Tuesday, September 05, 2006 01:53:15 PM
DVD PICK
Gojira and Godzilla
Exciting news for all of us watched endless reruns of Godzilla
during our youth. Both it and the uncut 1954 Japanese original
Gorija are out on DVD today in a deluxe collector's edition. This
is the first time Gojira has been released on DVD.
Watchig the original finally provides an opportunity to observe
this classic without American intervention, ie, a sense of how
it must have felt to view this powerful film when it first came
out. In addition, Gojira contains several scenes not viewed by American audiences.
But this is not to berate the 1956 Raymond Burr version. However, the differences between the two provide a fascinating study in just how much reworking of Gojira took place.
The film is an anti-nuculear allegory of the beast which is reawakened after the dropping of the H-bomb. The superstition of Japanese villagers near Odo Island holds that the beast will seek revenge on the civilized world, laying waste to Tokyo. Emiko and Ogata, two young lovers, betray their friend, Dr. Serizawa, a brilliant but tormented scientist, in order to save the world.
DVD FEATURES
Gojira (Godzilla)
- English subtitles
- Native HD master from 35 mm print
- 1954
- Runtime: 95:59
- Black and White
- Aspect Ratio: 35 MM print
- Language: Japanese
- Single Sided DVD
- Commentary by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski
- 16 page booklet which includes a history on the
making of Gojira and how it was imported into the US
and became Godzilla, King of the Monsters
- Original theatrical trailer
- "Making of the Godzilla Suit" featurette
- "Godzilla: Story Development" featurette
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
- Single sided DVD
- Commentary by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski
- 1956
- Black and white
- Runtime: 78:59
- Aspect Ratio: 4X3
- Language: English
- Original theatrical trailer
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