Godzilla (#594) (Criterion Collection)[USA]

[digitalbabe]

Purchase: Amazon

Japan
1954
96 minutes
Black and White
1.37:1
Japanese

Godzilla (a.k.a. Gojira) is the roaring granddaddy of all monster movies. It’s also a remarkably humane and melancholy drama, made in Japan at a time when the country was reeling from nuclear attack and H-bomb testing in the Pacific. Its rampaging radioactive beast, the poignant embodiment of an entire population’s fears, became a beloved international icon of destruction, spawning almost thirty sequels. A thrilling, tactile spectacle that continues to be a cult phenomenon, the original, 1954 Japanese version is presented here, along with Godzilla, King of the Monsters, the 1956 “Americanized” version.

Disc Features:

1. New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
2. New high-definition digital restoration of Godzilla, King of the Monsters, Terry Morse’s 1956 reworking of the original, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
3. Audio commentary for both movies by film historian David Kalat
4. New interviews with actors Akira Takarada and Haruo Nakajima and special effects technicians Yoshio Irie and Eizo Kaimai
5. Interview with legendary Godzilla score composer Akira Ifukube
6. Featurette detailing Godzilla’s photographic effects, introduced by special effects director Koichi Kawakita and special effects photographer Motoyoshi Tomioka
7. New interview with Japanese-film critic Tadao Sato
8. The Unluckiest Dragon, an illustrated audio essay featuring historian Greg Pflugfelder describing the tragic fate of the fishing vessel Daigo Fukuryu Maru, a real-life event that inspired Godzilla
9. Trailers for Godzilla and Godzilla, King of the Monsters
10. New English subtitle translation
11. PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by critic J. Hoberman

Image courtesy of Slashfilm:

Original Japanese Trailer:

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Three reasons:

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[thelordofthegeeks]

I've never seen the original Godzilla

 

[BoyToy]

Great movie , thanks

 

[RodneyOz]

Absolutely going to upgrade for this, looks like the definitive edition! The digipack will be a nice bonus

 

[RodneyOz]

A photo allegedly of the digipack, showing a pop-up book style insert (open the book and Godzilla's head pops out of an image of him attacking a bridge), has surfaced on other boards (I tried attaching it but couldn't, sorry). Was very surprised that Criterion fans are complaining - because the Godzilla shown in the pic is a later version of the monster, rather than the original 1954 one.

 

[bgmat58]

I cannot see CC doing a pop-up style packaging. Seems a bit childish! I'll be purchasing either way though!

 

[bigrob]

will be ordering this at the end of the month

 

[RodneyOz]

I cannot see CC doing a pop-up style packaging. Seems a bit childish! I'll be purchasing either way though!

http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/2132-godzilla-packaging

Photo 3 shows the pop-up in effect

 

[bigrob]

Got mine today

 

[Tiger]

look good!

 

[digitalbabe]

Bigrob any chance to watch it yet?

 

[bigrob]

yep, watched the original Japanese version. Picture was deffo a step up from the previous attempts (comparing to the R1 2 disc edition and the R4 madman release)

the sound was awesome for LPCM 1.0 though! Godzill'a's roar had a lot of ommpfh to it

haven't had chance to see the Raymond Burr version yet or check out the features

 

[Baz_supreme]

yep, watched the original Japanese version. Picture was deffo a step up from the previous attempts (comparing to the R1 2 disc edition and the R4 madman release)

the sound was awesome for LPCM 1.0 though! Godzill'a's roar had a lot of ommpfh to it

haven't had chance to see the Raymond Burr version yet or check out the features

It really is an impressive package from Criterion, looking forward to seeing what Gareth Edwards can do with the new film.

 

[bigrob]

Gotta be better than what Emmerich exposed us to.

Still not over the crushing disappointment

 

[Baz_supreme]

It was and still is abismal, looks and sounds awesome on BD though!

 

[felipefonsecaps]

I lost the promo at Amazon, but I'll get this one! Maybe on the B&N Criterion sale.

 

[Horhay]

Added three reasons to OP.

 

[bloodsnake007]

With the release of the Newest GODZILLA film, I'm happy to post my kick ass Criterion Blu-Ray of the 1954 Edition! This is only the beginning of My new Collection!

This edition comes with a Pop-Up of Godzilla! A POP-UP! It's fu**ing awesome!

Spoiler

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Here are some extra shots of the booklet that comes with the Blu-Ray!

Spoiler

Here's the Edition in at its glory! I highly recommend it! The BEST set to own!

:movie:

 

[bigrob]

You need to double bill it now with my personal favourite 'Destroy All Monsters'

 

[PunkNinja]

With the release of the Newest GODZILLA film, I'm happy to post my kick ass Criterion Blu-Ray of the 1954 Edition! This is only the beginning of My new Collection!

Spoiler

This edition comes with a Pop-Up of Godzilla! A POP-UP! It's fu**ing awesome!

Spoiler

View attachment 70483

View attachment 70484

View attachment 70485

Here are some extra shots of the booklet that comes with the Blu-Ray!

Spoiler

Here's the Edition in at its glory! I highly recommend it! The BEST set to own!

:movie:

The Criterion Collection's Godzilla (1954) is the one to own and a must for G fans, very apt release to the greatest monster film of all time.