When talking about the original Gojira (1954) it would be a severe crime not to mention its popular American version from 1956. The movie that righteously labelled Godzilla as the King!
Release Info
Release Info
Directed by: Terry O. Morse (American scenes) Starring: Raymond Burr, Frank Iwanaga & Original Cast
Language: English, Japanese Runtime: 80 min
Plot
The plot for this film did not undergo a major alteration. In fact, it is exactly the same original film but heavily edited, with approximately 16 minutes of the original scenes cut out and replaced with new footage shot in Hollywood. Hence, what we get is the same story but told from a different perspective, a perspective of United World News’ fearless journalist Steve Martin (played by a television actor Raymond Burr).
The plot for this film did not undergo a major alteration. In fact, it is exactly the same original film but heavily edited, with approximately 16 minutes of the original scenes cut out and replaced with new footage shot in Hollywood. Hence, what we get is the same story but told from a different perspective, a perspective of United World News’ fearless journalist Steve Martin (played by a television actor Raymond Burr).
Raymond Burr, cool and laid back.
Alterations
In order to insert Burr’s character into the film, American editors used various clever techniques. For instance, they recreated parts of the sets from the original film (like the Navy headquarters, the hospital, the fishing village, or the briefing room). The final result on screen looks like this:
In order to insert Burr’s character into the film, American editors used various clever techniques. For instance, they recreated parts of the sets from the original film (like the Navy headquarters, the hospital, the fishing village, or the briefing room). The final result on screen looks like this:
Raymond participating in the villagers' ceremony.
Raymond trying to survive the King's wrath.
Raymond listens to Yamane's report.
Raymond encounters the King!
In addition, Asian look-alikes were used and by skillful placing them with their backs opposite cameras it would seem that Burr is actually interacting with the characters from the original film. Here are some examples:
Emiko (Original Cut) consoles Burr (American Cut)
Raymond talks to Yamane's head (American Cut) & close up (American Cut)
Ogata (Original Cut) speaks to Burr (American Cut)
Needless to say, when you know that the film was edited, watching it feels quite strange. Nevertheless, skillful acting and awesome narration of the events done by Raymond Burr makes up for these modification of the original cut.
Unlike in Gojira (1954), where we had multiple characters and no lead, here, Steve Martin is our hero. No, he is not at the centre of events, he is rather aside. The viewers start off on an equal footing with him, as much in the dark as he is, and we are gradually discovering the truth about Godzilla along with the journalist. Additionally, Martin pushes the original characters more into the background, but he doesn’t undermine their importance. They are the central figures, working hard to stop the King from destroying the city, and the only thing Martin can do is to sit back and observe their struggle, meticulously covering the events for his readers at the same time.
Nevertheless it cannot be said that chopping of the original version only improved it. The depressing, anti-nuclear feeling of Gojira was significantly toned down, elements of Japanese culture were flattened or omitted, and the poetry from the ending sequence was completely gone. Furthermore, in a few scenes, original Japanese dialogues were replaced with crappy English dubbing.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comment moderation is switched on due to recent spam postings.