Godzilla

The abuse and destruction unleashed on this Japanese city Tokyo is nothing short of epic in stature. The city, through the various romps of the titular character, literally swirls in flames, buildings fall at amazing speed , and just about every human form of transportation is reduced to rubble. This is the setting for much of the film, Godzilla - King of the Monsters. Despite being nothing more than a film with a man in a rubber suit trashing a miniature Tokyo set, this first Godzilla has much going for it. It is well-paced, and the action is engrossing and climactic. I saw the Americanized version with Raymond Burr, and thought Burr did a fine job playing foreign correspondent Steve Martin. Burr really helps create and add tension in the film with his narration and through the events we see through his eyes. The Japanese actors are very good as is the direction. Really the only low-point of the film for me was the inept dubbing, particularly the Brooklyn accent given to one of the chief Japanese scientists. Quite a gem!

The 1954 classic was apparently not good enough for American audiences. They remade the film with Raymond Burr narrating the action and starring as a reporter covering the incident.

Rather than a subtitled film, we get one dubbed. At least they left some of the Japanese dialog.

Stars of the original film, Takashi Shimura, Momoko Kôchi, and Akira Takarada, took second billing to Burr, who dominated throughout.

Godzilla was a grave representation of the horrors of the H bomb; horrors that Japan knew all too well. Scenes of the destruction caused by Godzilla, and of the broken, burning bodies pulled from the rubble, look authentic enough to be documentary footage of Hiroshima or Nagasaki. The film, a huge hit in the original form, must have been therapeutic for the Japanese people.

I prefer English versions in most cases but this is kinda silly having Steve Martin (Raymond Barr) in it and not speaking Japanese. Otherwise this is still a spectacular Godzilla film! The destruction is great and effects were incredible for it's time.

In its original form, GODZILLA (GOJIRA) was meant as an analogy for the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending Japan's involvement in World War II. The monster was a representation of nuclear holocaust and its aftermath. Director Ishiro Honda was ingenious in his use of the big lizard as a metaphor for his nation's greatest human tragedy.

Before it could be shown in the United States, big changes had to be made, including the addition of actor Raymond Burr as an extraneous character, and to provide voice-over narration. Burr's character would tell us what was "really" going on. Perhaps, distributors were afraid that American audiences were simply too dense to understand Honda's vision. More than likely, they didn't get it themselves!

GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS was born.

Unfortunately, much of the story's devastating power was lost in the process. Even so, the Americanized version still packs a punch. Honda's idea shines through, and Burr isn't bad in his role, just unnecessary. If this is the only version you've ever seen, then it's advisable to watch the original for some context...

Godzilla: King of the Monsters starring Raymond Burr is a completely different work than the original Gojira. In the American version many references of the Nuclear Test have been muted and almost non-exsitent. While the Japanese version has many cautions about the plight of Nuclear war. Perhaps that decision was politically manipulated for the American Audience or it could be for the fact that the American producers wanted bottom-line cash and hook even if it meant making Godzilla: King of the Monsters no deeper than the flying saucer. All in all This movie is good for a laugh, but if your looking for a deep and haunting tale then opt for the original Gojira which has just recently been released of DVD by Classic Media.