Criterion’s Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films featuring films from 1954-1975 looks to be epic. In addition, the new art for each film is astounding and, well, we really just want a place to gaze at all this Godzilla goodness. In addition, this boxed set comes with a handsome book. Here’s an excerpt from the press materials.
“In 1954, an enormous beast clawed it’s way out of the sea, destroying everything in its path—and changing movies forever. The arresting original Godzilla soon gave rise to an entire monster- movie genre (kaiju eiga), but the King of the Monsters continued to reign supreme: in fourteen fiercely entertaining sequels over the next two decades, Godzilla defended its throne against a host of other formidable creatures, transforming from a terrifying symbol of nuclear annihilation into a benevolent (if still belligerent) Earth protector. Collected here for the first time are all 15 Godzilla films of Japan’s Showa era, in a landmark set showcasing the technical wizardry, fantastical storytelling, and indomitable international appeal that established the most iconic giant monster the cinema has ever seen.”
The 8-Blu-Ray (15 Kaiju Classics) Criterion Special Edition of Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954-1975 contains the following special features:
– High-definition digital transfers of all 15 Godzilla films made between 1954 and 1975, released together for the first time, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks.
– High-definition digital transfer of Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1956), the U.S.-release version of Godzilla
– Japanese-release version of King Kong vs. Godzilla from 1962
– Audio commentaries from 2011 on Godzilla and Godzilla, King of the Monsters featuring lm historian David Kalat
– International English-language dub tracks for Invasion of Astro-Monster, Son of Godzilla, Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla vs. Megalon, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, and Terror of Mechagodzilla
– Directors Guild of Japan interview with director Ishiro Honda, conducted by director Yoshimitsu Banno in 1990
– Programs detailing the creation of Godzilla’s special effects and unused effects sequences from Toho releases including Destroy All Monsters
– New interview with filmmaker Alex Cox about his admiration for the Showa-era Godzilla films
– New and archival interviews with cast and crew members, including actors Bin Furuya, Tsugutoshi Komada, Haruo Nakajima, and Akira Takarada; composer Akira Ifukube; and effects technicians Yoshio Irie and Eizo Kaimai
– Interview with critic Tadao Sato from 2011
– Illustrated audio essay from 2011 about the real-life tragedy that inspired Godzilla
– New English subtitle translations
– Trailers
– PLUS: A lavishly illustrated deluxe hardcover book.
– Japanese-release version of King Kong vs. Godzilla from 1962
– Audio commentaries from 2011 on Godzilla and Godzilla, King of the Monsters featuring lm historian David Kalat
– International English-language dub tracks for Invasion of Astro-Monster, Son of Godzilla, Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla vs. Megalon, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, and Terror of Mechagodzilla
– Directors Guild of Japan interview with director Ishiro Honda, conducted by director Yoshimitsu Banno in 1990
– Programs detailing the creation of Godzilla’s special effects and unused effects sequences from Toho releases including Destroy All Monsters
– New interview with filmmaker Alex Cox about his admiration for the Showa-era Godzilla films
– New and archival interviews with cast and crew members, including actors Bin Furuya, Tsugutoshi Komada, Haruo Nakajima, and Akira Takarada; composer Akira Ifukube; and effects technicians Yoshio Irie and Eizo Kaimai
– Interview with critic Tadao Sato from 2011
– Illustrated audio essay from 2011 about the real-life tragedy that inspired Godzilla
– New English subtitle translations
– Trailers
– PLUS: A lavishly illustrated deluxe hardcover book.
Criterion ‘s Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films will be released October 29. 2019. Continue to see a gallery of the art from the book and this boxed set.
