**Corrections** 24:30 - Though I didn't see it written anywhere while making this video, some of you who lived through the 1960's have been nice enough to point out, this movie did appear on TV in the US in the 1960's.
WCBS-TV in New York City aired 'Gigantis' on its Late Late Show in the mid 1960s. I know because I stayed up overnight as a 10 year old to see it, along with many other 50s sci-fi films they aired over time. Most of the others were better than this.
I heard a great theory once that Godzilla and Anguirus are symbolic of the Cold War. That they represented America's and the USSR's conflict, and Japan was stuck in-between. Only being able to watch as the great superpowers fought over their defenseless shores.
I haven't quite heard that one, but I did hear a very similar theory later that Godzilla, even when a hero, represents the US, as he's still a Nuclear-powered lumbering monster, but he keeps other scarier monsters away so they're willing to put up with him.
One theme I never noticed (maybe I didn't see the particular movie) was Vietnam, after seeing so many Godzilla movies as a kid, and rewatching them I noticed that stuff, that the movie is loosely based on a event but switching Godzilla out as the disaster, like the shin Godzilla movie is based of the nuclear meltdown in Japan. Sometimes it's not obvious what the theme is. I'd agree with you if I had seen Godzilla raids again it makes sense but at the time the cold war was just a paranoia it wasn't fully feared till the 60s when Vietnam started getting attention with protests. I do, however, see the first one as multiple themes, nuclear fears, Japan's view on the bombings, Japan's view on war after WW2 (not wanting to have war but willing to defend themselves) and a way to attempt to wake up the world, using Godzilla as a accidental weapon, to show the world if it kept playing with radiation it'll one day create a "monster" which that theme is used alot, which means it's not a idea but a possible fact, people wouldn't use that theme if they didn't believe it could happen. I believe a Godzilla is possible if we keep testing nukes, radiation does mutate stuff, well not mutate, more like force's evolution, so it is possible any creator can adapt to radiation
To me the music and sounds always just seemed lifeless. The music is ambient with no real melodic content to speak of, and the sounds being very spaced out and droning doesn’t help, and makes the whole soundscape sort of blend together in your ears into a whole heap of empty mediocrity. Only my opinion, of course, and I will concede that certain scenes and shots have a rather eerie and ominous feel at times.
The sped up fight scene in this film actually looks more realistic & animalistic compared to any other Kaiju battle in a film atleast out of all the guy in a suit battles in these films Angurius was also my second favorite Kaiju. after Godzilla & Rodan
There's something oddly nightmarish about the two enormous kaiju fighting at high speed mindlessly and animalistically. the Osaka blackout scenes also had some great tension to them
Godzilla staring at the computer screen like, "My brain is full of banana oil!" may very well be the best part of this video. Or of _any_ video, period.
In all honesty, I low key like this movie as a guilty pleasure. The black and white makes it scary. It's really atmospheric, with Godzilla still being a scary force of nature, that another monster just can't toss in the ocean and call it a day. The entire scene where they try to lure him away with lights, was very intense, and the final battle had a logical solution to getting rid of Godzilla. I wish they didn't rush it, and that the monster fight was in normal speed, but otherwise I like it. Also, we can credit this one for introducing a monster fight into the godzilla series, thus forever changing it.
Good old Ankylodukodillo, he was always my favourite monster. After the big G himself, obviously. I've been watching your history of Godzilla films series a lot, lately. Really fascinating to hear the behind-the-scenes stories. I wondered were some of the videos of the earlier films went -:glad to see this one reuploaded. Thanks!
Congratulations Angurius you might be the Krillin of the Godzilla universe, but thanks to you it open up the idea of Godzilla fighting something in future movies.
Always had a soft spot for this sequel, from the relative innovation of Kaiju vs Kaiju, the approach to said fighting with the high speed shots in retrospective is unique and the fighting felt more animalistic imo compared to the later Showa era movies. Finale was strong with Tsuburaya's special effects and loved the blackout and city post destruction scenes.
I had so many questions watching this movie back in the day. Couldn't understand the decision-making that went into this film, but you've shined a light on so much. Thanks.
Godzilla Raids Again cements the trends that would be a staple for over 65 years. Not only does it have calls backs to the first events of 1954, but it confirms that there are other survivors of the Titanus Godzillasaurus species that Dr. Yamane had feared would resurface. And now those fears are realized alongside the notion that Serizawa seemingly died in vain. As for the first kaiju Godzilla ever fights, Anguirus is by far one of my favorites. He's the perfect kaiju to route for when he's on screen despite his low win streak. A great movie even if Gigantus is a little bit banana oil.
You put so much effort and love in those great videos despite being a relatively small channel. I really hope many many more people will discover and love your channel. You deserve this.
I swear this deserve more likes and views man these video are very entertaining especially to me as a person that is really into Godzilla lore and the many kaiju In it
Awesome deeper dive into this one! I liked this one and it too used to creep me out as a child. Some of the imagery looks like something out of a surreal nightmare. I always thought as a kid that they must have forgotten how to create Godzilla's roar so they just used the same one as Anguirus lol
I watched this movie all the time as a kid, but actually didn’t know that Anguirus died in this movie until I was an adult. I even had an argument online about it once. It turns out that my dad had stopped the VHS recording and restarted it to cut out the bit when Godzilla blasts him, because I cried when Godzilla died in the original film.
I actually really liked the Japanese version of this movie, flaws and all, and this was highly interesting. I will agree that the scene of Godzilla heading toward the city, being lead away by the flares and then re-drawn to the city by the fire was a legitimately unsettling scene. Also, while I agree that the new Godzilla does look a bit derp from the front, I actually find this resulted in one of Godzilla's most unsettling looks -- like, his Derp almost makes him scarier, like he's the 'Hills Have Eyes' version of Godzilla, with Eyes that don't reflect anger or an animal instinct, but instead the Eyes of someone that would brutally kill you without even thinking about it; not the Eyes of a violent killer, but rather the Eyes of a straight-up sociopath. Of all Godzilla's, THIS is the one that would freak me out the most if I saw it looking into my room in the middle of the night.
Raids Again is definitely an underrated classic and a top 10 for me. Minoru Chiaki is great as Kobayashi, and despite the rushed production there's some awesome work from both Oda and Tsubaraya. If the cameras were at the proper frame rate for the entire second fight this would probably be regarded more highly regarded as the battle between the two monsters is fantastic
I’m stumbling across these analysis vids of the entire Godzilla series and I am riveted! These are so well researched and presented! Love the playful tone as well. Well done sir👏🏻🙌🏻
Actually, it is legendary voice-over artist Paul Frees who did Kobayashi's voice in the dubbed version. Frees worked with Daws Butler on "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show" and they often backed each other up when one of them was sick and couldn't make it to the set.
I saw this movie for the first time in the mid-90s. Found it in a storage closet on VHS in my elementary school. I also hate bugs as much as you do so thanks 😂
Keep in mind that GIGANTIS, THE FIRE MONSTER was in a Warner Bros./7 Arts syndication package from approximately 1963 to the very early '70s (BLACK SCORPION was in the same package). It played on WCBS-TV Channel 2 in New York, premiering on a Friday night LATE SHOW.
This film certainly has pacing and editing issues, but there's a lot of really good things in it as well. I've always appreciated it dealt with people who are fighting not just for their lives but their livelihood. And scenes of the city burning in the distance, the planes flying silently over the city before the attack, and the military and scientists watching in silence,as footage from the original Godzilla's attack, are all marvelously Moody. This is an excellent example of a good, albeit flawed film, and far more interesting than many of the other showa era sequels.
I love these videos man, I can’t wait till you eventually get to Godzilla Final War. For whatever reason, that one is my favorite; probably because It’s gratuitous. Regardless, these videos are a fun way to relive the movies I used to watch. And even learn more about them too
Don't know if this has been pointed out before but I am binging all your videos and keep noticing it. "Adaptation" = Adap-TAT-ion, you keep pronouncing it A-DAP-tion, dropping an entire syllable. Love your content B.A. Billracus! Keep up the awesome videos your editing gags crack me up and seem laser focused on my personal interests.
Will we get to see histories of some of the other toho tie-in films that you mention in this video' Such as Rodan, The Mysterians, Varan, Battle In Outer Space and Mothra? I would like to see all those ones done too someday! Also just to add a few more I would also like to see Gorath, Atragon and Matango as well.
10:17 scared the frick out of me every time I watched this movie, I’ve seen the movie so many times, and trust me, the japanese version is in the top 2 scariest Godzilla movies… trust me
One thing that will always amaze me about Godzilla Raids Again is how Godzilla and Angurius feel like actual animals fighting. They sometimes stop fighting each other and start sizing each other up, they even circle each other before continuing their fight. Why that blows my mind is because it took until the Monsterverse, specifically Godzilla 2014, where the kaiju feel like animals when fighting
@YunusDrillinger in Godzilla 2014, Godzilla constantly grabs and tackles the MUTOs. Before he gets the finishing kill on the Male MUTO he was literally bitting on him and swinging him around like a dog would do with a chew toy. In KOTM Godzilla was biting and scratching Ghidroah every time they fought and in GvK after Kong was on Godzilla’s back, Godzilla bit Kongs arm and then threw him. When Kong was on the floor Godzilla literally got on all 4s and brutally attacked Kong, just because the monsters sometimes express some humanlike emotions doesn’t mean they can’t fight like animals
Godzilla movies used to play after school on Ch.9 or Ch.11 after school and on Sundays in the afternoon. I’m 60yrs old, it was a reason to get my homework done by then.
My favorite classic! Plus it's the first appearance of Anguirus. I agree that it was rushed but I really enjoyed this film. I've got this movie on VHS with the rest of my godzilla collection. Yes I'm a big Kaiju nerd.
Gigantis the Fire Monster has one major benefit that the original lacks. It's so poorly dubbed and the new footage is so ridiculous that it it's unintentionally hilarious. I respect Godzilla Raids Again, but in comparison it sort of drags on. Subbed
Another great video. Love the jab at the "ummm, actually" people. But damn the commercial breaks are awful. A lot of the commercials hit midsentence, I don't know if you have control over that but it would help a lot if you could clear that up.
I had a couple of Edwin Colbert dinosaur books as a kid so thanks for the deep cut. He was definitely one of the most famous writers on prehistoric life back in the day. This was the first Godzilla film I ever saw (on a Saturday afternoon horror host TV show) and possibly the second fantasy/monster film I saw; the first being Harryhausen's Earth vs The Flying Saucers.
ACTHUALLY its ANKYLADOOKADILLARU If they had more location shoots, not had to use so much day-for-night, and had more time to flesh out the climax and kaiju battle scenes I think this could have been a pretty great follow-up film.
In the first Godzilla film (the Japanese version) I believe DR. Yamane warned authorities that lights (headlights from cars maybe?) would attract the monster. If I'm not mistaken, its a theme used in both films, though more so in this one.
This was that one Godzilla movie I always wanted to see as a kid but never could find it. After finally seeing it on Netflix, I should have expected a silly sequel.
While I also recommend the Japanese version only, the USA version has two of my favorite lines, both spoken by Dr. Tadokoro (Masao Shimizu): “This is BAD! This IS bad!” “A new book come out and we learned so much. And it is called: ‘Angerasaurus - Killer of the Living.’” I guess as opposed to “Killer of the Dead.”
Technically this is godzillas first appearance. As this is the godzilla that carried on the showa era and the 1954 original godzilla died from the oxygen destroyer
Great videos. Thank you for these! I grew up watching the American versions of all of these. I am now very tempted to go back and watch all the Japanese versions. You have breathed new life into my childhood fascination!
The inclusion of the night club footage in the American version I found to be very interesting. The swastika is clearly NOT the Indian good luck symbol, but obviously a Nazi German banner, as the Japanese rising sun banner is hanging right next to it. On the opposite side of the stage is the Italian flag banner hanging with, once again, the rising sun banner of Japan. I would surmise that this is archival footage from during the war when Japan possibly was hosting prominent guests from their Allied countries. Very interesting, but a huge slip up as far as the American editing goes.
As a big Anguirus fan, I enjoy this one quite a lot. And I feel like this guy is so underutilized and it’s just unfair lol. Really hope he appears in the monsterverse at some point or maybe a sequel to Minus One will somehow incorporate the kaiju. I hope for ANYTHING at this point lol
I have paused the video just to comment that we all know Anguirus' real name is "Good Boy", just like Baragon's "Goodest Boy". Tis' a tragedy that they always got the end of stick and got shelved at every opportunity. We need more Anguirus, Toho!
Godzilla being attracted to light is mentioned and showing multiple times in Gojira. Yamane tells the military not to shine light. The military shines a searchlight on him which draws him, there was a light on the radio tower that he bites and shoves apart, and the fire by the beach draws him inland in the first place during the Tokyo attack.
To this day I have still never watched the American version "Gigantis the fire monster" I always heard it was butchered. That being said it was a rushed sequel but the Godzilla Anguirus fights are great. I grew up in the 90s so this film was very hard to obtain at one point. My only knowledge of Anguirus was his later Showa version as Godzilla's sidekick. So seeing them originally as foes was entertaining.
I watched Gigantis the other day. It was pretty bad. The main character narrates tons of scenes that don't need narrating. Godzilla's roars were all replaced with Anguirus's and the original music was replaced with stock library music
In the end, between this and Teenagers from Outer Space I would say this was the better movie, then again Teenagers from Outer Space is one of those films where the bar is set so low it's hard to do worse.
@@BigActionBillhey man can you please 🙏 make another history of Godzilla with all of the new Godzilla movies can you please and thank you if you do make another one
Those radio spots are cool! Do you have the complete radio spot record? Is there any way I could get a copy of them or do you know where I might find them?
I didn't know that there was a giant buddha movie before. Great sequal. I have this on dvd including a bonus Bill's Kitchen mini documentary about suit acting. I didn't know that there was a hand puppet on Anguirus as he was fighting Godzilla or the back part of his shell came off on his back. Thanks for the description. I also didn't know that Anguirus' roar cause shock waves that caused the palace to fall apart. I also didn't know that the Godzilla head was made smaller and showing more his teeth. I also didn't know that Anguirus' roar was based on a saxaphone. I also didn't know that Yoshio Tsuchiya was in Seven Samurai before doing Godzilla Raids Again.
21:43 No, you were right, if you noticed there is also the flag of the fascist Italian empire on the other side of the stage, the Italians were another ally of Japan during WW2, this might be footage of a Japanese ceremony dedicated to the axis powers, I believe.
A long time ago this was the only Godzilla film I hadn't watched. My brother and I found a VHS online and when we finally watched it, it was the American version, but it wasn't until the Classic Media release that I realized the VHS we had was slightly edited. It played out more like the Japanese version, the ending was the same with the shot of the island, the Dr. Yamane scene didn't have all the extra dinosaur footage, basically all the extra footage from the dub was missing.
No one knows how old the swastika symbol is. But very old Buddhist symbol. It’s been seen in temples in Tibet. How Germans started to use it is a complicated story, but Some German soldiers put it on their helmets in World War One as a protective charm.