Gorgo

Ocean volcanic eruption brings many deep sea fishes to the surface. Divers researching the ocean finds not only the fishes, but a reptilian monster from the deep. They succeed in capturing the monster, and brings it back to London, but a closer study shows that it's only an infant, and a lot bigger adult is expected to exist somewhere. The adult shows up, to search for its missing offspring, and London is under attack by a 200 ft tall monster.

This might be a British version of Godzilla, but it's the first time a monster is portrayed as a family. The production is very good for a movie of this sorts, and has aged well. It was even more sensational back in the '60s when the movie was made.

It's a classic monster movie that has its place in movie history, and still a good entertainment to watch.

Yes, Yes, I know...this movie could be viewed as simply a ripoff of Godzilla. But really, the Brits took the concept and did a "Good show, old chap." Unlike most of the 'Zilla movies, it actually has an interesting plot. It's theme has a decidedly "pro environment" message...and the guy in the monster suit doesn't camp it up, but makes the monster seem remarkably real. Now there are some weaknesses...despite a journeyman cast of capable folks, many still turn in one-note performances, as if they're a little embarrassed about being in a monster movie. Also, some of the plot mechanisms are a little creaky. For all that, though, this is a monster movie that's at least a small cut above most. It held my attention as an adult (I'd first seen it as a child and didn't see it again for twenty years), the special effects are mostly quite good, and the ending, despite being hokey, still works! It rarely shows up on tv for some reason...so if you get a chance, rent it (there are copies available in independent shops that specialize in rare movies.)

Gorgo is the third of the monster on the loose movies to be directed by Eugene Lourie. It came two years after The Giant Behemoth and was the only monster movie to be directed by him to be made in colour.

This is an excellent movie with great special effects. This is the British version of Godzilla and the monsters look impressive, despite them being men in monster suits. The acting in this is quite good and there is an excellent music score too. This was made towards the end of the craze for giant monster movies.

This movie is a must for monster movie fans and I enjoyed it very much.

This is British monster movie action at its best. Enjoy!

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

First off, let me say that I am indeed an MST3K fan, but I saw, and have owned this movie, long before i ever even became a MSTie myself. And as for the original himself, Godzilla, i have been a Godzilla fan longer than I have ever even walked (literally). So in that respect, my priorities come Godzilla first, MST3K second.

With that out of the way, this isn't an all that bad Godzilla knock off. For one thing, it isn't dubbed, though the actors are still hard to hear clearly. Second, the monster effects are fairly good. Simple man-in-suit technique that still works today. Third, there is a plot, involving the young Gorgo being taken by British entrepeneurs for exploitation back on their ol' isle. Then daddy/mommy/whatever Gorgo comes to his/her/its baby's rescue. She smashes through some British landmarks in typical Godzilla fashion, with typically poor military resistance. There are human characters thrown in, but they do little more than observe.

Why do i actually like this movie? Because I like Godzilla, and Godzilla knock-offs that don't go the way Gamera did after his second movie: Helping people all the time and being "Friend to all children!" Yes, there is a child that somewhat befriends baby Gorgo, but even the kid knows that baby Gorgo don't give a crap about him when his mommy shows up.

Its not campy, its not deathly serious, its just good old fashioned Godzilla-type city stomping. If you're a Godzilla fan , you'll enjoy it easily. If not, you'll at least sit through it and have some fun nonetheless.

And if you're a biased MST3K fan, unlike myself, you'd hate the Godfather if it was shown in front of MIke and the Bots. Even they admitted it wasn't all that bad of a movie!

Bill Travers and William Sylvester (the latter having played Heywood Floyd in 2001 and also starring in *UGH* Devil Doll) are a group of fishermen/pirates who scour the ocean floor for gold and such. Well, one day, a volcano erupts while they are searching "some old rustbucket", and the next day, when they are repairing the boat, a prehistoric dinosaur (well, what other age did they come from?) attacks the island and is captured by the crew. Rather than donating it to the Irish government, they do the *cough* right thing and take it to London to sell to a circus for half of the profit to a Mr. Dorkin, one of the most tastelessly dressed men in the business. But then the monster escapes, right? No siree. Another dinosaur appears, except this one is MANY times taller. In other words, Dear old mum checks in to see how our babysitter friends are doing with her kid, and she won't be happy . . .

Despite some rather boring moments, this one, like Phantom Planet or Jack Frost, isn't too bad without the help of MST3K. It helps that the guy who directed The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms is the director. The one thing that bothers me: where's the female character? Maybe it could've been more interesting with a female point of view. But this is a kid's film, and I guess they could care less. But the one kid in this movie, although like Kenny from Gamera in that he likes the monster, is not annoyingly cute; he's much more a dramatic character than a comedy relief. And one more thing that strikes me funny: Joseph O'Connor, who is a veteran of British film, three years later starred in a film called "The Gorgon"!