DVD SPECS FOR GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN AND MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA
On November 7th, Classic Media follows up their DVD of Gojira with two more early Godzilla hits; Godzilla Raids Again and Mothra vs. Godzilla. The two titles will be sold separately and have a SRP of $19.98 each.
Here’s an early look at what you can expect to see and hear on the new DVDs. Both Godzilla Raids Again and Mothra vs. Godzilla include the original Japanese release, the English dubbed American version, and extra features on a single-sided, dual layer DVD. With the exception of being single-disc cases, the packaging will be in the same format as the DVD case for the GOJIRA- GODZILLA 2 DISC COLLECTOR’S EDITION.
GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (1955)
Released less than six months after Gojira opened in Japanese theaters, Godzilla Raids Again (Gojira no Gyakushu) was the first of 27 sequels produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The film eventually came to America as the heavily re-edited, English dubbed Gigantis the Fire Monster which gave Godzilla the new name “Gigantis”. Classic Media’s upcoming release marks the first time either version of Godzilla Raids Again will be available on DVD in North America.
The original Japanese version is uncut, and has a running time of approximately 81:34. Godzilla Raids Again is presented as it was shown in theaters in 1955, meaning the film is black and white and in the Academy aspect ratio (approx. 1.33:1). The movie was sourced from the 35mm master positive (dupe positive) provided by Toho. The audio tracks are 2 track mono mixed, and the removable English subtitles were newly translated for this disc by JAMPS, Inc. (Japan Media Productions Support, Inc.).
Also on this DVD is the 1959 U.S. release. Despite the Godzilla Raids Again title card (used at Toho’s request), this is American edit with the original “Gigantis the Fire Monster” English dub featuring the voices of George Takei (Star Trek) and Keye Luke (Kung Fu, Gremlins). The American Godzilla Raids Again has an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 and runs 79 minutes.
The U.S. version comes with the main bonus feature of this DVD; a feature length audio commentary by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski (the same duo responsible for the commentaries on the Gojira set). The new commentary covers:
- the success of the original Gojira and the genesis of Godzilla Raids Again
- background� � info on director Motoyoshi Oda and composer Masaru Sato
- the special effects techniques, including the infamous camera speed errors during the battle between Godzilla and Anguirus in Osaka
- comparisons between the U.S. and Japanese versions of the film
- details of the aborted U.S. version that was to be called “The Volcano Monsters”, including comments from filmmaker/historian Bob Burns about finding the Godzilla and Anguirus suits that were shipped to Hollywood
- how Godzilla Raids Again became Gigantis the Fire Monster
- rare radio spots from the film’s U.S. release
- and more…
Additional extras will be a slide show of Godzilla Raids Again theatrical posters and a new featurette written and narrated by Ed Godziszewski and edited by Bill Gudmundson. Entitled “Art of Suit Acting”, the 13:50 minute long documentary covers the actors inside the monster suits during Toho’s first wave of kaiju movie (1954-1975).�
MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA (1964)
The fourth Godzilla film, Mothra vs. Godzilla (Mosura tai Gojira) is widely considered the best of all the Godzilla sequels. U.S. rights were purchased by American International Pictures, who dubbed the film and released it to theaters as Godzilla vs. the Thing (later renamed Godzilla vs. Mothra for television and home video). The American edit is also highly regarded for its quality English dubbing and the inclusion of an extra Godzilla scene filmed by Toho but not used in the Japanese release.
The Japanese version of Mothra vs. Godzilla comes to DVD for the first time in North America. The film is in color, presented in its original Toho Scope/CinemaScope widescreen aspect ratio (approx. 2.35:1), and has a running time of 88:36. The source for the film is a 35mm low-contrast positive print from Toho Studios. Audio tracks are a 2 track mono mix, and the removable English subtitles were newly translated by JAMPS, Inc.
The DVD also features the original U.S. version, Godzilla vs, the Thing, which has a running time of 88:07. After comparing the available source materials, it was decided to not use the scope version previously released on DVD because it has several problems including missing dialogue and special effects footage, out of synch audio, and poor color that weakened the quality of animated effects. Instead, Classic Media chose a downconvert from a High Definition Master that presents Godzilla vs, the Thing complete and in top quality at 16×9 widescreen (approx. 1:78:1).�
Ed and Steve return with another feature length audio commentary on Godzilla vs. the Thing. In addition to covering the making of the movie and its U.S. release, they also take� the opportunity to present details about the 1961 Toho classic Mothra such as the creation of the monster and her twin priestesses, the Small Beauties. The commentary features:
- original story concepts for Mothra vs. Godzilla
- biographical info on the main stars
- background info on screenwriter Shinichi Sekizawa and the origins of Mothra
- comments from Henry Saperstein, head of United Productions of America
- an interview with Peter Fernandez on the English dubbing from Titra Studios
- an interview with Paulette Rubenstein, voice of one of the Small Beauties
- information on the film’s special effects
- American International Pictures’ marketing techniques for the U.S. release
- and more…
The other bonus features are a slide show of Mothra vs. Godzilla posters, a featurette biography of composer Akira Ifukube by Ed Godziszewski and Bill Gudmundson (running time 7:57), a text tribute to Akira Ifukube by Toho Pictures president Shogo Tomiyama, and the original Japanese theatrical trailer.