Absolutely one of the VERY best of the 50’s sci-fi films in its UNCUT Japanese version, at long last Ishirô Honda’s deadly serious reflection of the horrors of radiation finally got a Region 1 2 disc DVD release; yes we are talking the Japanese sci-fi masterpiece widely known as “Godzilla: King of the Monsters!”.

It’s unfathomable that this never saw an UNCUT release of any kind here in the states until a year or so ago. 52 years after the fact. Actually in did make a small run in art house theatres [like the Angelika in Dallas on July 2nd 2004] a couple years back; which I joyfully attended.

This is where all the destruction all began. Vastly superior to US version that was cut by 40 minutes with 20 minutes of Raymond Burr inserts, and every sequel it spawned. Believe me this is an entirely different movie. In the American version Raymond Burr blows it by telling us straight away what menace to Tokyo is, while here the festivities start with ships exploding and sinking under mysterious circumstances. Scientist correctly come to believe a giant dinosaur has been created from atomic testing and with there fellow countrymen must helplessly watch in terror as Gojira attacks turn the city of Tokyo to fiery rubble leaving wide scale destruction and serious property damage city wide with the f/x wizardry of Eiji Tsuburaya. There only hope is in trying to convince scientist Dr. Serizawa to use his powerful new invention, the dreaded ‘Oxygen Destroyer’ for a truly compelling ending. This version is much more about Gojira-Godzilla being a metaphor for the horror of the H-bomb and all the horror that comes with it, as well as being one of the very best 50’s sci-fi films ever made. Absolutely recommended!!!!!

How about a Small Trivial Note: Godzilla’s monolithic hellish roar was created by dragging a heavy glove on cello strings.

If you’re not counting it was followed by 27 sequels so far not counting that pitiful Hollywood remake.

US Filmography:

First Wave
1. Godzilla: King of the Monsters!
2. Gigantis: The Fire Monster
3. King Kong vs. Godzilla
4. Godzilla vs. The Thing
5. Ghidorah-The Three Headed Monster
6. Godzilla vs. Monster Zero
7. Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster
8. Son of Godzilla
9. Destroy all Monsters
10. Godzilla’s Revenge
11. Godzilla vs. Hedorah
12. Godzilla vs. Gigan
13. Godzilla vs. Megalon
14. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla
15. Terror of MechaGodzilla

Second Wave
16. Godzilla 1985
17. Godzilla vs. Biolante
18. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
19. Godzilla vs. Mothra: Battle for Earth
20. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla
21. Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla
22. Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

New Millennium
23. Godzilla 2000
24. Godzilla vs. Megaguirus
25. Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monster All Out Attack
26. Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla
27. Godzilla Tokyo S. O. S.
28. Godzilla: Final Wars