Plot Summary
When the ocean’s surface begins to boil white-hot and a Japanese freighter vanishes into the Pacific, the superstitious villagers of Odo Island fear an ancient legend has come true—the legend of Godzilla! Awakened from an eons-long sleep by an H-bomb explosion, the behemoth seeks revenge on the civilized world, turning Tokyo into a wasteland of atomic fire and rubble. Young lovers, Emiko and Ogata, find themselves trapped in the monster’s path of destruction—forced to choose between betraying a friend and saving the world!
Customer Reviews
Good movie, but different from came after
This movie is the original Japanese version of Godzilla. The American version, subtitled The King of Monsters, added 20 minutes of new footage while cutting 40 minutes of footage. Given that we’re talking about a 96 minute film, it’s an entirely different work from this movie.
In this movie, Godzilla is a force of nature and the movie is all about how Japan, as a nation, needs to deal with the problem. It starts with fishing boats being attacked, then some coastal areas, and it finally cumulates in an attack on Tokyo that is rips the city apart. Godzilla’s attacks on Tokyo are now infamous, but this is a little different. This movie pauses to show the real personal impact the attack has on it’s citizens. It’s worth a look.
It’s important to understand that this movie is both 60 years old and the product of another culture. In many ways it looks like an American b&w movie from the 50s, but the way it tackles the story of a giant dinosaur rising up from the ocean to destroy humans is very different from the way it would be tackled in the U.S. For a U.S. approach to the same subject matter, you may want to look at The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. That movie was a direct influence on this one.
Just a note, the transfer on this film isn’t great. There’s clearly been some damage to the film stock. It is not enough, in my opinion, to seriously detract from watching it. But it should be noted.
Lastly, I feel that the music in this movie doesn’t get enough credit. I really liked it. The opening music is quite haunting.
I bought it for the $9.99, but if you don’t feel the movie will have any re-watch value for you, it’s defiantly worth the $2.99 for the rental.
Excellent
For those who care, this is in Japanese with English Subtitles. I had never seen this movie before and it was quite excellent. I thought it had great pacing and interesting effects.
Gojira!!!!!
Wow I never thought I'd be able to see the original Japanese masterpiece that started it all. Thank you iTunes for putting this movie up.
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