Godzilla 1984/ Godzilla 1985

[amphiboid]

You all remember "Godzilla 1984," released in the U.S. as "Godzilla 1985." The U.S. cut featured Raymond Burr in some embarassing added scenes (I didn't mind his scenes in the American "Godzilla KOTM," really). And a lot of character stuff was cut also. Also cut was a really cool, phonetically-sung Japanese "Godzilla love song" (partially in English) at the end. By far, the original version was the better cut.

Is the Japanese version of this available on R1 DVD?

[005]

Nyet. Anchor Bay wanted to release a DVD of the movie here in the US, but they couldn't find a decent print of the American version, so that went by the wayside. The closest thing you'll find is the DVD I made of both versions with my new DVD recorder (I did the same thing with GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN for the same reason). The sources are video tape, so the quality is obviously not great. It's servicable though.

[Xenorama ™]

Burr was the only good thing about the movie- well, aside from a couple of nice effects shots, it's probably the most boring Godzilla movie (and yet, miles more entertaining than gino) ever made. some fans love it, but i'm not one of them. i don't hate it, but it's not on my "must watch yearly" list.

[Gwangi]

I can't believe it's been 20 years now since G'84/85.

In the summer of 85, I saw and heard so much advertisements for this film. Entertainment Tonight even helped promote it by talking about it many times! In the end, it wasn't a box-office hit, and the U.S. critics universally panned it. Either Ebert or Siskel named it in their top 10 worst movies of that year. And if it were Ebert, it is funny how he would keep a Godzilla 1985 poster behind him during the shows opening credits! I thought it all discouraging. After finally seeing the movie, I could understand how they felt, but still.

I would have kept Burr as well and change some other things. For me, it is not the most boring G-film (Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla still holds that honor), but its close. Given all the attention that came to this movie, I am surprised it hasn't shown up on DVD. I guess it has something to do with New World.

[Torgaman]

I want to thank all of you for making me feel like an old man.Now if you'll excuse me I'll take my metamusol.


I remember here in Chicago local horror host Son of Svengoolie hyped the film by interviewing Godzilla himself on the streets of Chicago[man in pretty good fan made suit] and parodying the song MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK by changing the lyrics and calling it GODZILLA'S BACK with lyrics like "He wants claws up from Roger and Gene" and "I'll die if this gets him an oscar nomination".Despite this Svengoolie is actually a big Godzilla fan himself and it's because of him that I am too.

[Xenorama ™]

i saw the movie in the theater twice, and i really wanted to like it. the second time i was the ONLY person in the theater, annoying the workers who then had to stay there.

of course, i was 20 when i saw it, and it just was... meh. granted, the Japanese version IS somewhat better, but not much- too much of the script borrowed from Rodan and Varan, and Godzilla had no REASON for being in Tokyo- he just wandered around. he didn't even look too annoyed at all. it was nice that they gave Burr the lines that "he is looking for something". too bad he never found it.

[Torgaman]

I think Bobby Brown looked more annoyed than Godzilla.
That's right,the token black officer in the American version was Whitney Houston's future hubby.

[WaverBoy]

GOJIRA ('84) is one of my favorite G-films, and easily my favorite look for him. I absolutely love that suit. Love all the effects sequences as well. I think the direction is quite good, especially all the low-angle shots of Godzilla...looks like he's about to walk right on top of you. Godzilla's final rampage and battle against the Super X is slam-bang; I can't see how any G-fan would be bored with this film. Excellent initial appearance and final exit for the Big G too. The uncut Japanese version is leagues better than the American "Dr. Pepper" re-edit, though I loved seeing even that version in the theater back in '85 as a lad of 16.