(aka 'Gojira' or 'Godzilla')

Directed by Ishirô Honda
Japan 1954

 

  Nuclear tests awaken an ancient monster from its slumber at the bottom of the ocean. It rises to wreak havoc on Tokyo. The original classic monster movie from Japan

Considering its reputation and the variable character of the franchise it spawned, the original Godzilla is a pretty sobering film. Many will be familiar with Godzilla from the later stuntmen in rubber suits fisticuffs, or the ridiculous Hanna-Barbara cartoon series from 1978. Even if they have seen the first film, originally released in 1954, it's likely to have been the American version, which consisted of the Japanese film trimmed substantially and altered by the inclusion of new scenes featuring Raymond Burr as an American reporter.

In the original Japanese cut, the theme of atomic weapons testing and the dangers of weapons of mass destruction is more explicit. The film opens with the crew of a freighter in the Sea of Japan suddenly being dazzled by a blaze of bright light. Within seconds, their ship bursts into flame and is lost. A second ship is soon lost in the same area, and a third. There's understandable panic in the shipping office and across the nation, reflected in a series of anxious newspaper headlines.

Meanwhile, on the island of Odo, the locals are starting to argue. "I'm sure something terrible is happening... It must be Godzilla," says one. "Godzilla? That's just a legend." The legend soon proves to be based on truth, however, when a 40 metre tall monster suddenly makes it presence felt, looming over a hilltop.

Excerpt from Channel 4 HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: November 3rd, 1954 - Tokyo

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DVD Comparison:

 BFI - Region 2 - PAL vs. Sony Wonder (2-disc) - Region 1 - NTSC

(BFI - Region 2 - PAL LEFT vs. Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover

Distribution BFI Video - Region 2 - PAL Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime 1:32:06 (4% PAL speedup) 1:35:45
Video 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.78 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s		 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.21 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:  BFI

Bitrate: Sony Wonder

Audio Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0)  Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles English, None English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: BFI Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• Voiceover Commentary By Three American Godzilla Experts
• Japanese Fishermen Documentary
• The Making Of The Godzilla Suit Featurette
• The Adaptation From Original Short Story To Finished Film Featurette
• Original Japanese Trailer
• Original Posters
• Stills Gallery
• 16-page liner notes booklet

DVD Release Date: February 13th, 2006
Premium bookstyle thick case
Chapters: 15

Release Information:
Studio: Sony Wonder

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• Voiceover Commentary By Three American Godzilla Experts
• The Making Of The Godzilla Suit Featurette

• The Adaptation From Original Short Story To Finished Film Featurette
• Original Japanese Trailer
• US version with commentary
• 16-page liner notes booklet

DVD Release Date: September 5th, 2006
Premium bookstyle thick case
Chapters: 24

 

 

Comments:

ADDITION: Sony Wonder - Region 1- NTSC September 06' - The new Sony Wonder package is a bit of a disappointment - it is interlaced and filled with combing - it has boosted in both black levels and brightness as well as being marginally cropped on all 4 edges. The subtitles are a disgusting yellow. The Sony appears to show more damage but it has a purer contrast (regardless of the manipulation) - next to the BFI, the PAL edition seems to have a greenish haze.

The packaging and many other attributes are the same as the BFI PAL edition, but they have also added the US version with Burr on a puny single-layered 2nd disc. I am still examining the differences and will report back here after I am complete. My initial reaction is that I prefer the BFI.

NOTE (sent in email):

'I'm a big fan of DVDBeaver and just read your comparison between the Sony Wonder and BFI DVD releases of the original Gojira. I thought I'd point out another problem with the Sony release (other than those you already listed in your review) that has bugged me from the moment I first watched it. For whatever reason, the print on the Region 1 DVD has 3 new digital transitions incorporated that replace the scene transitions originally appearing in the film. The first and last are noticeable, but liveable - the second cuts Ifukube's cue for the scene and strikes me as being rather jarring to watch.

All of the new transitions are in the opening bit of the film - the first is the transition between the Eiko Maru's wake and the first shot of the sailors on deck; the second is between the shot of the radio tower (just after Eiko Maru is set afire) and the radio room of the Nankai shipping company; the third is the transition between the chart of the Japan sea in the Nankai control room and the shot of the Bingo Maru. Most of the people I've spoken with concerning this think I'm just nitpicking, but when I buy a DVD advertised as featuring the complete Japanese version of the film the complete Japanese version of the film tends to be what I expect. I plan on picking up the BFI release in the near future as it sounds to be superior to Sony's release.' (Thanks Kevin)

***

NOTE: We have added two comparison captures with the Australian edition which contains both the original Japanese and American versions on the same side, hence there are many artefact and 'combing' problems with that release.

***

Excellent release from BFI... one of their best yet. The packaging starts with a beautifully appointed book-style case (same as the special case for the Carlton edition of The Red Shoes). The image quality is far better than I anticipated. Minor scratches and damage throughout  but an exceptionally sharp and clear image with very good, if occasionally flickering, contrast. This is a progressive transfer in the correct aspect ratio with excellent removable subtitles. I did notice an occasional gap in the translation, but it was usually for short, brief exclamations or comments. Audio is very strong and consistent.

The commentary is fabulous from discussing the 'dreaded American version with insert scenes of Raymond Burr' to the youthful 43-year old director Honda who had less experience than some of his cast. It is very thorough and complete - these guys really know their Godzilla trivia. The other extras are very relevant and the included booklet is a real keepsake with color photos, cast and crew bios and a short essay by Ian Buruma. Overall, I know many are glad that this prolific-spawning pioneer film is available on DVD in such a dynamic and complete package. Bravo BFI!   

Gary W. Tooze

 




DVD Menus

 

(BFI - Region 2 - PAL LEFT vs. Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)

 

Subtitle Sample

 

(BFI - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Australian release MIDDLE vs. Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)

 

 

 

 

Screen Captures

 

(BFI - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)

 

 

 

(BFI - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)

 

 

 

(BFI - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)

 

 

 

(BFI - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)

 

 

 
(BFI - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
 

 

 

 
(BFI - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
 

 

(BFI - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Australian release MIDDLE vs. Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)

 

 

(BFI - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
 

 

 

Sony Wonder - Region 1 - NTSC - Disc 2 - US VERSION
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DVD Box Cover

Distribution BFI Video - Region 2 - PAL Tartan Video - Region 1 - NTSC




 

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