"Godzilla" (Gojira) premiered in Nagoya on October 27th, 1954 and had the major release on November 3rd in 1954 throughout Japan! Technically we in the US have only had access to this original version for 20 years! Perhaps there were some ways some were able to get bootleg or import copies, but that's only a wild guess! For years, the only "original" Godzilla film we had was the heavily re-edited 1956 version starring Raymond Burr (which is still the most watched Godzilla film). That is the first Godzilla film I saw when I was kid and then I saw the badly English versions of several sequels.
Originally a powerful statement on nuclear weaponry turned into satire on corporate greed, environmental stuff and then turning Godzilla into a protector of mankind! What an amazing legacy & franchise!
Thank God for home video! When the 1954 Godzilla hit home video, so did the Japanese versions of the legacy sequels! Some of the films were not only re-edited but they would shorten the film anywhere between 5-10 minutes! Crazy! The Japanese subtitles were a revelation too! It was like watching an entire new film in some cases!
39 Godzilla films and counting! The longest running film franchise of all time! Here are my favorite Godzilla films:
1. Godzilla 1954-The original is always the best and this is no exception. This is a truly horrifying and tragic film! No tongue in cheek humor at all!
2. Godzilla Minus One (2023)- Almost as Good as the original! Stays true to the original!
3. King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)- The third film in the franchise! The 1963 American version is entertaining but I prefer the original 1962 Japanese version!
4. Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster (1964) The fifth film in the franchise introduces the Alien invasion subplot along with Yakuza and a James Bond kind of vibe! Very cool flick! Again I prefer the Japanese cut!
5. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1974) The 14th film in the franchise. A fun, bizarre and fun mess of a film! Ape like aliens? A new monster, King Caesar and a robot like Godzilla! Wacky, cheesy but fun!
If you want to hear more in depth Godzilla stuff, Click here to listen to our discussion on the 1954 original!
