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|name =''Mothra vs. Godzilla''|titles=yes|alt-titles=yes | |name =''Mothra vs. Godzilla''|titles=yes|alt-titles=yes | ||
|us-title =''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' (1964) | |us-title =''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' (1964) | ||
|producer =[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]] | |producer =[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]{{#tag:ref|The American version of the film additionally credits [[Sanezumi Fujimoto]] as an executive producer, which has been repeated in American sources including ''[[Japan's Favorite Mon-Star: The Unauthorized Biography of "The Big G"|Japan's Favorite Mon-Star]]'' and ''[[A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series]]''. However, neither the film's Japanese version nor any press materials from [[Toho]] make mention of Fujimoto.|name="Sanezumi"|group="lower-alpha"}} | ||
|director =[[Ishiro Honda]] | |director =[[Ishiro Honda]] | ||
|writer =[[Shinichi Sekizawa]] | |writer =[[Shinichi Sekizawa]] | ||
|composer =[[Akira Ifukube]] | |composer =[[Akira Ifukube]] | ||
|distributor =[[Toho]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}} | |sfx =[[Eiji Tsuburaya]] | ||
|rating =TV-14{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}, {{tt|12|For moderate bloody images}}{{sup|[[United Kingdom|UK]]}}, X{{sup|[[united Kingdom|UK]]}} | |distributor =[[Toho]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}, [[American International Pictures|AIP]]{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}<ref name="Craig">{{cite book|title=American International Pictures: A Comprehensive Filmography|author=Craig, Rob|date=2019|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|page=169|isbn=9781476666310}}</ref> | ||
| | |rating =TV-14{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}, {{tt|12|For moderate bloody images}}{{sup|[[United Kingdom|UK]]}}, X (U.S. cut){{sup|[[united Kingdom|UK]]}} | ||
|rentals =¥1.55 billion (1980)<ref name="Eirin">{{cite web|url=http://www.eiren.org/toukei/1980.html|title=Past Box Office-Topping Films: 1980 (January-December)|work=Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan, Inc.|accessdate=18 September 2023}}</ref> | |||
|runtime =89 minutes{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 29 minutes)}}<br />88 minutes{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 28 minutes)}} | |runtime =89 minutes{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 29 minutes)}}<br />88 minutes{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 28 minutes)}}<br />74 minutes{{sup|[[Toho Champion Festival|TCF]]}}<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 14 minutes)}} | ||
|aspectratio =2.35:1 | |aspectratio =2.35:1 | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Quote|A massive [[Mothra (First Generation)|Mach 3 moth]]! The heavy missile tank [[Godzilla (Second Generation)|Godzilla]]! The sky, sea, and land quake in the fierce battle of the century|parenthetical=マッハ３の巨蛾か！ミサイル重戦車のゴジラか！空・海・陸を揺がす世紀の激斗|Japanese tagline}} | {{Quote|A massive [[Mothra (First Generation)|Mach 3 moth]]! The heavy missile tank [[Godzilla (Second Generation)|Godzilla]]! The sky, sea, and land quake in the fierce battle of the century|parenthetical=マッハ３の巨蛾か！ミサイル重戦車のゴジラか！空・海・陸を揺がす世紀の激斗|Japanese tagline}} | ||
{{Quote|Nothing like this ever on the screen!<br>What is it... how much terror can you stand?<br>SEE the armies of the world destroyed! SEE the BIRTH of the world's most terrifying monster! SEE the war of the GIANTS!|American taglines}} | {{Quote|Nothing like this ever on the screen!<br>What is it... how much terror can you stand?<br>SEE the armies of the world destroyed! SEE the BIRTH of the world's most terrifying monster! SEE the war of the GIANTS!|American taglines}} | ||
'''''Mothra vs. Godzilla''''' {{Nihongo|モスラ対ゴジラ|Mosura tai Gojira}} is a [[1964]] [[tokusatsu]] [[:Category:Kaiju Films|kaiju film]] directed by [[Ishiro Honda]] and written by [[Shinichi Sekizawa]], with special effects by [[Eiji Tsuburaya]]. Produced by [[Toho]], it is the fourth installment in the [[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'' series]] as well as the [[Showa era|Showa series]]. It stars [[Akira Takarada]], [[Yuriko Hoshi]], [[Hiroshi Koizumi]], [[Yu Fujiki]], [[Kenji Sahara]], [[Jun Tazaki]], and [[Yoshibumi Tajima]], with The Peanuts singing duo of Emi and Yumi Ito as the [[Shobijin]]. The film was released to [[Japan]]ese theaters on April 29, [[1964]].<ref name="Godzilla.jp">[http://godzilla.jp/work/4/ モスラ対ゴジラ｜ゴジラ 東宝公式サイト] (official [[Godzilla.jp]] page)</ref> [[American International Pictures]] released an edited English-language version of the film, originally titled '''''Godzilla vs. The Thing''''', to [[United States|American]] theaters on November 25, 1964. | '''''Mothra vs. Godzilla''''' {{Nihongo|モスラ対ゴジラ|Mosura tai Gojira}} is a [[1964]] [[tokusatsu]] [[:Category:Kaiju Films|kaiju film]] directed by [[Ishiro Honda]] and written by [[Shinichi Sekizawa]], with special effects by [[Eiji Tsuburaya]]. Produced by [[Toho]], it is the fourth installment in the [[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'' series]] as well as the [[Showa era|Showa series]]. It stars [[Akira Takarada]], [[Yuriko Hoshi]], [[Hiroshi Koizumi]], [[Yu Fujiki]], [[Kenji Sahara]], [[Jun Tazaki]], and [[Yoshibumi Tajima]], with The Peanuts singing duo of [[Emi Ito and Yumi Ito|Emi and Yumi Ito]] as the [[Shobijin]]. The film was released to [[Japan]]ese theaters on April 29, [[1964]].<ref name="Godzilla.jp">[http://godzilla.jp/work/4/ モスラ対ゴジラ｜ゴジラ 東宝公式サイト] (official [[Godzilla.jp]] page)</ref> [[American International Pictures]] released an edited English-language version of the film, originally titled '''''Godzilla vs. The Thing''''', to [[United States|American]] theaters on November 25, 1964. | ||
''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' marks the first crossover between two of Toho's own monsters: their flagship character [[Godzilla (Second Generation)|Godzilla]] and the giant moth deity [[Mothra (First Generation)|Mothra]], introduced three years prior in [[Mothra (film)|her own film]]. When Mothra's egg washes ashore in [[Japan]] following a typhoon, greedy businessmen [[Kumayama]] and [[Jiro Torahata]] claim it as their own property and plan to exploit it for revenue. To make matters worse, Godzilla reemerges and begins rampaging across Japan, making his way straight for the egg. It is up to [[Ichiro Sakai]], [[Junko Nakanishi]], and [[Shunsuke Miura]] to travel to [[Infant Island]] and plead with the dying Mothra to return to Japan and battle Godzilla to save both her offspring and the millions of innocent people threatened by Godzilla's rampage. ''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' was immediately followed by a direct sequel, ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'', later the same year. | ''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' marks the first crossover between two of Toho's own monsters: their flagship character [[Godzilla (Second Generation)|Godzilla]] and the giant moth deity [[Mothra (First Generation)|Mothra]], introduced three years prior in [[Mothra (film)|her own film]]. When Mothra's egg washes ashore in [[Japan]] following a typhoon, greedy businessmen [[Kumayama]] and [[Jiro Torahata]] claim it as their own property and plan to exploit it for revenue. To make matters worse, Godzilla reemerges and begins rampaging across Japan, making his way straight for the egg. It is up to [[Ichiro Sakai]], [[Junko Nakanishi]], and [[Shunsuke Miura]] to travel to [[Infant Island]] and plead with the dying Mothra to return to Japan and battle Godzilla to save both her offspring and the millions of innocent people threatened by Godzilla's rampage. ''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' was immediately followed by a direct sequel, ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'', later the same year. | ||
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Meanwhile, the [[JSDF]] attempt two different operations to corral Godzilla and kill him by electrocuting him with 30 million volt [[Artificial Lightning Generator|artificial lightning generator]]s, but fail. With no recourse, the JSDF withdraw and Godzilla destroys the village of Shizunoura. The Shobijin and the Infant Islanders conclude their prayer and the monster egg finally hatches, with not one, but two [[Mothra (Second Generation)|Mothra larvae]] emerging. Nakamura arrives to inform the trio Godzilla is heading for Iwa Island, where schoolteacher Ms. Kobayashi and her class are still stranded, and the party departs to mount a search and rescue operation with the authorities. The Mothra larvae pursue Godzilla to Iwa Island and battle their mother's killer, taking advantage of their small size and the island's rocky terrain to avoid Godzilla's heat rays. The party arrives and escorts Kobayashi and the children safely away from the combat. As the larvae use their silk to encase the massive reptile in a cocoon, Godzilla struggles helplessly as he becomes fully enveloped in the webbing and plunges into the ocean. Victorious, the twin Mothras with Shobijin in tow depart for Infant Island, sending their goodbyes. Nakamura had hoped to at least formally thank them, but Sakai and Miura believe the only way to do so is to better society and create a world based on mutual respect and understanding. | Meanwhile, the [[JSDF]] attempt two different operations to corral Godzilla and kill him by electrocuting him with 30 million volt [[Artificial Lightning Generator|artificial lightning generator]]s, but fail. With no recourse, the JSDF withdraw and Godzilla destroys the village of Shizunoura. The Shobijin and the Infant Islanders conclude their prayer and the monster egg finally hatches, with not one, but two [[Mothra (Second Generation)|Mothra larvae]] emerging. Nakamura arrives to inform the trio Godzilla is heading for Iwa Island, where schoolteacher Ms. Kobayashi and her class are still stranded, and the party departs to mount a search and rescue operation with the authorities. The Mothra larvae pursue Godzilla to Iwa Island and battle their mother's killer, taking advantage of their small size and the island's rocky terrain to avoid Godzilla's heat rays. The party arrives and escorts Kobayashi and the children safely away from the combat. As the larvae use their silk to encase the massive reptile in a cocoon, Godzilla struggles helplessly as he becomes fully enveloped in the webbing and plunges into the ocean. Victorious, the twin Mothras with Shobijin in tow depart for Infant Island, sending their goodbyes. Nakamura had hoped to at least formally thank them, but Sakai and Miura believe the only way to do so is to better society and create a world based on mutual respect and understanding. | ||
==Staff== | ==Staff== | ||
{{Main|Mothra vs. Godzilla/Credits}} | {{Main|Mothra vs. Godzilla/Credits}} | ||
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|Directed by=[[Ishiro Honda]] | |Directed by=[[Ishiro Honda]] | ||
|Written by=[[Shinichi Sekizawa]] | |Written by=[[Shinichi Sekizawa]] | ||
| | |Executive producer=[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]{{R|Sanezumi|group="lower-alpha"}} | ||
|Music by=[[Akira Ifukube]] | |||
|Stock music by=Hiroshi Miyagawa | |Stock music by=Hiroshi Miyagawa | ||
|"[[Mothra's Song]]" composed by|[[Yuji Koseki]] | |"[[Mothra's Song]]" composed by|[[Yuji Koseki]] | ||
|Cinematography by|[[Hajime Koizumi]] | |Cinematography by|[[Hajime Koizumi]] | ||
|Edited by|Ryohei Fujii | |Edited by|Ryohei Fujii | ||
|Production design by|[[Takeo Kita]] | |Production design by|[[Takeo Kita]] | ||
| | |First assistant director|[[Koji Kajita]] | ||
|Director of special effects|[[Eiji Tsuburaya]] | |Director of special effects|[[Eiji Tsuburaya]] | ||
| | |First assistant director of special effects|[[Teruyoshi Nakano]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Cast== | ==Cast== | ||
| Line 92: | Line 91: | ||
|Yu Fujiki|Jiro Nakamura, ''Maicho Shimbun'' reporter | |Yu Fujiki|Jiro Nakamura, ''Maicho Shimbun'' reporter | ||
|[[Kenji Sahara]]|[[Jiro Torahata]] | |[[Kenji Sahara]]|[[Jiro Torahata]] | ||
|Emi Ito and Yumi Ito|[[Shobijin]] | |[[Emi Ito and Yumi Ito|Emi Ito and Yumi Ito]]|[[Shobijin]] | ||
|[[Jun Tazaki]]|Maruta, ''Maicho Shimbun'' social affairs department editor | |[[Jun Tazaki]]|Maruta, ''Maicho Shimbun'' social affairs department editor | ||
|[[Yoshibumi Tajima]]|Kumayama, president of Happy Enterprises | |[[Yoshibumi Tajima]]|Kumayama, president of Happy Enterprises | ||
|Kenzo Tabu| | |Kenzo Tabu|prefectural assembly member | ||
|Yutaka Sada| | |Yutaka Sada|school principal | ||
|Akira Tani|Amimoto, head villager of Shizunoura | |Akira Tani|Amimoto, head villager of Shizunoura | ||
|Susumu Fujita| | |Susumu Fujita|head of [[JSDF]] task force | ||
|[[Ikio Sawamura]]|Shinto priest | |[[Ikio Sawamura]]|Shinto priest | ||
|Ren Yamamoto| | |Ren Yamamoto|sailor at dock | ||
|Kozo Nomura|JSDF member | |Kozo Nomura|JSDF member | ||
|Yasuhisa Tsutsumi| | |Yasuhisa Tsutsumi|police officer at dock | ||
|Mitsuo Tsuda|JSDF officer | |Mitsuo Tsuda|JSDF officer | ||
|Shin Otomo| | |Shin Otomo|police chief | ||
|Senkichi Omura|Shizunoura fisherman | |Senkichi Omura|Shizunoura fisherman | ||
|Yoshio Kosugi|[[Infant Island]] chief | |Yoshio Kosugi|[[Infant Island]] chief | ||
| Line 112: | Line 111: | ||
|Wataru Omae|Happy Enterprises employee | |Wataru Omae|Happy Enterprises employee | ||
|Shiro Tsuchiya, Takuzo Kumagai, Koji Uno, Yutaka Nakayama|Shizunoura fishermen | |Shiro Tsuchiya, Takuzo Kumagai, Koji Uno, Yutaka Nakayama|Shizunoura fishermen | ||
|Toshihiko Furuta, Hideo Shibuya, [[Koji Uruki]], Ken Echigo| | |Toshihiko Furuta, Hideo Shibuya, [[Koji Uruki]], Ken Echigo|reporters | ||
|Yukihiko Gondo, Koichi Sato|Happy Enterprises employees | |Yukihiko Gondo, Koichi Sato|Happy Enterprises employees | ||
|Hiroshi Akitsu|Shizunoura fisherman | |Hiroshi Akitsu|Shizunoura fisherman | ||
|Tadashi Okabe, Haruya Sakamoto, Seishiro Kuno|JSDF members | |Tadashi Okabe, Haruya Sakamoto, Seishiro Kuno|JSDF members | ||
|Hiroshi Takagi|Happy Enterprises employee | |Hiroshi Takagi|Happy Enterprises employee | ||
|Keisuke Yamada| | |Keisuke Yamada|police chief | ||
|Shinjiro Hirota|Happy Enterprises employee | |Shinjiro Hirota|Happy Enterprises employee | ||
|Shigemi Sunagawa| | |Shigemi Sunagawa|fisherman | ||
|Ikuo Kawamura| | |Ikuo Kawamura|transport aircraft pilot | ||
|Rinsaku Ogata| | |Rinsaku Ogata|transport aircraft operations assistant | ||
|[[Haruo Suzuki]]|JSDF correspondent | |[[Haruo Suzuki]]|JSDF correspondent | ||
|Asunaro Theatrical Company| | |Asunaro Theatrical Company|students of Iwa Island Branch School | ||
|[[Katsumi Tezuka]]|[[Godzilla (Second Generation)|Godzilla]] | |[[Haruo Nakajima]], [[Katsumi Tezuka]]|[[Godzilla (Second Generation)|Godzilla]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
===''Godzilla vs. The Thing''=== | ===''Godzilla vs. The Thing''=== | ||
{{Cast | {{Cast | ||
|[[Harold Conway]]| | |[[Harold Conway]]|weapons expert on [[Frontier Missile Cruiser]] | ||
|[[Ralph Jesser]]|U.S. Navy sailor | |[[Ralph Jesser]]|U.S. Navy sailor | ||
|[[Osman Yusuf]]| | |[[Osman Yusuf]]|journalist | ||
|Bernard Grant|[[Ichiro Sakai]] (voice) | |Bernard Grant|[[Ichiro Sakai]] (voice) | ||
|Paulette Rubenstein, Terry Van Tell|[[Shobijin]] (voices) | |Paulette Rubenstein, Terry Van Tell|[[Shobijin]] (voices) | ||
|Larry Robinson|Jiro Nakamura (voice) | |Larry Robinson|Jiro Nakamura (voice) / journalist (voice) | ||
|Bret Morrison|Kumayama (voice)<ref name="Craig"/> | |Bret Morrison|Kumayama (voice)<ref name="Craig"/> | ||
|Jack Curtis|[[Jiro Torahata]] (voice) | |Jack Curtis|[[Jiro Torahata]] (voice) | ||
|Earl Hammond| | |Earl Hammond|head of JSDF Task Force (voice) | ||
|Peter Fernandez| | |Peter Fernandez|villager / JSDF correspondent (voice)<ref name="Craig"/> | ||
}} | }} | ||
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===Monsters=== | ===Monsters=== | ||
*[[Godzilla (Second Generation)|Godzilla]] ([[MosuGoji]]) | *[[Godzilla (Second Generation)|Godzilla]] ([[MosuGoji]]) | ||
*[[Mothra/First_Generation|Mothra Imago]] | *[[Mothra/First_Generation|Mothra Imago]] | ||
*[[Mothra (Second Generation)|Mothra Larvae]] | *[[Mothra (Second Generation)|Mothra Larvae]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Mysterious Bones]] | ||
{{col-2}} | {{col-2}} | ||
===Weapons, vehicles, and races=== | ===Weapons, vehicles, and races=== | ||
| Line 182: | Line 180: | ||
*'''''Godzilla Unexpected Beast''''' (''Godzilla Beklenmeyen Canavar''; Turkey) | *'''''Godzilla Unexpected Beast''''' (''Godzilla Beklenmeyen Canavar''; Turkey) | ||
*'''''Fuji Yama Operation''''' (Επιχείρησις Φούτζι Γιάμα ''Epiheirisis Fuji Yama''; Greece) | *'''''Fuji Yama Operation''''' (Επιχείρησις Φούτζι Γιάμα ''Epiheirisis Fuji Yama''; Greece) | ||
==Theatrical releases== | ==Theatrical releases== | ||
{{All Posters}} | {{All Posters}} | ||
*[[Japan]] - April 29, 1964<ref name="Godzilla.jp"/> {{Popup-poster|file=Mothra_vs._Godzilla_Poster_A.png|caption=Japanese 1964 poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}; December 19, 1970 ([[Toho Champion Festival]]); {{Popup-poster|file=Mothra_vs._Godzilla_Poster_1970.jpg|caption=Japanese 1970 poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}; March 15, 1980 {{Popup-poster|file=Mothra_vs._Godzilla_Poster_1980.jpg|caption=Japanese 1980 poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}} | *[[Japan]] - April 29, 1964<ref name="Godzilla.jp"/> {{Popup-poster|file=Mothra_vs._Godzilla_Poster_A.png|caption=Japanese 1964 poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}; December 19, 1970 ([[Toho Champion Festival]]); {{Popup-poster|file=Mothra_vs._Godzilla_Poster_1970.jpg|caption=Japanese 1970 poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}; March 15, 1980 {{Popup-poster|file=Mothra_vs._Godzilla_Poster_1980.jpg|caption=Japanese 1980 poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
*[[United States]] - November 25, [[1964]] {{Popup-poster|file=3708208675_666e2d9505.jpg|caption= poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}} | *[[United States]] - November 25, [[1964]] {{Popup-poster|file=3708208675_666e2d9505.jpg|caption= poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
*Canada - September 30, 1964 | |||
*Portugal - October 4, 1964 | *Portugal - October 4, 1964 | ||
*Sweden - 1964 | *Sweden - 1964 | ||
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*France - February 1, 1995 {{Popup-poster|file=Mothra_vs._Godzilla_Poster_France_1.jpg|caption=French poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}} | *France - February 1, 1995 {{Popup-poster|file=Mothra_vs._Godzilla_Poster_France_1.jpg|caption=French poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
*Lebanon {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla vs The Thing Lebanon.jpg|caption=Lebanese poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}} | *Lebanon {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla vs The Thing Lebanon.jpg|caption=Lebanese poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
==Foreign releases== | ==Foreign releases== | ||
===[[United States|U.S.]] release=== | ===[[United States|U.S.]] release=== | ||
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*Deleted: The head of the anti-Godzilla task force announcing the emergency deployment of western, central, and eastern JSDF forces and their strategy to divert Godzilla to the coast to minimize collateral damage. A correspondent enters the war room with a report on Godzilla's eastward movement from Nagoya. | *Deleted: The head of the anti-Godzilla task force announcing the emergency deployment of western, central, and eastern JSDF forces and their strategy to divert Godzilla to the coast to minimize collateral damage. A correspondent enters the war room with a report on Godzilla's eastward movement from Nagoya. | ||
*Added: The most notable difference between ''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' and ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' is a drama and effects sequence that was shot by [[Ishiro Honda]] and [[Eiji Tsuburaya]]'s teams, yet does not appear in the Japanese version. After Godzilla attacks [[Nagoya]], American [[Frontier Missile Cruiser]]s fruitlessly bombard him, marking the first occasion the [[United States]] battled the monster. [[Harold Conway]] and [[Osman Yusuf]], two foreign actors who were staples in [[Toho]] films at the time, appear in this sequence. | *Added: The most notable difference between ''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' and ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' is a drama and effects sequence that was shot by [[Ishiro Honda]] and [[Eiji Tsuburaya]]'s teams, yet does not appear in the Japanese version. After Godzilla attacks [[Nagoya]], American [[Frontier Missile Cruiser]]s fruitlessly bombard him, marking the first occasion the [[United States]] battled the monster. [[Harold Conway]] and [[Osman Yusuf]], two foreign actors who were staples in [[Toho]] films at the time, appear in this sequence. | ||
*Altered: AIP added louder Hollywood explosion sound effects to the above sequence as well as Godzilla's battles with the JSDF as sweetening. | |||
*Deleted: Three short stanzas from the [[Shobijin]]'s song "[[Sacred Springs]]" were removed. | *Deleted: Three short stanzas from the [[Shobijin]]'s song "[[Sacred Springs]]" were removed. | ||
*Deleted: The Shobijin elaborating further that the small oasis they occupy is the only resource left to sustain the life of the islanders. | *Deleted: The Shobijin elaborating further that the small oasis they occupy is the only resource left to sustain the life of the islanders. | ||
*Deleted: Kumayama collapsing on the | *Deleted: Kumayama collapsing on the floor with a visible bullet wound on his head. | ||
*Altered: Part of the shot of Godzilla approaching the hotel was cut and then placed where the footage of Kumayama collapsing had previously occupied. | *Altered: Part of the shot of Godzilla approaching the hotel was cut and then placed where the footage of Kumayama collapsing had previously occupied. | ||
*Deleted: Part of a longer shot of the Shobijin curtsying as they are reunited with Sakai, Junko, and Miura as the adult Mothra battles Godzilla. | *Deleted: Part of a longer shot of the Shobijin curtsying as they are reunited with Sakai, Junko, and Miura as the adult Mothra battles Godzilla. | ||
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''New York Times'' film critic Eugene Archer reacted to the film and its title: "Well, there are three things, not counting the movie. One has wings and looks like a big bee. The other two are hatched from the first Thing's egg, after quite a bit of worshipful kootch dancing from a pair of foot-tall native goddesses..." | ''New York Times'' film critic Eugene Archer reacted to the film and its title: "Well, there are three things, not counting the movie. One has wings and looks like a big bee. The other two are hatched from the first Thing's egg, after quite a bit of worshipful kootch dancing from a pair of foot-tall native goddesses..." | ||
In | By the 1980s, [[Henry G. Saperstein]]'s [[UPA]], who originally sold the picture to American International, had bought back the American distribution rights. In UPA's home video releases and broadcast syndication beginning in the late-1980s, the film was retitled ''Godzilla vs. Mothra''. However, as Mothra is still repeatedly called "The Thing" in the dub, this confused many viewers who thought "The Thing" and "Mothra" were two separate monsters. Because of this, when [[TriStar Pictures|TriStar]] released ''[[Godzilla vs. Mothra]]'' in the U.S., they re-titled it ''Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth'' so that it would not be confused with this film. Despite this, Peter Bollinger's cover artwork for [[Simitar Entertainment]]'s VHS and DVD release of the older film continues to be erroneously used to represent the newer film on streaming services and even on [[Sony|Sony Pictures]]' official website. | ||
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
===United Kingdom release=== | ===United Kingdom release=== | ||
Warner-Pathe brought ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' to UK theaters in 1965, as part of a double feature with ''[[wikipedia:The Time Travelers (1964 film)|The Time Travelers]]''.<ref name="MFAUC">[http://www.smguariento.com/monsters-from-an-unknown-culture-godzilla-and-friends-in-britain-1957-1980-by-sim-branaghan-part-1/ Monsters From An Unknown Culture: Godzilla (and friends) in Britain 1957-1980 by Sim Branaghan – Part 1]</ref> It received an X rating from the British Board of Film Censors, preventing children under 16 from seeing it. [[Sony]] released the Japanese version of the film on Blu-ray in 2019 as part of the [[The Criterion Collection]]'s ''Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975'' box set. | [[File:Godzilla vs. The Thing UK poster.png|thumb|UK ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' poster|200x200px]] | ||
Warner-Pathe brought ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' to UK theaters in 1965, as part of a double feature with ''[[wikipedia:The Time Travelers (1964 film)|The Time Travelers]]''.<ref name="MFAUC">[http://www.smguariento.com/monsters-from-an-unknown-culture-godzilla-and-friends-in-britain-1957-1980-by-sim-branaghan-part-1/ Monsters From An Unknown Culture: Godzilla (and friends) in Britain 1957-1980 by Sim Branaghan – Part 1]</ref> It received an X rating from the British Board of Film Censors (BBFC), preventing children under 16 from seeing it. [[Sony]] released the Japanese version of the film on Blu-ray in 2019 as part of the [[The Criterion Collection]]'s ''Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975'' box set. The BBFC gave this version a 12 rating for "moderate bloody images."<ref name="BBFC">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/mothra-vs-godzilla-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0yndm0otu|title=Mothra Vs. Godzilla|work=BBFC|accessdate=1 December 2023}}</ref> | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
===West German release=== | ===West German release=== | ||
''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' was released in West Germany by Gloria Film under the title ''Godzilla und die Urweltraupen'' (lit. "''Godzilla and the Prehistoric Caterpillars''") on April 15, 1974, with dubbing duties undertaken by SL Film Synchron GmbH in Berlin. Visuals such as the credits and newspaper insets were rendered in German accordingly. The dubbing itself contains a major post-production error during the reel containing the battle between Godzilla and the adult Mothra, the music and effects being entirely out of sync with the visuals, possibly stemming from a lack of understanding of the proper reel and segment structure of the American International version, as it appears dubbing track elements were conformed to the reel structure of Toho's version. Presentations of the West German release on home video in contemporary Germany have been reconstructions created from various sources, as a complete copy or duplication element of the theatrical release | ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' was released in West Germany by Gloria Film under the title ''Godzilla und die Urweltraupen'' (lit. "''Godzilla and the Prehistoric Caterpillars''") on April 15, 1974, with dubbing duties undertaken by SL Film Synchron GmbH in Berlin. Visuals such as the credits and newspaper insets were rendered in German accordingly. The dubbing itself contains a major post-production error during the reel containing the battle between Godzilla and the adult Mothra, the music and effects being entirely out of sync with the visuals, possibly stemming from a lack of understanding of the proper reel and segment structure of the American International version, as it appears dubbing track elements were conformed to the reel structure of Toho's version. Presentations of the West German release on home video in contemporary Germany have been reconstructions created from various sources, as a complete copy or duplication element of the theatrical release appears to be lost or misplaced. | ||
==Box office== | ==Box office== | ||
When ''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' was re-released in 1980 alongside ''[[wikipedia:Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur|Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur]]'', the films earned ¥1.55 billion in distributor rentals, placing them eighth among the highest-grossing Japanese films of that year.{{R|Eirin}} | |||
==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' is often considered by both fans and critics alike as being one of the best in the [[Showa era|Showa series]] of Godzilla films. | ''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' is often considered by both fans and critics alike as being one of the best in the [[Showa era|Showa series]] of Godzilla films. | ||
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*'''Special features:''' Optional 1.33:1 presentation (cropped), Simitar-produced trailers for the company's kaiju releases, art gallery, trivia game | *'''Special features:''' Optional 1.33:1 presentation (cropped), Simitar-produced trailers for the company's kaiju releases, art gallery, trivia game | ||
*'''Notes:''' Out of print. | *'''Notes:''' Out of print. | ||
'''Studio Canal''' DVD (2001) | '''Studio Canal''' DVD (2001) | ||
*'''Region:''' 2 | *'''Region:''' 2 | ||
*'''Audio:''' French (2.0 Mono) | |||
*'''Notes:''' Out of print. | |||
'''[[Classic Media]]''' DVD (2002)<ref name="Classic Media 2002">[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006FD9H Amazon.com: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1964)]</ref> | '''[[Classic Media]]''' DVD (2002)<ref name="Classic Media 2002">[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006FD9H Amazon.com: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1964)]</ref> | ||
*'''Region:''' 1 | *'''Region:''' 1 | ||
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*'''Special features:''' ''[[Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee]]'' trailer | *'''Special features:''' ''[[Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee]]'' trailer | ||
*'''Notes:''' Cropped 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Out of print. | *'''Notes:''' Cropped 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Out of print. | ||
'''Siren Visual Entertainment''' DVD (2003) | |||
*'''Region:''' 4 | |||
*'''Discs:''' 1 | |||
*'''Audio:''' English (2.0 Mono) | |||
*'''Subtitles:''' None | |||
*'''Special features:''' None | |||
*'''Notes:''' Cropped 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Transfer derived from a flat 16mm print. Packaged with ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster#U.S. release|Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'' (same disc). Out of print. | |||
'''[[Toho]]''' DVD (2003) | '''[[Toho]]''' DVD (2003) | ||
*'''Region:''' 2 | *'''Region:''' 2 | ||
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*'''Subtitles:''' Japanese | *'''Subtitles:''' Japanese | ||
*'''Special features:''' Audio commentary by [[Kenji Sahara]], theatrical trailer, 75-minute reissue edit from 1980, 8mm version of ''[[Mothra (film)|Mothra]]'', "Mothra Attacks Tokyo" narrated storybook | *'''Special features:''' Audio commentary by [[Kenji Sahara]], theatrical trailer, 75-minute reissue edit from 1980, 8mm version of ''[[Mothra (film)|Mothra]]'', "Mothra Attacks Tokyo" narrated storybook | ||
'''Marketing Film''' DVD (2004) | '''Marketing Film''' DVD (2004) | ||
*'''Region:''' 2 | *'''Region:''' 2 | ||
*'''Audio:''' German | *'''Audio:''' German | ||
'''Classic Media''' DVD (2006)<ref name="Classic Media 2006">[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000MV8AJK Amazon.com: MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA (1964)]</ref> | '''Classic Media''' DVD (2006)<ref name="Classic Media 2006">[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000MV8AJK Amazon.com: MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA (1964)]</ref> | ||
*'''Region:''' 1 | *'''Region:''' 1 | ||
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*'''Subtitles:''' English | *'''Subtitles:''' English | ||
*'''Special features:''' Audio commentary for ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski, [[Akira Ifukube]] featurette (13 minutes), poster slideshow | *'''Special features:''' Audio commentary for ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski, [[Akira Ifukube]] featurette (13 minutes), poster slideshow | ||
*'''Notes:''' ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' has a cropped 1 | *'''Notes:''' ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' has a cropped 1.78:1 aspect ratio. It also features the original "''Godzilla vs. The Thing''" title card in place of the "''Godzilla vs. Mothra''" card used in previous releases. Reissued in 2012; both releases are out of print. | ||
'''[[Madman Entertainment|Madman]]''' DVD (2006) | '''[[Madman Entertainment|Madman]]''' DVD (2006) | ||
*'''Region:''' 4 | *'''Region:''' 4 | ||
*'''Discs:''' 1 | |||
*'''Audio:''' Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Mono), English (Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Mono) | |||
*'''Subtitles:''' English | |||
*'''Special features:''' Original Japanese trailer, Madman trailer collection, poster gallery | |||
*'''Notes:''' ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' has a cropped 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Packaged with ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1954), ''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]'', ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]'', ''[[Son of Godzilla]]'', and ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'' in the ''Godzilla - Showa Classics Volume 1'' box set. | |||
'''[[Toho]]''' Blu-ray (2010) | '''[[Toho]]''' Blu-ray (2010) | ||
*'''Region:''' A/1 | *'''Region:''' A/1 | ||
*'''Audio:''' Japanese | *'''Audio:''' Japanese | ||
*'''Special features:''' Audio commentary by [[Kenji Sahara]], theatrical trailer, 1980 reissue cut, 8mm promotional footage for ''[[Mothra (film)| Mothra]]'', "Mothra Attacks Tokyo" narrated [[Asahi Sonorama|Sonorama]] storybook, interview with Yuji Sakai, behind the scenes photo gallery, storyboards gallery | *'''Special features:''' Audio commentary by [[Kenji Sahara]], theatrical trailer, 1980 reissue cut, 8mm promotional footage for ''[[Mothra (film)| Mothra]]'', "Mothra Attacks Tokyo" narrated [[Asahi Sonorama|Sonorama]] storybook, interview with Yuji Sakai, behind the scenes photo gallery, storyboards gallery | ||
'''[[The Criterion Collection]]''' Blu-ray (2019) [''Godzilla: The [[Showa era|Showa-Era]] Films, 1954–1975''] | '''[[The Criterion Collection]]''' Blu-ray (2019) [''Godzilla: The [[Showa era|Showa-Era]] Films, 1954–1975''] | ||
*'''Region:''' A/1 or B/2 | *'''Region:''' A/1 or B/2 | ||
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*'''Audio:''' Japanese | *'''Audio:''' Japanese | ||
*'''Subtitles:''' English | *'''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, | *'''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, ''[[Toho Unused Special Effects Complete Collection]]'', 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 Jason Franzman. [[Sony]] distributed a Region B/2 version of the set in the United Kingdom. | *'''Notes:''' Uses a new English subtitle translation by Jason Franzman. [[Sony]] distributed a Region B/2 version of the set in the United Kingdom. | ||
A 4K | '''Toho''' 4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray (October 25, 2023)<ref name="Note">{{cite web|url=https://note.com/toshiakis/n/nc00e9ea469b0|title=7 "Godzilla" works released in 4K remastered UHD for 3 consecutive months!|author=Sato, Toshiaki|date=18 July 2022|work=Note}}</ref> | ||
*'''Region:''' N/A (4K Ultra HD) or A (Blu-ray) | |||
*'''Discs:''' 1 | |||
*'''Audio:''' Japanese (1.0 Mono and 5.1 Surround) | |||
*'''Subtitles:''' Japanese | |||
*'''Special features:''' Audio commentary by [[Kenji Sahara]], 8mm behind-the-scenes footage, unused tokusatsu footage, "Mothra Attacks Tokyo" narrated [[Asahi Sonorama|Sonorama]] storybook, "The World of Godzilla Modeling", "Mothra vs. Godzilla Battle Sketch", Japanese teaser, textless teaser, Japanese trailer, textless trailer, Champion Festival teaser, Champion Festival trailer, new edition trailer, still gallery | |||
*'''Notes''': Includes the [[Toho Champion Festival]] version. The 4K restoration of the film presented on these discs first aired on Japanese satellite TV in 2021.<ref name="nihon-eiga">[https://www.nihon-eiga.com/osusume/godzilla4K_2021/]</ref> | |||
==Novelization== | ==Novelization== | ||
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===Trailers=== | ===Trailers=== | ||
{{Videos| | {{Videos| | ||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">lRlttjvvvzE</youtube>|Japanese | {{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">lRlttjvvvzE</youtube>|Japanese trailer}} | ||
{{vid|<dailymotion dimensions="300x149">kjf1sf9fukcaVrzNGOH</dailymotion>|Textless trailer}} | |||
{{vid|<dailymotion dimensions="300x149">k5bqhYjYkPERFZzIRav</dailymotion>|Japanese 1980 trailer}} | |||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">nNz3zIq2DBk</youtube>|Japanese teaser}} | |||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">CJlpnCfISNc</youtube>|Textless teaser}} | |||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">VTRwOgkXE4k</youtube>|U.S. ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' trailer}} | {{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">VTRwOgkXE4k</youtube>|U.S. ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' trailer}} | ||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">RRoULoXO_Wc</youtube>|''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' | {{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">RRoULoXO_Wc</youtube>|U.S. ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' TV trailer}} | ||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">fIQAy8sXj2Q</youtube>|''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' U.S. | {{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">fIQAy8sXj2Q</youtube>|U.S. ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' TV spot}} | ||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">GISAE16jsE4</youtube>|''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' | {{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">m_GmkZWt_tg</youtube>|U.S. ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' radio spots}} | ||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">GISAE16jsE4</youtube>|West German ''Godzilla vs. The Thing'' trailer}} | |||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">rPpkQNSsXTY</youtube>|Simitar ''Godzilla vs. Mothra'' VHS trailer}} | {{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">rPpkQNSsXTY</youtube>|Simitar ''Godzilla vs. Mothra'' VHS trailer}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
===Miscellaneous=== | ===Miscellaneous=== | ||
{{Videos| | {{Videos| | ||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">qxHbAl9qkoM</youtube>|Ken Films Super 8 digest version of ''Godzilla vs. The Thing''}} | {{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">qxHbAl9qkoM</youtube>|Ken Films Super 8 digest version of ''Godzilla vs. The Thing''}} | ||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">0sLqqd_Wk74</youtube>|Opening of the 1980 re-release}} | {{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">0sLqqd_Wk74</youtube>|Opening of the 1980 re-release}} | ||
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">_-XN3q13DEI</youtube>|8mm footage by [[Tomoyuki Tanaka]] of the drama unit filming and Japanese moviegoers waiting in line for the film}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' was theatrically released in Japan | *''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' was theatrically released in Japan as a double feature with ''Operation Anti Hell''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=[[Toho Special Effects Movie Complete Works]]|date=28 September 2012|page=78|isbn=4864910138}}</ref> | ||
*''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' was re-released in an abridged 74-minute version on December 19, 1970, as part of the Winter [[Toho Champion Festival]], alongside ''Attack No. 1: The Tearful World Championship'', ''The Fragile Planet'', and episode 1 of ''The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee''. As had been done with ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''{{'}}s reissue earlier the same year, the re-editing was carried out on the original camera negative of the film, resulting in home video releases of the uncut version being sourced from a lower quality duplicate element. | |||
<!---*One of the natives mention that were once open arms to people visiting only to be deceived is likely a reference to the events of [[Mothra (film)|Mothra's own film]] where the Shobijin were kidnapped when previous exploration crew visited Infant Island. ---> | |||
*The upper lip on the Godzilla [[MosuGoji|suit]] in this film has a slight wobble. This was originally an accident; during the filming of the scene where Godzilla smashes into the [[Nagoya Castle]], [[Haruo Nakajima]] fell and the suit's head slammed into the miniature, loosening the teeth and damaging the jaw. Special effects director [[Eiji Tsuburaya]] actually liked this effect and kept the suit like that for the rest of filming. The scene where Godzilla's head gets set on fire by a [[Curtiss C-46D]] bomb was also accidental, with Nakajima continuing to perform the scene as the script required.<ref name="davmil.org">[http://www.davmil.org/www.kaijuconversations.com/nakajima.htm Haruo Nakajima Interview]</ref> By the next film, ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'', the suit's head had sustained so much damage that it had to be replaced. | *The upper lip on the Godzilla [[MosuGoji|suit]] in this film has a slight wobble. This was originally an accident; during the filming of the scene where Godzilla smashes into the [[Nagoya Castle]], [[Haruo Nakajima]] fell and the suit's head slammed into the miniature, loosening the teeth and damaging the jaw. Special effects director [[Eiji Tsuburaya]] actually liked this effect and kept the suit like that for the rest of filming. The scene where Godzilla's head gets set on fire by a [[Curtiss C-46D]] bomb was also accidental, with Nakajima continuing to perform the scene as the script required.<ref name="davmil.org">[http://www.davmil.org/www.kaijuconversations.com/nakajima.htm Haruo Nakajima Interview]</ref> By the next film, ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'', the suit's head had sustained so much damage that it had to be replaced. | ||
*''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' | *''Mothra vs. Godzilla'' is one of only three Toho ''Godzilla'' movies to be released in Japanese and American theaters the same year, the others being ''[[Shin Godzilla]]'' and ''[[Godzilla Minus One]]''. | ||
*In the third episode of ''[[Godzilla Singular Point]]'', "[[Tigerish]]", a billboard in Nigashio City promotes Happy Enterprises. In the same episode, [[Mei Kamino]] meets [[Takehiro Kai]] at a Happy Enterprises amusement park. | *In the third episode of ''[[Godzilla Singular Point]]'', "[[Tigerish]]", a billboard in Nigashio City promotes Happy Enterprises. In the same episode, [[Mei Kamino]] meets [[Takehiro Kai]] at a Happy Enterprises amusement park. | ||
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*[http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=3256003 Comprehensive list of changes between the Japanese and American versions of the film] | *[http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=3256003 Comprehensive list of changes between the Japanese and American versions of the film] | ||
*[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xwynxh_godzilla-vs-the-thing-frontier-missile-comparison_shortfilms Additional footage from the Frontier Missile Cruiser scene only present in the West German version of the film] | *[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xwynxh_godzilla-vs-the-thing-frontier-missile-comparison_shortfilms Additional footage from the Frontier Missile Cruiser scene only present in the West German version of the film] | ||
==Notes== | |||
{{Notelist|lower-alpha}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
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[[de:Godzilla und die Urweltraupen]] | [[de:Godzilla und die Urweltraupen]] | ||
[[es:Mothra vs. Godzilla]] | [[es:Mothra vs. Godzilla]] | ||
[[Category:Films]] | [[Category:Films]] | ||
[[Category:Showa Series]] | [[Category:Showa Series]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:02, 9 April 2024
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Godzilla vs. The Thing (1964)
“
|
A massive Mach 3 moth! The heavy missile tank Godzilla! The sky, sea, and land quake in the fierce battle of the century (マッハ３の巨蛾か！ミサイル重戦車のゴジラか！空・海・陸を揺がす世紀の激斗)
|
„
|
— Japanese tagline |
“
|
Nothing like this ever on the screen!
What is it... how much terror can you stand? SEE the armies of the world destroyed! SEE the BIRTH of the world's most terrifying monster! SEE the war of the GIANTS! |
„
|
— American taglines |
Mothra vs. Godzilla (モスラ対ゴジラ Mosura tai Gojira) is a 1964 tokusatsu kaiju film directed by Ishiro Honda and written by Shinichi Sekizawa, with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya. Produced by Toho, it is the fourth installment in the Godzilla series as well as the Showa series. It stars Akira Takarada, Yuriko Hoshi, Hiroshi Koizumi, Yu Fujiki, Kenji Sahara, Jun Tazaki, and Yoshibumi Tajima, with The Peanuts singing duo of Emi and Yumi Ito as the Shobijin. The film was released to Japanese theaters on April 29, 1964.[3] American International Pictures released an edited English-language version of the film, originally titled Godzilla vs. The Thing, to American theaters on November 25, 1964.
Mothra vs. Godzilla marks the first crossover between two of Toho's own monsters: their flagship character Godzilla and the giant moth deity Mothra, introduced three years prior in her own film. When Mothra's egg washes ashore in Japan following a typhoon, greedy businessmen Kumayama and Jiro Torahata claim it as their own property and plan to exploit it for revenue. To make matters worse, Godzilla reemerges and begins rampaging across Japan, making his way straight for the egg. It is up to Ichiro Sakai, Junko Nakanishi, and Shunsuke Miura to travel to Infant Island and plead with the dying Mothra to return to Japan and battle Godzilla to save both her offspring and the millions of innocent people threatened by Godzilla's rampage. Mothra vs. Godzilla was immediately followed by a direct sequel, Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, later the same year.
Plot
In the wake of the powerful Typhoon No. 8 in Japan's Chūbu region, a news reporter named Ichiro Sakai and his photographer Junko Nakanishi take pictures of the wreckage of an industrialization project at Kurata Beach and discover a bizarre, iridescent object of undetermined origin. Later on that day, a giant egg is discovered on the shore of the fishing village Shizunoura. The local villagers salvage it and a scientific investigation of the egg proceeds.
While Sakai and Junko attempt to question Professor Miura about the egg, entrepreneur Kumayama, president of Happy Enterprises, scurries the scientific party off, explaining that he bought the egg from the locals. Instead of letting scientists study the egg freely, Kumayama intends to make it into a large tourist attraction. Sakai, Junko, and Professor Miura are disgusted and believe that Kumayama has no right to keep the egg.
While the three are discussing the egg at the Hamakaze Hotel, they notice Kumayama checking in. Sakai suspects somebody else may be working with Kumayama and investigates the matter. Kumayama enters the room of Jiro Torahata, his affluent, well-connected financier. As the two are discussing the plans for the billion-dollar tourist attraction, two tiny twin girls, known as the Shobijin, interrupt them. The Shobijin assert that the egg belongs to them and implore for its return. Torahata and Kumayama ignore the girls' pleas and try to capture them.
The Shobijin escape the room and meet with Sakai, Junko, and Professor Miura outside the hotel, explaining that they are from Infant Island and the egg is that of a monstrous deity named Mothra who lives there. The girls beg them to bring the egg back too, and the three promise to try as hard as they can to return the egg to Infant Island. The girls explain that if the egg is not returned, a larva will hatch and will cause great destruction to its surroundings. The trio attempt to appeal with Happy Enterprises directly, but Kumayama and Torahata refuse and even make an offer to buy the Shobijin from them, appalling the three who promptly leave the negotiations.
Distraught at society's indifference, the girls leave with Mothra, and even though they could not get the egg back, they thank Sakai, Junko, and Miura for their kindness. Sakai writes editorials, but finds his words both meaningless against Happy Enterprises' legal precedents and a further source of publicity for them. As Happy Enterprises finishes the construction of and activates its colossal incubator for the egg, Kumayama, who still hasn't paid the villagers for the egg or the land he is utilizing, asks Torahata for further finances to fulfill his contract to them, who agrees on the condition that Kumayama uses the egg as the collateral for the loan, to which Kumayama reluctantly agrees. Miura calls Sakai and Junko to his laboratory to decontaminate them from residual radiation and explains the strange object the duo discovered at Kurata Beach is highly radioactive. As the trio return to the industrialization construction area to find the source of the radioactivity, Godzilla suddenly emerges from the reclaimed land and attacks Yokkaichi and Nagoya.
Sakai's editor Maruta believes that the government alone should not be responsible for defending against Godzilla and discusses alternatives with Sakai, Junko, and Miura. Nakamura, another reporter who loves to eat eggs, overhears and suggests that Mothra might be able to defeat Godzilla. Dismissive at first, Maruta concedes, but Junko and Miura are skeptical that the Infant Islanders would agree because atomic testing had all but destroyed their home, and Japan had failed to return the egg to them.
The trio go to Infant Island anyway. They are captured by the islanders and are brought before the tribe’s chief. The three ask for assistance but, as expected, Infant Island has no more trust or faith in the outside world for the reasons that Junko and Miura suspected. Sakai, Junko, and Miura ask the Shobijin for Mothra's assistance but they are also turned down. Junko pleads that not everyone from Japan should be blamed for what happened to their island. She argues that Godzilla is killing both good and bad people in Japan, but that all people have a right to live. Sakai appeals that even though humanity grows more numerous and disparate, with dedication, the world can be made free of distrust and held grudges. Agreeing with these entreaties, they convince Mothra to help Japan, but the divine creature is old and weak. Although Mothra will fight Godzilla, she will have no power to return to the island, but will be reborn when the egg hatches.
A broke and furious Kumayama barges into Torahata's room, demanding reimbursement for his losses in their lopsided business venture. As Torahata coldly tells him that he should've used better judgement, the two get into a brawl and Kumayama downs Torahata, leaving him to loot Torahata's cabinet filled with cash. Torahata dazedly sees Godzilla approaching. Grabbing a gun from his drawer, he kills Kumayama and tries to escape with his money, but Godzilla destroys the Hamakaze Hotel, crushing the greedy Torahata to death.
Godzilla advances on the egg, intending to destroy it, but Mothra arrives and intercepts him. The two behemoths fight a determined battle where Mothra gains the upper hand with her hurricane winds and her final weapon, a deadly poisonous powder. Violently thrashing on the ground, Godzilla blindly fires his atomic breath, eventually landing a hit on Mothra that badly burns one of her wings. Mothra knocks Godzilla off of a cliff and flies to her egg, where nestling it under her massive wing, she dies. A defeated Godzilla walks away. The Shobijin reassure Sakai, Junko, and Miura that Mothra will live again, and the party leaves for the egg in order for the Shobijin to begin their song of prayer.
Meanwhile, the JSDF attempt two different operations to corral Godzilla and kill him by electrocuting him with 30 million volt artificial lightning generators, but fail. With no recourse, the JSDF withdraw and Godzilla destroys the village of Shizunoura. The Shobijin and the Infant Islanders conclude their prayer and the monster egg finally hatches, with not one, but two Mothra larvae emerging. Nakamura arrives to inform the trio Godzilla is heading for Iwa Island, where schoolteacher Ms. Kobayashi and her class are still stranded, and the party departs to mount a search and rescue operation with the authorities. The Mothra larvae pursue Godzilla to Iwa Island and battle their mother's killer, taking advantage of their small size and the island's rocky terrain to avoid Godzilla's heat rays. The party arrives and escorts Kobayashi and the children safely away from the combat. As the larvae use their silk to encase the massive reptile in a cocoon, Godzilla struggles helplessly as he becomes fully enveloped in the webbing and plunges into the ocean. Victorious, the twin Mothras with Shobijin in tow depart for Infant Island, sending their goodbyes. Nakamura had hoped to at least formally thank them, but Sakai and Miura believe the only way to do so is to better society and create a world based on mutual respect and understanding.
Staff
- Main article: Mothra vs. Godzilla/Credits.
Staff role on the left, staff member's name on the right.
- Directed by Ishiro Honda
- Written by Shinichi Sekizawa
- Executive producer Tomoyuki Tanaka[a]
- Music by Akira Ifukube
- Stock music by Hiroshi Miyagawa
- "Mothra's Song" composed by Yuji Koseki
- Cinematography by Hajime Koizumi
- Edited by Ryohei Fujii
- Production design by Takeo Kita
- First assistant director Koji Kajita
- Director of special effects Eiji Tsuburaya
- First assistant director of special effects Teruyoshi Nakano
Cast
Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.
- Akira Takarada as Ichiro "Ichi" Sakai, Maicho Shimbun reporter
- Yuriko Hoshi as Junko Nakanishi, Maicho Shimbun photographer
- Hiroshi Koizumi as Professor Shunsuke Miura, Kyonan University zoologist
- Yu Fujiki as Jiro Nakamura, Maicho Shimbun reporter
- Kenji Sahara as Jiro Torahata
- Emi Ito and Yumi Ito as Shobijin
- Jun Tazaki as Maruta, Maicho Shimbun social affairs department editor
- Yoshibumi Tajima as Kumayama, president of Happy Enterprises
- Kenzo Tabu as prefectural assembly member
- Yutaka Sada as school principal
- Akira Tani as Amimoto, head villager of Shizunoura
- Susumu Fujita as head of JSDF task force
- Ikio Sawamura as Shinto priest
- Ren Yamamoto as sailor at dock
- Kozo Nomura as JSDF member
- Yasuhisa Tsutsumi as police officer at dock
- Mitsuo Tsuda as JSDF officer
- Shin Otomo as police chief
- Senkichi Omura as Shizunoura fisherman
- Yoshio Kosugi as Infant Island chief
- Miki Yashiro as Ms. Kobayashi, teacher at Iwa Island Branch School
- Koji Iwamoto as Shizunoura fisherman
- Terumi Oka as Hamakaze Hotel waitress
- Wataru Omae as Happy Enterprises employee
- Shiro Tsuchiya, Takuzo Kumagai, Koji Uno, Yutaka Nakayama as Shizunoura fishermen
- Toshihiko Furuta, Hideo Shibuya, Koji Uruki, Ken Echigo as reporters
- Yukihiko Gondo, Koichi Sato as Happy Enterprises employees
- Hiroshi Akitsu as Shizunoura fisherman
- Tadashi Okabe, Haruya Sakamoto, Seishiro Kuno as JSDF members
- Hiroshi Takagi as Happy Enterprises employee
- Keisuke Yamada as police chief
- Shinjiro Hirota as Happy Enterprises employee
- Shigemi Sunagawa as fisherman
- Ikuo Kawamura as transport aircraft pilot
- Rinsaku Ogata as transport aircraft operations assistant
- Haruo Suzuki as JSDF correspondent
- Asunaro Theatrical Company as students of Iwa Island Branch School
- Haruo Nakajima, Katsumi Tezuka as Godzilla
Godzilla vs. The Thing
Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.
- Harold Conway as weapons expert on Frontier Missile Cruiser
- Ralph Jesser as U.S. Navy sailor
- Osman Yusuf as journalist
- Bernard Grant as Ichiro Sakai (voice)
- Paulette Rubenstein, Terry Van Tell as Shobijin (voices)
- Larry Robinson as Jiro Nakamura (voice) / journalist (voice)
- Bret Morrison as Kumayama (voice)[1]
- Jack Curtis as Jiro Torahata (voice)
- Earl Hammond as head of JSDF Task Force (voice)
- Peter Fernandez as villager / JSDF correspondent (voice)[1]
Appearances
Monsters |
Weapons, vehicles, and races |
Gallery
- Main article: Mothra vs. Godzilla/Gallery.
Soundtrack
- Main article: Mothra vs. Godzilla/Soundtrack.
Alternate titles
- Godzilla Against Mothra (English Japanese poster title; original international title)
- Godzilla vs. The Thing (United States; United Kingdom)
- Godzilla vs. Mothra (Singapore; revised U.S. title)
- Godzilla Against Mothra (Godzilla contra Mothra; Mexico)
- Mothra Against Godzilla (Mothra contre Godzilla; France; Mothra Contra Godzilla; Portugal)
- Godzilla Against "The Thing" (Godzilla contre "La Chose"; French Belgium; Godzilla tegen "Het Ding"; Dutch Belgium)
- Godzilla and the Prehistoric Caterpillars (Godzilla und die Urweltraupen; West Germany)
- Godzilla Against the Monsters (Godzilla contra los monstruos; Spain)
- Godzilla and the Mothra Challenge (Godzilla i el Repte de Mothra; Spain (Catalonia))
- Watang! In the Fabulous Empire of Monsters (Watang! Nel favoloso impero dei mostri; Italy)
- Mothra Meets Godzilla (Mothra möter Godzilla; Sweden)
- Panic in Tokyo: Godzilla and Monster Mothra (Paniek in Tokyo Godzilla en het monster van Mothra; Netherlands)
- Godzilla Against the Sacred Island (Godzilla Contra a Ilha Sagrada; Brazil)
- Mothra Fights Dinosaur (魔斯拉鬥恐龍 Mósīlā dòu Kǒnglóng; Taiwan)
- Strong Godzilla (Ofjarl Godzilla; Iceland)
- Godzilla Unexpected Beast (Godzilla Beklenmeyen Canavar; Turkey)
- Fuji Yama Operation (Επιχείρησις Φούτζι Γιάμα Epiheirisis Fuji Yama; Greece)
Theatrical releases
View all posters for the film here.
- Japan - April 29, 1964[3] [view poster]; December 19, 1970 (Toho Champion Festival); [view poster]; March 15, 1980 [view poster]
- United States - November 25, 1964 [view poster]
- Canada - September 30, 1964
- Portugal - October 4, 1964
- Sweden - 1964
- Thailand - 1964
- Belgium - 1965
- United Kingdom - 1965
- Iceland - July 2, 1965 [view poster]
- Mexico - 1966
- Spain - February 27, 1967 [view poster]
- Pakistan - 1967 [view poster]
- Brazil - 1968
- Italy - 1970 [view poster]
- Belgium - 1971 [view poster]
- West Germany - 1974 [view poster]
- Taiwan - October 23, 1967
- France - February 1, 1995 [view poster]
- Lebanon [view poster]
Foreign releases
U.S. release
American International Pictures originally released Mothra vs. Godzilla in the United States under the title Godzilla vs. The Thing in September of 1964, and it opened in New York City on November 25, 1964. Mothra's appearance was kept out of promotional material, which hinted that Godzilla's opponent would be a hideous tentacled creature, and she was referred to only as "The Thing." Even the trailers omitted the Mothra imago and only briefly showed the larvae. Dialogue was dubbed in New York at Titra Sound Studios and several alterations and deletions were made in AIP's version:
- Altered: Throughout the film in Titra's dubbing, characters alternatively refer to Mothra generically as "The Thing", in keeping with AIP's re-titling and marketing.
- Deleted: The discordant opening notes of Akira Ifukube's main title have no picture equivalent and were jettisoned.
- Altered: The film's soundtrack begins with Godzilla's leitmotif from the main title over 12 seconds of black before the title sequence over Typhoon No. 8 seen in the Japanese version begins.
- Deleted: An establishing shot of a placard announcing the completion of the Kurata coastal reclamation project during the typhoon.
- Altered: Newspaper headlines announcing the discovery of the egg at Shizunoura and subsequent investigation by Professor Miura were given newly lensed English equivalents.
- Deleted: Establishing shots of placards pertaining to the construction of the Shizunoura Happy Center.
- Deleted: A brief sequence showing a street side news stand and superimposed newspaper headlines detailing the conflict between Sakai's editorials and Happy Enterprises' counterstatements, and Kumayama and his associates on a float announcing the grand opening of the Shizunoura Happy Center to the public.
- Deleted: The head of the anti-Godzilla task force announcing the emergency deployment of western, central, and eastern JSDF forces and their strategy to divert Godzilla to the coast to minimize collateral damage. A correspondent enters the war room with a report on Godzilla's eastward movement from Nagoya.
- Added: The most notable difference between Mothra vs. Godzilla and Godzilla vs. The Thing is a drama and effects sequence that was shot by Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya's teams, yet does not appear in the Japanese version. After Godzilla attacks Nagoya, American Frontier Missile Cruisers fruitlessly bombard him, marking the first occasion the United States battled the monster. Harold Conway and Osman Yusuf, two foreign actors who were staples in Toho films at the time, appear in this sequence.
- Altered: AIP added louder Hollywood explosion sound effects to the above sequence as well as Godzilla's battles with the JSDF as sweetening.
- Deleted: Three short stanzas from the Shobijin's song "Sacred Springs" were removed.
- Deleted: The Shobijin elaborating further that the small oasis they occupy is the only resource left to sustain the life of the islanders.
- Deleted: Kumayama collapsing on the floor with a visible bullet wound on his head.
- Altered: Part of the shot of Godzilla approaching the hotel was cut and then placed where the footage of Kumayama collapsing had previously occupied.
- Deleted: Part of a longer shot of the Shobijin curtsying as they are reunited with Sakai, Junko, and Miura as the adult Mothra battles Godzilla.
- Deleted: The ending sequence was re-edited to remove the party's final musings and goodbyes; they now simply wave to the Mothra larvae and the Shobijin.
- Altered: Instead of a superimposed end title as in the Japanese version, after a shot of the departing Mothra larvae fades to black, a simple title reading "An American International Picture" appears.
New York Times film critic Eugene Archer reacted to the film and its title: "Well, there are three things, not counting the movie. One has wings and looks like a big bee. The other two are hatched from the first Thing's egg, after quite a bit of worshipful kootch dancing from a pair of foot-tall native goddesses..."
By the 1980s, Henry G. Saperstein's UPA, who originally sold the picture to American International, had bought back the American distribution rights. In UPA's home video releases and broadcast syndication beginning in the late-1980s, the film was retitled Godzilla vs. Mothra. However, as Mothra is still repeatedly called "The Thing" in the dub, this confused many viewers who thought "The Thing" and "Mothra" were two separate monsters. Because of this, when TriStar released Godzilla vs. Mothra in the U.S., they re-titled it Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth so that it would not be confused with this film. Despite this, Peter Bollinger's cover artwork for Simitar Entertainment's VHS and DVD release of the older film continues to be erroneously used to represent the newer film on streaming services and even on Sony Pictures' official website.
United Kingdom release
Warner-Pathe brought Godzilla vs. The Thing to UK theaters in 1965, as part of a double feature with The Time Travelers.[4] It received an X rating from the British Board of Film Censors (BBFC), preventing children under 16 from seeing it. Sony released the Japanese version of the film on Blu-ray in 2019 as part of the The Criterion Collection's Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975 box set. The BBFC gave this version a 12 rating for "moderate bloody images."[5]
West German release
Godzilla vs. The Thing was released in West Germany by Gloria Film under the title Godzilla und die Urweltraupen (lit. "Godzilla and the Prehistoric Caterpillars") on April 15, 1974, with dubbing duties undertaken by SL Film Synchron GmbH in Berlin. Visuals such as the credits and newspaper insets were rendered in German accordingly. The dubbing itself contains a major post-production error during the reel containing the battle between Godzilla and the adult Mothra, the music and effects being entirely out of sync with the visuals, possibly stemming from a lack of understanding of the proper reel and segment structure of the American International version, as it appears dubbing track elements were conformed to the reel structure of Toho's version. Presentations of the West German release on home video in contemporary Germany have been reconstructions created from various sources, as a complete copy or duplication element of the theatrical release appears to be lost or misplaced.
Box office
When Mothra vs. Godzilla was re-released in 1980 alongside Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur, the films earned ¥1.55 billion in distributor rentals, placing them eighth among the highest-grossing Japanese films of that year.[2]
Reception
Mothra vs. Godzilla is often considered by both fans and critics alike as being one of the best in the Showa series of Godzilla films.
Video releases
- Region: 1
- Discs: 1
- Audio: English (2.0 Mono, 5.1 Surround)
- Subtitles: None
- Special features: Optional 1.33:1 presentation (cropped), Simitar-produced trailers for the company's kaiju releases, art gallery, trivia game
- Notes: Out of print.
Studio Canal DVD (2001)
- Region: 2
- Audio: French (2.0 Mono)
- Notes: Out of print.
Classic Media DVD (2002)[7]
- Region: 1
- Discs: 1
- Audio: English (2.0 Mono, 5.1 Surround)
- Subtitles: None
- Special features: Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee trailer
- Notes: Cropped 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Out of print.
Siren Visual Entertainment DVD (2003)
- Region: 4
- Discs: 1
- Audio: English (2.0 Mono)
- Subtitles: None
- Special features: None
- Notes: Cropped 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Transfer derived from a flat 16mm print. Packaged with Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster (same disc). Out of print.
Toho DVD (2003)
- Region: 2
- Discs: 1
- Audio: Japanese (1.0 and 5.1)
- Subtitles: Japanese
- Special features: Audio commentary by Kenji Sahara, theatrical trailer, 75-minute reissue edit from 1980, 8mm version of Mothra, "Mothra Attacks Tokyo" narrated storybook
Marketing Film DVD (2004)
- Region: 2
- Audio: German
Classic Media DVD (2006)[8]
- Region: 1
- Discs: 1
- Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono), English (2.0 Mono)
- Subtitles: English
- Special features: Audio commentary for Godzilla vs. The Thing by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski, Akira Ifukube featurette (13 minutes), poster slideshow
- Notes: Godzilla vs. The Thing has a cropped 1.78:1 aspect ratio. It also features the original "Godzilla vs. The Thing" title card in place of the "Godzilla vs. Mothra" card used in previous releases. Reissued in 2012; both releases are out of print.
Madman DVD (2006)
- Region: 4
- Discs: 1
- Audio: Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Mono), English (Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Mono)
- Subtitles: English
- Special features: Original Japanese trailer, Madman trailer collection, poster gallery
- Notes: Godzilla vs. The Thing has a cropped 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Packaged with Godzilla (1954), Invasion of Astro-Monster, Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, Son of Godzilla, and Destroy All Monsters in the Godzilla - Showa Classics Volume 1 box set.
Toho Blu-ray (2010)
- Region: A/1
- Audio: Japanese
- Special features: Audio commentary by Kenji Sahara, theatrical trailer, 1980 reissue cut, 8mm promotional footage for Mothra, "Mothra Attacks Tokyo" narrated Sonorama storybook, interview with Yuji Sakai, behind the scenes photo gallery, storyboards gallery
The Criterion Collection Blu-ray (2019) [Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975]
- Region: A/1 or B/2
- 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, Toho Unused Special Effects Complete Collection, trailers, illustrated hardcover book with an essay by Steve Ryfle and liner notes on each film by Ed Godziszewski[9]
- Notes: Uses a new English subtitle translation by Jason Franzman. Sony distributed a Region B/2 version of the set in the United Kingdom.
Toho 4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray (October 25, 2023)[10]
- Region: N/A (4K Ultra HD) or A (Blu-ray)
- Discs: 1
- Audio: Japanese (1.0 Mono and 5.1 Surround)
- Subtitles: Japanese
- Special features: Audio commentary by Kenji Sahara, 8mm behind-the-scenes footage, unused tokusatsu footage, "Mothra Attacks Tokyo" narrated Sonorama storybook, "The World of Godzilla Modeling", "Mothra vs. Godzilla Battle Sketch", Japanese teaser, textless teaser, Japanese trailer, textless trailer, Champion Festival teaser, Champion Festival trailer, new edition trailer, still gallery
- Notes: Includes the Toho Champion Festival version. The 4K restoration of the film presented on these discs first aired on Japanese satellite TV in 2021.[11]
Novelization
A novelization of Mothra vs. Godzilla written by Takamasa Ueda was published by Kodansha in 1984. In the novelization, it is mentioned that there is a nuclear power plant on Iwa Island that has the potential to contaminate the majority of the Japanese archipelago if it is destroyed. There is a scene where the Chief Cabinet Secretary holds a press conference and warns people to evacuate.
Manga adaptation
A manga adaptation of the film illustrated by Fumio Hisamatsu was published in the May 1964 issue of the children's comic magazine Adventure King.
Videos
Trailers
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Miscellaneous
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Trivia
- Mothra vs. Godzilla was theatrically released in Japan as a double feature with Operation Anti Hell.[12]
- Mothra vs. Godzilla was re-released in an abridged 74-minute version on December 19, 1970, as part of the Winter Toho Champion Festival, alongside Attack No. 1: The Tearful World Championship, The Fragile Planet, and episode 1 of The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee. As had been done with King Kong vs. Godzilla's reissue earlier the same year, the re-editing was carried out on the original camera negative of the film, resulting in home video releases of the uncut version being sourced from a lower quality duplicate element.
- The upper lip on the Godzilla suit in this film has a slight wobble. This was originally an accident; during the filming of the scene where Godzilla smashes into the Nagoya Castle, Haruo Nakajima fell and the suit's head slammed into the miniature, loosening the teeth and damaging the jaw. Special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya actually liked this effect and kept the suit like that for the rest of filming. The scene where Godzilla's head gets set on fire by a Curtiss C-46D bomb was also accidental, with Nakajima continuing to perform the scene as the script required.[13] By the next film, Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, the suit's head had sustained so much damage that it had to be replaced.
- Mothra vs. Godzilla is one of only three Toho Godzilla movies to be released in Japanese and American theaters the same year, the others being Shin Godzilla and Godzilla Minus One.
- In the third episode of Godzilla Singular Point, "Tigerish", a billboard in Nigashio City promotes Happy Enterprises. In the same episode, Mei Kamino meets Takehiro Kai at a Happy Enterprises amusement park.
External links
- AIP pressbook for Godzilla vs. The Thing
- Comprehensive list of changes between the Japanese and American versions of the film
- Additional footage from the Frontier Missile Cruiser scene only present in the West German version of the film
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The American version of the film additionally credits Sanezumi Fujimoto as an executive producer, which has been repeated in American sources including Japan's Favorite Mon-Star and A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series. However, neither the film's Japanese version nor any press materials from Toho make mention of Fujimoto.
References
This is a list of references for Mothra vs. Godzilla. 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]
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