THIS MONTH IN GODZILLA HISTORY (AUGUST)

This is a nice idea.

Destroy All Monsters, Frankenstein Conquers The World, and Matango are some of my favorite Toho Films.

Destroy All Monsters is a great culmination of films where you get to see everyone together fighting against evil. A good Avengers moment before the Avengers.

Frankenstein Conquerors the World and Matango I like for a different reason. The human story in both of those films is great, especially Matango.

I had no idea Matango was going to be so good. The suspense, the mystery. I think its one of Honda's best work. A lot of adult themes in this one. I was caught a little off guard when the topic of rape came into play! Didn't see that coming.

All in all I think the creepiest is Dogora. That thing is seriously creepy and I believe the biggest kaiju in the Toho universe. Its huge!

Favorite Godzilla movie? Destroy All Monsters is my favorite. Its got all these monsters, aliens, space exploration, and tons of great actors. Not saying KKvG doesn't have some great aspects as well. You see great action and kaiju fighting, i just hope I can have a new discussion within the next 2.5 years that it might not be the best KKvG movie. haha

Of the films mentioned, Frankenstein Conquers the World is probably my favorite. Although, admittedly, both King Kong vs. Godzilla and War of the Gargantuas is more iconic, I feel like Frankenstein Conquers the World is the most well rounded, with one of the most amazing casts in the genre. Wonderful film.

I love the dvd release of this movie. I love the alternate endings they have featured with them. Honestly I wish they kept the alternate ending with Frankenstein fighting that giant octopus. mainly because it would make sense in the opening scene of War of The Gargantuas, Gaira is fighting a giant octopus.

i love old horror movies featuring Frankenstein, and the opening scene with the test tubes and the mad scientist really bring that fandom of mine home with it.

I started this topic to celebrate the events of kaiju history this month. Little did I know the legendary Haruo Nakajima would pass away. Putting a black mark on this month as well. Long live the King!

Fun fact about Destroy All Monsters. For the final fight scene at Mt. Fuji, the scene needed over 20 cable operators to give the battle life. It also featured more monsters than any other film at that time.

I have yet to see the original Japanese version of King Kong vs Godzilla. Anyone know when that's coming out on Blu-Ray or DVD over here in the States?

^Likely never.

Universal owns rights to the American version in perpetuity and have never expressed interest in releasing the original cut. To do that they would have to deal and pay with Toho for it. I can only assume since they own the American cut they feel they have no need to.

It's really a shame since the Japanese cut is much better and tonally superior. It's really a funny movie and a clever satire, but a lot of that is cut from the American version to try and make it "serious".

well now I know what I need to do. are there any blu-ray or dvd regions that are the same here along with english subtitles? im looking up on amazon to find out. I really need that version. been waiting too long. Hell, The Return of Godzilla took 32 years to release the original on DVD here. When I think about it, Gojira took 52 years to release in America. Along with the other classics! Im just tired of waiting around for KKvG to come out next! ill just find a good one online I guess. any suggestions?

 I do. In private.

I think if we'll ever see an official Region 1 release of the Japanese cut of King Kong vs. Godzilla, it will have to be around 2020 as an attempt for Universal to cash in on the Godzilla vs. Kong hype. If that isn't enough for Universal to finally purchase the materials from Toho, then nothing will be.

They better! Think of all the money Classic Media made from the Japanese versions of Godzilla movies and Media Blasters as well for the contributions to the original versions. I'm sure there are other ones I'm not mentioning. It would be a loss for everybody if they choose not to cash in on the KKvG craze. It's the last original Godzilla movie I need to complete my DVD collection.

^Although I praise the Classic Media DVD releases over all others, they unfortunately didn't sell as well as the distributor had hoped.

^ And because of that there's little hope they will ever be re-released on Blu-ray in the future, especially considering they're now in Universal's ballpark as far as I can tell. That is unless the miracle scenario of Universal attempting to capitalize on Godzilla vs. Kong and being willing to spend money comes to pass.

Well, thank you both for your insight's on the matter. I get the fact that they want to make money, that's their job. But I hope they realize that maybe they can get a deal to follow in others footsteps and release the original along with the American release. I mean they will at least see a some kind of way to make their precious money back. As long as they release this as respectable as possible. maybe put a little documentary in the special features, something to beef it all up. I wish I can find it.

 "I do. In private."

What you talking bout Willis?