Godzilla Raids Again: Difference between revisions

From Wikizilla, the kaiju encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
m (clean up, replaced: ==External links== → ==External Links==, {{kaiju}} → kaiju, {{TohoCo}} → Toho, Toho Company Ltd.Toho (2), TohoToho, J.S.D.F. → JSDF (3), ''Godzilla: The Game'' → [[Go...)
No edit summary
(89 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Mtab
{{Tab
|soundtrack={{soundtracktab}}
|soundtrack=Godzilla Raids Again (Soundtrack)
|credits=Godzilla Raids Again/Credits
}}
}}
{{Nav
{{Nav
|type1      =Normal
|type1      =Fire
|type2      =Dark
|type2      =Dark
|type        =[[Godzilla (Franchise)|Godzilla]] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|Films]]
|type        =[[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'']] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|Films]]
|name        =Godzilla Raids Again
|name        =''Godzilla Raids Again''
|prev        =Godzilla (1954 film)
|prev        =Godzilla (1954 film)
|prevname    =Godzilla (1954)
|prevname    =''Godzilla'' (1954)
|next        =King Kong vs. Godzilla
|next        =King Kong vs. Godzilla
|nextname    =King Kong vs. Godzilla
|nextname    =''King Kong vs. Godzilla''
}}
}}
{{Infopelicula
{{Infobox Film|ratings=yes
|type1      =Dark
|type1      =Dark
|type2      =Normal
|type2      =Fire
|header      ={{Toho}} {{Kaijup}} {{Film}}
|header      ={{Toho}} {{Kaijup}} {{Film}}
|image      =Godzilla Raids Again Poster A.png
|image      =Godzilla Raids Again Poster A.png
|caption    =The Japanese poster for Godzilla Raids Again
|caption    =The Japanese poster for Godzilla Raids Again
|name        =''Godzilla Raids Again''
|dt          =''Godzilla Raids Again'' (1955)
|dt          =''Godzilla Raids Again'' (1955)
|name        =''Godzilla Raids Again''|titles=yes|alt-titles=yes
|jp-title    =''Godzilla's Counterattack'' (1955)
|us-title    =''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' (1959)
|producer    =[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]
|producer    =[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]
|director    =[[Motoyoshi Oda]]
|director    =[[Motoyoshi Oda]]
|writer      =Shigeaki Hidaka,<br>Shigeru Kayama,<br>Takeo Murata
|writer      =Shigeaki Hidaka, Shigeru Kayama,<br>[[Takeo Murata]]
|composer    =[[Masaru Sato]]
|composer    =[[Masaru Sato]]
|distributor =[[Toho]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br>[[Warner Bros.]]{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|distributor =[[Toho]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br>[[Warner Bros.]]{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|rating      =Not Rated
|rating      =TV-14{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|budget      =¥1,000,000+<ref name="Minimum Budget">[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ゴジラの逆襲#cite_note-7 建設費には1億数千万円(当時)かけられ、通常セットの2 - 3倍の規模があった]</ref>
|gross      =¥170,000,000<ref name="Minimum Budget">[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ゴジラの逆襲#cite_note-7 建設費には1億数千万円(当時)かけられ、通常セットの2 - 3倍の規模があった]</ref>
|gross      =¥170,000,000
|runtime    =82 minutes{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 22 minutes)}}<br />78 minutes{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 18 minutes)}}
|runtime    =82 minutes{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 22 minutes)}}<br />78 minutes{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 18 minutes)}}
|designs    =[[GyakushuGoji]], [[ShodaiAngira]]
|aspectratio =1.37:1
}}
}}
'''''Godzilla Raids Again''''' {{Nihongo|ゴジラの逆襲|Gojira no Gyakushū|lit. ''Godzilla's Counterattack''}} is a [[1955]] {{daikaiju eiga}} produced by [[Toho]], and the second installment in the [[Godzilla (Franchise)|Godzilla series]] as well as the [[Showa era|Showa series]]. The film was released to [[Japan]]ese theaters on April 24, 1955, and to [[United States|American]] theaters as ''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' on May 21, [[1959]].
{{Quote|The monster [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] against the newly-appearing fierce dragon [[Anguirus]]! The great story of the terrifying spirits that rampage through [[Japan]]!|parenthetical=怪獣ゴジラ対新登場の暴龍アンギラス 日本全土狭しと暴れ廻る驚天動地の巨篇!|Japanese tagline}}
{{Quote|Godzilla challenged by new monster... Angilas!|International tagline}}
{{Quote|Nothing like it ever before!<br>The fantastic war of the giant fire monsters!<br>THEY'RE BOTH ALIVE! not one but two of the most terrifying creatures ever loosed on man<br>Born to destroy each other... but first they'll destroy the world!|American taglines}}
'''''Godzilla Raids Again''''' {{Nihongo|ゴジラの逆襲|Gojira no Gyakushū|lit. ''Godzilla's Counterattack''}} is a [[1955]] [[tokusatsu]] [[:Category:Kaiju Films|kaiju film]] produced by [[Toho]], and the second installment in the [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla series]] as well as the [[Showa era|Showa series]]. The film was released to [[Japan]]ese theaters on April 24, 1955,<ref name="Godzilla.jp">[http://godzilla.jp/work/2/ ゴジラの逆襲|ゴジラ 東宝公式サイト] (official [[Godzilla.jp]] page)</ref> and to [[United States|American]] theaters on May 21, [[1959]].
{{TOC}}
{{TOC}}
==Plot==
==Plot==
Two pilots named Tsukioka and Kobayashi are hunting for schools of fish for a tuna cannery company in [[Osaka]]. Kobayashi's [[Cessna 170|plane]] malfunctions and is forced to land near [[Iwato Island]], an uninhabited strip of rocks formed by volcanic eruptions. Tsukioka then looks for Kobayashi and finds him safe, with only a wrist sprain. While talking, the two men hear some strange sounds and find two monsters fighting. Tsukioka immediately recognizes one of the monsters to be [[Godzilla]]. The two monsters then fall off a cliff, into the ocean.
Pilots [[Shoichi Tsukioka]] and [[Kojikawa Kobayashi]] are scouting the ocean for schools of fish for a tuna cannery company located in [[Osaka]]. Suddenly, the engine for Kobayashi's [[Cessna 170|plane]] malfunctions and he makes an emergency landing on the remote [[Iwato Island]]. Hidemi Yajima, Tsukioka's lover and the daughter of the company's owner, informs him of the situation, and he immediately flies to the island to rescue his friend. Tsukioka sees Kobayashi's plane sitting atop the water near the island, with Kobayashi himself waving at Tsukioka's plane from the island. Tsukioka lands and reunites with Kobayashi, who has only suffered a sprained wrist in the incident. The two men hear strange noises coming from the cliffs on the island, then look to find two huge monsters battling on the island. Tsukioka immediately recognizes one of the monsters as [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]], but cannot identify the other. The grappling monsters tumble off the island into the ocean below, after which they both disappear.
 
Tsukioka and Kobayashi report to the authorities in Osaka, and find out that the other creature, [[Godzilla]] was fighting [[Anguirus]]. A group of scientists with the two pilots researched Anguirus in a book written by a Polish scientist. Anguirus and Godzilla lived around the same time millions of years ago. Anguirus hated hostile creatures, which explains the intense rivalry between Anguirus and Godzilla.
 
[[Kyohei Yamane|Dr. Yamane]], who experienced Godzilla's first attack, was also present at the meeting, and shows a film of Godzilla attacking Tokyo just one year before. He then explains that the monster Tsukioka and Kobayashi saw is another Godzilla. Yamane states that there is no way to kill Godzilla, and that [[Daisuke Serizawa|Dr. Serizawa]], the inventor of the weapon used to kill the previous [[Godzilla]], the [[Oxygen Destroyer]], had died and burned the formula. Yamane, though, suggests that the military should use flares on Godzilla to attract the monster away from the shore. Godzilla becomes angry when he sees lights because the hydrogen bomb's bright explosion had awakened him.
 
One day unexpectedly, Godzilla shows up on the [[Osaka Bay|shore]] of Osaka. Jets are sent to shoot flares from their planes to lead Godzilla away from the shore. Godzilla sees the flames, and, as Yamane predicted, starts to walk away.
 
Meanwhile, a prison truck transports dangerous criminals to another part of the country. All of the criminals, using body language, decided that this would be a great opportunity to escape from prison. The prisoners beat up the two policemen guarding the back door of the truck, and run away. A few of them find a gasoline truck, and put the petal to the metal. The truck crashes into an industrial building and starts a massive fire.


The fire attracts Godzilla to the shore of Osaka again. A few minutes later, Anguirus swims to shore and attacks Godzilla. The two creatures fight an intense battle, while destroying several buildings, including the tuna cannery that Tsukioka and Kobayashi work for. Godzilla finally bites Anguirus' neck, and throws him on a moat near [[Osaka Castle]]. Godzilla then fires his atomic ray, and burns Anguirus to death.
Upon returning to Osaka, Tsukioka and Kobayashi report their story to the authorities. A conference with the [[JSDF]], several scientists, including [[Kyohei Yamane]], and the two pilots is held in Osaka, where they determine that the monster Godzilla was fighting is a creature called [[Anguirus]]. According to a report from a Polish scientist, Anguirus is a vicious dinosaur that lived during the same time as Godzilla, and harbored an intense hatred of violent creatures like Godzilla. Like Godzilla, Anguirus had been living deep underground only to be disturbed and awakened by recent nuclear testing. When asked how they can hope to stop Godzilla, Dr. Yamane shows footage recorded of the [[Godzilla/1954|first Godzilla's]] raid on [[Tokyo]] the previous year, then regretfully states that there is no conceivable way to defeat this Godzilla. Yamane mentions that the first Godzilla was killed by the [[Oxygen Destroyer]], a chemical weapon invented by [[Daisuke Serizawa]], but unfortunately Serizawa had taken his own life to ensure the weapon could never be used again. Yamane offers one piece of advice: Godzilla harbors a strange instinct towards lights, possibly due to their reminding him of the atomic bomb that awakened him. If a blackout is enforced and flares are dropped offshore, Yamane believes Godzilla can be lured away from the mainland.


Tsukioka and Kobayashi are transferred to a [[Hokkaido]] plant. During a company party, Tsukioka and Kobayashi are notified that Godzilla destroyed one of the company fishing boats. The military, and Tsukioka begin a massive search for Godzilla. Tsukioka spots Godzilla swimming to the shore of a small, icy island. He notifies the cannery, and Kobayashi takes off in his plane to switch shifts with Tsukioka.
When Godzilla unexpectedly surfaces in [[Osaka Bay]], a blackout is immediately enforced on the city as citizens are evacuated. [[F-86 Sabre|Fighter jets]] fly over the bay and begin dropping flares, which successfully lure Godzilla away from the city. Meanwhile, a group of prisoners stage an escape from the truck transporting them, beginning a lengthy chase with the police across the port area. After the prisoners hijack a fuel truck, two pursuing officers get into a car driven by Tsukioka and ask him to follow the truck. Eventually, the truck flies off a ramp and crashes into a refinery, starting a raging fire that quickly consumes the port area. The fire soon draws Godzilla's attention, and he approaches Osaka once again. Anguirus also comes ashore, and resumes his battle with Godzilla. The JSDF opens fire on the [[kaiju]], but their weapons have no effect as Godzilla and Anguirus begin tearing the city apart. Their battle destroys countless buildings, including the tuna cannery that Tsukioka and Kobayashi work for. Eventually, the two monsters reach [[Osaka Castle]], which is destroyed as Godzilla tackles Anguirus into it. Godzilla then bites down onto Anguirus' neck, causing him to bleed profusely before falling into the moat below. Godzilla fires his atomic breath at his foe, burning him to death and leaving Godzilla the victor. He leaves Osaka ablaze and in ruins.


Kobayashi dives his plane towards Godzilla to distract him from walking back into the ocean. Tsukioka then transferred to the air force, travels on a jet with an old college friend. They drop bombs on Godzilla but are unsuccessful. Godzilla then wades towards shore. Koboyashi dives towards Godzilla again but Godzilla fires his atomic ray on Kobayashi's plane. The plane then crashes on an icy mountain, killing Kobayashi.
In the aftermath of the devastation, Tsukioka and Kobayashi find the cannery in ruins. Their boss informs Kobayashi that he will be transferred to the company's [[Hokkaido]] branch while he and his daughter clean up in Osaka. After he has been working in Hokkaido for some time, Kobayashi is informed that Mr. Tajima, Hidemi, and Tsukioka will be arriving in Hokkaido soon, and meets them one night at a company party. While Tsukioka and Kobayashi are catching up, they learn that one of the company's ships has just been sunk somewhere off the coast. Knowing Godzilla must be responsible, Tsukioka gets into his plane and begins scouring the surrounding waters despite Hidemi's protests. Tsukioka eventually finds Godzilla coming ashore on a remote icy island, and alerts the JSDF. Kobayashi switches shifts with Tsukioka to keep an eye on Godzilla while he flies to a JSDF base. As the military begins arriving on the island to attack Godzilla, Kobayashi notices the monster beginning to leave the island. He dive-bombs Godzilla with his plane, only to be blasted by his atomic breath and killed upon impact with the slopes of the island. As Tsukioka grieves for his friend, he notices an avalanche of ice falling from the area Kobayashi's plane struck, giving him the idea to bury Godzilla under ice. Tsukioka tells his plan to the JSDF, which begins an operation to blast the slopes of the island using fighter jets. After a few minutes, Godzilla is buried in snow up to his waist, as the JASDF pilots return to base to refuel and reload.


Tsukioka grieves but then notices that the military can shoot missiles at the mountain, and bury Godzilla in an avalanche. The jets fire the missiles, and bury Godzilla in snow to his waist.
To prevent Godzilla from escaping the island, the JSDF lines the shore of the island with gasoline barrels and lights them on fire. Soon, the fighter jets return, with Tsukioka flying one. The jets open fire on the slopes again, and although some are shot down by Godzilla's atomic breath, Tsukioka and the JASDF are successful in completely burying Godzilla under the ice. With the menace finally halted, Tsukioka solemnly looks to the sky and says, "Kobayashi, we buried Godzilla for you."


The jets return to base to reload, and Tsukioka is authorized to fly in his own jet. The jets return to the icy island, and shoot missiles at the mountain, burying Godzilla to his neck. Tsukioka then shoots his missiles burying Godzilla completely. Tsukioka looks to the sky, and says, "Kobayashi, we buried Godzilla for you."
==Staff==
==Staff==
{{Main|Godzilla Raids Again/Credits}}
{{Staffs
{{Staffs
|Directed by=[[Motoyoshi Oda]]
|Directed by=[[Motoyoshi Oda]]
|Written by=Shigeaki Hidaka, Shigeru Kayama, Takeo Murata
|Written by=Shigeaki Hidaka, Shigeru Kayama, [[Takeo Murata]]
|Produced by=[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]
|Produced by=[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]
|Music by=[[Masaru Sato]]
|Music by=[[Masaru Sato]]
|Cinematography by=Seiichi Endo
|Cinematography by=Seiichi Endo
|Edited by=Kazuji Taira  
|Edited by=Kazuji Taira  
|Production Design by=Teruaki Abe, Takeo Kita, Akira Watanabe
|Production Design by=Teruaki Abe, Takeo Kita, [[Akira Watanabe]]
|Special Effects by=[[Eiji Tsuburaya]]
|Special Effects by=[[Eiji Tsuburaya]]
}}
}}
Line 67: Line 64:
{{Cast
{{Cast
|[[Hiroshi Koizumi]]|[[Shoichi Tsukioka]]
|[[Hiroshi Koizumi]]|[[Shoichi Tsukioka]]
|Setsuko Wakayama|Hidemi Yamaji
|Minoru Chiaki|[[Kojikawa Kobayashi]]
|Minoru Chiaki|[[Kojikawa Kobayashi]]
|Setsuko Wakayama|Hidemi Yamaji
|[[Takashi Shimura]]|Doctor [[Kyohei Yamane]]
|[[Takashi Shimura]]|Doctor [[Kyohei Yamane]]
|Masao Shimizu|Zoologist Tadokoro
|Masao Shimizu|Zoologist Tadokoro
|Seijiro Onda|Commander of Osaka's SDF Terasawa
|Sonosuke Sawamura|Hokkaido Branch Manager Shingo Shibeki
|Sonosuke Sawamura|Hokkaido Branch Manager Shingo Shibeki
|Seijiro Onda|Commander of Osaka's SDF Terasawa
|[[Yoshio Tsuchiya]]|Member of Osaka's SDF Tajima
|Yoshio Tsuchiya|Member of Osaka's SDF Tajima
|Mayuri Mokusho|Radio Operator Yasuko Inouye
|Minosuke Yamada|Chief of Civil Defense
|Minosuke Yamada|Chief of Civil Defense
|Yukio Kasama|President of Fishery Koehi Wamaji
|Yukio Kasama|President of Fishery Koehi Yamaji
|Mayuri Mokusho|Radio Operator Yasuko Inouye
|Senkichi Omura|Convict
|Ren Yamamoto|Commander of Landing Craft
|Ren Yamamoto|Commander of Landing Craft Ikeda
|Shin Otomo|Convict Leader
*Hirotoshi Tsuchiya
|Takeo Oikawa|Osaka Chief of Police
|Takeo Oikawa|Osaka Chief of Police
|Shin Otomo|Convict Leader
|Sokichi Maki|Convict
|Senkichi Omura|Convict
|[[Shoichi Hirose]]|Convict
|Shoichi Hirose|Convict
*Shin Yoshida
|Junpei Natsuki|Convict
|Junpei Natsuki|Convict
*Teruko Mita
|Miyoko Hoshino|Nightclub Singer
|[[Haruo Nakajima]]|[[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]]
|[[Katsumi Tezuka]]|[[Anguirus]]
}}
===''Gigantis, the Fire Monster''===
{{Cast
|[[wikipedia:Keye Luke|Key Luke]]|[[Shoichi Tsukioka]] (voice)
|[[wikipedia:Marvin Miller (actor)|Marvin Miller]]|[[Kojikawa Kobayashi]] (voice), Narrator
|[[wikipedia:Paul Frees|Paul Frees]]|Doctor [[Kyohei Yamane]], Commander of Osaka's SDF Terasawa, President of Fishery Koehi Yamaji (voice)
|[[wikipedia:George Takei|George Takei]]|Commander of Landing Craft Ikeda (voice)
}}
}}
==Appearances==
==Appearances==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Monsters===
===Monsters===
*[[Godzilla]] ([[GyakushuGoji]])
*[[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] ([[GyakushuGoji]])
*[[Anguirus]] ([[ShodaiAngira]])
**[[Godzilla/1954|Original Godzilla]] ([[ShodaiGoji|stock footage]])
*[[Anguirus]]
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Weapons, Vehicles, and Races===
===Weapons, Vehicles, and Races===
*[[Cessna 170]]
*[[Cessna 170]]
*[[Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick]] (Saro Lerwick)
*[[wikipedia:Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick|Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick]]
*''Asakaze''-class destroyer
*[[24 Twin Rocket Car]]
*[[24 Twin Rocket Car]]
*[[M24 Chaffee Tank]]
*[[M24 Chaffee Tank]]
*[[F86F Sabre]]
*[[F-86 Sabre]]
*[[Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star]]
*[[Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star]]
*[[Landing Craft]]
*[[Landing Craft]]
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Main|Godzilla Raids Again/Gallery}}
{{Main|Godzilla Raids Again/Gallery}}
Line 107: Line 122:
*'''''Gigantis, the Fire Monster''''' ([[United States]]; ''Gigantis, el Monstruo de Fuego''; Mexico)
*'''''Gigantis, the Fire Monster''''' ([[United States]]; ''Gigantis, el Monstruo de Fuego''; Mexico)
*'''''Godzilla's Counterattack''''' (Literal [[Japan]]ese)
*'''''Godzilla's Counterattack''''' (Literal [[Japan]]ese)
*'''''The King of the Monsters''''' (''El Rey de los Monstruos''; Spain)
*'''''The Return of Godzilla''''' (''Le Retour de Godzilla''; France; ''De Terugkeer van Godzilla''; Belgium)
*'''''The Return of Godzilla''''' (''Le Retour de Godzilla''; France; ''De Terugkeer van Godzilla''; Belgium)
*'''''Godzilla Returns''''' (''Godzilla kehrt zurück''; Germany)
*'''''Godzilla Returns''''' (''Godzilla kehrt zurück''; Germany)
*'''''The King of the Monsters''''' (''Il Re de Mostri''; Italy)
*'''''The King of the Monsters''''' (''Il Re de Mostri''; Italy; ''El Rey de los Monstruos''; Spain)
*'''''Godzilla: The Sea Monster''''' (''Godzila: Morsko Čudovište''; Yugoslavia)
 
==Theatrical Releases==
==Theatrical Releases==
{{All Posters}}
{{All Posters}}
*[[Japan]] - April 24, [[1955]]{{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Raids_Again_Poster_A.png|caption=Japanese poster|link=Godzilla_Raids_Again}}
*[[Japan]] - April 24, [[1955]]{{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Raids_Again_Poster_A.png|caption=Japanese poster|link=Godzilla_Raids_Again}}
*[[United States]] - May 21, [[1959]]{{sup|{{tt|GtFM|Gigantis, the Fire Monster}}}}{{Popup-poster|file=Gigantis_The_Fire_Monster_Poster_A.png|caption=Gigantis, the Fire Monster poster|link=Godzilla_Raids_Again}}, 1961{{sup|{{tt|GRA|Godzilla Raids Again}}}}
*[[United States]] - May 21, [[1959]]{{sup|{{tt|GtFM|Gigantis, the Fire Monster}}}}{{Popup-poster|file=Gigantis_The_Fire_Monster_Poster_A.png|caption=Gigantis, the Fire Monster poster|link=Godzilla_Raids_Again}}, 1961{{sup|{{tt|GRA|Godzilla Raids Again}}}}
*Portugal - November 1955
*Italy - 1955 {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Raids_Again_Italian_Poster_A.png|caption=Italian poster|link=Godzilla_Raids Again}}
*Italy - 1955 {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Raids_Again_Italian_Poster_A.png|caption=Italian poster|link=Godzilla_Raids Again}}
*Spain - 1955 {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Raids_Again_Spanish_Poster.png|caption=Spanish poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Belgium - 1957 {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Raids_Again_French_Poster.png|caption=Belgian poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*France - 1957 {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Raids_Again_French_Poster.png|caption=French poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*France - October 1, 1957
*Germany - 1958 {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Raids_Again_German_Poster_A.jpg|caption=German poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*West Germany - August 28, 1958 {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Raids_Again_German_Poster_A.jpg|caption=German poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Spain - 1958 {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Raids_Again_Spanish_Poster.png|caption=Spanish poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*South Korea - May 17, 1960
*Mexico - June 30, 1960
*England - 1960
*Mexico {{Popup-poster|file=Gigantis,_El_Monstruo_De_Fuego.jpg|caption=Mexican poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Mexico {{Popup-poster|file=Gigantis,_El_Monstruo_De_Fuego.jpg|caption=Mexican poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Yugoslavia {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Raids_Again_is_slavic.png|caption=Yugoslav poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
==[[United States|U.S.]] Release==
==[[United States|U.S.]] Release==
[[File:Gigantis The Fire Monster Poster A.png|thumb|right|200px|American ''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' poster]]
[[File:Gigantis The Fire Monster Poster A.png|thumb|right|200px|American ''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' poster]]
Following the successful U.S. release of ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)#U.S. Release|Godzilla, King of the Monsters!]]'', Toho sold the American distribution rights to ''Godzilla Raids Again'' to Harry Rybnick and Edward Barison. Their idea was to create a new film for AB-PT Pictures Corporation using the special effects sequences from ''Godzilla Raids Again''. Ib Melchior and Edwin Watson drafted a screenplay, titled ''[[The Volcano Monsters]]'', in which Godzilla and Anguirus, now respectively referred to as a Tyrannosaurus and an Ankylosaurus, are discovered in a volcanic cave. Toho shipped [[GyakushuGoji|Godzilla]] and [[ShodaiAngira|Anguirus suits]] to Hollywood to allow the producers to film new footage of the monsters. Ultimately, AB-PT Pictures Corp. closed down in [[1957]] before production started on ''The Volcano Monsters''. The monster suits were eventually lost.
Following the successful U.S. release of ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)#U.S. Release|Godzilla, King of the Monsters!]]'', Toho sold the American distribution rights to ''Godzilla Raids Again'' to Harry Rybnick and Edward Barison. Their idea was to create a new film for AB-PT Pictures Corporation using the special effects sequences from ''Godzilla Raids Again''. Ib Melchior and Edwin Watson drafted a screenplay, titled ''[[The Volcano Monsters]]'', in which Godzilla and Anguirus, now respectively referred to as a Tyrannosaurus and an Ankylosaurus, are discovered in a volcanic cave. Toho shipped the Godzilla and Anguirus suits to Hollywood to allow the producers to film new footage of the monsters. Ultimately, AB-PT Pictures Corp. closed down in [[1957]] before production started on ''The Volcano Monsters''. The monster suits were eventually lost.


In 1958, the film's U.S. distribution rights were acquired by producer Paul Schreibman, who hired Hugo Grimaldi to re-write and re-edit the film, re-titling it ''Gigantis, the Fire Monster''. Aside from changing Godzilla's name to "Gigantis," Grimaldi's version changes the origins of the monsters: "Gigantis" and Anguirus are described as two related species of prehistoric fire monsters. The sound effects of the monsters were altered to reflect this, with several shots of Godzilla augmented with Anguirus' roar. Additionally, nearly all of [[Masaru Sato]]'s original score was replaced with library music, most of which was composed by Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter for other science fiction films. Stock footage from other science fiction films featuring dinosaurs was also added into the film. For years, it was believed that the reason for these changes was that Warner Bros. did not have the rights to Godzilla's name. However, Paul Schreibman said that he changed Godzilla's name to "Gigantis" to give the audience the impression that they were seeing a new monster, believing an original film would sell better than a sequel. He has since claimed he came to regret that decision
In 1958, the film's U.S. distribution rights were acquired by producer Paul Schreibman, who hired Hugo Grimaldi to re-write and re-edit the film, re-titling it ''Gigantis, the Fire Monster''. Aside from changing Godzilla's name to "Gigantis," Grimaldi's version changes the origins of the monsters: "Gigantis" and Anguirus are described as two related species of prehistoric fire monsters. The sound effects of the monsters were altered to reflect this, with several shots of Godzilla augmented with Anguirus' roar. Additionally, nearly all of [[Masaru Sato]]'s original score was replaced with library music, most of which was composed by Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter for other science fiction films. Stock footage from other science fiction films featuring dinosaurs was also added into the film. For years, it was believed that the reason for these changes was that Warner Bros. did not have the rights to Godzilla's name. However, Paul Schreibman said that he changed Godzilla's name to "Gigantis" to give the audience the impression that they were seeing a new monster, believing an original film would sell better than a sequel. He has since claimed he came to regret that decision
Line 130: Line 153:
After completing the Americanization of the film, Paul Schreibman sold the theatrical rights to [[Warner Bros.]], which released the film on May 21, 1959. ''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' was presented on a double bill with ''Teenagers from Outer Space'', which Warner also purchased from Schreibman.
After completing the Americanization of the film, Paul Schreibman sold the theatrical rights to [[Warner Bros.]], which released the film on May 21, 1959. ''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' was presented on a double bill with ''Teenagers from Outer Space'', which Warner also purchased from Schreibman.


On November 7, 2006, Classic Media released the Japanese and American versions of ''Godzilla Raids Again'' on DVD. Prior to this release, the film had been unavailable on North American home video since Video Treasures' VHS release in 1989. A notable difference between the original ''Gigantis'' and the U.S. version released by Classic Media is the fact the ''Gigantis'' title card has been replaced with a newer ''Godzilla Raids Again'' title card, by request of Toho.
''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' did not enter standard television syndication after its theatrical run. The film remained obscure in the U.S. until its reappearance on cable TV in 1984, followed by a VHS release via Video Treasures in 1989. A video generated title card restoring Toho's English title, ''Godzilla Raids Again'', accompanied the film in syndication in the late 1980's and early 1990's. This version was released on DVD alongside the Japanese version by Classic Media on November 7, 2006. The North American distribution rights to ''Godzilla Raids Again'' are currently held by Janus Films, who has labeled it and the other Godzilla films it has acquired as part of the Criterion Collection despite not yet making them available on Blu-ray or DVD.
==Box Office==
==Box Office==
The film sold approximately 8,340,000 tickets in Japan, making it the third most-attended Godzilla film in Japan. It grossed around 1,700,000 yen, or $1,670,080.
The film sold approximately 8,340,000 tickets in Japan, making it the third most-attended Godzilla film in Japan. It grossed around 1,700,000 yen, or $1,670,080. It was Toho's fourth-highest earner in 1955, and tenth among Japanese films overall.<ref name="Galbraith">{{cite book|title=The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography |author=Stuart Galbraith IV |date=2008 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |page= |isbn=}}</ref>
==Reception==
==Reception==
The film was generally poorly received by fans and critics, who criticized it as a rushed sequel. It is, however, notable for being the first Godzilla film to introduce the formula of Godzilla battling other monsters, which would become a staple of the franchise.
The film was generally poorly received by fans and critics, who criticized it as a rushed sequel. It is, however, notable for being the first Godzilla film to introduce the formula of Godzilla battling other monsters, which would become a staple of the franchise.


The poor response to the film briefly put the series on hiatus until [[1962]]'s ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''.
The poor response to the film briefly put the series on hiatus until [[1962]]'s ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''.
==DVD and Blu-ray Releases==
==Video Releases==
'''[[Toho]]''' DVD (2001)
'''[[Toho]]''' DVD (2001)
*Released: 2001
*Region: 2
*Region: 2
*Discs: 1
*Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono)
*Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono)
*Subtitles: Japanese
*Special Features: Audio commentary by [[Sadamasa Arikawa]] and Tomioka Motoyoshi, isolated score, massive image gallery (several thousand)
'''Classic Media''' DVD (2006)<ref name="Classic Media">[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000MV8AJU Amazon.com: GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (1959)]</ref>
'''Classic Media''' DVD (2006)<ref name="Classic Media">[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000MV8AJU Amazon.com: GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (1959)]</ref>
*Region: 1
*Region: 1
*Discs: 1
*Discs: 1
*Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono) and English (2.0 Mono)
*Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono) and English (2.0 Mono)
*Subtitles: English
*Special Features: Audio commentary by Steve Ryfle (for the American version), The Art of Suit Acting featurette (14 minutes), poster slideshow
*Special Features: Audio commentary by Steve Ryfle (for the American version), The Art of Suit Acting featurette (14 minutes), poster slideshow
*Notes: The American version of the film has a video-generated ''Godzilla Raids Again'' title card in place of the original ''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' title card.
*Notes: The American version of the film has a video-generated ''Godzilla Raids Again'' title card in place of the original ''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' title card. Reissued in 2012, both releases are out of print.
'''Splendid''' DVD (2009)<ref name="SpaceHunterM">[http://www.tohokingdom.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19782 If it's possible, I'd like to submit a DVD review]</ref>
*Region: 2
*Discs: 1
*Audio: German (1.0 Mono), Japanese (1.0 mono)
*Subtitles: German
*Special Features: Trailers
'''Toho''' Blu-ray (2014)<ref name="Disc Love">[http://exploderbutton.com/exploder/disc-love-godzilla-raids-again-%E3%82%B4%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A9%E3%81%AE%E9%80%86%E8%A5%B2-2014-toho-blu-ray/ Disc Love: Godzilla Raids Again 「ゴジラの逆襲」 (2014 Toho Blu-ray)]</ref>
*Region: A/1
*Discs: 1
*Audio: Japanese (LPCM 2.0)
*Subtitles: Japanese
*Special Features: Audio commentary by [[Sadamasa Arikawa]] and Tomioka Motoyoshi, isolated score, dispatch trailer, radio ads for ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1954) and ''Godzilla Raids Again'', image gallery (12 minutes), "Godzilla’s Creation! Yoshio Suzuki" featurette (20 minutes)
'''Splendid''' Blu-ray (2014)
*Region: B/2
*Discs: 1
*Audio: Japanese (DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0), German (DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0)
*Subtitles: German, Dutch
*Special Features: None
'''[[The Criterion Collection]]''' Blu-ray (2019) [''Godzilla: The [[Showa era|Showa-Era]] Films, 1954–1975'']
*Region: Unknown
*Discs: 8
*Audio: Japanese
*Subtitles: English
*Special Features: All bonus features on Criterion's ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' Blu-ray, 1990 [[Ishiro Honda]] interview by [[Yoshimitsu Banno]], interview with director [[wikipedia:Alex Cox|Alex Cox]], interviews with actors [[Bin Furuya]] and [[Tsugutoshi Komada]], 2011 interview with critic Tadao Sato, unused effects sequences from Toho releases including ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'', trailers, illustrated hardcover book with an essay by Steve Ryfle and liner notes on each film by Ed Godziszewski<ref name="CC">[https://www.criterion.com/boxsets/2648-godzilla-the-showa-era-films-1954-1975 Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954-1975 | The Criterion Collection]</ref>
*Notes: Uses a new English subtitle translation by Kerim Yasar. To be released on October 29, 2019.


==Videos==
==Videos==
===Trailers===
===Trailers===
{{Videos|
{{Videos|
{{Vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">hH7MA-KlUBo</youtube>|''Godzilla Raids Again'' Japanese trailer (fragment from ''Rodan'' trailer)}}
{{Vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">y1K3p9buv9E</youtube>|''Godzilla Raids Again'' Japanese newsflash trailer (audio lost)}}
{{Vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">y1K3p9buv9E</youtube>|''Godzilla Raids Again'' Japanese newsflash trailer (audio lost)}}
{{Vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">GZZJoDs3FiU</youtube>|''Godzilla Raids Again'' segment from ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'' trailer}}
{{Vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">6qxGQAwL79w</youtube>|''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' U.S. theatrical trailer}}
{{Vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">6qxGQAwL79w</youtube>|''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' U.S. theatrical trailer}}
{{Vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">p01xnU-_jy8</youtube>|''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' TV spots (reconstructed)}}
{{Vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">2M0MBI5wyEg</youtube>|''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' TV trailer}}
}}
===Miscellaneous===
{{Videos|
{{Vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">GxUg1XKtHqs</youtube>|''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' U.S. theatrical opening credits}}
{{Vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">0BWebXYliWA</youtube>|German theatrical visuals}}
{{Vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">Y4ZEy5XXJOI</youtube>|Joe Dante's commentary on the ''Gigantis the Fire Monster'' trailer}}
}}
}}
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*''Godzilla Raids Again'' was the first [[Godzilla (Franchise)|Godzilla]] film to feature two monsters.
*''Godzilla Raids Again'' was the first [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla]] film to feature two monsters.
*The Godzilla suit used for this film, the [[GyakushuGoji]], was slimmer and lighter than the previous [[ShodaiGoji]] suit used in [[Godzilla (1954 film)|1954]], putting less pressure on the actor, and making every fight scene with Anguirus easier.
*The Godzilla suit used for this film, the [[GyakushuGoji]], was slimmer and lighter than the previous [[ShodaiGoji]] suit used in [[Godzilla (1954 film)|1954]], putting less pressure on the actor, and making every fight scene with Anguirus easier.
*The [[JSDF]]'s tactic of enforcing a blackout in Osaka to protect it from Godzilla is the same tactic used by Japan during World War II to protect cities from Allied bombing raids.
*The [[JSDF]]'s tactic of enforcing a blackout in Osaka to protect it from Godzilla is the same tactic used by Japan during World War II to protect cities from Allied bombing raids.
*In the American version of ''Godzilla Raids Again'', Godzilla's roar was altered to sound like Anguirus' roar, due to this version establishing that "Gigantis" and Anguirus are related. His normal roar is still heard in many instances, though, and the roars are interchanged erratically.
*In the American version of ''Godzilla Raids Again'', Godzilla's roar was altered to sound like Anguirus' roar, due to this version establishing that "Gigantis" and Anguirus are related. His normal roar is still heard in many instances, though, and the roars are interchanged erratically.
*''Godzilla Raids Again'' is the only Godzilla film to date where Godzilla's {{scutes}} consistently do not glow prior to him releasing his atomic breath. Later films would only occasionally not show the discharge, often by mistake.
*''Godzilla Raids Again'' is the only Godzilla film to date where Godzilla's {{scutes}} consistently do not glow prior to him releasing his atomic breath. Later films would only occasionally not show the discharge, often by mistake.
*This is the first film in which Godzilla is defeated by the JSDF However, ''Godzilla Raids Again'' is the only [[Showa era]] film wherein the JSDF wins out over Godzilla with a coordinated tactical strike, and with no aid from another monster or some sophisticated form of technology.
*This is the first film in which Godzilla is defeated by the JSDF. However, ''Godzilla Raids Again'' is the only [[Showa era]] film wherein the JSDF wins out over Godzilla with a coordinated tactical strike, and with no aid from another monster or some sophisticated form of technology.
*There are no scenes which feature Godzilla using his heat ray from the full suit-view. Every time he does, the hand-operated puppet head is used. This is due to the fact that the suit's mouth could not open wide enough to show Godzilla firing his atomic breath. This was also the case in the original ''Godzilla''.
*There are no scenes which feature Godzilla using his heat ray from the full suit-view. Every time he does, the hand-operated puppet head is used. This is due to the fact that the suit's mouth could not open wide enough.
*''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' was distributed in the United States by Warner Bros., who would distribute [[Legendary Pictures]]' ''[[Godzilla (2014 film)|Godzilla]]'' and its sequels over 55 years later.
*''Gigantis, the Fire Monster'' was distributed in the United States by Warner Bros., who would distribute [[Legendary Pictures]]' ''[[Godzilla (2014 film)|Godzilla]]'' and its sequels over 55 years later.
*After this film's release, [[Toho]] took a seven-year break from making Godzilla films. However, during these 7 years they continued to make [[kaiju]] films, and introduced some of the most recognizable monsters other than Godzilla from the Showa era, including [[Rodan]] and [[Mothra]].
*After this film's release, [[Toho]] took a seven-year break from making Godzilla films. However, during these seven years they continued to make [[kaiju]] films, and introduced two of the other most recognizable monsters from the Showa era: [[Rodan]] and [[Mothra]].
*In the [[Godzilla: The Game/Kaiju Guide|Kaiju Guide]] for [[Godzilla (2014 video game)|Bandai Namco's ''Godzilla'']], Anguirus' bio states that he once battled a monster called "Gigantis," who has since been banished from this plane of existence, an inside joke relating to the American version of ''Godzilla Raids Again''.
*In the [[Godzilla (2014 video game)/Kaiju Guide|Kaiju Guide]] for [[Godzilla (2014 video game)|Bandai Namco's ''Godzilla'']], Anguirus' bio states that he once battled a monster called "Gigantis," who has since been banished from this plane of existence, an inside joke relating to the American version of ''Godzilla Raids Again''.
*''Godzilla Raids Again'' is the last Godzilla film to be filmed in black and white and the academy aspect ratio.
*''Godzilla Raids Again'' is the last Godzilla film to be filmed in black and white and the academy aspect ratio.
*''Godzilla Raids Again'' is the second and final Godzilla film to have been produced in the 1950's.
*Two shots of newspaper place the events of ''Godzilla Raids Again'' in January of 1955, possibly stretching into February.
 
==External Links==
==External Links==
*[http://www.shoutfactorytv.com/godzilla-raids-again/5580baad69702d0714a27e00 Legal streaming link (ShoutFactoryTV, English dub)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040803043532/http://www.dalekempire.com/GodzillaAmericaII.html List of changes in the American version]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040803043532/http://www.dalekempire.com/GodzillaAmericaII.html List of changes in the American version]
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Kaiju Movies}}
{{Kaiju Movies}}
{{Comments}}
{{Era|TOH|WB|SHO|FIL|GOD|ANG}}
{{Era|TOH|WB|SHO|FIL|GOD|ANG}}
[[es:Godzilla Raids Again]]
[[es:Godzilla Raids Again]]

Revision as of 00:28, 27 July 2019

Article.png
Image gallery for Godzilla Raids Again
Credits for Godzilla Raids Again
Godzilla Raids Again soundtrack


Godzilla Films
Godzilla (1954)
Godzilla Raids Again
King Kong vs. Godzilla
Godzilla Raids Again
The Japanese poster for Godzilla Raids Again
Alternate titles
Flagicon Japan.png Godzilla's Counterattack (1955)
Flagicon United States.png Gigantis, the Fire Monster (1959)
See alternate titles
Directed by Motoyoshi Oda
Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka
Written by Shigeaki Hidaka, Shigeru Kayama,
Takeo Murata
Music by Masaru Sato
Distributor TohoJP
Warner Bros.US
Rating TV-14US
Box office ¥170,000,000[1]
Running time 82 minutesJP
(1 hour, 22 minutes)
78 minutesUS
(1 hour, 18 minutes)
Aspect ratio 1.37:1
Rate this film!
3.34
(117 votes)

The monster Godzilla against the newly-appearing fierce dragon Anguirus! The great story of the terrifying spirits that rampage through Japan! (怪獣ゴジラ対新登場の暴龍アンギラス 日本全土狭しと暴れ廻る驚天動地の巨篇!)
„ 

— Japanese tagline

Godzilla challenged by new monster... Angilas!
„ 

— International tagline

Nothing like it ever before!
The fantastic war of the giant fire monsters!
THEY'RE BOTH ALIVE! not one but two of the most terrifying creatures ever loosed on man
Born to destroy each other... but first they'll destroy the world!
„ 

— American taglines

Godzilla Raids Again (ゴジラの逆襲,   Gojira no Gyakushū, lit. Godzilla's Counterattack) is a 1955 tokusatsu kaiju film produced by Toho, and the second installment in the Godzilla series as well as the Showa series. The film was released to Japanese theaters on April 24, 1955,[2] and to American theaters on May 21, 1959.

Plot

Pilots Shoichi Tsukioka and Kojikawa Kobayashi are scouting the ocean for schools of fish for a tuna cannery company located in Osaka. Suddenly, the engine for Kobayashi's plane malfunctions and he makes an emergency landing on the remote Iwato Island. Hidemi Yajima, Tsukioka's lover and the daughter of the company's owner, informs him of the situation, and he immediately flies to the island to rescue his friend. Tsukioka sees Kobayashi's plane sitting atop the water near the island, with Kobayashi himself waving at Tsukioka's plane from the island. Tsukioka lands and reunites with Kobayashi, who has only suffered a sprained wrist in the incident. The two men hear strange noises coming from the cliffs on the island, then look to find two huge monsters battling on the island. Tsukioka immediately recognizes one of the monsters as Godzilla, but cannot identify the other. The grappling monsters tumble off the island into the ocean below, after which they both disappear.

Upon returning to Osaka, Tsukioka and Kobayashi report their story to the authorities. A conference with the JSDF, several scientists, including Kyohei Yamane, and the two pilots is held in Osaka, where they determine that the monster Godzilla was fighting is a creature called Anguirus. According to a report from a Polish scientist, Anguirus is a vicious dinosaur that lived during the same time as Godzilla, and harbored an intense hatred of violent creatures like Godzilla. Like Godzilla, Anguirus had been living deep underground only to be disturbed and awakened by recent nuclear testing. When asked how they can hope to stop Godzilla, Dr. Yamane shows footage recorded of the first Godzilla's raid on Tokyo the previous year, then regretfully states that there is no conceivable way to defeat this Godzilla. Yamane mentions that the first Godzilla was killed by the Oxygen Destroyer, a chemical weapon invented by Daisuke Serizawa, but unfortunately Serizawa had taken his own life to ensure the weapon could never be used again. Yamane offers one piece of advice: Godzilla harbors a strange instinct towards lights, possibly due to their reminding him of the atomic bomb that awakened him. If a blackout is enforced and flares are dropped offshore, Yamane believes Godzilla can be lured away from the mainland.

When Godzilla unexpectedly surfaces in Osaka Bay, a blackout is immediately enforced on the city as citizens are evacuated. Fighter jets fly over the bay and begin dropping flares, which successfully lure Godzilla away from the city. Meanwhile, a group of prisoners stage an escape from the truck transporting them, beginning a lengthy chase with the police across the port area. After the prisoners hijack a fuel truck, two pursuing officers get into a car driven by Tsukioka and ask him to follow the truck. Eventually, the truck flies off a ramp and crashes into a refinery, starting a raging fire that quickly consumes the port area. The fire soon draws Godzilla's attention, and he approaches Osaka once again. Anguirus also comes ashore, and resumes his battle with Godzilla. The JSDF opens fire on the kaiju, but their weapons have no effect as Godzilla and Anguirus begin tearing the city apart. Their battle destroys countless buildings, including the tuna cannery that Tsukioka and Kobayashi work for. Eventually, the two monsters reach Osaka Castle, which is destroyed as Godzilla tackles Anguirus into it. Godzilla then bites down onto Anguirus' neck, causing him to bleed profusely before falling into the moat below. Godzilla fires his atomic breath at his foe, burning him to death and leaving Godzilla the victor. He leaves Osaka ablaze and in ruins.

In the aftermath of the devastation, Tsukioka and Kobayashi find the cannery in ruins. Their boss informs Kobayashi that he will be transferred to the company's Hokkaido branch while he and his daughter clean up in Osaka. After he has been working in Hokkaido for some time, Kobayashi is informed that Mr. Tajima, Hidemi, and Tsukioka will be arriving in Hokkaido soon, and meets them one night at a company party. While Tsukioka and Kobayashi are catching up, they learn that one of the company's ships has just been sunk somewhere off the coast. Knowing Godzilla must be responsible, Tsukioka gets into his plane and begins scouring the surrounding waters despite Hidemi's protests. Tsukioka eventually finds Godzilla coming ashore on a remote icy island, and alerts the JSDF. Kobayashi switches shifts with Tsukioka to keep an eye on Godzilla while he flies to a JSDF base. As the military begins arriving on the island to attack Godzilla, Kobayashi notices the monster beginning to leave the island. He dive-bombs Godzilla with his plane, only to be blasted by his atomic breath and killed upon impact with the slopes of the island. As Tsukioka grieves for his friend, he notices an avalanche of ice falling from the area Kobayashi's plane struck, giving him the idea to bury Godzilla under ice. Tsukioka tells his plan to the JSDF, which begins an operation to blast the slopes of the island using fighter jets. After a few minutes, Godzilla is buried in snow up to his waist, as the JASDF pilots return to base to refuel and reload.

To prevent Godzilla from escaping the island, the JSDF lines the shore of the island with gasoline barrels and lights them on fire. Soon, the fighter jets return, with Tsukioka flying one. The jets open fire on the slopes again, and although some are shot down by Godzilla's atomic breath, Tsukioka and the JASDF are successful in completely burying Godzilla under the ice. With the menace finally halted, Tsukioka solemnly looks to the sky and says, "Kobayashi, we buried Godzilla for you."

Staff

Main article: Godzilla Raids Again/Credits.

Staff role on the left, staff member's name on the right.

Cast

Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.

  • Hiroshi Koizumi   as   Shoichi Tsukioka
  • Setsuko Wakayama   as   Hidemi Yamaji
  • Minoru Chiaki   as   Kojikawa Kobayashi
  • Takashi Shimura   as   Doctor Kyohei Yamane
  • Masao Shimizu   as   Zoologist Tadokoro
  • Seijiro Onda   as   Commander of Osaka's SDF Terasawa
  • Sonosuke Sawamura   as   Hokkaido Branch Manager Shingo Shibeki
  • Yoshio Tsuchiya   as   Member of Osaka's SDF Tajima
  • Mayuri Mokusho   as   Radio Operator Yasuko Inouye
  • Minosuke Yamada   as   Chief of Civil Defense
  • Yukio Kasama   as   President of Fishery Koehi Yamaji
  • Senkichi Omura   as   Convict
  • Ren Yamamoto   as   Commander of Landing Craft Ikeda
  • Shin Otomo   as   Convict Leader
  • Hirotoshi Tsuchiya
  • Takeo Oikawa   as   Osaka Chief of Police
  • Sokichi Maki   as   Convict
  • Shoichi Hirose   as   Convict
  • Shin Yoshida
  • Junpei Natsuki   as   Convict
  • Teruko Mita
  • Miyoko Hoshino   as   Nightclub Singer
  • Haruo Nakajima   as   Godzilla
  • Katsumi Tezuka   as   Anguirus

Gigantis, the Fire Monster

Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.


Appearances

Monsters

Weapons, Vehicles, and Races


Gallery

Main article: Godzilla Raids Again/Gallery.

Soundtrack

Main article: Godzilla Raids Again (Soundtrack).

Alternate Titles

  • Gigantis, the Fire Monster (United States; Gigantis, el Monstruo de Fuego; Mexico)
  • Godzilla's Counterattack (Literal Japanese)
  • The Return of Godzilla (Le Retour de Godzilla; France; De Terugkeer van Godzilla; Belgium)
  • Godzilla Returns (Godzilla kehrt zurück; Germany)
  • The King of the Monsters (Il Re de Mostri; Italy; El Rey de los Monstruos; Spain)
  • Godzilla: The Sea Monster (Godzila: Morsko Čudovište; Yugoslavia)

Theatrical Releases

View all posters for the film here.

  • Japan - April 24, 1955  [view poster]Japanese poster
  • United States - May 21, 1959GtFM  [view poster]Gigantis, the Fire Monster poster, 1961GRA
  • Portugal - November 1955
  • Italy - 1955   [view poster]Italian poster
  • Belgium - 1957   [view poster]Belgian poster
  • France - October 1, 1957
  • West Germany - August 28, 1958   [view poster]German poster
  • Spain - 1958   [view poster]Spanish poster
  • South Korea - May 17, 1960
  • Mexico - June 30, 1960
  • England - 1960
  • Mexico   [view poster]Mexican poster
  • Yugoslavia   [view poster]Yugoslav poster

U.S. Release

American Gigantis, the Fire Monster poster

Following the successful U.S. release of Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, Toho sold the American distribution rights to Godzilla Raids Again to Harry Rybnick and Edward Barison. Their idea was to create a new film for AB-PT Pictures Corporation using the special effects sequences from Godzilla Raids Again. Ib Melchior and Edwin Watson drafted a screenplay, titled The Volcano Monsters, in which Godzilla and Anguirus, now respectively referred to as a Tyrannosaurus and an Ankylosaurus, are discovered in a volcanic cave. Toho shipped the Godzilla and Anguirus suits to Hollywood to allow the producers to film new footage of the monsters. Ultimately, AB-PT Pictures Corp. closed down in 1957 before production started on The Volcano Monsters. The monster suits were eventually lost.

In 1958, the film's U.S. distribution rights were acquired by producer Paul Schreibman, who hired Hugo Grimaldi to re-write and re-edit the film, re-titling it Gigantis, the Fire Monster. Aside from changing Godzilla's name to "Gigantis," Grimaldi's version changes the origins of the monsters: "Gigantis" and Anguirus are described as two related species of prehistoric fire monsters. The sound effects of the monsters were altered to reflect this, with several shots of Godzilla augmented with Anguirus' roar. Additionally, nearly all of Masaru Sato's original score was replaced with library music, most of which was composed by Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter for other science fiction films. Stock footage from other science fiction films featuring dinosaurs was also added into the film. For years, it was believed that the reason for these changes was that Warner Bros. did not have the rights to Godzilla's name. However, Paul Schreibman said that he changed Godzilla's name to "Gigantis" to give the audience the impression that they were seeing a new monster, believing an original film would sell better than a sequel. He has since claimed he came to regret that decision

The English dubbing, also supervised and directed by Grimaldi, was recorded at Ryder Sound Service, Inc. in Hollywood. The voice cast featured veteran performers Keye Luke, Marvin Miller, and Paul Frees, as well as a very young George Takei, of Star Trek fame. Luke was cast as Tsukioka, whose character now narrated the events of the film. In addition to voicing Kobayashi, Miller narrated a pre-credit stock footage montage detailing man's scientific progress.

After completing the Americanization of the film, Paul Schreibman sold the theatrical rights to Warner Bros., which released the film on May 21, 1959. Gigantis, the Fire Monster was presented on a double bill with Teenagers from Outer Space, which Warner also purchased from Schreibman.

Gigantis, the Fire Monster did not enter standard television syndication after its theatrical run. The film remained obscure in the U.S. until its reappearance on cable TV in 1984, followed by a VHS release via Video Treasures in 1989. A video generated title card restoring Toho's English title, Godzilla Raids Again, accompanied the film in syndication in the late 1980's and early 1990's. This version was released on DVD alongside the Japanese version by Classic Media on November 7, 2006. The North American distribution rights to Godzilla Raids Again are currently held by Janus Films, who has labeled it and the other Godzilla films it has acquired as part of the Criterion Collection despite not yet making them available on Blu-ray or DVD.

Box Office

The film sold approximately 8,340,000 tickets in Japan, making it the third most-attended Godzilla film in Japan. It grossed around 1,700,000 yen, or $1,670,080. It was Toho's fourth-highest earner in 1955, and tenth among Japanese films overall.[3]

Reception

The film was generally poorly received by fans and critics, who criticized it as a rushed sequel. It is, however, notable for being the first Godzilla film to introduce the formula of Godzilla battling other monsters, which would become a staple of the franchise.

The poor response to the film briefly put the series on hiatus until 1962's King Kong vs. Godzilla.

Video Releases

Toho DVD (2001)

  • Region: 2
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono)
  • Subtitles: Japanese
  • Special Features: Audio commentary by Sadamasa Arikawa and Tomioka Motoyoshi, isolated score, massive image gallery (several thousand)

Classic Media DVD (2006)[4]

  • Region: 1
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono) and English (2.0 Mono)
  • Subtitles: English
  • Special Features: Audio commentary by Steve Ryfle (for the American version), The Art of Suit Acting featurette (14 minutes), poster slideshow
  • Notes: The American version of the film has a video-generated Godzilla Raids Again title card in place of the original Gigantis, the Fire Monster title card. Reissued in 2012, both releases are out of print.

Splendid DVD (2009)[5]

  • Region: 2
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: German (1.0 Mono), Japanese (1.0 mono)
  • Subtitles: German
  • Special Features: Trailers

Toho Blu-ray (2014)[6]

  • Region: A/1
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: Japanese (LPCM 2.0)
  • Subtitles: Japanese
  • Special Features: Audio commentary by Sadamasa Arikawa and Tomioka Motoyoshi, isolated score, dispatch trailer, radio ads for Godzilla (1954) and Godzilla Raids Again, image gallery (12 minutes), "Godzilla’s Creation! Yoshio Suzuki" featurette (20 minutes)

Splendid Blu-ray (2014)

  • Region: B/2
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: Japanese (DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0), German (DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0)
  • Subtitles: German, Dutch
  • Special Features: None

The Criterion Collection Blu-ray (2019) [Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975]

  • Region: Unknown
  • Discs: 8
  • Audio: Japanese
  • Subtitles: English
  • Special Features: All bonus features on Criterion's Godzilla Blu-ray, 1990 Ishiro Honda interview by Yoshimitsu Banno, interview with director Alex Cox, interviews with actors Bin Furuya and Tsugutoshi Komada, 2011 interview with critic Tadao Sato, unused effects sequences from Toho releases including Destroy All Monsters, trailers, illustrated hardcover book with an essay by Steve Ryfle and liner notes on each film by Ed Godziszewski[7]
  • Notes: Uses a new English subtitle translation by Kerim Yasar. To be released on October 29, 2019.

Videos

Trailers

Godzilla Raids Again Japanese trailer (fragment from Rodan trailer)
Godzilla Raids Again Japanese newsflash trailer (audio lost)
Gigantis, the Fire Monster U.S. theatrical trailer
Gigantis, the Fire Monster TV spots (reconstructed)
Gigantis, the Fire Monster TV trailer

Miscellaneous

Gigantis, the Fire Monster U.S. theatrical opening credits
German theatrical visuals
Joe Dante's commentary on the Gigantis the Fire Monster trailer

Trivia

  • Godzilla Raids Again was the first Godzilla film to feature two monsters.
  • The Godzilla suit used for this film, the GyakushuGoji, was slimmer and lighter than the previous ShodaiGoji suit used in 1954, putting less pressure on the actor, and making every fight scene with Anguirus easier.
  • The JSDF's tactic of enforcing a blackout in Osaka to protect it from Godzilla is the same tactic used by Japan during World War II to protect cities from Allied bombing raids.
  • In the American version of Godzilla Raids Again, Godzilla's roar was altered to sound like Anguirus' roar, due to this version establishing that "Gigantis" and Anguirus are related. His normal roar is still heard in many instances, though, and the roars are interchanged erratically.
  • Godzilla Raids Again is the only Godzilla film to date where Godzilla's Template:Scutes consistently do not glow prior to him releasing his atomic breath. Later films would only occasionally not show the discharge, often by mistake.
  • This is the first film in which Godzilla is defeated by the JSDF. However, Godzilla Raids Again is the only Showa era film wherein the JSDF wins out over Godzilla with a coordinated tactical strike, and with no aid from another monster or some sophisticated form of technology.
  • There are no scenes which feature Godzilla using his heat ray from the full suit-view. Every time he does, the hand-operated puppet head is used. This is due to the fact that the suit's mouth could not open wide enough.
  • Gigantis, the Fire Monster was distributed in the United States by Warner Bros., who would distribute Legendary Pictures' Godzilla and its sequels over 55 years later.
  • After this film's release, Toho took a seven-year break from making Godzilla films. However, during these seven years they continued to make kaiju films, and introduced two of the other most recognizable monsters from the Showa era: Rodan and Mothra.
  • In the Kaiju Guide for Bandai Namco's Godzilla, Anguirus' bio states that he once battled a monster called "Gigantis," who has since been banished from this plane of existence, an inside joke relating to the American version of Godzilla Raids Again.
  • Godzilla Raids Again is the last Godzilla film to be filmed in black and white and the academy aspect ratio.
  • Two shots of newspaper place the events of Godzilla Raids Again in January of 1955, possibly stretching into February.

External Links

References

This is a list of references for Godzilla Raids Again. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]

  1. 建設費には1億数千万円(当時)かけられ、通常セットの2 - 3倍の規模があった
  2. ゴジラの逆襲|ゴジラ 東宝公式サイト (official Godzilla.jp page)
  3. Stuart Galbraith IV (2008). The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography. Scarecrow Press.
  4. Amazon.com: GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (1959)
  5. If it's possible, I'd like to submit a DVD review
  6. Disc Love: Godzilla Raids Again 「ゴジラの逆襲」 (2014 Toho Blu-ray)
  7. Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954-1975 | The Criterion Collection

Comments

Showing 114 comments. When commenting, please remain respectful of other users, stay on topic, and avoid role-playing and excessive punctuation. Comments which violate these guidelines may be removed by administrators.

Loading comments...
Era Icon - Toho.png
Warner Bros.
Era Icon - Showa.png
Movie
Era Icon - Godzilla.png
Era Icon - Anguirus.png