Criterion Critics

Godzilla (1954)

Episode #5

Toho Film (Eiga) Co. Ltd. released Gojira / Godzilla to theaters on November 3, 1954. Ishirô Honda directed the film which starred Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata, and Akira Takarada.

‘Gojira / Godzilla’ Criterion Summary

Godzilla (a.k.a. Gojira) is the roaring granddaddy of all monster movies. It’s also a remarkably humane and melancholy drama, made in Japan at a time when the country was reeling from nuclear attack and H-bomb testing in the Pacific. Its rampaging radioactive beast, the poignant embodiment of an entire population’s fears, became a beloved international icon of destruction, spawning almost thirty sequels. A thrilling, tactile spectacle that continues to be a cult phenomenon, the original, 1954 Japanese version is presented here, along with Godzilla, King of the Monsters, the 1956 “Americanized” version.

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Toho Film Co. Ltd. released Gojira / Godzilla to theaters on November 3, 1954. Ishirô Honda directed the film which starred Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata, and Akira Takarada.

User Rating: 3.4 ( 3 votes)
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Eddie
5 years ago

Face in the Crowd is in my top 100. Kazan’s best film imo.

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