Movie Name: Godzilla vs. the Thing (a.k.a. "Godzilla vs. Mothra")
Rank: 3 godzillas
 

Review:
Hide your wool suits - it's a giant moth! Seriously, though, I originally saw this film many, many years ago and wasn't terribly impressed at the time. Part of the problem was all the promotional posters which claimed that the title monster was too shocking and horrifying to show. What a disappointment when it turned out to be a rather cute looking moth! After receiving numerous e-mails asking why I hadn't reviewed "the greatest Godzilla movie ever made", I decided to give it another chance. I'm glad I did! Although I still think the idea of a giant moth is somewhat ludicrous, and those twin "fairies" tend to get on my nerves a bit, the plot holds together well and the special effects really are great. I especialy like the scenes where the "baby" Mothras spin their silk in order to entrap Godzilla. What's really interesting about this one is that, unlike most of the "Godzilla vs. Monster X" films, Godzilla is NOT the good guy here out to save the Earth from some terrible menace.


CREDITS

Mosura tai Gojira [Mothra vs Godzilla] (1964)
Released in U.S. as Godzilla vs. The Thing (1964)

CAST
Shiro Sakai.............Akira Takarada
Jiro Nakamura................Yu Fujiki
Professor Miura........Hiroshi Koizumi
Junko Nakanishi...........Yuriko Hoshi
Kumayama..............Yoshibumi Tajima
Manzo Torahata............Kenji Sahara

CREW
Director..................Ishiro Honda
Screenplay...........Shinichi Sekizawa
Special Effects.........Eiji Tsuburaya
Music....................Akira Ifukube

Running time: 94 minutes

U.S. VERSION:
Released by American International
Alternate title: Godzilla vs. Mothra
Running time: 90 minutes