Product Details

• Actors: Yu Fujiki, Susumu Fujita, Yuriko Hoshi, Emi Ito, Yoshifumi Jajima
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Original recording remastered, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: English, Japanese
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Classic Media
• DVD Release Date: April 3, 2007
• Run Time: 176 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000H6SY64
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #105,511 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Series & Sequels > Godzilla

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
After a fierce typhoon, a mysterious gigantic egg washes ashore. The twin fairies of Infant Island plea for the egg's return to Mothra, its rightful owner, but it's too late - greedy promoters have turned it into an amusement park attraction. Meanwhile Godzilla reawakens and tramples across Japan, heading straight for the big egg. Can Mothra save her offspring from Godzilla? Will Japan survive this epic monster battle? Directed by Ishiro Honda, MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA (1964) is widely considered the best of all Godzilla sequels, with an all-star Toho cast and exciting special effects. Classic Media presents the original Japanese-language version with English subtitles in glorious Toho Scope, plus the classic English-dubbed version originally released in the U.S. as GODZILLA VS. THE THING.

Special Features

Includes Japanese and English dubbed versions of the film
Audio Commentary
Poster Slide Show
Akira Ifukube biography featurette
Original Japanese trailer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Got my hands on it, not as good as I had hoped, November 21, 2006

By	C. Hanecak (Somewhere, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For those who haven't picked up on it yet, until Amazon can get this in stock, you can get it directly from Classic Media at godzillaondvd.com.

My review is mostly about the DVD and not the movie.

I was a bit disappointed by this DVD release but overall it is better than the previous DVD release for this film, namely the Simitar DVD. If you have the Simitar DVD, DO NOT throw it away, yet.

The Good

1.) Both the Japanese and English versions here are available. Both in a widescreen format. On the English version many of the visual problems are fixed, mainly dealing with color.

2.) The English version contains the original AIP dubbing, thank goodness!! Meaning if you grew up with this film, it is as you remember it. Of course, I'm not sure Toho ever did their own cut of this film.

3.) The DVD cases are very stylish and I love the cover and art inside.

4.) DVD features include commentary and trailers, nothing all that special here, but take that with a grain of salt as special features are rarely in my field of interest.


The Bad

1.) For the English version, Classic media decided not to use a true widescreen format(meaning 2:35:1) they instead use 1:78:1 and although it isn't bad, it's not the same. Luckily, instead of just saying "It's what we decided to use, and that's all." they gave an explanation. This is what I meant by not throwing away your Simitar video. :) Note, the Japanese version is a true widescreen(2:35:1)cut. Below is their explanation:

"The DVD also features the original U.S. version, Godzilla vs, the Thing, which has a running time of 88:07. After comparing the available source materials, it was decided to not use the scope version previously released on DVD because it has several problems including missing dialogue and special effects footage, out of synch audio, and poor color that weakened the quality of animated effects. Instead, Classic Media chose a downconvert from a High Definition Master that presents Godzilla vs, the Thing complete and in top quality at 16×9 widescreen (approx. 1:78:1). "

2.) This part is the biggest problem, they didn't remaster it..... why?!?!
Don't get me wrong the film is pretty good in quality but there is still visual defects that range from negligible to mildly annoying. And though, the color in this version is better than the true widescreen, it's still rather dull at times. Do not expect this film to be on level visually with Sony's DVD releases which were remastered and are pretty darn crisp.

3.) The DVD cases, though very nice, don't stay closed! This can be very annoying when taking it off the shelf.


It was a good attempt, on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a 7.5. I really wish they had taken the time to fix the widescreen version of the English version instead of taking this shortcut. The 1.78 isn't bad and most people won't care, but it just isn't the same.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IN 1964 THE LAST GREAT GODZILLA FILM WAS RELEASED... MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA (GODZILLA VS. THE THING), November 3, 2006

By	Patrick Miller "SAUROPOD" (NEW YORK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Godzilla suit is of the finest ever created for any Godzilla flick, except King Kong vs. Godzilla 1962( my opinion).This really is the the last great Godzilla movie ever made. After 1964 Godzilla had some shining moments in his later movies, but Godzilla movies from 1965 on were made with absolute sillieness and really no seriousness. The one exception was Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster 1966 this had some sillieness but had just enough seriousness to make it an adequate Godzilla movie. The 1970s were Godzillas whimp stage and his movies showed it. Sony Wonder does an excellent job with the film transfer and sound as it did with Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster and Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster (1971). You almost swear Godzilla vs. Mothra was filmed a few years ago, (not 43 years ago). the same could be said with the other two titles I mentioned. The one point I will bring out in this review is the genius of Ikira Ifakube. Ifakubes music score for Godzilla movies were used repeatedly in later Godzilla movies, but in Godzilla vs.Thing Ifakubes musical art is clearly heard in this film. Note when Mothra first arrives as Godzilla is ready to destroy the egg, Godzilla stares at Mothra ready to battle, the camera zooms closely on Godzillas face and all you hear is Ifakubes echoey like symbols in the background you really feel Godzillas fury. Story, music aside Amazingly and effective you feel the action and emotion in this film thanks to the directing of Inoshiro Honda and Akira Ifakubes brilliant music score.This movie does have a message to it about over land development and greedy humans of rich wealthy companies that don't care about nature or the enviroment they only care about development for profit. As Godzilla is trouncing Japan you see large scale factories being destroyed, portraying mankinds over development and pollution of the enviroment in the name of profit. Godzilla vs. Mothra shows how sometimes these greedy wealthy humans get more than they bargained for. The Mothra twins are cool and capture the 1960s with a flower power punch. I just wish the ending would have had Godzilla triumph. This movie really is a sci-fi epic I dont care what any fan or critics say. Godzilla vs. Mothra (or the Thing) is an incredible sci-fi adventure to be enjoyed by old and new G fans alike. The 1960s Toho Pictures golden age.................

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best of the 60's Godzilla Movies, December 5, 2006

By	Rowdy P. Scarlett "Yeah, I can dig it....a li... (Winston Salem, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This DVD is available, but only from Classic Media's website. I believe they have made the decision to distribute this and Godzilla Raids Again only thru thier site.
Watching this on my HD TV and using an upconverting player, both versions of the movie look very good. Perfect? No and I do wish they had taken the effort to clean the prints up (esp the American version).
A great bonus is he audio commentary. It's very interesting and informative. Lots of back story info and a couple of short interviews to boot.
Very nice cover and packaging, the included the Japanese trailer as an extra. A nice addition to my collection.