Godzilla: The Showa Era Criterion Blu-Ray Set
G. H. (Gman)
AdminGodzillaJul-22-2019 9:55 AMSo here we go. MASSIVE and exciting news. It was supposed to be announced this weekend at SDCC that Criterion's Godzilla titles were going to get a physical release. But for whatever reason that's been pushed a bit. Criterion did say they would announce Spine #1000 this week (likely tomorrow).
Many are expecting it to be a Godzilla announcement and that may be true thanks to these listings:
Bluray.com - Godzilla: The Showa Era Blu-ray Box Set
Target.com - Godzilla: The Showa Era Blu-ray Box Set
These look like leaked info about Criterion's box set. Now initially, Criterion only had the rights to:
Godzilla 54 (and 56)
Godzilla Raids Again
Mothra vs. Godzilla
Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster
Invasion of Astro Monster
Son of Godzilla
Destroy All Monsters
Godzilla vs. Megalon
Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla
Terror of MechaGodzilla
Rodan
War of the Gargantuas
That's 12 movies (13 if you include Godzilla '56). But Blu-Ray.com is not only reporting there will be 15 movies, but claims it includes: King Kong vs. Godzilla, Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, Godzilla vs. Hedorah and Godzilla vs. Gigan--If this is true it would be the most complete set in the history of the franchise released on Blu-ray!
It would also mean, somehow, Criterion got the rights to King Kong vs. Godzilla from Universal. This is huge since the Japanese version has never been released in North America. (Kraken Releasing recently lost the rights for Sea Monster, Hedorah and Gigan, so it would've been easy for Criterion to pick those up.)
Now it's possible this info is wrong and Rodan and War of the Gargantuas are in the box set instead. But either way, if this is spine #1000 from Criterion, we're looking at the most complete, cleanest, crispest and best release of this films in the history of the franchise--Criterion is known for delivering the best quality products and releasing some of the best and most relevant films of all time. The Showa Godzilla series will now be added to that list.
This is huge and very much important to the preservation of these films. Hopefully we hear something soon. Plus if the Target price is true, 15 movies for $150 is a steal.
For me this is the most exciting Godzilla news happening right now--More-so than anything regarding the Monsterverse, toys or GvK. Bring on the Criterion set of the franchise's best!
Titan of Water
MemberBaragonJul-22-2019 10:56 AM(insert Handel’s Hallelujah chorus here).
Angering the Godzilla fan base one take at a time
Titan of Water
MemberBaragonJul-22-2019 10:59 AMQuestion though, will they come separately as well? I already have the Kraken versions.
Angering the Godzilla fan base one take at a time
G. H. (Gman)
AdminGodzillaJul-22-2019 11:09 AMNot sure. They didn't do individual releases for the Zatochi films when they did something similar with that franchise. Either way, I would bank on Criterion's transfers to be of better quality and include the original Japanese title cards. There's also the possibility of special features, since it's Criterion.
macumbalove
MemberBaragonJul-22-2019 7:46 PMThis is very exciting. Since Criterion goes a little above and beyond, As with including the 1956 Raymond Burr version as a supplement to their Gojira release, I wonder if Son of godzilla and Destroy all monsters will at least have the AIP dubs or versions?
G. H. (Gman)
AdminGodzillaJul-22-2019 8:06 PMVery unlikely given Toho's strict stance on all dubs not international--But we can dream?
macumbalove
MemberBaragonJul-22-2019 8:15 PMdamn... unfortunate because I always preferred those to the international dubs. They are just the ones I grew up with on tv and vhs and such.
G. H. (Gman)
AdminGodzillaJul-22-2019 10:27 PMPart of the issue is footage. It's easier to use the same video track that syncs up to multiple audio tracks on a disc. In cases like Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, too much was cut from AIP's version to sync up with the Japanese version. So they would essentially have to put two whole movies on a single disc which could debilitate the quality.
Using the international versions is just an easier way to get the full, uncut movie on disc and use multiple audio tracks that sync with it.
AIP had better dubs, but dubs won't be a priority for a label like Criterion--They're more concerned about the film as originally released.
