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| Gojira(1954) and GKOTM(1956); Discuss these two films & their DVDs | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 31 2006, 09:04 PM (10,790 Views) | |
| packmule | Jan 31 2006, 09:04 PM Post #1 |
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Long in the tooth
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In 1954 Toho Motion Picture Company released a film that would forever change the cinematic "landscape" of giant monsters in film. The movie, called Gojira, featuring an A-bomb spawned, 50 meter tall reptilian monster, was a hit in Japan, and is widely considered one of the greatest giant monster movies ever made. Shot in black and white, this film is grim, moody, melancholy, and deliberate in it's telling of the arrival of Gojira to Japan, and goes to great lengths to show the monster's devastating effects on both the denizens of the city, as well as the cataclsymic physical destruction the creature brings as it thunders through Tokyo, impervious to conventional weapons from the defense forces of Japan. This film was also released in the Unites States two years later, in 1956, edited, with insertions of American actors, most notably, Raymond Burr, who portrays United World News reporter Steve Martin. The title of the "Americanized" 1954 Japanese film was also changed, and was entitled Godzilla King Of The Monsters. Discuss either or both of these films here, including DVDs of these movies or anything else related to them. All replies welcome. |
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| KaijuFanatic | Feb 10 2006, 12:01 PM Post #2 |
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Like most people, I saw the Americanized version, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, first and loved it, it was what I grew up watching on TV. Then, in 1998, I was given a VHS of the original, Japanese version of the film and was blown away by just how powerful the film really was. A much darker and serious film than the Americanized version of the film, I found, Gojira to be a film that could leave me in awe as well as touch my heart with certain scenes. I'm thrilled to have the intended version of the film on DVD and if anyone has yet to see the original Japanese version, you're in for a real treat, when you do see it. |
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| Legionmaster | Feb 10 2006, 12:08 PM Post #3 |
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Saw the original here in Philly when it made its rounds in America. Superior to the Americanized version in every way. Truly one of the best anti-war films ever made. |
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| packmule | Mar 5 2006, 09:45 AM Post #4 |
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Long in the tooth
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The original version played here in Atlanta for a week, but I could not get away from work and other commitments to see it...<kicks self> :ph43r: |
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| Ro-Dan | Jun 20 2006, 05:41 PM Post #5 |
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Here it is, a true thing of beauty:![]() I CANNOT wait to get my hands on this! |
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| packmule | Jun 20 2006, 05:46 PM Post #6 |
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Long in the tooth
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Very nice cover art! Good God, I have the Region 4 "Madman" release of this movie(both original and "Burr" versions), and also the original Classic Media release(the 1956 "Burr" version), and, despite being in possession of these I will very probably buy this one as well. dancing cheeky smiley |
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| Ro-Dan | Jun 20 2006, 05:55 PM Post #7 |
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I'm blown away by how beautiful the box art is. Hard to believe this is the same company (Classic Media) who gave us those earlier releases of Godzilla, King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs Mothra. It looks like a Criterion release! |
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| packmule | Jun 20 2006, 06:11 PM Post #8 |
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Long in the tooth
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Agreed. I would say that someone in the Classic Media boardroom got a fire lit under their proverbial ass, regarding this cover art. jumping smiley |
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| KaijuFanatic | Jun 22 2006, 08:43 AM Post #9 |
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That's sweet looking boxart for the DVD. thumbs up I have a Region 2 disc for the original Japanese version, but no doubt that I will be grabbing this puppy up. Mr Green |
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| Johnny Rod | Jun 23 2006, 07:56 AM Post #10 |
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The Dark Hero
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Well It's certainly a lot better than the DVD cover for the British release. :lol: |
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| packmule | Jun 23 2006, 04:28 PM Post #11 |
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Long in the tooth
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Perhaps, but I heard the BFI release had lots of nice extras. :) |
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| King Joe | Jun 23 2006, 04:38 PM Post #12 |
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Pretty shmancy, I've only seen the americanized version with Burr and by adding him in it, I was never really able to enjoy the film. I hope to get his when it gets out, looks pretty kewl. |
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| packmule | Jun 23 2006, 07:36 PM Post #13 |
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Long in the tooth
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If you don't mind my asking Corey, what is it about Raymond Burr in Godzilla King Of The Monsters(1956) that you don't like? I always thought the American version of Gojira(1954), while not as good as the orignal, was still an enjoyable film, and that Mr. Burr's performance was steady and consistent. eyebrow |
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| King Joe | Jun 23 2006, 09:35 PM Post #14 |
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I don't know, his scenes didn't realyl blend into the movie greatly, I think it would've been awhole lot better with out him, just my point of view though. |
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| packmule | Jun 24 2006, 03:27 PM Post #15 |
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Long in the tooth
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I understand. I do agree with you that the "Burr" scenes did not always blend well with the original movie sequences, but, unlike you, I still enjoyed the Americanized version. To each his own I guess. Mr. or Ms. Cool |
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| KaijuFanatic | Jun 24 2006, 08:29 PM Post #16 |
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I grew up on the Americanized version of the film, so it will always have a special spot in my viewing library, but it was only after I really sat and watched the film that I saw the 'blending' wasn't always realistic looking, but I suppose that's part of the film's charm. :) |
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| packmule | Jun 25 2006, 07:41 PM Post #17 |
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Long in the tooth
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Perhaps. You might be interested to know Corey that Raymond Burr, in later interviews, expressed great fondness, and respect for "Godzilla-King Of The Monsters"(1956) and Godzilla 1985, as well as the monster itself. thumbs up |
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| Ro-Dan | Jun 27 2006, 06:24 PM Post #18 |
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Yep, same here! |
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| Ro-Dan | Jul 3 2006, 12:39 PM Post #19 |
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I don't know if anyone else caught it, but the original subtitled version of GOJIRA was on CBC-TV last Saturday night. Very cool--and surprising--to see it on TV! Next week, from what I've heard GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN will air. I believe it'll be on at 11:30pm Saturday. Check your TV listings just to be sure. |
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| KaijuFanatic | Jul 3 2006, 08:28 PM Post #20 |
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I wonder if cable channels will begin showing the original/unedited version of, Gojira, now that many North American citizens might actually have an opportunity to see this film for the first time on DVD? All these years Godzilla fans would have loved to have seen the unedited version and it takes a DVD release to get cable to show it?! |
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| Ro-Dan | Jul 4 2006, 01:00 AM Post #21 |
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Well, I hope so. It's infinitely superior to the Americanized version. |
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| KaijuFanatic | Jul 6 2006, 04:23 AM Post #22 |
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That's true, but it seems to be a slow process at times to get cable channels to take a bold stand and show foreign films, films in their original aspect ratios and in their native language. I think DVD has helped educate a lot of people and TV execs that there is a definite desire to see these films as they were initially intended to be seen. |
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| Ro-Dan | Jul 6 2006, 10:42 AM Post #23 |
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Even harder when it's a "rubber-suited, b-rate, monster movie". |
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| KaijuFanatic | Jul 6 2006, 06:51 PM Post #24 |
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True, very true! <_< |
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| packmule | Jul 29 2006, 08:26 AM Post #25 |
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Long in the tooth
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Bingo. No doubt why Classic Media got off it's proverbial ass and has the Godzilla movies primed for re-release. thumbs up |
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| packmule | Jul 30 2006, 09:29 AM Post #26 |
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Long in the tooth
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Here's a nice link regarding Gojira(1954): GodzillaOnDvd.com |
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| KaijuFanatic | Jul 30 2006, 09:43 PM Post #27 |
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I read that somewhere a few years back and in reading that, Burr definitely had my respect! bravo clap |
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| packmule | Jul 31 2006, 04:25 PM Post #28 |
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Long in the tooth
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Raymond Burr has always had my respect Kimi because, IMO, he was a marvelous actor, in both Perry Mason and in Ironsides(playing Robert Ironsides). His acting style came across to me as somewhat formal(but not overly stiff), deliberate, steady, and measured. Certainly as Perry Mason he was all of these, and also unflappable under just about any kind of duress. Watching Godzilla King Of The Monsters I can see some attributes of his character "Steve Martin" that would later appear in the "Perry Mason" television series. Do I prefer GKOTHM to Gojira(1954)? No. But I think, given the role and the script, Raymond Burr did a great job as an American actor basically "inserted" into various parts of the original Gojira to make it more appealing to American audiences. Regarding Burr it is also fact that, believe it not, Godzilla 1985 was nearly released as a comedy here in the West. Burr, and the American actor who played the General(I cannot recall his name) convinced the execs(at New World Pictures) not to do this, out of respect for the 1954 film, and out of respect for the character "Godzilla". Kimi, there is no doubt in my mind that Burr probably knew about the imagery in the original, and the many references in the film to nuclear holocaust(like Hiroshima or Nagasaki in 1945). I think, as Burr must have believed, that turning Godzilla 85 into a comedy would have been extremely disrespectful to those survivors(and those who didn't survive) of the A-bomb detonations in Japan in 1945. I also think it would have, as well. |
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| KaijuFanatic | Sep 11 2006, 10:29 AM Post #29 |
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I preordered, Gojira before leaving for Canada and unfortunately, it didn't arrive before we left, so I hat to wait until we pick up the mail, this morning. I'm sitting here watching the DVD and perhaps it's just me, but there are times where it's difficult for me to make out the subtitles. I was just curious to know if anyone else was having any problems.....I hope my eyes aren't getting too old! |
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| Ro-Dan | Sep 11 2006, 05:02 PM Post #30 |
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They've all looked clear to me. Luckily they're yellow as white text would be too difficult to see on black and white film. By the way, I'm VERY happy with the quality of this GOJIRA DVD. |
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Well It's certainly a lot better than the DVD cover for the British release. :lol: 

7:40 PM Jul 10