fascinating . The glimpse into fragments of Japanese culture is also fascinating and was a unique and driving experience when I was a kid fascinated by this movie . Godzilla is so much more than a guy in a Godzilla suit stomping a model of Tokyo flat - - someone left the door open and glimpses of a tantalizing alien culture far more sophisticated and civilized than our own were allowed to be seen by the second-third waves of Baby Boomer kids .
The awesome score drives this one over the top , over the MOON . Godzilla isn't just a bull's-eye , it's the arrow the mythical archer split the tree with . Cheap special effects ( the Holy Grail of 50s SciFi ) abound .
The acting in the Japanese version is very good and emotionally moving , the US-produced acting , aside from Raymond Burr is directly from Central Casting . The monster itself , Godzilla , Gojira , is of mythical proportions . A huge monster awakened by atomic detonations from its sixty-million-year-long sleep destroys all it sees . It's unimportant why . Destruction is absolute . And all man's genius seemed pale and weak is a great line from a similar Japanese monster movie - - the humbling experience that a giant monster is eating our lunch and that we are powerless . In the 1950s ! The height ( up until 2005 ) of military-worship !
Science fiction is a liberating vehicle as far as being able to present a possible world , possible worlds , which would otherwise mightily piss off the status quo , get you burned at the stake . And so Godzilla allows the notion that other realities could be just as real as what you're doing right now . Maybe there is something else out there . It's entertaining , it's enlightening , it's empowering . And Godzilla tragically dies with Dr . Sarazawa and the secret of his Oxygen Destroyer at the end of the movie , Live happily with Emiko . OH MY GOD . How Japanese can you get ? BRILLIANT STUFF .
I have honestly lost track of how many times I've watched Godzilla . It was the first videotape I bought when I first bought a VCR ( $80 for a tape ? ! ) . Since then I've found the original Japanese version ( it would make a great B side to a future edition of this DVD ) . I still love this movie . I know it through and through . It's fascinating in its original Japanese version , but somehow , accidentally , the US-spliced version transcends itself and gracefully rises to an iconic height - - this is a fun movie to watch , but it's also the true high-water mark for the entire genre of giant monster movies , effortlessly surpassing * everything * produced before or since .
The schlocky US-produced bits mingle with the very well produced Japanese original , held together with Raymond Burr - - when a real actor takes a science fiction role seriously it makes an enormous difference - - think of Forbidden Planet and the original The Thing From Another World - - while Godzilla doesn't have the budget of either of those movies , Raymond Burr's acting carries the day . The result is a brilliant , never-to-be-repeated amalgam of pieces which somehow tell a taut , compelling story that will delight every little boy who likes monster movies .
Godzilla is truly the greatest monster movie ever made . Godzilla is one of the best movies ever made , it may not be The Rules of the Game but it's a lot of fun , and fun ought to count for more than it ordinarily does when it comes to ranking movies .
BUY THIS ONE RIGHT NOW , YOU'LL NEVER REGRET IT .
Dr . Sarazawa has not yet begun his ascent .
006 4 This review is from :
Gojira [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
This review is for the Blu-ray edition , and I am going to focus on the technical aspects of the release , not the movie itself , the movie is a great classic and should be seen in its Japanese original form , whether through this BD or the previous Classic Media DVD , that's your choice .
First of all , the movie is not 1080p is 1080i , which might be because it's not comming from a direct filmscan , but through an HDCAM tape , since it's a film , not TV , the fields show half and half of the frame and when a projector or the TV does the conversion to progressive you have the original frame , if you have your BD and TV / Projector properly set up you won't see any interlaced images .
The film is not presented in it's original 1.33 aspect ratio , the width is perfect but there is a slight loss in the upper and lower parts of the image ( it is clearly seen in the original GODZILLA title , look at the lower right logo ) , therefore the aspect ratio might be around 1.45 , still and improvement from the previous DVD release , it was 1.33 but because it lost both width and height .
There is also another HUGE problem : the Noise Reduction . Since it's a pretty old film , film stocks from the original movie are in pretty bad shape , and CM instead of performing a full restoration ( a-la Criterion ) , simply applied an inmense quantity of automatic Noise Reduction , resulting in lots of jittering and screen tearing . To tell you the truth , when checking the DVD versus the BD , I found hard to decide wich was poorer in Image quality , but I guess that MPEG - 2 is quite an old codec now , and the Standard Definition makes everything look slightly blury . The sound only includes the original Japanese audio in PCM linear , wich is fine in my book ( I hate dubs ) , and the subs are more than ok .
The extras are the same that on the DVD , nothing new , and they are presented in they original codification , MPEG - 2 .
I would never recommend this BD to any Godzilla fan if already own the CM DVD , since I truly believe that this movie will eventualy get a proper release . However if you have never seen the original Godzilla , and don't care about the american version . . . Hey ! It's a Blu-Ray and IT'S REGION FREE !
007 4 This review is for the Blu-ray edition , and I am going to focus on the technical aspects of the release , not the movie itself , the movie is a great classic and should be seen in its Japanese original form , whether through this BD or the previous Classic Media DVD , that's your choice .
First of all , the movie is not 1080p is 1080i , which might be because it's not comming from a direct filmscan , but through an HDCAM tape , since it's a film , not TV , the fields show half and half of the frame and when a projector or the TV does the conversion to progressive you have the original frame , if you have your BD and TV / Projector properly set up you won't see any interlaced images .
The film is not presented in it's original 1.33 aspect ratio , the width is perfect but there is a slight loss in the upper and lower parts of the image ( it is clearly seen in the original GODZILLA title , look at the lower right logo ) , therefore the aspect ratio might be around 1.45 , still and improvement from the previous DVD release , it was 1.33 but because it lost both width and height .
There is also another HUGE problem : the Noise Reduction . Since it's a pretty old film , film stocks from the original movie are in pretty bad shape , and CM instead of performing a full restoration ( a-la Criterion ) , simply applied an inmense quantity of automatic Noise Reduction , resulting in lots of jittering and screen tearing . To tell you the truth , when checking the DVD versus the BD , I found hard to decide wich was poorer in Image quality , but I guess that MPEG - 2 is quite an old codec now , and the Standard Definition makes everything look slightly blury . The sound only includes the original Japanese audio in PCM linear , wich is fine in my book ( I hate dubs ) , and the subs are more than ok .
The extras are the same that on the DVD , nothing new , and they are presented in they original codification , MPEG - 2 .
I would never recommend this BD to any Godzilla fan if already own the CM DVD , since I truly believe that this movie will eventualy get a proper release . However if you have never seen the original Godzilla , and don't care about the american version . . . Hey ! It's a Blu-Ray and IT'S REGION FREE !
030 4 GODZILLA - - - KING OF MONSTERS has been frequently remade and sequelled ad nauseam , but this 1956 film ( titled GOJIRA in Japan ) stands alone as the best of the Japanese monster movies .
Produced right after the hapless Lucky Dragon was sunk during the initial H-bomb test , and just eleven years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki , GODZILLA is not simply a cautionary tale about nuclear war . Rather , the monster IS nuclear war personified in all its directed , vicious , city-destroying horror .
GOJIRA was pointedly political . The film's American distributors believed its antinuclear message would not sell in 1950s America , ( they may have been right ) and edited out most of the sociopolitics , replacing the message with segments of Raymond Burr ( playing journalist Steve Martin ) reporting from Japan about the giant fire-breathing reptile .
Although Godzilla is a man-in-a-rubber-suit monster , that fact is lost in this , the darkest of the Godzilla films . Godzilla IS terrifying , not least because although most monsters are presented as forces of nature Godzilla seems to exhibit both malice and intent as he lays waste to Tokyo .
It's well known that Godzilla subsequently found religion and allied himself with mankind in battling a host of other monsters ( Rodan , Mothra , Ghidrah , Monster X , the Smog Monster , and Mechagodzilla come to mind ) in other films , but none of them has the power to invoke fear and thought as does this original film .
032 4 I won't claim this is a movie review - everything said previously about the glorious original Japanese version ( which I have as a VHS dub from laser disc ) is true .
For the 50th anniversary of Gojira , and with the original film making the rounds of specialty theaters in a new 35mm print described as beautiful , it's time to retire the Steve Martin farce of the Raymond Burr version once and for all . Then maybe we can concentrate on the REPEAT Steve Martin farce from Gojira 1985 , a film which I must say is every bit forgettable except as it elements from it have recurred at Toho Studio's occasional whim .
059 4 This review is from :
Godzilla King of the Monsters ( DVD )
What evil genius thought to splice a Japanese monster movie together with US-shot Raymond Burr footage to create the PERFECT monster movie ? !
The differences in production values between the original and the manufactured scenes is fascinating . The glimpse into fragments of Japanese culture is also fascinating and was a unique and driving experience when I was a kid fascinated by this movie . Godzilla is so much more than a guy in a Godzilla suit stomping a model of Tokyo flat - - someone left the door open and glimpses of a tantalizing alien culture far more sophisticated and civilized than our own were allowed to be seen by the second-third waves of Baby Boomer kids .
The awesome score drives this one over the top , over the MOON . Godzilla isn't just a bull's-eye , it's the arrow the mythical archer split the tree with . Cheap special effects ( the Holy Grail of 50s SciFi ) abound .
The acting in the Japanese version is very good and emotionally moving , the US-produced acting , aside from Raymond Burr is directly from Central Casting . The monster itself , Godzilla , Gojira , is of mythical proportions . A huge monster awakened by atomic detonations from its sixty-million-year-long sleep destroys all it sees . It's unimportant why . Destruction is absolute . And all man's genius seemed pale and weak is a great line from a similar Japanese monster movie - - the humbling experience that a giant monster is eating our lunch and that we are powerless . In the 1950s ! The height ( up until 2005 ) of military-worship !
Science fiction is a liberating vehicle as far as being able to present a possible world , possible worlds , which would otherwise mightily piss off the status quo , get you burned at the stake . And so Godzilla allows the notion that other realities could be just as real as what you're doing right now . Maybe there is something else out there . It's entertaining , it's enlightening , it's empowering . And Godzilla tragically dies with Dr . Sarazawa and the secret of his Oxygen Destroyer at the end of the movie , Live happily with Emiko . OH MY GOD . How Japanese can you get ? BRILLIANT STUFF .
I have honestly lost track of how many times I've watched Godzilla . It was the first videotape I bought when I first bought a VCR ( $80 for a tape ? ! ) . Since then I've found the original Japanese version ( it would make a great B side to a future edition of this DVD ) . I still love this movie . I know it through and through . It's fascinating in its original Japanese version , but somehow , accidentally , the US-spliced version transcends itself and gracefully rises to an iconic height - - this is a fun movie to watch , but it's also the true high-water mark for the entire genre of giant monster movies , effortlessly surpassing * everything * produced before or since .
The schlocky US-produced bits mingle with the very well produced Japanese original , held together with Raymond Burr - - when a real actor takes a science fiction role seriously it makes an enormous difference - - think of Forbidden Planet and the original The Thing From Another World - - while Godzilla doesn't have the budget of either of those movies , Raymond Burr's acting carries the day . The result is a brilliant , never-to-be-repeated amalgam of pieces which somehow tell a taut , compelling story that will delight every little boy who likes monster movies .
Godzilla is truly the greatest monster movie ever made . Godzilla is one of the best movies ever made , it may not be The Rules of the Game but it's a lot of fun , and fun ought to count for more than it ordinarily does when it comes to ranking movies .
BUY THIS ONE RIGHT NOW , YOU'LL NEVER REGRET IT .
Dr . Sarazawa has not yet begun his ascent .
060 4 What evil genius thought to splice a Japanese monster movie together with US-shot Raymond Burr footage to create the PERFECT monster movie ? !
The differences in production values between the original and the manufactured scenes is fascinating . The glimpse into fragments of Japanese culture is also fascinating and was a unique and driving experience when I was a kid fascinated by this movie . Godzilla is so much more than a guy in a Godzilla suit stomping a model of Tokyo flat - - someone left the door open and glimpses of a tantalizing alien culture far more sophisticated and civilized than our own were allowed to be seen by the second-third waves of Baby Boomer kids .
The awesome score drives this one over the top , over the MOON . Godzilla isn't just a bull's-eye , it's the arrow the mythical archer split the tree with . Cheap special effects ( the Holy Grail of 50s SciFi ) abound .
The acting in the Japanese version is very good and emotionally moving , the US-produced acting , aside from Raymond Burr is directly from Central Casting . The monster itself , Godzilla , Gojira , is of mythical proportions . A huge monster awakened by atomic detonations from its sixty-million-year-long sleep destroys all it sees . It's unimportant why . Destruction is absolute . And all man's genius seemed pale and weak is a great line from a similar Japanese monster movie - - the humbling experience that a giant monster is eating our lunch and that we are powerless . In the 1950s ! The height ( up until 2005 ) of military-worship !
Science fiction is a liberating vehicle as far as being able to present a possible world , possible worlds , which would otherwise mightily piss off the status quo , get you burned at the stake . And so Godzilla allows the notion that other realities could be just as real as what you're doing right now . Maybe there is something else out there . It's entertaining , it's enlightening , it's empowering . And Godzilla tragically dies with Dr . Sarazawa and the secret of his Oxygen Destroyer at the end of the movie , Live happily with Emiko . OH MY GOD . How Japanese can you get ? BRILLIANT STUFF .
I have honestly lost track of how many times I've watched Godzilla . It was the first videotape I bought when I first bought a VCR ( $80 for a tape ? ! ) . Since then I've found the original Japanese version ( it would make a great B side to a future edition of this DVD ) . I still love this movie . I know it through and through . It's fascinating in its original Japanese version , but somehow , accidentally , the US-spliced version transcends itself and gracefully rises to an iconic height - - this is a fun movie to watch , but it's also the true high-water mark for the entire genre of giant monster movies , effortlessly surpassing * everything * produced before or since .
The schlocky US-produced bits mingle with the very well produced Japanese original , held together with Raymond Burr - - when a real actor takes a science fiction role seriously it makes an enormous difference - - think of Forbidden Planet and the original The Thing From Another World - - while Godzilla doesn't have the budget of either of those movies , Raymond Burr's acting carries the day . The result is a brilliant , never-to-be-repeated amalgam of pieces which somehow tell a taut , compelling story that will delight every little boy who likes monster movies .
Godzilla is truly the greatest monster movie ever made . Godzilla is one of the best movies ever made , it may not be The Rules of the Game but it's a lot of fun , and fun ought to count for more than it ordinarily does when it comes to ranking movies .
BUY THIS ONE RIGHT NOW , YOU'LL NEVER REGRET IT .
Dr . Sarazawa has not yet begun his ascent .
077 4 This review is from :
Gojira [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
I can remember going to see this Japanese movie GODZILLA , King of the Monsters starring Raymond Burr ( Perry Mason on TV ) in 1956 . This was an exciting 79 minute Black / White scary movie . This voice dubbed movie allowed us to watch the action vs reading sub titles which was a common practice for foreign films in the day . Raymond Burr's narration track navigated us through this tale of Godzilla . We assumed what we saw ( heavily edited ) and heard ( new story westernized for U.S . audiences ) . Bottomline this Japanese Monster became a cult and the rest is history ! ! ! The Japanese Godzilla Sequels were made for the Western world audiences . I thought they were campy , cheezsie with antics and foolish storylines . However successful and profitable .
Now , after many years an original undubbed 16mm master copy evolves and is released as it was seen in Japan in 1954 ! ! ! ! ( NOTE : even though the film quality does not give a true HD 1080p Blu-ray presentation , this copy and film from 1954 technology still gives us the movie theatre ( circa 1954 ) experience ! ! !
Now to the meat and potatoes of this classic Japanese 1954 orignal 98 minute Black and White film . Seeing Gojira ( aka Godzilla ) in its undubbed / subtitle form ( reading the real script is enlightening ) for English audiences uncensored . No narration , just heavy dialogue and character involvement making this movie completely different than the Americanized / censored version we saw / heard through the years .
This is a MUST HAVE movie to add to the Godzilla saga . I promise , once you watch this 1954 Japanese edition your eyes and attitude toward cheezsie Godzilla films will be realized . GOJIRA IS A CLASSIC STAND ALONE FOREIGN FILM ! ! ! ! It revolutionized Monster / Scifi movies . Remember this was 1954 this was all first time stuff ! ! ! Just like the 1933 classic KING KONG ! ! !
Bonus Features include ; One of the BEST COMMENTARIES I ever listened to ( very informative and educational ) . Making featurettes , Story development and Original Theatrical Trailer . AND ENGLISH SUBTITLES ! ! ! ! ! ! !
What a story . A very deep and personal message to the world from the Japanese film makers . ENJOY ! ! ! !
078 4 I can remember going to see this Japanese movie GODZILLA , King of the Monsters starring Raymond Burr ( Perry Mason on TV ) in 1956 . This was an exciting 79 minute Black / White scary movie . This voice dubbed movie allowed us to watch the action vs reading sub titles which was a common practice for foreign films in the day . Raymond Burr's narration track navigated us through this tale of Godzilla . We assumed what we saw ( heavily edited ) and heard ( new story westernized for U.S . audiences ) . Bottomline this Japanese Monster became a cult and the rest is history ! ! ! The Japanese Godzilla Sequels were made for the Western world audiences . I thought they were campy , cheezsie with antics and foolish storylines . However successful and profitable .
Now , after many years an original undubbed 16mm master copy evolves and is released as it was seen in Japan in 1954 ! ! ! ! ( NOTE : even though the film quality does not give a true HD 1080p Blu-ray presentation , this copy and film from 1954 technology still gives us the movie theatre ( circa 1954 ) experience ! ! !
Now to the meat and potatoes of this classic Japanese 1954 orignal 98 minute Black and White film . Seeing Gojira ( aka Godzilla ) in its undubbed / subtitle form ( reading the real script is enlightening ) for English audiences uncensored . No narration , just heavy dialogue and character involvement making this movie completely different than the Americanized / censored version we saw / heard through the years .
This is a MUST HAVE movie to add to the Godzilla saga . I promise , once you watch this 1954 Japanese edition your eyes and attitude toward cheezsie Godzilla films will be realized . GOJIRA IS A CLASSIC STAND ALONE FOREIGN FILM ! ! ! ! It revolutionized Monster / Scifi movies . Remember this was 1954 this was all first time stuff ! ! ! Just like the 1933 classic KING KONG ! ! !
Bonus Features include ; One of the BEST COMMENTARIES I ever listened to ( very informative and educational ) . Making featurettes , Story development and Original Theatrical Trailer . AND ENGLISH SUBTITLES ! ! ! ! ! ! !
What a story . A very deep and personal message to the world from the Japanese film makers . ENJOY ! ! ! !
079 4 This review is from :
Godzilla : King of the Monsters ( DVD )
GODZILLA IS THE ALL-TIME JAPAN MONSTER MOVIE CLASSIC .
I HAVE TO CORRECT AMAZON'S DESCRIPTION OF THIS PRODUCT 1st . THE DESCRIPTION STATES THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE VERSION OF GODZILLA WITHOUT THE AMERICANIZED ADDITION OF RAYMOND BURR . . . . WELL THIS IS WRONG IT IS THE AMERICANIZED VERSION WITH RAYMOND BURR AND THE DVD CASING SHOWS BURR'S PICTURE . . . . ALL WELL THIS IS THE VERSION I WANTED ANYWAY .
THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE CLASSIC WAS ACTUALLY FIRST SHOWN IN 1954 AND WAS IN JAPANESE AND BECAME SUCH A HUGE HIT , THEY DECIDED TO REVISE THE FILM FOR THE AMERICANIZED AUDIENCE . THUS THEY INTRODUCED A RELATIVELY UNKNOWN AMERICAN ACTOR AT THE TIME BY THE NAME OF RAYMOND BURR WHO WAS TO BE THE FILMS NARRATOR AS THE AMERICAN REPORTER STEVE MARTIN . ( OF COURSE BURR IS NOW WELL KNOWN FOR HIS ROLES IN DETECTIVE TV SHOWS OF PERRY MASON and IRONSIDES )
THE PREMISE OF AN AMERICAN REPORTER STEVE MARTIN IS KIND OF FAR FETCHED AT THE TIME , TO THINK THAT THE JAPANESE WOULD ACTUALLY LET A AMERICAN REPORTER FOLLOW THEIR TOP JAPANESE SCIENTISTS AND THEIR MILITARY BRASS AROUND IN A JAPANESE CRISIS WOULD HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE AT THE TIME . STILL THE PREMISE WORKED , AS BURR IN HIS ROLE , NARRATED TO THE AMERICAN AUDIENCE AS GODZILLA TORE APART JAPAN .
SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE THE 1st IN THE MAKING , I MEAN NOBODY HAD MADE A FILM OF SUCH A GIGANTIC CREATURE DESTROYING CITIES TO CORRECT SCALE . IT'S LIKE WATCHING HISTORY IN THE MAKING . OF COURSE MUCH OF THE DESTRUCTION WAS DONE AT NIGHT IN A BLACK AND WHITE FILM , WHICH WAS SMART BECAUSE YOU COULD HIDE A LOT OF STUFF , BUT THE SCALE IN WHICH THEY WERE WORKING HAD NEVER BEEN ATTEMPTED BEFORE . SURE YOU CAN SOMETIMES TELL IT IS A PERSON IN A RUBBER SUIT WALKING ON MINATURES , AND SOME OF THE BUILDINGS LOOK LIKE CARDBOARD , BUT THIS FILM WAS THE 1st OF ITS KIND AND IT PAVED THE WAY FOR MORE JAPANESE BIG MONSTER FILMS .
OF COURSE IF THE FILM FOLLOWED THE ENDING WHICH SHOWS GODZILLA BEING DISSOLVED IN THE SEA AND ONLY HIS BONES BEING INTACT , THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO MORE GODZILLA MOVIES . DEMAND FOR MORE GODZILLA BROUGHT HIM BACK FROM HIS UNTIMELY DEATH AND ALSO CREATED RODAN , MOTHRA . . . . . . ETC . ETC .
VERY ENJOYABLE MOVIE , WORTH EVERY CENT THAT I PAID WHICH WAS LESS THAN $6.00 . I DON'T RENT THESE CLASSICS I BUY THEM .
080 4 GODZILLA IS THE ALL-TIME JAPAN MONSTER MOVIE CLASSIC .
I HAVE TO CORRECT AMAZON'S DESCRIPTION OF THIS PRODUCT 1st . THE DESCRIPTION STATES THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE VERSION OF GODZILLA WITHOUT THE AMERICANIZED ADDITION OF RAYMOND BURR . . . . WELL THIS IS WRONG IT IS THE AMERICANIZED VERSION WITH RAYMOND BURR AND THE DVD CASING SHOWS BURR'S PICTURE . . . . ALL WELL THIS IS THE VERSION I WANTED ANYWAY .
THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE CLASSIC WAS ACTUALLY FIRST SHOWN IN 1954 AND WAS IN JAPANESE AND BECAME SUCH A HUGE HIT , THEY DECIDED TO REVISE THE FILM FOR THE AMERICANIZED AUDIENCE . THUS THEY INTRODUCED A RELATIVELY UNKNOWN AMERICAN ACTOR AT THE TIME BY THE NAME OF RAYMOND BURR WHO WAS TO BE THE FILMS NARRATOR AS THE AMERICAN REPORTER STEVE MARTIN . ( OF COURSE BURR IS NOW WELL KNOWN FOR HIS ROLES IN DETECTIVE TV SHOWS OF PERRY MASON and IRONSIDES )
THE PREMISE OF AN AMERICAN REPORTER STEVE MARTIN IS KIND OF FAR FETCHED AT THE TIME , TO THINK THAT THE JAPANESE WOULD ACTUALLY LET A AMERICAN REPORTER FOLLOW THEIR TOP JAPANESE SCIENTISTS AND THEIR MILITARY BRASS AROUND IN A JAPANESE CRISIS WOULD HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE AT THE TIME . STILL THE PREMISE WORKED , AS BURR IN HIS ROLE , NARRATED TO THE AMERICAN AUDIENCE AS GODZILLA TORE APART JAPAN .
SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE THE 1st IN THE MAKING , I MEAN NOBODY HAD MADE A FILM OF SUCH A GIGANTIC CREATURE DESTROYING CITIES TO CORRECT SCALE . IT'S LIKE WATCHING HISTORY IN THE MAKING . OF COURSE MUCH OF THE DESTRUCTION WAS DONE AT NIGHT IN A BLACK AND WHITE FILM , WHICH WAS SMART BECAUSE YOU COULD HIDE A LOT OF STUFF , BUT THE SCALE IN WHICH THEY WERE WORKING HAD NEVER BEEN ATTEMPTED BEFORE . SURE YOU CAN SOMETIMES TELL IT IS A PERSON IN A RUBBER SUIT WALKING ON MINATURES , AND SOME OF THE BUILDINGS LOOK LIKE CARDBOARD , BUT THIS FILM WAS THE 1st OF ITS KIND AND IT PAVED THE WAY FOR MORE JAPANESE BIG MONSTER FILMS .
OF COURSE IF THE FILM FOLLOWED THE ENDING WHICH SHOWS GODZILLA BEING DISSOLVED IN THE SEA AND ONLY HIS BONES BEING INTACT , THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO MORE GODZILLA MOVIES . DEMAND FOR MORE GODZILLA BROUGHT HIM BACK FROM HIS UNTIMELY DEATH AND ALSO CREATED RODAN , MOTHRA . . . . . . ETC . ETC .
VERY ENJOYABLE MOVIE , WORTH EVERY CENT THAT I PAID WHICH WAS LESS THAN $6.00 . I DON'T RENT THESE CLASSICS I BUY THEM .
112 4 FORGET THE STUPID TRISTAR REMAKE WITH THE SO CALLED GODZILLA . THIS ONE ROCKS ! Toho did a wonderful job on this film . Although many of you probably think this just some cheesy movie , this movie earned millions of dollars in both Japan and U.S.A . So if you're looking for a classic 1950 ' s SCI / FI film , BUY THIS ! This movie spawned 21 seqels , 1 remake and 2 cartoon series ' . It's a lot better than Tristar's .
125 4 IN A NUTSHELL : GIANT DINOSAUR BORN FROM RADIATION GOES AMUCK IN TOKYO
Forget about objectivity here - - you either love seeing this film or you can't understand how anyone can sit through it !
WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT : FRANKENSTEIN CAME FROM ELECTRICITY & GODZILLA FROM ATOMIC FALLOUT
Somehow , because of nuclear testing in the eastern Pacific ocean , a giant mutant lizard suddenly appeared in 1955 . His name was Godzilla and somehow he has survived more remakes than any other monster in history . A sort of 20th-century ' Frankenstein ' who came to us , again , from our own foolish meddling . For Frankenstein , a product of the 19th century , it was electricity . In 1955 and thereafter , it was nuclear testing that brought us ' Godzilla ' .
SO WHAT HAPPENS : [ PLOT SPOILERS BELOW ]
Godzilla suddenly appears in the eastern Pacific ocean and heads very quickly for Tokyo , without apparent motivation . We are fortunate to have Raymond Burr added to this , the American release edition of ' Godzilla - King of the Monsters ' . Burr is the venerable Steve Martin , who enters the scene as a possible witness of one of Godzilla's earlier appearances . Martin was a passenger on an airliner when the attack occurred below in the ocean , but though he saw nothing , Steve Martin became our man-on-the-scene for the rest of the film . It was through his eyes that we [ the American audience ] saw most of the film . The Japanese release is reputed to have not included this entire storyline and Raymond Burr is absent completely , but that is not relevant here .
Anyway , we see Godzilla attack Tokyo , first just the ' dock section ' on the first day's attack , but he returns to ruin Tokyo the next night . Rather gruesome images depicting Godzilla's second night in Tokyo actually look like they were taken at Hiroshima in 1945 . In any event , Godzilla seems to be setting a pattern of coming by night and leaving the city ablaze as he exits into Tokyo Bay .
This pattern leads us to the solution to Godzilla - - the ' Oxygen Destroyer ' . There are some ethical concerns over the use of the ' Oxygen Destroyer , ' which seems to hint at the ethical issues over using the atomic bombs in Japan in 1945 . It is a high point in the story , because it creates a dilemma over using massive power , and in so doing , letting the genie-out-of-the-bottle , so to speak .
IN THE END :
We believe at the end of the film that Godzilla is history . After all , we saw him turn into a skeleton and then disintegrate further into nothing amid the agitated bubbles created by the Oxygen Destroyer . But is Godzilla really dead ? Are there other Godzilla-like mutations out there , as suggested at the end of ' Rodan ' ?
Raymond Burr - Steve Martin
Takashi Shimura - Dr . Kyohei Yamane
Momoko Kochi - Emiko Yamane
Akira Takarada - Hideto Ogata
Akihiko Hirata - Daisuke Serizawa
Sachio Sakai - Hagiwara
ABOUT THIS VIDEO EDITION : REMASTERED VHS
This edition plays better than any I have had . It plays on the SP [ long-playing mode ] , it is Re-Mastered , and it has a long documentary and a photo gallery too . This description seems like it's for a DVD , but it is a VHS , and I have enjoyed it many times over the past 5 years .
BOTTOM LINE : THE KING OF ALL DINOSAUR-RUN-AMUCK FILMS
This is not a modern film and nothing here looks real in the way of special effects . Nevertheless , there is something very genuine and real about both the story that is being told and the monster . I first saw this film around 1960 and I have always felt that same awe toward the story , the monster , and the complete and admirable lack of pretentiousness throughout the film .
144 4 THE LORD OF ALL MONSTER MOVIES ! NO QUESTION ABOUT IT ! ITS THE ORGINAL ! BUY IT DAMNIT ! IT IS THE FIRST EVER !
146 4 This review is from :
Gojira [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
The only version of this film that I have see is with Raymond Burr . Going by the title , this may be the original Japanese version without Burr .
Quote from Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide : Originally released in Japan in 1954 as GOJIRA ( a far superior film ) , at 98m ; over 20m . were eliminated and inserts with Burr were added .
Going by the title on the cover and the 98mins in the discription , this is more than likely the first release without Burr , that I have never seen . I hope this is the original Japanese version .
147 4 The only version of this film that I have see is with Raymond Burr . Going by the title , this may be the original Japanese version without Burr .
Quote from Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide : Originally released in Japan in 1954 as GOJIRA ( a far superior film ) , at 98m ; over 20m . were eliminated and inserts with Burr were added .
Going by the title on the cover and the 98mins in the discription , this is more than likely the first release without Burr , that I have never seen . I hope this is the original Japanese version .
