Godzilla 1954 Retrospective // DC Classics 

"In a strange way, _Godzilla_'s big secret isn't that it's about Hiroshima and Negasaki; it's that it didn't _have to_ be. Viewed simply as a disaster movie, it's still a brilliant and emotionally draining film." That had never occurred to me, but that's so true.

Godzilla cannot be controlled. Cannot be contained. He comes. He goes. Leaving us devastated in his wake.

This retrospective, like the original film, is a masterpiece. You seriously deserve an award for this. It moved me to tears!

Beautiful summary of the masterpiece that is Godzilla.

It is truly a masterpiece of a movie. Even the monster and special effects in black and white hold very well for a movie made in the fifties.

"the original is not what people want fron Godzilla anymore." *slowly raises hand* um... i-i want the original...

Who would've thought that Gojira would beat films like Jaws, Bride of Frankenstein, Nightmare on Elm Street, and King Kong in a competition like this?

Honestly, this is one of the most thought provoking scripts that you have conceived. I mean it is damn good writing. I'm a huge Godzilla fan through and through. But your insight into the film has made me an even bigger one. Thank you for that :)

I dare say this is the most thoughtful analysis of the movie, its meaning, and its cultural impact that I have encountered, getting to the heart of it and reflecting a understanding that I haven't found with even the most celebrated and widely read movie critics. Those are important points I hadn't considered before. Because of the first movie, Godzilla is immortal in ways not even comprehended by the scientists in the movies who describe him. I'm not kidding when I tell you that I'm an extra appearing in the 2014 American movie. They sent out a casting call for Honolulu residents. The fillmmakers tried to be secretive, saying the movie's title was _Nautilus_ , but the local newspaper blurted out that everyone already knew it was for the 2014 Godzilla movie. I knew that if I chickened out and refrained from going to the casting call, I would regret it as an old man. I stood in line for over three hours and got sunburned (I really was dangerously affected by radiation!), along with 2,000 other people. 200 of us were chosen. I was lucky, 1 out of 10. The assistant directors had me bandaged up -- I was one of the people injured in the wake of the battle in Waikiki. Real police officers, real soldiers, and real FEMA workers were cast as extras, and they had a cop help me walk. He was endlessly talkative and jokey. When he asked me why I wanted to be in this movie, I told him that the first entry in the series I ever saw was _Godzilla vs. Megalon_ as a little boy, and thereafter I was hooked, having to see every entry I could. He said, "This is destiny! I have to help you be in the movie!" He said he would time our steps so that he could maneuver me right into the shot, right behind actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson's head. Because the cop kept joking the whole time, I thought he was just teasing me about this. But he did time our steps and, evidently, his trick worked -- I am able to pause the DVD and show family members the part where I walk across the screen from left to right. So, despite its flaws, you can imagine my fondness for the 2014 movie. But you're right -- there is nothing at all like the first _Godzilla_ , and there never will be. :'-)

There’s a nice little homage to “King Kong” in a scene in which Gojira wrecks a commuter train. It is almost shot-for-shot an echo of King Kong attacking the elevated train.

The original Godzilla, even in the American "King of the Monsters" film, has some haunting scenes. Even as a child in the 70's, I could understand the undercurrent of horror. It was movie magic. Godzilla will always be the greatest monster. And the original movie, along with King Kong vs Godzilla (even though the latter was different in tone) made some of us fans for life.

shin godzilla didn't fall short on it's message. Did you watch the ending? the last line of the film is the main character looking over the mess of city and godzilla's supposedly dead body and saying "We need to learn to live with this." thats a very powerful message and honestly probably why it got such a critical acclaim because that very piece made the entire film's message. since it did something different than the original godzilla film instead of it being anti nuclear weapons the film's message in shin godzilla was "we need to learn to live with our mistakes and move on. and try to make a better future. Because in reality we at this moment cant live without nuclear radiation, we don't have an energy source that can turn turbines in a energy plant as seamlessly as it. Just because the plant incident japan happened doesn't mean we all need to shut down and stop using nuclear energy. We need to move forward and learn to live with our mistakes so they don't happen again. So in a way shin godzilla did something that no godzilla film before it did. which is actually give a pro message to the audience. Instead of it being an anti one about unatural weapons or energy use.

Crushes the "Snyder-Verse" with one sentence. Thank you, "weightless destruction".

The original Godzilla is a work of art and more people should watch it. The acting alone is superb!

While I do enjoy the "silly" versions of Godzilla, my favorite is the 1954 movie since it has a serious tone and made Godzilla a force of nature that mankind can not stop.

Absolutely wonderful retrospective of a superior film. I love many of the Godzilla films, made prior to 1970 and those from 1984 through 1994. I really liked Shin Godzilla, when I saw it in the theater. But, all of them pale to Gojira. When I got the opportunity to see Gojira subtitled, at the Detroit Institute of Arts many year ago, I grabbed it. What a powerful film! It is among my all time favorites, and yes totally unique. Thanks for sharing!

I remember seeing this at age 9 with my best friend back then. Both huge Godzilla fans we were shocked by what we saw. It was so dark, somber and even disturbing. My friend almost cried but I was strangely intrigued. This movie is something special and it still has a special place in my "movie heart".

You took the words out of my mouth but did so in a more eloquent way than I am capable. When I try to explain why the original film is so powerful I fall woefully short. I have tried to get friends and co-workers to watch it with fresh eyes, but many can't get past the language, being forced to read subtitles. Well done, I am shocked that Godzilla won the horror smackdown, as it's not what so many people and horror fans would picture as a horror film, but that's what it ultimately is.

O.K., two things. 1, this smack down was so much fun. Thank you for it, and for introducing us to some movies I've surprisingly never even heard of. And 2, this Godzilla tribute was easily the best and most beautiful and well thought out tribute to one of the screen's best monster ever. Well done, guys. Thank you for this. It's been such a fun year.

This is probably the most insightful film review I've ever seen. Spot on on your analysis, and incredibly well presented. I'm proud to be a subscriber. Thank you.

This is the best review of Godzilla I’ve ever seen. You totally get it. It’s not a monster movie, it’s a struggle to survive against powerful we can’t control.

The very first book I bought in Japan was an essay on the social history of the original Godzilla movie. It came out in the year that the post war period officially ended, when Japan's GDP finally returned to what it was before the war. Just when the devastation of the war was behind them, they chose to revisit the massive destruction of WWII. It was cathartic, a forced remembering of unimaginable suffering, a reminder not to take the new prosperity for granted. I very much want to see the Japanese original, without Raymond Burr's overly simplistic and one dimensional summation. Thank you, Dark Corners for an insightful retrospective.

I’ve lost count of how many times i’ve watched this video, but each time i’m astounded at how brilliant it is. Without a doubt the best retrospective of G’54 i’ve ever seen in my 40+ years as a G-fan 🙂

I agree with every single word you said. I am a huge Godzilla fan and I still think that even to this day, the original 1954 film is unmatched. And yes, I think it even surpasses the 1933 King Kong film. Just my opinion. King Kong is legendary and probably the greatest adventure film ever, but as you said.........Godzilla is unique. Thank you for this outstanding review.

So true. I remember as a small child watching Godzilla films on TV out of order. When I finally saw the original Godzilla it seemed so completely different from any of the sequels, wildly different in tone. It literally gave me nightmares as a child.

When I watched the original Godzilla again years after when I first saw it as a child I was moved. The sign of a great film is even if you cannot point to exactly what it is your heart tells you there is something there special behind all the effects and big moments. You nailed it with this video!! Thank mate

I’ve seen many reviews of Godzilla and without a doubt this is one of them.

The original Gojira scene of the village destruction under the rain remains one of the most atmospheric terrifying scenes in cinema history. Even 63 years after, I still shudder. When the movie was shown in my country in late 1954, I was too terrified to go and see it after the preview !

What a journey. Thanks for taking us along on the adventure. The thanks for a final essay that crowns the enterprise.

I've had many a laugh watching your reviews from the incredibly bad to the gloriously cheesy movies. But it was this retrospect of Gojira that struck me emotionally. One must see this film as it was intended, and yes, my first viewing was of the American angle. That brief scene of the young mother clutching her children still floors me. You struck what is the heart of this film, and we thank you.

My vote is Gojira because it's a masterpiece... plus I'm a huge Godzilla fan and I have been 3/4 of my life... I wish I knew the more kid friendlier movies when I was a kid... but Gojira gave me chills. Go go Godzilla

What in the world are the odds that another monster film could even come CLOSE to this one?! Great list, man :)!

Nicely done! (author of three Godzilla books).

Simply stunning video. Seeing a few seconds of “When The Wind Blows” brought all the fears of nuclear war I had as a teenager in the 80s right back to the surface. I could suddenly empathise with the original Godzilla movie.

1:50 - jesuschrist that short giant monsters tribute with the original theme of their King is so damn badass!

1:19 Policeman : ''My cap !'' Rhedosaurus : ''Caps are indigestible.''

I guess it is appropriate that the biggest monster in cinema (both in size and in sequels) should win the Horror Smackdown. I could not be happier. This video is also the best tribute I've ever seen to the original film and I'm looking forward to other films in this series. Thank you Dark Corners for a great ride with the Horror Smackdown. It was lots of fun. I got reminded of some great classics that I watched again and even learned about some new films which I was unaware of until recently.

The newest American Godzilla could've easily been a metephor for 9/11, but the filmmakers either didn't have the balls or didn't understand why the original Godzilla worked.

Serizawa's sacrifice at the end is just so amazing. It makes me tear up every time.

I legitimately got chills at points of this video

Nicely done video. I just finished watching the original. It's a masterpiece. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

That was a really great video i enjoyed it very much I've got nearly all the Godzilla movies on dvd they r amazing no other Monster movies r as good

The Heisei Godzilla series and films afterwards, remained dark and aimed more towards the older audiences. Especially the Heisei series.

A wonderful retrospective and a wonderful tournament. Not only did you force me to watch a number of movies I had never seen but you entertained me all along the way. I am truly grateful for what you have given me and in awe of the amount of effort involved. You both should be very proud of the achievement.

I think this is what critics is always been trying to say about modern monster movies and just movies in general that people just want special effects and destruction, at the price of a good story. I love the original Godzilla for showing the dark side of having giant monster around the lost of life, the destruction, and horror of an tragic event all remains

So many great points well made. Thank you!

Beautifully done! A reminder of what, even as a kid, I knew was missing from all the other monster movies. And in so many of them, particularly those made by second generation monster fans, the creators seem to be taking the side of the monsters. And the human suffering is played for giggles and smirks.

Amazing piece guys. Truly, this goes to Godzilla and you prove it! Love how the Horror Smackdown has ended. It's been a tense, fun and interesting few months. I, for one, have been introduced to new films I would never have watched before, such as Kwaidan, and grown a new found respect for films I've loved for a long time. Seriously, thanks for all the hard work you've put into this. It's been great!

Fantastic analysis. One of your best. I'm stunned!

Godzilla wasn't just about Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they also had the Lucky dragon as a bad experience. The Lucky Dragon was a Japanese fishing boat that accidentaly drifted into an H-Bomb test area.

YES 😆😆😆😀😀😀 was it a close race or a landslide?? I enjoyed the commentary on Godzilla, on a side note, the second movie "Godzilla Raids", this movie proved even though we can't kill him, we found a way to trap him so he can do no more harm, which several of the later films do, when he doesn't just walk/swim away. Even in Shin Godzilla, they just freeze him with a coagulant, he is not dead.

I will say The Return of Godzilla (1984) doesn't entirely ditch the somber tone or the fear of nuclear annihilation. I think it's a solid entry that tries to play into cold war fears. Godzilla 1985, the recut version, bungles this just like it did the original 54 film (adding Raymond Burr again no less). Great video though.

It's symbolic that the winner of a contest on a channel that's so dismissive and patronizing towards the kaiju genre the winner is the greatest kaiju series of them all.

Once I saw the original version of the Raymond Burr re-do I knew what a disservice had been done to a true masterpiece.

I deferred watching this because of my love for Godzilla. But this was a brilliant tribute. Godzilla represents mindless destruction. Which is terrifyingly portrayed in the film. Also, the haunting song sung by the school girls is Akira Ikufube's "Prayer for Peace."

One of the best analysis I’ve ever seen of the original film. Bravo!

All good points, and yet I still haven't seen anyone point out the Shinto connection with Godzilla. Towards the beginning of the first film, one of the fishermen tells about how they used to venerate and appease Godzilla with offerings. I have always seen Godzilla as being an angry Shinto god that is raging because of the war and the abandonment of traditions by the people of Japan. Look at what Godzilla attacks...radio and electrical towers, skyscrapers, Western "contamination." That's why it makes sense in later films that Godzilla is a protector. That's why Godzilla sticks to Japan...and (except for in Western versions) doesn't attack other places.

The first time I saw the original cut of Godzilla (with English subtitles) was in a theater in 2005 or so. Big improvement on seeing the Raymond Burr version on television.

This is simply... Beautiful, well done!

I never realized the depth and meaning behind the godzilla movies. I always thought they were cheesy and people were just being over board with everything that one does and the others follow. I will give it a shot and now see it with an open mind.

THIS 54 ORIGINAL is the ONLY one that I really care for. I'll always take IT over any of the subsequent films - either those silly kiddie-oriented "Vrs" films or some post-2000 overblown Hollywood CGI orgy!

My family made fun of me for crying at godzila..but i knew the meaning of every scene..real human loss.power beyond our control..redemption..

Godzilla is a favorite of mine. I love Ghidora, the three headed monster, Destroy all Monsters, Son of Godzilla and Godzilla vs the Sea Monster and Megalon are really good

Good video. Thanks to the Internet I was able to see the original version sans Burr. It was awesome. I can't even want to see the 1956 version ever again.

This has got to be (for me, at least), quite simply the BEST retrospective review you have EVER done. You have shed such an accurate, thought-provoking light on the somber importance of the original "Godzilla" in words that I could only attempt to express. My hats off to you, sir, for a truly remarkable job.

I know I a late to the party with comments. Of course, I saw the version with Raymond Burr. We talked about this film at school for days. Growing up during the cold war we were faced with the bomb on a daily basis. This film helps me to realize nuclear dangers. I have seen all these films and most of them are in my movie collection.

One word however about "The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms". It's not that simplistically a monster movie. (Even "King Kong'' had its moral lessons) Even if the military succeeds in mortally wounding the beast, its shed blood is still poison, and although the moral implications are weaker than in ''Gojira", they are still there : We never know the aftereffects of the new weapons we are so proud of.

Still the greatest monster movie of all time.

Thank you. I always knew that movie was special, but I wasn’t sure why. I think you are quite right. Honda was a serious director when he needed to be.

The discrepancy between the eastern and western focuses on the concept have never really been brought to my attention like this, before. Its fascinating stuff to see. Thanks for your perspective on all this.

You put into words so well what this movie encapsulates! A very emotional review indeed. I always enjoy your channel, however this is well above and beyond other videos! It's excellent and you capture the whole point of the original Godzilla. Thank you for this incredibly heartfelt review, handling a true life event that's possibly humanities darkest moment.

Thank you for this incredible video! Well done all!

It’s weird how Godzilla isn’t just a movie monster, he’s a metaphor for the atomic bomb and the destruction and death it caused Japan.

Great job Robin. I just saw this one .I think the most moving sequence in the original Godzilla is the singing of the girl students. If that doesn't focus and crystallized the theme nothing does. Also the moral conflict of Dr. Serizawa is brought out more acutely in the Japanese, while in the American version with Raymond Burr, it's sort of glossed over very quickly. Grest analysis, Robin.

The push towards kids was an achilles’ heel You can have a monster franchise with out marketing towards kids. And still have kids flock to the theaters and importantly by merch. Frankenstein is the best example of that.

I appreciate the great analysis of this channel. It is excellent.

Like with Star Wars, the sound design of Godzilla really sticks in my mind.

this video alone is 10000x better than what all Godzilla related youtubers can produce.

Your commentary just brought me to tears,,,,, please be safe and healthy and god bless you....

Godzilla wins?!!!! 😃 I guess he truly is king of the monsters after all!!!! 😄

Beautifully done.

Beautifully done! This has been a great year to review horror movies. Cheers!

Saw this movie last night was great !

Well done. with great truth. I saw the American version first, on a small screen tv For a week it was shown twice a day. I don't think I missed it once. I was eight. It was breath taking watching the monster destroy the city. When I was older I found a copy of the original version, It was the better of the two, but it did not make the American version bad. In truth it was clever how they spliced in the American journalist, Raymond Burr. famous on American tv as Perry Mason. This person was not in the original version.

12:55 ''How great is Godzilla ? "It is unique !" By its Human Dimension.

This was terrific. If I hadn't already subscribed, this video would have moved me to it. A point about your criticism of the later G-films- as you describe it, Gojira is really a movie you can only make *once*. A movie, even one featuring a matinee monster, about the horrifying effects of nuclear devastation is not the kind of thing you turn into a franchise. Imagine the continuing adventures of the characters in THREADS (1984). Put in those terms, you really have to wonder who made the decision to continue the character that way. Off the top of my head, I can't think of another franchise that deviated tonally from its initial effort the way the Godzilla series has or built its success on that very change in tone. I'm really curious to see what you think about this.

great great analysist....i love your dark corners reviews even if sometimwes you make fun of films i love...Howerver i love your sense of humour...Bravo on your corner films of KING KONG and Godzilla 54..you re very hard on the series...Some of them a still good films like MOTHRA VS GODZILLA 1964....But please continu your reviews are wonderful...

Godzilla is so like God Itself. Godzilla doesn't care. Godzilla just IS.

I never would've thought that Godzilla would've won the tournament, but here we are. Absolutely amazing! Also I really liked this video. It was well thought out, and does a good job at explaining why Godzilla is the best horror film of all time.

I love this video. This is the best video essay on this movie I've seen, plus it comes with an insight I never thought of or heard od before. The one of the Oxygen Dedtroyer forcing the audience to empathise with the US during WWII. Godzilla is one of my favourite movies ever, being the one that first awakened my interest in analysing and interpreting films. So seeing mpre thoughts on it is always welcome. And the rest od your content is fantadtic too, so I subscribed.

Still the best out of the entire series , he looks so real in some of the scenes even today like you're just watching blk n wht WW2 footage from the war ❤

What fun that was! Great choice and wonderful commentary. Thanks DC for all your hard work!

The great thing is to watch some of the later Japanese Godzilla movie's and see how PC they are now. I watched Godzilla vs King Kong and it was hilarious. When the scientists went to Scull Island they were greeted by Japanese people painted brown!And among the gifts they brought for the savages were a transistor radio(the voice of god )which wouldn't pick up any stations but also cigarettes which they gave to kids!lol

Good job researching on Godzilla 1954 and the message it has given.

The original Gojira (1954) is great and still is the best in the franchise, but the others Toho Godzilla films deserve respect, even though the first and best movie is that way, most of the films are monster fighting movies and some of them are great in their own way.

VERY NICE VIDEO, WELL DONE......................AND ..I AM SO HAPPY FOR GODZILLA

Outstanding

You just reaffirmed why I like the franchise as much as I do.

Amazing video and very well written script.

Nicely done and very detailed, " Long Live the King"