Godzilla Raids Again + Godzilla Vs. Mothra (Classic Media DVD)

 

Picture: C (Japan Mothra Cut: C+)     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Films: C+/B

 

 

The original Godzilla continues to be one of the most internationally celebrated cinematic creations of all time.  Even surviving a horrible remake, the series is sought after all over the world and is the most successful long running movie series second only to James Bond.  Before Godzilla, only Fox’s Charlie Chan (which even continued at Monogram for a while) had seen such an enduring run of non-stop films form one producing company.  Sure, Sherlock Holmes, Dracula and Tarzan have been the most filmed characters, but only after jumping to just about every company and studio around.

 

Classic Media has issued new special editions of the second and fourth film in the original series.  After the original classic 1954 Godzilla came Godzilla Raids Again in 1955, the second and last films that would be black and white as well as narrow vision block style.  The fun classic 1962 battle film King Kong vs. Godzilla (already issued on DVD by Universal) brought two permanent hallmarks to the series that made it a long term winner.  One, the films were now in full color and they would be shot in widescreen TohoScope.  That led to the all-time classic Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964) and it is those even-numbered films we now have on DVD.

 

In both cases, you get slide shows and tow versions of each film.  One is the original Japanese cut, then the second is the altered U.S. release version.  Godzilla Raids Again has the same title in both cases here, but the U.S. version arrived four years later and has all kinds of new footage and “voice of God” narration to continue the “official” sound and theme of the original film to appeal to fans.  It actually was released at one point as Gigantis – The Fire Monster in a change (it was a Godzilla variant) all involved would like to forget.  The Japanese version is better anyhow and moves better thanks to the pretension of the U.S. market needs and propagandic twists were not forced on the film.  It has not aged badly, but when it is done, you’ll understand why Toho had to upgrade production if they were going to continue.

 

With King Kong vs. Godzilla a hit and a separate Toho King Kong film successfully produced, Mothra vs. Godzilla went all out to outdo its predecessor and some of the visual effects are still impressive over 40 years later.  This time, the bad Godzilla has returned and can only be stopped by the good flying creature Mothra.  However, it will take 30-centimeter twin singer/chanters known as The Alilenas to summons him, which they need to do fats before it is too late.  More than any other film, this set the standard for the rest of the series into the late 1970s and into cinema history.  A U.S. version released by American International Pictures called Godzilla vs. The Thing (in PathéColor) is included at an anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image that suggests AIP cut the sides off so prints would be easier to produce and/or that U.S. audiences might not like this kind of film in a wider frame.

 

Either way, the original 2.35 X 1 TohoScope frame is retain with the Japanese cut.  I though the black and white 1.33 X 1 image on both versions of the 1955 film did not have the detail they should have.  The Japanese is barely better.  As for the Mothra vs. Godzilla, the color is better in the Japanese version, but definition is still an issue.  However, the U.S. butchering ruins every composition and the Japanese TohoScope framing is terrific by comparison.  You can see all the action as intended and appreciate the groundbreaking work that was actually achieved.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono on all four cuts are adequate.

 

Other extras in each single disc, contained in a nice book-like foldout DigiPak includes an Art Of Suit Acting featurette and informative Steve Ryfle audio commentary where he is occasionally joined by others for Godzilla Raids Again.  Chapter 10 of his commentary includes two great radio ads for the U.S. release of the film.  Mothra vs. Godzilla has an Akira Ifukube biography with tribute by Shogo Tomiyama (both so key to the success of the series) and another great Ryfle commentary.  This time, he is joined by fellow fan and scholar Ed Godziszewski.

 

Though I was a little disappointed with the transfers, I was surprised in particular how well Mothra vs. Godzilla held up.  Having seen films like that in 35mm and real TohoScope presentation on a big screen back in the day; these films deserve a revival all the way to high definition Blu-ray.

 

For more on Mothra, try this link:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/8934/Icons+Of+Sci-Fi+Toho+Collection+(Ba

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo