Customer Reviews

Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the fifth Godzilla film and its one of the best. Its really a follow up to MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA. This is the first release, in the US, of the unedited Japanese version. For competists, the strangely reedited US version has also been included. Both versions are entertaining.
This is the first time team up of Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra against the alien dragon King Ghidorah (aka Ghidrah). Along for the ride are the twin faeries from
Mothra's island who, telepathically orchestrate the colaboration. There is also a amnesiac Himalayan princess who is also a cross dressing Martian prophetess; three Blues Brothers look-alike assasins who are out to
finish her off and a tough police detective who wants to save her and his sister who wants to restore her memory. Basically, it tries to play like a Hitchcock thriller or an early Bond film. In the end the espianage plot
and the monster plot come together. This is the first time that Godzilla swithches from menace to hero.

The first half of the film is basically "GODZILLA VS. RODAN", with the two "bad" monsters convinced to "turn good" by the intelligent and telepathic Mothra. The following film MONSTER ZERO is basically a direct sequel to this with Godzilla and Rodan reteaming to fight Ghidorah in the futuristic (at the time at least) 1980s.

These are the GODZILLA titles not yet available on DVD, and that have no current release dates:
GODZILLA VS. MEGALON, GODZILLA 1985 (RETURN OF GODZILLA), GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE

Here is a list of the complete GODZILLA series for young fans:
#1 GOJIRA/GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS #2 GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (GIGANTIS, THE FIRE MONSTER)
#3 KING KONG VS. GODZILLA #4 MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA (GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA, GODZILLA VS. THE THING)
#5 GHIDORAH, THE THREE HEADED MONSTER (GHIDRAH, THE THREE HEADED MONSTER)
#6 INVASION OF ASTRO MONSTER (GODZILLA VS. MONSTER ZERO) #7 GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER
#8 SON OF GODZILLA #9 DESTROY ALL MONSTERS #10 GODZILLA'S REVENGE (ALL MONSTERS ATTACK)
#11 GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER)
#12 GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND) #13 GODZILLA VS. MEGALON
#14 GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (GODZILLA VS. COSMIC MONSTER)
#15 TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (TERROR OF GODZILLA) #16 GODZILLA 1985 (RETURN OF GODZILLA)
#17 GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE #18 GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH
#19 GODZILLA & MOTHRA: THE BATTLE FOR EARTH #20 GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II
#21 GODZILLA VS. SPACEGODZILLA #22 GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH
#23 GODZILLA 1998 (MONSTER EDITION) #24 GODZILLA 2000 #25 GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRAS
#26 GODZILLA, MOTHRA & KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK
#27 GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA #28 GODZILLA TOKYO S.O.S. #29 GODZILLA: FINAL WARS

Direct spin-off's/Tie-in's to the GODZILLA series:

Television: GODZILLA: THE ORIGINAL ANIMATED SERIES, GODZILLA: THE SERIES (animated),
HUMAN COMET ZONE (ZONE FIGHTER), GO! POWERMAN (GO! GODMAN), GO! GREENMAN,
MONSTER PLANET OF GODZILLA, GODZILLA ISLAND

Movies: RODAN (RODAN: THE FLYING MONSTER), THE MYSTERIANS, VARAN: THE UNBELIEVABLE,
MOTHRA (MOTHRA: THE MONSTER GOD), ATRAGON, SPACE AMOEBA (YOG: MONSTER FROM SPACE),
FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS, KING KONG ESCAPES,
REBIRTH OF MOTHRA, REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 2, REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 3

Indirectly related movies and TV shows: HALF HUMAN, THE H MAN, BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE, GORATH,
THE WAR IN SPACE, MATANGO (ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE), LATITUDE ZERO,
LEGACY OF DRACULA, LAKE OF DRACULA, EVIL OF DRACULA, SECRET OF THE TELEGIAN,
DOGORA (DAGORA: THE SPACE MONSTER), HUMAN VAPOR, INVISIBLE MAN, ESPY (ESP SPY),
THE THREE TREASURES, OROCHI: THE EIGHT HEADED DRAGON, GUNHED, MIKADROID, LATITUDE ZERO, TIDAL WAVE, GRANSAZERS: SUPER BATTLE MEMORY, SAZER-X FIGHT! STAR SOLDIERS, RETURNER,
SAYONARA JUPITER, GIANT GORO VS. GOLIATH (DAIGORO VS. GORIASU)
MEGALOMAN (TV), GRANSAZERS (TV), JUSTRISERS (TV), SAZER-X (TV)

The GAMERA series:
#1 GAMERA/GAMMERA THE INVINCIBLE #2 WAR OF THE MONSTERS (GAMERA VS. BARUGON)
#3 RETURN OF THE GIANT MONSTERS (GAMERA VS. GAOS) #4 DESTROY ALL PLANETS
#5 ATTACK OF THE MONSTERS (GAMERA VS. GUIRON) #6 GAMERA VS. MONSTER X
#7 GAMERA VS. ZIGRA #8 GAMERA: SUPER MONSTER #9 GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNVERSE
#10 GAMERA: ATTACK OF LEGION #11 GAMERA: REVENGE OF IRIS #12 GAMERA: THE BRAVE

The KING KONG series:
#1 KING KONG 1933 #2 SON OF KONG #3 MIGHTY JOE YOUNG #4 KING KONG VS. GODZILLA
#5 KING KONG ESCAPES #6 KING KONG 1976 #7 KING KONG LIVES (KING KONG 2)
#8 MIGHTY JOE YOUNG 1997 #9 THE MIGHTY KONG #10 KONG:KING OF ATLANTIS
#11 KING KONG 2005 #12 KONG: RETURN TO THE JUNGLE
Official KING KONG TV shows: KING KONG: THE ANIMATED SERIES, KONG: THE SERIES
Unnofficial KING KONG spin-offs:
JAPANESE KING KONG, KING KONG APPEARED IN EDO, KONGA, KONG ISLAND (KING OF KONG ISLAND), SUPER KING KONG (APE)
Others:
NABONGA (NABONGA GORILLA) WHITE PONGO, THE WHITE GORILLA, UNKNOWN ISLAND,
THE MIGHTY GORGA, THE MIGHTY PEKING MAN (GOLIATHON), YETI, GIANT OF THE 20TH CENTURY,
KING OF THE LOST WORLD

The GIANT MAJIN series:
#1 MAJIN: THE MONSTER OF TERROR (DAIMAJIN) #2 RETURN OF THE GIANT MAJIN (WRATH OF DAIMAJIN)
#3 RETURN OF DAIMAJIN

Also of interest:
GAPPA: THE TRIPHIBIAN MONSTERS (MONSTER FROM A PREHISTORIC PLANET), WARNING FROM SPACE,
THE X FROM OUTER SPACE, YONGARY: MONSTER FROM THE DEEP, REPTILIAN (YONG-GARY),
GORGO, REPTILICUS, THE GIANT CLAW, THE LAND UNKNOWN, EARTH VS. THE SPIDER,
WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST, THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN, ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN,
EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS, TERROR BENEATH THE SEA, PRINCE OF SPACE,
INVASION OF THE NEPTUNE MEN, THE LAST DINOSAUR, TARANTULA, THE BLACK SCORPION,
THE DEADLY MANTIS, ATOMIC SUBMARINE, THE GIANY BEHEMOTH, THE LOST WORLD,
BEAST FROM TWENTY THOUSAND FATHOMS, TWENTY MILLION MILES TO EARTH,
CALTIKI: THE IMMORTAL MONSTER, X- THE UNKNOWN, THE MILPITAS MONSTER (THE MUTANT BEAST),
DINOSAURUS!!!, KRONOS, BEGINNING OF THE END, THEM!

Like the other releases in this series, Classic Media has done an excellent job presenting both the original Japanese language version of this movie as well as the US theatrical version. The film quality and DVD quality is crisp and clear and the sound and color are terrific. My only criticism is that the commentary was not done by Ed Godziszewski and or Steve Ryfle as it was on some of the other releases. While their commentary was thoughtful, selective and well-paced, the commentary on this disc, presented by David Kalat, is done in an unceasing and hurried manner with a highly affected voice that seems to be trying to squeeze everything he's ever learned about Godzilla film history into just 85 minutes. It's irritating and over-the-top manner proves that even for avid Godzilla film buffs it's possible to try and present too much information all at once. There is good information in there, but it's surrounded by breathless clutter that I at least found to be highly irritating. Good effort, but poor delivery.

However, Ghidrah (aka Ghidorah) is still one of the coolest monsters in film history and the film is enjoyable, both versions. After all, what monster movie buff doesn't love a giant, three-headed, electrical dragon from outer space? Ghidorah has everything a monster buff could want in a single package! Godzilla fans will enjoy this release quite a bit. I definitely recommend it.

Ummm. How to review this one... it's not billed as a Godzilla movie, but of course it is, though it's 45 minutes before he appears (if you watch the Japanese subtitled original). The ponderous and convoluted plot about the princess who re-appears thinking she's come from Venus dominates the movie along with the gang of goons trying to shoot her (let's hope the Japanese did not manufacture those guns they couldn't hit an elephant in the high street) and of course, it all makes no sense. Its glorious nonsense. We have a fallen meteorite that spends half the movie being magnetic, glowing and growing. Then we get an explosion of monster action half way through which turns the more or less serious series of Godzilla movies into a cartoon for the first time.

The fight sequences between Godzilla and Rodan are hilarious, after a few aimless loops Rodan appears to be as flightless as a turkey and with the help of poor editing, he even makes a Godzilla noise. He fights more like a turkey than a bird of prey, too, but he's got a decent header on him. In the SFX department they've run out of blue flame and Godzilla shoots a sort of hairspray at Rodan which barely troubles him as he's got no hair.

When King Ghidorah finally appears the public relations department drives through the streets with a tannoy to announce his name. The scattering crowds say thank you! Well, you do like to know who is trampling your cities, don't you. The trampled Japs come out with some terrific expressions of shock: Juda! Yuh! Gua! Only in Japanese....

Mothra is in larvae form (there were two of her in the previous movie when she beat Godzilla) and holds an extended and quite sophisticated conversation with Rodan and Godzilla which they politely sit down for. When Ghidorah finally pitches into battle he's quickly taking on all three of them and his little yellow rays give Godzilla a thorough body search hitting him places any self-respecting monster would ordinarily regard as private. Godzilla can't be bothered to use his hairspray breath so he takes to kicking and throwing an awful lot of boulders. Mothra gums up Ghidorah's heads and he flies off, and the movie ends with the monsters just standing around.

This movie may well have marked the turning point when Godzilla movies (there are 28 so far) from semi-serious efforts into more comedic cartoonish films for big and little kids, but even compared to that prolongued phase in the franchise, this one doesn't score high marks for me. The initial plot is too slow moving and the monster action isn't as well conceived or executed. You have to take this in the spirit of fun it is made with and it is a hoot, but not as much of a hoot as some of the others. Entertainment more for serious (and sad) admirers (like me!) not the passing curious, I'd suggest! A true B movie.

This is a classic "japanese monsters vs. the big bad monster from outer space" film...they are all here ...Godzilla, Mothra & Rodan do battle with Ghidorah, the three-headed monster. While this is NOT of "original Godzilla" quality, it does avoid the ridiculousness of some of the films of the Godzilla series (mechanical godzillas, giant turtles. etc.). It is a distraction for 84 minutes and mildly entrtaining if you are a Godzilla, Rodan or Mothra fan.

Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster is the 5th film in Toho's Godzilla series. Earlier that year Toho released Mothra Vs. Godzilla, which is one of my favorite films in the long running series of giant monster movies. Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster is an interesting follow up. Not only was it a rushed film considering that Mothra Vs. Godzilla played during spring time of the same year, but it's the first monster movie to feature Godzilla as a good guy. From the start Godzilla was seen as a notorious monster who scared the entire population of Tokyo. He's stomped through cities battling other giant monsters that got in his way. Godzilla was finally defeated by the peaceful Mothra in the fourth installment of the series. Luckily, Godzilla's reign of terror didn't stop there. In this film, Ghidorah, Godzilla teams up with other monsters to defend planet earth from a terrible extraterrestrial threat. I could go on and on about this movie, because there's just so much t say. But I'll try to make this review short and simple.

I have a feeling that it's going to get a little long. The movie takes place shortly after the events in Mothra Vs. Godzilla. After an assassination attempt, a princess from Selgina (a small Himalayan country) becomes possessed by the spirit of a Venusian and escapes a plane just as it explodes. As this happens a meteorite falls from the sky and lands on earth. Little do the people of earth know, inside of the meteorite is King Ghidorah, the monster responsible for planet Venus' destruction. After the meteor shower, Godzilla and Rodan emerge from hibernation and not only attack Japan, but each other. The battle rages on while the two wreck cities and try to destroy one another. Meanwhile, the media becomes fascinated with the woman who claims that she's a profit from Venus. She warns the people that the planet is doomed and that it will be destroyed. This catches the attention of both the media and the mob that's planning to kill the princess from Selgina.

Later, the space monster known as Ghidorah awakes from its slumber and flies on to destroy everything in its path. When there seems to be no hope, the twin priestesses from Infant island decide to ask Mothra for help. That's when Mothra and the tiny twins attempt to convince Godzilla and Rodan to stop their fighting and focus on the new threat, Ghidorah. It's important for me to see a good story. You can have the best action and special effects in the world, but if the story isn't good, then the movie isn't good either. Luckily, I found the story in Ghidorah to be quite amazing. As I mentioned earlier, Ghidorah is one of the last Godzilla movies to be tampered with. Previously some of the earlier Godzilla films were cut to reduce the violence among other things. The American release of Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster runs in at 84 minutes. For the US release scenes that didn't really drive the story were taken out, as well as the scenes that carried humor.

Luckily the cuts aren't all that bad, in way it's good because in the American version of the movie you actually get to see the monster Ghidorah earlier. Plus some of the cuts were to fix a continuity error. So the American cut isn't bad at all; In fact a lot of Godzilla fans prefer the American cut over the original Japanese version of Ghidorah. This film is very popular amongst fans and critics. Ghidorah is one of the first monster movies to feature the actual monsters solving human problems. Ghidorah carries a James Bond-style that sets up the mood with the film's characters. It's also the first time we get to see Godzilla as a hero instead of a ruthless monster. Godzilla took on the heroic persona he would wear for the remainder of the series. Ghidorah is also the first Godzilla film to not feature military weapons such as tanks and jets (very interesting). Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster is the first movie to feature Rodan, the flying monster who appeared in his own film in 1956.

This movie was also the first to feature the space monster Ghidorah, who would later be Godzilla's most frequently recurring opponent. Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster is one of the better films in the Godzilla series. Not only is it a great story, but it's remarkably entertaining. The action is great, the acting is good and the ending is definitely pleasing. The bonus features on this DVD are a little slim compared to the other Toho Collection DVDs. It features the usual trailers and still photos, but the best part of the DVD is the audio commentary by David Kalat, author of 'A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series'. Kalat provides excellent commentary by giving you a history lesson on not only the film, but on the folks behind Toho studios. You'll feel a lot smarter after listening to the commentary on the American version of the movie. All in all this is a great watch. If you're looking to build up on your Godzilla collection then you have to buy this DVD. Now all we have to do is wait for Toho to release a remastered version of Rodan.

Let's see.
Citizen Kane, Casablanca, Wizard of Oz, 2001, and finally Ghidorah- The Three Headed Monster!!!!!!
I feel like I have been pregnant for 30 years and the baby is beautiful!
"Oh Godzilla, What terrible language!"
This is reason for rejoice.
Champange Wishes!!!!!

If you're a fan of Toho films then you have probably seen this talky monster film. While this release has a nice DVD transfer and print the film itself is slow moving with little monster action until the last 15 minutes. I remember Godzilla films fondly from my childhood, but this has never been one of my favorites. Sure it's got lots a monsters(Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra and Ghidorah), but they have very little screen time.

The good news is this release has both the U.S. and Japanese version of the film with the Japanese version running about 6 minutes longer. There is a cool posters and stills gallery and a 7 minute documentary on FX master Eiji Tsuburaya. It's not the best in the series, but Godzilla fans should dig this release for sure!

I posted this film release under The Invasion Of The Astro Monster by mistake and I will correct that review a.s.a.p. Ooop! ;-b

Classic Media has done a wonderful service to Godzilla fans by releasing a number of the original Godzilla films on DVD the way they should be¡K.with both the original Japanese versions with subtitles and also with the Original American releases with the dub tracks intact, allowing viewers to see the films the way they like, and with their widescreen format intact.

GHIDRAH is the 5th of the Godzilla series, and is a mixed bag. On the plus side is the eponymous creation. Ghidrah (or Ghidorah or King Ghidorah, as he..she. whatever, is known) is an inspired and unique creation¡ 3 heads¡ 2 tails...it is a triumph of design and execution and a truly striking creation. Godzilla returns looking only slightly different that in his prior film. The look of the film...the music and color are all top notch. However, the story is a rather convoluted mess, with ideas introduced, and then abandoned, and the introduction of such ideas as the monsters talking and slapstick fights are a clear indication of the downward direction the Godzilla series was taking. Rodan is seen here for the first time since the 1957 original, has been re designed, and looks quite bad, with Glassy eyes, a long bobbing neck and clumsy movements. However¡there is still enough in this film to bring a smile to the face of most Godzilla fans¡even if there are some winces as well.

The film also includes a commentary track, as do all the classic media releases. This one is done by David Kalat..Author of the excellent McFarland book on the Godzilla series. Its a strikingly different commentary that the other releases. Where the commentaries on the other dvds were fawningly informative, but dry to the point of numbing, Kalats commentary is rapid fire, informative and extremely enthusiastic, conveying his obvious love for the genre and this film. Some might find his approach too rapid and enthusiastic, but I found it great fun¡Kmore like a talk with a fellow fan than a dull presentation of names and dates. His main thrust is also to defend the shift to a more childlike¡Kor childish approach to the films and the advantages of the dubbed versions. I may disagree on the central premise¡Kthat the series was well served by the shift to a comedic slapstick style, but his enthusiasm is infectious . º

The print and sound quality on the film is quite good, and the DVD belongs in Any Godzilla Fans collection¡Kvery good job!

Usually the first movie is the best one, and here it is true. Ghidorah was always my favorie film in the Godzilla series. We have some great monster battles, well detailed sets for destroying, and get to see Ghidorah with the meanness he's meant to have, only otherwise seen in Destroy all Monsters. Both versions are very clean both visually and in audio. The dubbed version is probably the one we all grew up seeing... with a lot of the added in music which, I feel, adds greatly to the film. This is the copy all Godzilla fans ought to pick up.

this particular movie is more of a comedy camp classic than the typical Kaiju flick of its time. the use of puppets during the fight scenes between Godzilla and Rodan are particularly laughable, as is the three way conversations between monsters as translated by the faeries. Still, for the collector, it is the introduction of Godzilla's main foe for the rest of the series of movies right up till final wars, so I would still say it belongs in a collection.