KRAKEN RELEASING "THE RETURN OF GODZILLA" First Time On US Home Video September 13th!

『ゴジラ』(1984)は米国のDVD＆BLU-RAYに上陸！


The original, uncut Japanese original finally coming to US video!

Today, Houston-based Kraken Releasing (a label of Section23 Films, formerly ADV Films), having previously issued GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER (1966), GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (1971) and GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (1972), announced their forthcoming release of THE RETURN OF GODZILLA (1984) for the first time ever on home video in North America this coming September 13th — and will be available in both DVD and Blu-ray editions!

While Koji Hashimoto's film was "Americanized" as GODZILLA 1985 by New World Pictures, featuring Raymond Burr reprising his role from GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS (1956), opening in the summer of 1985 at theaters nationwide (followed by record home video sales), the original, uncut Japanese version of Hashimoto's 1984 version has never been issued on home video in the US.

Kraken's press release mentions, but does not name GODZILLA 1985, which has been embroiled in an on-going dispute between Michigan-based home video label, Anchor Bay, who grandfathered the rights to the localization, and Toho International, which disputes those rights. Previously, Anchor Bay released that version on VHS, but subsequent plans for DVD and Blu-ray have been stymied by Toho.

In Kraken's press release, GODZILLA 1985 is downplayed as a "highly edited version that cut over twenty minutes of original footage and effects, changed key plot points and altered the dark dramatic tone and narrative by inserting additional scenes and humor in an attempt to 'Americanize' the film." And without addressing it directly, intimate that this version will not be included in their release.

Conversely, Kraken also trumpets their release will feature "both the original Japanese version with English subtitles, as well as an English dubbed version", which might lead one to believe that there are two, separate versions of the film in this release; one being the original Japanese theatrical release, simply titled GODZILLA, while the other being the export version, titled THE RETURN OF GODZILLA.

So, this is a case of six of one, a half dozen of the other. On the one hand, we finally have an official release of Hashimoto's uncut 1984 revival, including Toho's English dub commissioned for overseas sales; while on the other, we lose the R.J. Kizer Americanization, which was completely a product of the self-effacing, self-referential low-budget exploitation sensibilities of the '80s, which hasn't aged well.

And while both versions have been illusive on the home video front over the years, perhaps its best that Hashimoto's uncut original will finally have its time to shine and be evaluated outside of the shadow of it's American counterpart — for better or worse — and be allowed to stand on its own. It's time for THE RETURN OF GODZILLA.

THE KRAKEN RELEASES "GODZILLA" ON BLU-RAY 3 Classics Being Readied for the Big G's 60th!

三大昭和ゴジラ映画は、2014年に米国のBDに来て！

Toho International poster for GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER.

Houston-based Section23 Films is on a roll... the aggressive company formed out of the ashes of ADV Films, with its various niche labels, including Sentai Filmworks (tackling classic anime titles such as GATCHAMAN and CASSHAN), are moving into the realm of live action films and tokusatsu eiga (Japanese Visual Effects films) with their newest label, Kraken Releasing — focusing on titles for mainstream audiences. Their first target: Godzilla. Just in time for the 60th Anniversary, Kraken has announced that they have licensed three very disparate Godzilla titles for DVD and BD (Blu-ray) release — their press release (dated January 21, 2014) only discusses the titles acquired: EBIRAH, HORROR OF THE DEEP, GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH and GODZILLA VS. GIGAN. No further details — print sources, special features, street dates, MSRP, etc. — were made available.

Classic collage still from GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER (1966).

Here's their press release: 1967 may have been the Summer of Love, but 2014 will be the Summer of Godzilla, and Kraken Releasing is spreading the kaiju (giant monster) goodness with the first US Blu-ray release of three classic films featuring the world's most famous giant reptile. Also available on DVD, and including both the English dubbed and original Japanese versions with English subtitles, these are three of the big G's wildest adventures ever and showcase why, sixty years after his atomic birth at Japan's Toho Studios, Godzilla is still one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry!


Original Polish release poster for GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (1971).

The fun begins as 1971's GODZILLA VS. HEODRAH, released theatrically in the US in 1972 as GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER, pits Godzilla against the forces of pollution in the form of a constantly mutating, acid-spewing behemoth from outer space. With eye-popping 1970's “mod” costumes, hairstyles and psychedelic visuals that include conventional cel animation alongside the special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano, GODZILLA VS. HEODRAH director Yoshimitsu Banno's ecologically focused take on the world's greatest monster is easily one of the most unique films in the series and required viewing for any giant monster fan or cult film enthusiast.


Keiko Mari and Toshio Shibamoto in GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (1971).

What happens when three major movie monsters slam dance in the South Seas? The answer is 1966's EBIRAH, HORROR OF THE DEEP  originally released in the US in 1968 under the title GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER. Pairing Godzilla and another of Toho's most popular kaiju, the giant moth Mothra, against a wide variety of adversaries, including the titular sea monster, giant birds and a mysterious terrorist organization, the wet and wild widescreen spectacular was directed by Jun Fukuda.


Original Japanese release poster for GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (1972).

Finally, 1972's GODZILLA VS. GIGAN ups the giant monster ante once again with a series of tag team battles featuring four classic kaiju. Released theatrically in the United States in 1977 as GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND and again directed by Jun Fukuda with special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano, the film unites Godzilla and spiny ally Anguirus against two of the series' most popular opponents: the three headed monster King Ghidorah and the new alien cyborg Gigan.


The redoubtable Yuriko Hishimi in GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (1972).

At this time, all we can ascertain from their press release is the order the films will be released, with HEDORAH streeting first — that is, unless all three will street simultaneously. Looking at these titles begs the question, were these conscious picks by Kraken — or were the other films unavailable because they were already licensed? We do know that Classic Media still has all of theirs (and that they sub-licensed GODZILLA and GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS to the Criterion Collection). So, what's in store for the remaining Godzilla titles on DVD/BD during the 60th Anniversary, especially with the obvious opportunity to capitalize on the massive hype surrounding the upcoming Legendary Pictures-Warner Bros epic? For that, true believers, we must escape into the future; into that dimension we have never seen. Join me for more details as they develop!