Your videos are refreshingly diffrent and your enthusiasm is contagious. I was never one for old movies, except for a few exceptions, but your channel has piqued my interest. I have already added two of your recommendations to my watchlist and plan to re-watch all Godzilla movies. I'm very glad that I found your channel. Keep up the good work.
When I was younger I just assumed the Raymond Burr one was the one and only Godzilla film. The image of it behind the hill always stayed with me and my parents bought me the old toy from I guess 1977.
In this video you asked what we think. I think this is the best channel that I've found in years. Please keep going. I love these movies. Especially the Universal collection. Your love of the Universal movies is sweetly obvious as I listened to those other reviews of yours.
Takashi Shimura is one of the greatest Japanese film stars A staple of Kurosawa films Seven Samurai, Rashomon, Stray dog and my favourite and one of the best films ever made Ikiru They are worth a look
I am a recent fan to the Godzilla franchise, I watched the first film recently and it really got me into this series. I have been looking for reviews on this film since none of my friends like watching old films, so I have to hear people’s thoughts another way. Thankfully we have the internet! I just found your channel and I’ve already subbed, you share a lot of the same thoughts as I do about this film, and I must say your review is fantastic. Very well spoken and thoughtful. I look forward to your other reviews as I watch more of the films myself. The best scene in this movie for me was the aftermath of Gojira's destruction. That horrific theme while we see the damage and the mourning especially after WW2 for Japan like you mentioned, man it really hit me. Great review, you got a new sub!
I'm really late on this and my comment may never be seen, but enjoyed both versions of the movie. I have both on DVD in a collectors box set. The Burr version was probably the first monster movie I saw and I've loved it my entire life. It was about 15 years ago I found out I could get both the original and Americanized versions together. I loved the original just as much as the one I grew up with. It is darker. And that's what I tell everyone if we're talking about Godzilla movies and the first one comes up. But the fact that it's darker and more somber makes it that much better to me. Up until Shin Godzilla, I had watched all but one Big G movie (G vs Destroyer) and I've been a fan my whole life. I'm even now trying to figure out how to get the new comic series of the Justice League vs the Monsterverse without having to drive somewhere. When I comes to Godzilla, I'm still just a kid who loves those movies. I've watched a few of your vids the last few days on other movies, but I'm looking forward to the rest of your reviews of "Gojira". Oh, other little fact (you may or may not bring out in your Godzilla reviews); I read years ago that his footfall, stomp was achieved by supposedly dropping an empty bath tub in an empty pool.
Thanks for commenting! I agree with your consensus that the original is darker and that makes it even better. You know, in the whole time I was doing this review series, I don't think I ever once came across that stomp trivia!
I heard it was a simple bass-like drum being hit with a heavy rope. Now I have to have fun chasing this down in light of the bathtub theory. Thanks! :)
@@Weiselberry i know this is a completely random question but your channel is the only one that actually reviews godzilla films so i have to ask.... do you know how many godzilla movies had minilla in it i am familiar with the original son of godzilla film released in 1967 but i thought there was at least one other film with him in it. if thats the case i can't seem to find it anywhere. thanks
@@missymurder1602 I believe he appears in four films: Son of Godzilla (1967), Destroy All Monsters (1968), All Monsters Attack aka Godzilla's Revenge (1969), and Godzilla: Final Wars (2004).
@@Weiselberry wow... i had no idea. thank you so much for letting me know. i guess this is an equally random question... of out of those four films does minilla always change in size from human height to much larger and then back again. i know he does this in one film in which he befriends a child who is being bullied but i don't know about the other films. i thought the concept of him changing his size was poorly conceived to say the very least but at the same time it could also be said that perhaps i am overthinking it considering the context. thanks again. your channel is amazing.
@@missymurder1602 No, I think he only changes his size in All Monsters Attack. That's a divisive movie; a few fans love it, but I think more people hate it, and that's one of its unpopular elements. Ha, I suppose we all could be called guilty of overthinking these movies whenever we offer any criticism, but oh well. :) Thanks!
In my childhood, in a small German town, our movie theater would show every Saturday afternoon a japanese SF or monster film. Therefore I saw a lot of them :-) I allways liked the Godzilla movie the most where he saved Japan from a space monster, I don't know which was the title... Later on I loved that the laser beams were curled :-)
Fangs and Ears. Who doesn't love the High Tension Wires scene. King of the Monsters doesn't have the same sense of dread and doom. After Kong 33 and The Wizard of Oz, it's my favorite movie. Named my cats Emiko and Ann. "We will soon be with your father" How gut wrenching?
Godzilla at the high tension wires and King Kong breaking through the giant doors of Skull Island in 1933. The two top seminal moments in giant monster movie history. And yes, the scene with the mother huddled with her children referencing her husband was totally a shot to the heart. They later show her to be the one whose face is covered in the triage area and her daughter starts to bawl. Very sad anytime and I'm sure extra impactful if seen only 9 years after the end of the war.
Growing up in New Jersey in the late 1950s, early 1960s, I chowed down on all of these movies. Years later, I purchased the original, and was again enthralled by the sense of terror, especially in the Tokyo attack sequence. Wonderful review!
The US version with Burr is an odd experience if you've already seen the original. He's essentially a one man Greek Chorus who observes and comments on what's happening, so we the viewer watch him as he watches the main characters.
For years I only knew the Burr version and still maintained it was a great, terrifying monster move. When I saw the original Gojira as an adult, I appreciated it more as the story is more coherent/flows better in the original language/plot. That said, I still think the Burr version is awesome and recognize they needed to do that to land Godzilla in America. In fact, ALL the Toho film originals are fun to watch with the true script and plots intact which of course were also changed to make them salable to the younger American audiences. Nothing like having the best of both worlds these days. :)
I saw a lot of these as a kid and it was this one and "the return of godzilla" that really stood out the most. Both quite dark, a hint of despair, but also some hope. But no true "happy" moments, which I feel is fitting. And, in my opinion one of the best parts about "Godzilla" in these two films is, the lower, more "bellowing" roar. It sounds fitting for a creature that size, and more appropriate because of him being this creature, last of it's kind, twisted and altered by the radiation.
This is a such a great film, and the original sound Godzilla makes is so unique. It sounds organic and like some otherworldly beast. Really good solid review, I agree the original is special, it has a powerful commentary on the effects of Nuclear Destruction on Society. The music when it shows the suffering on the Japanese people from Godzilla's rampage is very sad. I hope you can review more of these classic Godzilla movies, specifically the Showa and Heisei era, you have also done your research well, Tabitha. 🙂👍
Hi Jerome! I just found this playlist of your reviews of the Godzilla films, you’ve done a great review of the first one here! So I’m looking forward to watching the rest of your Godzilla reviews…I actually picked up the Criterion blu ray collection of the films from 1954 to 1975 a few months ago, and I finally finished them all, so it’ll be interesting to hear your opinions on the rest of the movies! I’d say my favorite is going to have to be the first one, it’s just an excellent movie, with a completely different tone to it than the majority of the films that came after….and you certainly did a good job of explaining that in this video. Though I did really enjoy most of the other movies in the set, some were definitely better than others! Anyway, you do an excellent job with your videos! Take care
Thanks! I hope you enjoy the rest of the videos in the review series. I started out just watching the sequels with a mixture of curiosity and amusement, but at some point, I realized I had become a Godzilla fan. It's great that you got to see the newly released editions of the Showa-era films, as improved picture quality and subtitle options can really enhance the experience.
Great review, been wanting you to review this one! I have this movie and enjoy watching it myself! I agree with you on the music, for me it's one of the BEST things about this movie and I do want to get the soundtrack for it. Can't wait for your other Godzilla reviews. :)
I'm a fairly new subscriber, and I'm still trying to catch up with your content. I loved your review. The first time I saw Godzilla, was on a late-night creature features show (the Raymond Burr version). Godzilla's roar kept me awake. Thank you for revealing how his roar was created. I've been wondering about this for decades. Best wishes to you and all your endeavors.
I just found your channel after going searching through all reactions for the new Godzilla vs Kong trailer!! I really enjoyed your thorough review of, what I consider to be, not only one of the best monster films but also a true masterpiece of cinema! I grew up on Godzilla films and my love for those and other kaiju films remain as strong as ever. I look forward to seeing more of your review. You have a new subscriber!! Cheers Jerome! 😊😊
@@Weiselberry Thank You!! I definitely will check your other reviews on other films, which I enjoy variety as well. Btw, will you be planning on reviewing the new Godzilla vs Kong trailer? Just curious. It is very nice to meet you Jerome. Love your channel. 😊👍👍❤
@jerome Weiselberry, your channel is gold and you are a superior host/presenter. Keep it up and good luck if you make it a lifelong vocation or at least, passion - you will do well. For years I only knew the Burr version (cause that's all that was available...I'm a child of the 70s) and I still maintain that "Godzilla King of the Monsters" is a great, terrifying monster movie. Then, when I saw the original Gojira as an adult, I like others, appreciated "Gojira" more as the story is more coherent, it flows better in the original language/plot and hits on the cultural zeitgeist of post-war Japan with many direct and indirect references not just to the A bombs but also the equally, if not more, terrifying firebombing campaign that preceded them. That said, I still think the Burr version is awesome and recognize they needed to do create his film in order to land Godzilla in America. In fact, ALL the Toho film originals are fun to watch with the true script and plots intact which of course were also changed to make them salable to the younger American audiences. Nothing like having the best of both worlds these days. In fact, it may be a good idea, though time consuming, to watch both versions of each film. It is a bit fascinating to see and/or ponder why the changes were made in the American films. :) Keep up the awesome work!
I totally agree with you about the music in this movie -- it lent a distinctive feel to the film. I always wanted to find an orchestration of it for our local civic orchestra to play, but could only find the scores from the remakes. I also usually feel like crying when Gojira dies at the end, don't know why. :(
Just a minor correction. The Gamera series originated at Daiei Films. At one time, Daiei Films was one of Japan's largest movie companies. Daiei was not acquired by Kadokawa until the early 2000's. This was decades after the last film in the original Gamera series had been released.
If everyone started watching G movies with this one, I bet that most would keep watching. Starting with many of the ones in the middle... who knows - would probably turn a lot of people off. I can't remember my first one, but it was in the Showa series as I grew up in the 70's. Japanese version is always the way to go. It's best to here the actor's real voice and performance. Subtitles aren't that bad. By the way, I'm not always into movie music, but the G theme is awesome. Good review.
After "Gidrah, the Three-Headed Monster", I can't watch any more until "Terror of Mecha-Godzilla", though "Destroy All Monsters" and "Godzilla vs Mecha-Godzilla" are acceptable, the latter only because of the awesome final battle. I also have a soft spot for "Godzilla vs the Smog Monster" because of its utter weirdness. After these, most of the Hisei series of the '90s are recommended, particularly "Godzilla vs Biolante" (highly under-rated), "Godzilla vs King Ghidorah", "Godzilla vs Mecha-Godzilla 2" and "Godzilla vs Destroyah". Into the Millenium series, "Godzila, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack" (whew!) and "Godzilla Final Wars" are my favorites, along with the recent "Shin Gojira". Can't wait for the upcoming "Godzilla Minus One", check out its trailer here on YT.
There are a few of the more modern ones that at pretty good, but I agree with you that if you are only going to watch one, then this first Japanese version is the best. It is a good, solid movie. Great review and thanks.
Yes, there are a few of the later ones (90s-early 2000s) that I'm looking forward to seeing, as well as last year's Shin Godzilla. Thanks for watching!
Please don't worry about any mispronunciations. I'm glad you liked this movie! Before the era of the VCR, I would have to sit up until the wee hours to catch these movies on local tv.
In ALL cases of Japanese Kaiju films, the Japanese versions are invariably superior to the reedited versions offered to U.S. audiences way back when. True of all of their kaiju films I've seen thusfar.
Totally concur that the 1953 original - surprisingly dark and mature if you get to see it - is so much stronger than the 1956 Hollywood retread. But it is entertaining watching the back of characters's heads as poor Raymond Burr talks to all those stand-ins. I'm a big fan of the 2014 version - thanks to the disturbing Ligeti choral music from 2001, the fabulous opening credit montage and the less-is-more approach to monster battles. So why are they turning the lizard that saved the Bay Area into a villain for his clash with Kong?
@Jerome Weiselberry - Pteranodons (Rodan) - wings without teeth - are technically not dinosaurs. Pterosaurs (the fliers) are actually from a genus called archosaurs and include the large flying animals. The little ones are called pterodactyls. Most of the prehistoric "reptile" type animals had feathers or little quills that looked like fuzz called proto-feathers - including T. Rex. Pteranodon is the correct spelling. Rodan terrified me when it came to t.v. in the early 60s. My brain hurts.
Wonderful review. I can't remember when I first saw Godzilla. It was probably the Raymond Burr version, and probably on the local UHF stations Creature Double Feature broadcast. But I must have been young, because it seems I've known of Godzilla my whole life. I always loved the original, but found the sequels, remakes, reboots, etc. overly cheesy and terrible. They're great popcorn fare, but in some cases, laughable. That's why I was so glad the reboot last decade was so enjoyable. I may watch some of your other reviews in the series to see if I can get a better appreciation of them. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and may rub off on me.
Haha, maybe! I started out with low expectations for the sequels, but I began to appreciate and enjoy them more and more as I went. Just about every sequel has its share of goofy moments, but some have more than others, and I was quite surprised by how very good some of the better ones are.
Interesting review! Just an fyi, the pronunciation of Gojira has the stress on the first syllable. So, GOH-jee-ra. You can hear them pronounce it in the movie, but the word is very easy to miss.
Godzilla, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and - additionally - a slew of space alien books and movies are inseparable from the times in which they were created. So often the perception of monster stories and/or sci fi is that it is a fantasy genre ... separate from political commentary. I believe the opposite is true. That these films are primarily commentary using fantasy representation to duck political debate and possibly censorship, should governments of the time twig to the real message. An example of this is the first Planet of the Apes in which the star, who'd go on to be an NRA warhorse, played a role advancing an anti-war message, possibly without knowing he had. If the message can slip by the star ... but audiences got it. And I cannot escape the feeling that all those 'space visitors are among us' or 'attacking us' films of the 1950's advanced a subliminal xenophobia that would fit right into McCarthyism. And was meant to. Can the Wolfman be a poster boy for alcoholism?
こんにちは。私は日本人です。最近あなたのチャンネルを見つけました。楽しく拝見しています。 Hi. I am Japanese. I recently found your channel, and enjoying to watch your vids. 一カ所誤りがありましたので訂正いたします。 There was an error in one thing, so I will correct it. ゴジラの声を作ったときに、コントラバスの弦を松脂をつけた革手袋でこすったというのはウソ情報です。 It is a hoax that the strings of the contrabass were rubbed with leather gloves soaked in rosin when making Godzilla's roar. この説は私も80年代の書籍で読んだことがありますが、その筆者の推測でしかありません。 I have read this theory in books published in the 80's, but it is only a guess by the author. その後、ゴジラの声を作った効果技師の三繩一郎さん本人がこれを否定しています。 After that, Mr.Minawa Ichiro the effect engineer who made Godzilla's roar denied it. 三繩さんは録音技師の下永尚さんとの共同作業で、コントラバスの弦の張りを調節しながら演奏し、その中から最適なものを選んだと証言しています。 Mr.Minawa testified that he and recording engineer Mr.Shimonaga Hisashi played while adjusting the string tension of the contrabass and they selected the best ones out of those. 楽器は楽団員の私物を拝借したので大切に扱った。勝手に松脂などつけるはずがない、とのことです。 He said that the instruments were borrowed from the studio musicians' personal belongings, so they were treated with care, there is no way to rough them up. 三繩さんは本多・円谷映画のみならず黒沢映画にも数多く参加され、たくさんの逸話を残されましたが、残念ながら2017年にお亡くなりになりました。 He participated in many Kurosawa films as well as Honda-Tsuburaya films and left many anecdotes, but unfortunately he passed away in 2017. ゴジラの声について機会がありましたら訂正をお願いします。拙い英語で失礼しました。 If you have a chance, please correct about Godzilla's roar. I apologize for my poor English.
Hello! Thank you for your informative comment. I was not aware that the story about the leather gloves and the rosin was only a theory that turned out to be wrong, nor have I ever heard that the engineers made such an effort to stop the rumor. I apologize for contributing to the spread of the false explanation. Unfortunately, I can't change what I said in the video or add a note of correction, but I can at least keep the information in mind for the future and not get this crucial detail wrong again. Thank you for letting me know!
Have you reviewed Shin Godzilla yet, Jerome? There seems to be so much love for that, and I have no idea why, would love a true fan and Godzilla expert like yourself to review :) Yeah the original roar and music was what attracted me to Godzilla in the first place, so much more than any dinosaur film (Jurassic Park etc). I liked the American version, as it was also my introduction to the franchise....but the original is superior; as they always usually are. (99% of the time), the few times the sequel is better was Last Crusade, was far better than Raiders...Terminator 2 to Terminator 1, but that's just me.
The original Godzilla rivals King Kong 1933 for atmosphere. I know they did a US version with inserts of Raymond Burr as a news reporter to help sell it to a US audience but the original is a much better version. It has that dreamlike quality that KK had. Awesome. I have asked before...but please please watch Gorgo from 1961. It is Britain's own version of Godzilla and I think you will really enjoy it :)
YOU ARE CORRECT!: Gojira is superior to Godzilla You focus on MOVIES What about RUclips? I have always thought of Report Of The Week (AKA Review Brah) as a monster movie... IMHO
Great job, very enjoyable Godzilla video!
Thank you!
Your videos are refreshingly diffrent and your enthusiasm is contagious.
I was never one for old movies, except for a few exceptions, but your channel has piqued my interest. I have already added two of your recommendations to my watchlist and plan to re-watch all Godzilla movies.
I'm very glad that I found your channel. Keep up the good work.
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying my videos. Happy watching as you explore or revisit some old films!
When I was younger I just assumed the Raymond Burr one was the one and only Godzilla film. The image of it behind the hill always stayed with me and my parents bought me the old toy from I guess 1977.
Your the best reviewer I've ever seen ❤
In this video you asked what we think. I think this is the best channel that I've found in years. Please keep going. I love these movies. Especially the Universal collection. Your love of the Universal movies is sweetly obvious as I listened to those other reviews of yours.
Thank you! :)
Very nicely done Miss W. An intelligent, historically and culturally aware review.
Takashi Shimura is one of the greatest Japanese film stars
A staple of Kurosawa films
Seven Samurai, Rashomon, Stray dog and my favourite and one of the best films ever made Ikiru
They are worth a look
I am a recent fan to the Godzilla franchise, I watched the first film recently and it really got me into this series. I have been looking for reviews on this film since none of my friends like watching old films, so I have to hear people’s thoughts another way. Thankfully we have the internet! I just found your channel and I’ve already subbed, you share a lot of the same thoughts as I do about this film, and I must say your review is fantastic. Very well spoken and thoughtful. I look forward to your other reviews as I watch more of the films myself. The best scene in this movie for me was the aftermath of Gojira's destruction. That horrific theme while we see the damage and the mourning especially after WW2 for Japan like you mentioned, man it really hit me. Great review, you got a new sub!
Thank you, and thanks so much for subscribing! Enjoy the rest of the series. :)
I'm really late on this and my comment may never be seen, but enjoyed both versions of the movie. I have both on DVD in a collectors box set. The Burr version was probably the first monster movie I saw and I've loved it my entire life. It was about 15 years ago I found out I could get both the original and Americanized versions together. I loved the original just as much as the one I grew up with.
It is darker. And that's what I tell everyone if we're talking about Godzilla movies and the first one comes up. But the fact that it's darker and more somber makes it that much better to me. Up until Shin Godzilla, I had watched all but one Big G movie (G vs Destroyer) and I've been a fan my whole life. I'm even now trying to figure out how to get the new comic series of the Justice League vs the Monsterverse without having to drive somewhere. When I comes to Godzilla, I'm still just a kid who loves those movies.
I've watched a few of your vids the last few days on other movies, but I'm looking forward to the rest of your reviews of "Gojira".
Oh, other little fact (you may or may not bring out in your Godzilla reviews); I read years ago that his footfall, stomp was achieved by supposedly dropping an empty bath tub in an empty pool.
Thanks for commenting! I agree with your consensus that the original is darker and that makes it even better. You know, in the whole time I was doing this review series, I don't think I ever once came across that stomp trivia!
I heard it was a simple bass-like drum being hit with a heavy rope. Now I have to have fun chasing this down in light of the bathtub theory. Thanks! :)
I found your channel quite recently and I really enjoy your book/movie reviews. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! :D
@@Weiselberry
i know this is a completely random question but your channel is the only one that actually reviews godzilla films so i have to ask....
do you know how many godzilla movies had minilla in it
i am familiar with the original son of godzilla film released in 1967 but i thought there was at least one other film with him in it.
if thats the case i can't seem to find it anywhere.
thanks
@@missymurder1602 I believe he appears in four films: Son of Godzilla (1967), Destroy All Monsters (1968), All Monsters Attack aka Godzilla's Revenge (1969), and Godzilla: Final Wars (2004).
@@Weiselberry
wow... i had no idea.
thank you so much for letting me know.
i guess this is an equally random question... of out of those four films does minilla always change in size from human height to much larger and then back again. i know he does this in one film in which he befriends a child who is being bullied but i don't know about the other films.
i thought the concept of him changing his size was poorly conceived to say the very least but at the same time it could also be said that perhaps i am overthinking it considering the context.
thanks again.
your channel is amazing.
@@missymurder1602 No, I think he only changes his size in All Monsters Attack. That's a divisive movie; a few fans love it, but I think more people hate it, and that's one of its unpopular elements. Ha, I suppose we all could be called guilty of overthinking these movies whenever we offer any criticism, but oh well. :) Thanks!
In my childhood, in a small German town, our movie theater would show every Saturday afternoon a japanese SF or monster film. Therefore I saw a lot of them :-)
I allways liked the Godzilla movie the most where he saved Japan from a space monster, I don't know which was the title... Later on I loved that the laser beams were curled :-)
Fangs and Ears. Who doesn't love the High Tension Wires scene. King of the Monsters doesn't have the same sense of dread and doom. After Kong 33 and The Wizard of Oz, it's my favorite movie. Named my cats Emiko and Ann. "We will soon be with your father" How gut wrenching?
Godzilla at the high tension wires and King Kong breaking through the giant doors of Skull Island in 1933. The two top seminal moments in giant monster movie history. And yes, the scene with the mother huddled with her children referencing her husband was totally a shot to the heart. They later show her to be the one whose face is covered in the triage area and her daughter starts to bawl. Very sad anytime and I'm sure extra impactful if seen only 9 years after the end of the war.
Growing up in New Jersey in the late 1950s, early 1960s, I chowed down on all of these movies. Years later, I purchased the original, and was again enthralled by the sense of terror, especially in the Tokyo attack sequence. Wonderful review!
The US version with Burr is an odd experience if you've already seen the original. He's essentially a one man Greek Chorus who observes and comments on what's happening, so we the viewer watch him as he watches the main characters.
For years I only knew the Burr version and still maintained it was a great, terrifying monster move. When I saw the original Gojira as an adult, I appreciated it more as the story is more coherent/flows better in the original language/plot. That said, I still think the Burr version is awesome and recognize they needed to do that to land Godzilla in America. In fact, ALL the Toho film originals are fun to watch with the true script and plots intact which of course were also changed to make them salable to the younger American audiences. Nothing like having the best of both worlds these days. :)
Crazy how drastic a difference from something like Ghidorah the three headed monster, yet i love both equally.
Really happy to come across these reviews. They're really well done, detailed and highly welcome. Thank you.
Thank you!
I saw a lot of these as a kid and it was this one and "the return of godzilla" that really stood out the most. Both quite dark, a hint of despair, but also some hope. But no true "happy" moments, which I feel is fitting.
And, in my opinion one of the best parts about "Godzilla" in these two films is, the lower, more "bellowing" roar. It sounds fitting for a creature that size, and more appropriate because of him being this creature, last of it's kind, twisted and altered by the radiation.
9:19 - No, you're Right, This IS the ONE to see, but having seen them ALL, (and loving many of them) I agree with your assessment.
This is a such a great film, and the original sound Godzilla makes is so unique. It sounds organic and like some otherworldly beast. Really good solid review, I agree the original is special, it has a powerful commentary on the effects of Nuclear Destruction on Society. The music when it shows the suffering on the Japanese people from Godzilla's rampage is very sad.
I hope you can review more of these classic Godzilla movies, specifically the Showa and Heisei era, you have also done your research well, Tabitha. 🙂👍
Hi Jerome! I just found this playlist of your reviews of the Godzilla films, you’ve done a great review of the first one here! So I’m looking forward to watching the rest of your Godzilla reviews…I actually picked up the Criterion blu ray collection of the films from 1954 to 1975 a few months ago, and I finally finished them all, so it’ll be interesting to hear your opinions on the rest of the movies! I’d say my favorite is going to have to be the first one, it’s just an excellent movie, with a completely different tone to it than the majority of the films that came after….and you certainly did a good job of explaining that in this video. Though I did really enjoy most of the other movies in the set, some were definitely better than others! Anyway, you do an excellent job with your videos! Take care
Thanks! I hope you enjoy the rest of the videos in the review series. I started out just watching the sequels with a mixture of curiosity and amusement, but at some point, I realized I had become a Godzilla fan. It's great that you got to see the newly released editions of the Showa-era films, as improved picture quality and subtitle options can really enhance the experience.
I am a Godzilla professional...so you did a great job in this review
Great review, been wanting you to review this one! I have this movie and enjoy watching it myself! I agree with you on the music, for me it's one of the BEST things about this movie and I do want to get the soundtrack for it. Can't wait for your other Godzilla reviews. :)
I'm a fairly new subscriber, and I'm still trying to catch up with your content. I loved your review. The first time I saw Godzilla, was on a late-night creature features show (the Raymond Burr version). Godzilla's roar kept me awake. Thank you for revealing how his roar was created. I've been wondering about this for decades. Best wishes to you and all your endeavors.
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!
I just found your channel after going searching through all reactions for the new Godzilla vs Kong trailer!! I really enjoyed your thorough review of, what I consider to be, not only one of the best monster films but also a true masterpiece of cinema! I grew up on Godzilla films and my love for those and other kaiju films remain as strong as ever. I look forward to seeing more of your review. You have a new subscriber!! Cheers Jerome! 😊😊
Oh, thank you for subscribing! Welcome aboard, and I hope you enjoy the Godzilla review series and any other videos that catch your fancy! :)
@@Weiselberry Thank You!! I definitely will check your other reviews on other films, which I enjoy variety as well. Btw, will you be planning on reviewing the new Godzilla vs Kong trailer? Just curious. It is very nice to meet you Jerome. Love your channel. 😊👍👍❤
I probably won't do a video on the trailer, but I did a community post thingy yesterday briefly sharing a few of my thoughts on it. :)
Love the video Jerome can't wait for your future reviews you got a new subscriber welcome to the godzilla universe
Thanks!
This is a great series! : )
Nice
@jerome Weiselberry, your channel is gold and you are a superior host/presenter. Keep it up and good luck if you make it a lifelong vocation or at least, passion - you will do well.
For years I only knew the Burr version (cause that's all that was available...I'm a child of the 70s) and I still maintain that "Godzilla King of the Monsters" is a great, terrifying monster movie. Then, when I saw the original Gojira as an adult, I like others, appreciated "Gojira" more as the story is more coherent, it flows better in the original language/plot and hits on the cultural zeitgeist of post-war Japan with many direct and indirect references not just to the A bombs but also the equally, if not more, terrifying firebombing campaign that preceded them.
That said, I still think the Burr version is awesome and recognize they needed to do create his film in order to land Godzilla in America. In fact, ALL the Toho film originals are fun to watch with the true script and plots intact which of course were also changed to make them salable to the younger American audiences. Nothing like having the best of both worlds these days. In fact, it may be a good idea, though time consuming, to watch both versions of each film. It is a bit fascinating to see and/or ponder why the changes were made in the American films. :) Keep up the awesome work!
Thank you!
I totally agree with you about the music in this movie -- it lent a distinctive feel to the film. I always wanted to find an orchestration of it for our local civic orchestra to play, but could only find the scores from the remakes. I also usually feel like crying when Gojira dies at the end, don't know why. :(
Just a minor correction. The Gamera series originated at Daiei Films. At one time, Daiei Films was one of Japan's largest movie companies. Daiei was not acquired by Kadokawa until the early 2000's. This was decades after the last film in the original Gamera series had been released.
Another great review - to me the original is the only one of the Godzilla series that's worth a damn.
If everyone started watching G movies with this one, I bet that most would keep watching. Starting with many of the ones in the middle... who knows - would probably turn a lot of people off. I can't remember my first one, but it was in the Showa series as I grew up in the 70's. Japanese version is always the way to go. It's best to here the actor's real voice and performance. Subtitles aren't that bad. By the way, I'm not always into movie music, but the G theme is awesome. Good review.
After "Gidrah, the Three-Headed Monster", I can't watch any more until "Terror of Mecha-Godzilla", though "Destroy All Monsters" and "Godzilla vs Mecha-Godzilla" are acceptable, the latter only because of the awesome final battle. I also have a soft spot for "Godzilla vs the Smog Monster" because of its utter weirdness. After these, most of the Hisei series of the '90s are recommended, particularly "Godzilla vs Biolante" (highly under-rated), "Godzilla vs King Ghidorah", "Godzilla vs Mecha-Godzilla 2" and "Godzilla vs Destroyah". Into the Millenium series, "Godzila, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack" (whew!) and "Godzilla Final Wars" are my favorites, along with the recent "Shin Gojira". Can't wait for the upcoming "Godzilla Minus One", check out its trailer here on YT.
There are a few of the more modern ones that at pretty good, but I agree with you that if you are only going to watch one, then this first Japanese version is the best. It is a good, solid movie. Great review and thanks.
Just to clarify, the "more modern" ones I'm referring to are all Japanese.
Yes, there are a few of the later ones (90s-early 2000s) that I'm looking forward to seeing, as well as last year's Shin Godzilla. Thanks for watching!
Please don't worry about any mispronunciations. I'm glad you liked this movie! Before the era of the VCR, I would have to sit up until the wee hours to catch these movies on local tv.
*Fantastic review*
Thanks!
In ALL cases of Japanese Kaiju films, the Japanese versions are invariably superior to the reedited versions offered to U.S. audiences way back when. True of all of their kaiju films I've seen thusfar.
Totally concur that the 1953 original - surprisingly dark and mature if you get to see it - is so much stronger than the 1956 Hollywood retread. But it is entertaining watching the back of characters's heads as poor Raymond Burr talks to all those stand-ins.
I'm a big fan of the 2014 version - thanks to the disturbing Ligeti choral music from 2001, the fabulous opening credit montage and the less-is-more approach to monster battles. So why are they turning the lizard that saved the Bay Area into a villain for his clash with Kong?
Actually the opening of the movie starts with Godzilla’s footstep before his signature roar.
My favorite film of all time.
I love Godzilla my favorite movie character
Also a Bradbury fan.
@Jerome Weiselberry - Pteranodons (Rodan) - wings without teeth - are technically not dinosaurs. Pterosaurs (the fliers) are actually from a genus called archosaurs and include the large flying animals. The little ones are called pterodactyls. Most of the prehistoric "reptile" type animals had feathers or little quills that looked like fuzz called proto-feathers - including T. Rex. Pteranodon is the correct spelling. Rodan terrified me when it came to t.v. in the early 60s. My brain hurts.
Review War of the Gargantuas!
Me too I just found your Chanel & can you do the other Godzilla movies
Wonderful review. I can't remember when I first saw Godzilla. It was probably the Raymond Burr version, and probably on the local UHF stations Creature Double Feature broadcast. But I must have been young, because it seems I've known of Godzilla my whole life.
I always loved the original, but found the sequels, remakes, reboots, etc. overly cheesy and terrible. They're great popcorn fare, but in some cases, laughable.
That's why I was so glad the reboot last decade was so enjoyable. I may watch some of your other reviews in the series to see if I can get a better appreciation of them. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and may rub off on me.
Haha, maybe! I started out with low expectations for the sequels, but I began to appreciate and enjoy them more and more as I went. Just about every sequel has its share of goofy moments, but some have more than others, and I was quite surprised by how very good some of the better ones are.
Ya truth be told I like both versions of the first Godzilla movie
I do to both versions are good
GOJIRA stands high above all the other Toho Sci-fi movies .. almost perfect, Japanese language version only
The original og Godzilla aaahhhhh
Interesting review! Just an fyi, the pronunciation of Gojira has the stress on the first syllable. So, GOH-jee-ra. You can hear them pronounce it in the movie, but the word is very easy to miss.
Godzilla, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and - additionally - a slew of space alien books and movies are inseparable from the times in which they were created. So often the perception of monster stories and/or sci fi is that it is a fantasy genre ... separate from political commentary. I believe the opposite is true. That these films are primarily commentary using fantasy representation to duck political debate and possibly censorship, should governments of the time twig to the real message. An example of this is the first Planet of the Apes in which the star, who'd go on to be an NRA warhorse, played a role advancing an anti-war message, possibly without knowing he had. If the message can slip by the star ... but audiences got it. And I cannot escape the feeling that all those 'space visitors are among us' or 'attacking us' films of the 1950's advanced a subliminal xenophobia that would fit right into McCarthyism. And was meant to. Can the Wolfman be a poster boy for alcoholism?
こんにちは。私は日本人です。最近あなたのチャンネルを見つけました。楽しく拝見しています。
Hi. I am Japanese. I recently found your channel, and enjoying to watch your vids.
一カ所誤りがありましたので訂正いたします。
There was an error in one thing, so I will correct it.
ゴジラの声を作ったときに、コントラバスの弦を松脂をつけた革手袋でこすったというのはウソ情報です。
It is a hoax that the strings of the contrabass were rubbed with leather gloves soaked in rosin when making Godzilla's roar.
この説は私も80年代の書籍で読んだことがありますが、その筆者の推測でしかありません。
I have read this theory in books published in the 80's, but it is only a guess by the author.
その後、ゴジラの声を作った効果技師の三繩一郎さん本人がこれを否定しています。
After that, Mr.Minawa Ichiro the effect engineer who made Godzilla's roar denied it.
三繩さんは録音技師の下永尚さんとの共同作業で、コントラバスの弦の張りを調節しながら演奏し、その中から最適なものを選んだと証言しています。
Mr.Minawa testified that he and recording engineer Mr.Shimonaga Hisashi played while adjusting the string tension of the contrabass and they selected the best ones out of those.
楽器は楽団員の私物を拝借したので大切に扱った。勝手に松脂などつけるはずがない、とのことです。
He said that the instruments were borrowed from the studio musicians' personal belongings, so they were treated with care, there is no way to rough them up.
三繩さんは本多・円谷映画のみならず黒沢映画にも数多く参加され、たくさんの逸話を残されましたが、残念ながら2017年にお亡くなりになりました。
He participated in many Kurosawa films as well as Honda-Tsuburaya films and left many anecdotes, but unfortunately he passed away in 2017.
ゴジラの声について機会がありましたら訂正をお願いします。拙い英語で失礼しました。
If you have a chance, please correct about Godzilla's roar. I apologize for my poor English.
Hello! Thank you for your informative comment. I was not aware that the story about the leather gloves and the rosin was only a theory that turned out to be wrong, nor have I ever heard that the engineers made such an effort to stop the rumor. I apologize for contributing to the spread of the false explanation. Unfortunately, I can't change what I said in the video or add a note of correction, but I can at least keep the information in mind for the future and not get this crucial detail wrong again. Thank you for letting me know!
Takashi Shimura! 👍
Have you reviewed Shin Godzilla yet, Jerome? There seems to be so much love for that, and I have no idea why, would love a true fan and Godzilla expert like yourself to review :)
Yeah the original roar and music was what attracted me to Godzilla in the first place, so much more than any dinosaur film (Jurassic Park etc). I liked the American version, as it was also my introduction to the franchise....but the original is superior; as they always usually are. (99% of the time), the few times the sequel is better was Last Crusade, was far better than Raiders...Terminator 2 to Terminator 1, but that's just me.
Not yet. I'm getting close, though!
you’re beautiful…your research and enthusiasm is endearing and appreciated. 👍
The original Godzilla rivals King Kong 1933 for atmosphere. I know they did a US version with inserts of Raymond Burr as a news reporter to help sell it to a US audience but the original is a much better version. It has that dreamlike quality that KK had. Awesome.
I have asked before...but please please watch Gorgo from 1961. It is Britain's own version of Godzilla and I think you will really enjoy it :)
YOU ARE CORRECT!:
Gojira is superior to Godzilla
You focus on MOVIES
What about RUclips?
I have always thought of Report Of The Week (AKA Review Brah) as a monster movie...
IMHO