Like most Americans, I'm familiar with the 'man in suit' creature known as Godzilla. I can still remember watching Raymond Burr playing reporter opposite a Japanese cast, relating the events (after the fact) of the big green lizard's path of destruction. Then over the years, I watched as Godzilla fought everything from Smog Monsters to King Kong to Mecha-Godzilla. I would delight in the sheer devastation that would be wreaked upon the tiny models of Japanese cities. I can even picture Godzilla's son as he tried to blow his own radiation breath on Monster Island but was only able to make smoke rings. Godzilla became as much a part of American culture as he had Japanese, spawning toys, cartoons, games and even a big budget Hollywood disaster of a remake. Hard to believe this monster movie icon started out with an allegory against the use of Atomic Weapons.

For years, I had heard rumors about the original Japanese cut of "Godzilla", known as "Gojira." I had read about how the film's original intent was not to create a monster icon, but to show the folly of using weapons of mass destruction and how it might backfire on us. The original version of "Gojira" was directed by Ishiro Honda and released to Japanese audiences in 1954. The Japanese people were still reeling from the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and were vehemently against the further testing of these of these weapons on the Pacific Rim. In a way, "Gojira" also served as a cathartic release for these issues.

Interestingly enough, the script was so well thought out that even when a way is found to destroy the creature, using it becomes an issue of its own. The doctor responsible for the creation of the weapon, an oxygen destroyer, goes as far as to comment that perhaps they shouldn't use it, even to save themselves, for fear that the military will want to use it as a weapon of mass destruction.

Once it became clear that "Godzilla" might have some potential in the U.S., director Terry Morse was brought on board to re-edit the film into something more palatable for American audiences. A ton of materials was cut out, most notably any mention of nuclear testing. Godzilla was simply some sort of mutation. American actor Raymond Burr was hired to give audiences someone to identify with. Scenes were shot in a few days, and if he had to interact with anyone in the original cut a body double was used. The movie as a whole was quite a different animal indeed.

I never thought I'd have the chance to see the original version of "Gojira", but Classic Media is releasing a 2-disc set this month that includes both the original AND the remake we're all familiar with. The overall quality of the audio and video is pretty good, but there are some noticeable glitches. But to be honest, that didn’t matter a whit. Being able to compare the two films, in any condition, is a film geek's dream. And there is no doubt that the original is the better of the two. It felt less like a monster movie and more like a well-crafted piece of film noire. The camera work and lighting is incredible, something that I really didn’t notice in the Americanized version. I was too busy catching all the choppy editing to get Burr in the picture.

Beyond this ability to contrast and compare, the studio also went all out on special features. There aren’t many, but what they have are far superior to most releases in terms of quality. Commentaries, which are usually my least favorite extra feature, are provided for both versions by film historians Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski. Listening to them speak, there is never any doubt that they know exactly what they are talking about. Every facet of the film is discussed, yet it never gets heavy-handed or boring. They comment on the differences between the films and go into quite a bit of detail as to why the changes were made.

Additionally, there are two featurettes that focus on the making of the Godzilla suit and the initial development of the story. Both are fairly short, but deliver an amazing amount of photos, storyboards and information. Inside the set, you'll also find a 12 page booklet with an essay by Steve Ryfle, complete with pictures.

The 2-disc set of "Gojira" easily earns its place on my list of 'must have' DVDs for 2006.

Extras: Making of Godzilla Suit Featurette, Godzilla - Story Development Featurette, Audio Commentaries by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski, Original Movie Trailers
Studio: Classic Media
Release Date: 9/5/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Gojira an A+.