Godzilla Video Series
Catalog No. SV10297
Released by Anchor Bay Entertainment
Price: $39.99

Reviewed by Robert Biondi

"Prepare yourself for the BIGGEST BATTLES the world has ever seen!"

Anchor Bay Entertainment has recently issued the "Godzilla Box Set."  Comprising this impressive set is Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973), Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), Godzilla 1985 (1984), Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster (1964), and Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1974).  (The order listed is how these five movies are packaged in the box set, from left to right).  Released separately from this set is Son of Godzilla (1967).

These six re-releases represent an unprecedented number of Godzilla films to be issued at one time by an American video company.  Although four of these titles have been available on home video since the 1980's, Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster and Son of Godzilla are again available on videocassette, after being out-of-print for several years.

Footage wise, there is nothing new in these six re-releases.  Furthermore, these movies are in the inferior EP mode, though they can be ordered individually in SP mode from Anchor Bay.  A definite plus to these re-releases is the slick-looking packaging. Predominant on the front panels is an image of the 1985 vintage Godzilla, looming behind a likeness of his opponent from each movie.  Of special note is that the five movies in the box set create the advance poster for Godzilla 1985 on the spines. Although Son of Godzilla is not sold in the box set, when placed on the right of the set the artwork for this film joins with the other five movies.  Enthusiasts who wish to display these movies chronologically can remedy this by placing the cassettes in the box using the reverse spine.  This creates an impressive sight, with the films' titles shown boldly in white on a black background.

The source for Anchor Bay's re-issues are varied.  Godzilla vs. Gigan, Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla, and Godzilla 1985 were previously available from Star Maker Video, after being purchased from New World Video in the early 1990's.  Godzilla vs. Megalon has been available from various public domain outlets since the early 1980's.  Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster, Son of Godzilla and Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966) and Godzilla Raids Again (1955/1959 AKA Gigantis the Fire-Monster) were previously available from Video Treasures before going out-of-print around 1990.  It is likely that Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster would have been included with Anchor Bay's re-issues, had this title not been sold to Good Times Home Video in 1992. Godzilla Raids Again is still out-of-print as of this writing; if Anchor Bay is able to release this title remains to be seen.

Along with the box set, these six movies are also available individually for $9.99.  The three titles previously available from Star Maker Video, with the older-style packaging, can still be found sitting on store shelves alongside the new versions.

Anchor Bay's re-issues are recommended for Godzilla enthusiasts who are trying to build a Godzilla video library, and for fans who want to display their Godzilla films with as much uniform packaging as possible.

Editor's Note: In celebration of Godzilla's 50th Anniversary Sony's Classic Media has released DVD versions of Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, Son of Godzilla, Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster, Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla vs. the Cosmic Monster.  All of these films however, consist of the international dubbing, and not the same versions which fans grew up with in the 60s and 70s.  While later films like Gigan and MechaGodzilla were released in the United States using the international dubbing, Sea Monster, Son and Smog Monster were dubbed in America, and fan should be aware that the DVD versions differ in both their titles and soundtracks.