Kingu Kongu tai Gojira (1962)

Director:

Ishirô Honda

Writers:

Bruce Howard (american version)
Paul Mason (american version)

Release Date:

26 June 1963 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The motion picture screen beckons you to adventure that thrills the emotions with shock and terror!

Plot:

A pharmaceutical company captures King Kong and brings him to Japan, where he escapes from captivity and battles a recently released Godzilla.

Plot Keywords:

Godzilla | Berries | Island | Giant Ape | King Kong

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tadao Takashima	...	Osamu Sakurai
Kenji Sahara	...	Kazuo Fujita
Yû Fujiki	...	Kinsaburo Furue
Ichirô Arishima	...	Mr. Tako
Jun Tazaki	...	General Masami Shinzo
Akihiko Hirata	...	Dr. Shigezawa
Mie Hama	...	Fumiko Sakurai
Akiko Wakabayashi	...	Tamiye
Akemi Negishi	...	Chikiro's Mother (Dancing Girl)
Senshô Matsumoto	...	Prime Minister
Senkichi Ômura	...	TTV Translator Konno
Sachio Sakai	...	Obayashi (Mr. Tako's assistant)
Haruya Kato	...	Obayashi's assistant
Nadao Kirino	...	General's Aide
Kenzo Tabu	...	Dreary Newscaster

Also Known As:

King Kong vs. Godzilla

Runtime:

Germany:82 min | Japan:98 min | USA:91 min

Country:

USA | Japan

Language:

Japanese | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Perspecta Stereo (Japan theatrical release) | Mono (Westrex Recording System) (US version)

Certification:

West Germany:12 (nf) | UK:PG

Company:

John Beck

Trivia:

This film marks a number of firsts for King Kong and Godzilla films: this film was the first time either King Kong and Godzilla were filmed in color and the first time either filmed in wide-screen. Ironically, this film was also the third film for both King Kong and Godzilla (although this film isn't considered a sequel to the original King Kong or Son of Kong).

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: During the natives' fight with the giant octopus, you can see the shadows of the torches and spears on the backdrop.

Quotes:

Mr.Tako: King Kong can't make a monkey out of us!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 1st Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (1997) (TV)

Soundtrack:

A SI ANAROI

King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) ***

Any insults and accusations hurled against this beloved movie will fall on deaf ears with me. Admittedly, I am somewhat biased in favor of this entertaining monster romp because it was a regular television staple all during my childhood while I was growing up. It's one of the most enjoyable giant monster movies Toho Studios ever made, and it's certainly one of the best Godzilla films of all. It can be silly, it can be jokey, and it's also a hell of a lot of fun.

I have seen both the U.S. Version and the Japanese Version, and I'll have to confess that while this review will be based on the proper Asian edition, I also have a nostalgic fondness for the American Cut, which actually benefits from some added jokes ("When you and the monster meet, be sure to tell him all about your corn problems!") and the exciting Universal stock music which compliments much of the action.

Godzilla was still a bad guy at this point in time, and I'm among the group who considers his costume here my personal favorite (it was very much like the Aurora model kit, or maybe it was the other way around). It's not very original to bash the obvious awful King Kong suit, so I'll say that while it's definitely kind of ragged, I actually think it's appealing in its unusual weirdness. Kong is more or less painted as the heroic one of these two, and I have to tell you that I absolutely love that native song of worship which is chanted at him by the island dwellers who dance and pray on his home turf. I appreciate it even more when it's used as the title credits music in the Toho version.

The story is silly and simple, but it works. Godzilla is back in town after awakening from the iceberg he froze in at the conclusion of GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN, and so a frustrated pharmaceutical advertiser decides to send a couple of his zany cronies to King Kong's Island to capture and bring back his own monster to give Godzilla some competition. Humor is very well used here, and it works well alongside the usual rampages and city stompings.

The touted "battle of the giants" has been unfairly maligned as looking too much like a "wrestling match," but I don't see how else these creatures are supposed to tangle with one another unless they opted to stare each other down for ten minutes. Not much fun there, I'm afraid! Their climactic fight is well worth the wait and fulfills all expectations.