Godzilla Films of the 1970s Survey and Discussion

"...the last truly good movie of the Showa era was Mothra Vs. Godzilla. "

There are some Japanese fans so "hardcore" that they believe Mothra vs. Godzilla was the last good Godzilla movie ever.

^For good reason, that was because it was pretty much a goddess vs. the devil so to speak. That was considerably the best sequel ever made in the franchise and it is a movie that many of us hold dear to our hearts.

^True, but out of the Showa series, or the entire 29 film series, I don't agree that it was the last good Godzilla movie. Sure the tone and atmosphere of the films went in a less serious direction, but seriousness does not equate quality. Monster Zero is bonkers, but it's a well made movie no matter how you slice it. In fact it's third act is a lot stronger than Mothra vs. Godzilla. (Heresy I know.)

Another example, having literally nothing to do with the 1970s, would be Son of Godzilla compared to say... Godzilla Raids Again. Godzilla Raids Again is darker, more serious and carries over the atmospherically somber tone from the previous film. But it's all over the place in terms of characters and story, especially after the second act. Whereas Son of Godzilla doesn't share any of those qualities. It's fun, funny, light and campy, but it has a much stronger beginning, middle and end. Far more likable characters with fuller arcs as well. It simply functions as a movie better. Sure it may be a family film, but there are plenty of family films out there I'd take over, say... Man of Steel.

^I agree, movies like terror of mechagodzilla, godzilla vs mechagodzilla 1974, the return of godzilla, godzilla vs biollante, godzilla vs king ghidorah, invasion of astro monster, ghidorah the three headed monster, godzilla vs mechagodzilla 2, godzilla vs destroyah, GMK, godzilla 2000, godzilla tokyo s.o.s., destroy all monsters, godzilla vs the sea monster, son of godzilla are all some of those great movies.

Godzilla raids again was a more serious film and is one i think that is often overlooked by many.

@Gman2887 and BigBadBen - Mothra Vs. Godzilla is my second favorite of ALL the G films; the first being the original. Like I said, and you yourself expressed, even the "lesser" Godzilla movies are entertaining. As a kid, I adored Ghidorah and Monster Zero and still enjoy them. I own both of them. I've enjoyed several of the movies that followed M Vs G, through the subsequent eras, but for my money no movie has come close to it. It is such an enjoyable watch for me; I consider it the benchmark G movie. Two things that I love about it - There is no shortage of the big guy in it, and it's only an hour and a half. There are so many iconic scenes with him and they're all relevant. I also love his design in it. The other thing I love is he is no anti-hero in it. He is that living breathing natural disaster with an attitude. He is "the punishment we deserve", as Gareth Edwards erroneously called G 2014. I would love for someone to do a proper Blu-Ray release with the Japanese and American versions. The Am. version has the added Frontier missile attack sequence, which is great.

Anyway, it's a great time to be a G-Fan. Keep up the great work guys!!

On another quick note, I'm also a huge fan of James Bond, Star Trek and Batman. All of those series (films and televison) have had their share of ups and downs, as we know, but for the most part I've found the vast majority entertaining. Just a little comparison there.

Alright, enough off topic for me. Back to the 70s we go!

KoldWarKid62,

It sounds like you enjoy the interpretation of Godzilla in that movie more than the movie itself. Indeed Godzilla is quite villainous in it, but I think I've just grown past Godzilla's screentime and how his character is percieved. Godzilla could depicted in the exact same way in another film, but if the movie is weak no amount of a force-of-nature Godzilla is going to make it better.

In hindsight, this may also be why I find Mothra vs. Godzilla slightly overrated. Still a great movie, don't get me wrong. I'd be hard pressed not to put it in the top 3, but ultimately less imaginative than some of Honda's later movies. On the reverse side I love Monster Zero because of lack of Godzilla and how the filmmakers still found a way to make him a threat despite the previous film's genesis of a Godzilla to root for.

This ultimately tied back in to some mistakes made in the 70s, but I don't believe a heroic or campy Godzilla should be held against those movies. I highly recommend finishing the original MechaGodzilla duology as certainly achieves a certain return to form in quality, but not exactly seriousness-- Which I preach as being overrated anyhow.

@Gman2887 - I definitely love how he's portrayed in it but I also love the whole movie as a package. One of the interesting dichotomies, which a lot of fans don't like about the movie, is in spite of him being this powerful, terrifying force, he's basically taken out by two silk-spinning larvae. It was such a creative way to subdue him and send him "packing". They didn't need might to overcome him. Whenever I think of Godzilla, I picture him rampaging through that refinery after he first appears. I almost think that scene is in every G movie, in my mind anyway! For me that movie is lightning in a bottle, and so many good things came together, hence my opinion that it's the benchmark G film. For others, each will have their own benchmark movie, and that's cool.

At some point I may try to give both 70s MG movies another chance.

@Koldwarkid62,

Yeah i think we all agree that mothra vs godzilla is defenitly top 10 or even top 5 catagory for all of us.

I don't see why most of these other films don't get the attention they deserve though.

@Gman2887,

How come no sticky?

^Eh, I didn't think it was necessary, but I suppose I could.

Bumping this for the new people who have yet to take the survey, as I'm still interested in studying the 1970s movies.

I think no matter what, the 70's where important to the series. Tanaka stated that making Godzilla a good guy was a mistake, that he should of stayed with his roots with being a monster of destruction and fear(a theme I think is lacking in the monsterverse so far). I think because of the time and reflection he could have been right. But the 70's Godzilla films stood the test of time! They may have not boosted the ticket sales back in the 70's but they have carried on into the millennia!

That lack of life support and ticket sales was directly influenced by television. Why see one Godzilla movie a year when you can see a new monster every week! Yes the ultraman and other monster tv series where cheaper monsters and lacked any depth or character, but they where the flavor of the week. how can movies keep up with that? so toho may have given Godzilla another 6 years of lack luster stardom, but to me, a fan, it was a hell of ride! Hedorah? Gigan and Megalon? Mechagodzilla!? Are you kidding me!? They where all awesome! The fighting was better choreographed, the powers where incredible, and the explosions! They out did the explosions that the 60's!

Its just a shame about the money. when they keep using stock footage of the hay day films that's what made it seem cheap. I get why they did it, save the little money they had to get the picture done. But the 70's films where fun. They gave us some great memories.

If I had the power to go back in time and do anything with Toho and those films, I would not have changed a thing.

Seeing Godzilla return to his roots may have seen to be a better idea at the time, but he was still growing as a character. But time showed us that Godzilla is timeless and unstoppable. Even through foreign countries changing his identity, some silly cartoons, and a few setbacks, you cant stop Godzilla on screen and in real life. It shows you he can be flexible and multilateral. You cant stop the King!

And in my opinion, I would watch any 70's Godzilla film over G14 and G98. I think I don't need to explain myself to any of you on that one.

^Refreshing and overall agreeable opinion.

Thank you. I love these topics and conversations.