Godzilla In America: Godzilla vs. The Thing

Godzilla in America
A Critical Comparison between the Japanese and
American Versions of the Godzilla Films
by Robert Biondiand John Rocco Roberto

Mosura tai Gojira
Released on April 29, 1964
Running time: 89 minutes

Godzilla vs. The Thing
Released in the United States on September 17, 1964 by American International Productions
Running time: 88 minutes

Formally available as “Godzilla vs. Mothra” by Simatar Home Video/DVD

Godzilla vs. The Thing (aka Godzilla vs. Mothra) is considered by many to be the best Godzilla film of the “old” (pre-’80’s) series, by some as the best Godzilla film of the ENTIRE series, and by still others as the LAST Godzilla film, period. Released the same year in the United States as in Japan (a rarity, since most of Godzilla’s later films took some years to reach American shores), it is fortunate and fitting that the most highly regarded Godzilla film received a polished American release. The only negative factor of the American version is the use of the name “The Thing” for Mothra, an obvious ploy from AIP to cash in on Howard Hawk’s 1951 classic “The Thing from Another World”. These references to Mothra, a creature of beauty and peace, as “The Thing” simply sounds awkward and ugly. Fortunately, Paramount wisely changed the title to the more accurate Godzilla vs. Mothra when the film was released on videocassette in the early 1980’s.

Aside from the title and references to “The Thing,” AIP left Mosura tai Gojira virtually intact. Only a few minor pieces were removed for the American version. These were:

The opening Toho Ltd. logo and the Mosura tai Gojira title card were omitted. In fact, the Toho Ltd. logo would be absent from ALL American released Godzilla films, with exceptions of Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (both from Anchor Bay Entertainment), the 1970’s TV version of Terror of Mecha-Godzilla, and Godzilla vs. Biollante (HBO Video).

A quick shot of newspaper headlines announcing Happy Enterprise’s giant egg.

The Twin Fairies’ song on Infant Island was shortened.

When Torahatta (Kenji Sahara) shots Kumayama (Yoshibumi Tajima), the scene of Kumayama falling over with a bloody bullet-hole in the head was removed (mercifully too, since this action was none too convincing.)

When Sakai (Akira Takarada), Yoka (Yuriko Hoshi), Professor Miura (Hiroshi Koizumi) and Nakamura (Yu Fujki) stand on the cliff and wave farewell to the Twin Fairies and the two Mothra larva, some brief dialogue and a shot of the horizon were removed, along with the kanji characters for “The End”.

Now for the famous “Frontier Missile” sequence. This scene was shot at Toho Studios at the request of AIP and was intended for the American release only. A comparison of this part of the film for both versions follows. Paragraphs in bold face indicate scenes that are unique to each version.

Japanese Version

Godzilla destroys Nayoga castle

Crowds flee in streets

Conference room scene. The Counter-Measure General (Susumu Fujita from Akira Kurosawa’s “Sanshiro Sugata” and “Hidden Fortress”) is reading off a list of army dispositions to officers and reporters; there are no Occidental actors in this scene. An officer enters the room and hands the General a report. The General quickly reads it and calls his officers to follow him. All exit.

Godzilla marches across the countryside

Scene at the news office.

American Version

Godzilla destroys Nayoga castle

Crowds flee in the streets Godzilla marches across the countryside

Conference room scene. Same room and cast from the Japanese version, but American officers and reporters now replace the Japanese staff on the right side of the room. An officer (different actor from Japanese version) enters and hands the General a report. The General quickly reads it and issues orders to his officers. “The Americans will have to send in their fleet”.

Frontier Missile Attack scene.

Scene at the news office.

The impressive Frontier Missile Attack scene is further enhanced by the twilight setting, quick editing and a rousing score (which is actually the “A Plan” Attack theme used later in the film). The finished sequence works very well and is one of the best scenes in this fine movie. It is regrettable that this footage was not included in the Japanese version, and indeed this the only time when the American version of a Godzilla film turned out better than the original Japanese version.

Sources

Jim Harmon: The Godzilla Book, Psi Fi Movie Press, 1985
Toho Special Effects (SF) Picture Volume #2, Mothra, Mothra vs. Godzilla
Toho Special Effects (SF) Picture Volume #5, King Kong vs. Godzilla, The Mysterains
Guy Tucker; Age of the Gods, Daikaiju Publishing, 1996