Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1956)
Filmed in 1954 as Gojira, this grandaddy of all Japanese giant-reptile epics was picked up for American distribution two years later, at which time several newly filmed inserts – featuring Raymond Burr as reporter Steve Martin – were added into the original footage. In both the Japanese and American versions of Godzilla, the story is basically the same: a 400ft amphibious monster, brought back to life by underwater nuclear testing, goes on a rampage in a tinker-toy Tokyo. The monster seems to have been forged from the memory of nuclear attacks on Japan during WWII, making it ironic that it became such a huge success across the pond. Though Godzilla is apparently destroyed in the film’s climax, this didn’t prevent Toho Studios from grinding out an endless series of sequels with the title character becoming less destructive and more lovable with each subsequent film.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
