Kaijûtô no kessen: Gojira no musuko (1967)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Jun Fukuda

Writers:

Shinichi Sekizawa (writer)
Kazue Shiba (writer)

Release Date:

16 December 1967 (Japan)

Genre:

Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Japan's Greatest Foe Delivers an Heir!

Plot:

Scientists experimenting with changes in weather on a tropical island get more than they bargained for when Godzilla shows up to battle humongous insects and protect his newborn child.

Plot Keywords:

Godzilla | Scientist | Island | Weather | Giant Spider

Cast

Tadao Takashima	...	Dr. Kusumi
Akira Kubo	...	Goro Maki
Bibari Maeda	...	Riko (Saeko) Matsumiya
Akihiko Hirata	...	Fujisaki
Yoshio Tsuchiya	...	Furukawa
Kenji Sahara	...	Morio
Kenichiro Maruyama	...	Ozawa
Seishiro Kuno	...	Tashiro
Yasuhiko Saijo	...	Suzuki
Susumu Kurobe	...	Navigator
Kazuo Suzuki	...	Pilot
Wataru Omae	...	Radio Operator
Chotaro Togin	...	Surveyor
Seiji Onaka	...	Gojira
Haruo Nakajima	...	Gojira

Also Known As:

Monster Island's Decisive Battle: Godzilla's Son
Son of Godzilla (USA)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some sci-fi monster violence.

Runtime:

USA:84 min | Japan:86 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:U | USA:PG (re-rating) | USA:G (original rating)

Company:

Toho Company

Trivia:

Godzilla's look transformed from a part menacing-like look into a loving father after Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster. By this time, it became obvious that Godzilla movies were now being made to suit children. In Godzilla's new look in Son of Godzilla, his eyes were made larger and his snout shorter. The shape of his head resembles that of a human head, probably, to make Godzilla less scary. The tone for Son of Godzilla was a playful and goofy tone, and Godzilla's look contrasted with it beautifully. This suit was later used in Godzilla vs. Gigan in the swimming scenes.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In several scenes the strings used to manipulate the Minya, Kamacuras and Kumonga marionettes as well as Godzilla's tail are clearly visible.

Quotes:

Fujisaki: [referring to Goro's refusal to leave] Do you still insist?
Goro Maki: Yes.
Dr. Kusumi: We don't need any publicity.
Goro Maki: Who said I was doing this for your publicity? I'm working for myself. The smell of a story...
Fujisaki: The smell of a story?
Goro Maki: Yes. The smell of a story attracts me. The readers will decide whether to read it or not. I report what I see.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Komodo vs. Cobra (2005) (TV)

Son of Godzilla (1967) ***

Yes, this is a juvenile Godzilla film in many ways. Yes, the baby Godzilla is goofy. But you know what? I like this monster movie! It's entertaining, fun, and also very heartwarming whenever we get to see Godzilla taking the little guy Minya under his wing (Godzilla's always been more of a "surrogate" dad rather than an organic one in my view).

A group of scientists are conducting intense weather experiments on a remote island that just so happens to be inhabited by giant praying mantises, a giant spider that spins deadly webs, and a large egg that hatches to produce a "little Godzilla". The Big G gets to teach Minya all about breathing fire, stomping enemies, and also some quality father and son bonding (awww).

Those who don't like Godzilla movies very much are advised to stay away; even some die-hard fans don't care for the sentiment expressed in this entry. There is still a lot of steady monster action on hand, a good pairing between a young visiting reporter and a pretty island girl, and a truly touching ending that nearly brings a tear to my eye every time I see it.