#1000a/#594: HONDA, Ishiro: Godzilla (1954)

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HONDA, Ishiro (Japan)
Godzilla [1954]
Spine #1000a/Spine #594
Blu-ray


Godzilla (a.k.a. Gojira) is the roaring granddaddy of all monster movies. It's also a remarkably humane and melancholy drama, made in Japan at a time when the country was reeling from nuclear attack and H-bomb testing in the Pacific. Its rampaging radioactive beast, the poignant embodiment of an entire population's fears, became a beloved international icon of destruction, spawning almost thirty sequels. A thrilling, tactile spectacle that continues to be a cult phenomenon, the original, 1954 Japanese version is presented here, along with Godzilla, King of the Monsters, the 1956 "Americanized" version.

96 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in Japanese
1:37:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2012
Director/Writers


Original story by Shigeru Kayama.
Screenplay by Takeo Murata and Ishiro Honda.

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

#594: Eighteen-page booklet featuring an essay by critic J. Hoberman.
#1000a: Thirty-six page book featuring an essay by Steve Ryfle and essays on the films by Ed Godziszewski.

High-definition digital restoration

Of Godzilla, King of the Monsters, Terry Morse’s 1956 reworking of the original, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack.

Commentary

For both movies by film historian David Kalat.

Interviews

With actors Takarada and Nakajima and special effects technicians Yoshio Irie and Eizo Kaimai.
Interview 1

With legendary Godzilla score composer Akira Ifukube.
Featurette

Detailing Godzilla’s photographic effects, introduced by special effects director Koichi Kawakita and special effects photographer Motoyoshi Tomioka.
Interview 2

With Japanese-film critic Tadao Sato.

The Unluckiest Dragon

An illustrated audio essay featuring historian Greg Pflugfelder describing the tragic fate of the fishing vessel Daigo Fukuryu Maru, a real-life event that inspired Godzilla,.
Trailers

For Godzilla and Godzilla, King of the Monsters.
Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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