It was 70 years ago (November 3, 1954) that the original Godzilla (Gojira) premiered in Japan. (The popular, Raymond Burr recut, King of the Monsters, would premiere two years later.)
Godzilla is, in truth, a disguised remake of Eugene Lourie/Fred Freiberger/Lou Morheim's The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (which in its own right was based on Ray Bradbury's "The Foghorn"). The concept was also inspired by King Kong (in particular, the T-Rex that fought the titular ape) and was directed by Ishiro Honda, who would become synonymous with the kaiju genre, from a script that he wrote with kaiju innovator, Takeo Murata. The movie was shot in black-and-white, which works to its brooding benefit, with Godzilla (Katsumi Tezuka) filmed in eerie slow motion to emulate a stop-motion style. (This gives Godzilla a lumbering but formidable flow, unique to this initial entry.)
The tale's theme is introspective, with an implication that the Titan's emergence was a karmic reply to Japan's imperious sins. This, therefore, makes Godzilla a cause-and-effect tragedy, with a push toward redemption.
Whether one views the 1954 original or the Burr revision, Godzilla's significance can't be denied. Why not re-watch it on its landmark anniversary and rejoice in its savage roar!
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