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GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH Directed By Yoshimitzu Banno During the 1970s, Toho went in a different direction with their Godzilla series. The films became more extreme, as their level of violence increased. In the original Gojira, pollution in the form of radiation was the problem that spawned a deadly creature. Once Godzilla became a superhero, pollution was no longer a threat and the series became action-oriented. Toho decided to bring violence and a grim atmosphere back into the movies that originally made audiences fearful nearly two decades before. This decision led to Godzilla Vs. Hedorah. Originally released in North America by American International Pictures as Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster, this film has achieved great notoriety amongst fans and critics alike. After years of limited home video releases, Columbia/TriStar has finally released Godzilla Vs. Hedorah in widescreen.
 Digital Disc Version  1989 Orion VHS The fishing areas of Japan have become so polluted that a monster has spawned. Hedorah, consisting of poison gas, sludge and garbage destroys ships, emits acid mist, and lays death and destruction in its path. Godzilla battles the creature near the bay, only to find that the creature is nearly indestructible.
 Digital Disc Version  1989 Orion VHS Hedorah evolves into a shape-shifter, allowing it to fly, walk on land and move through water. Locals decide to stage a music festival on Mount Fuji. When the festivities are underway, Hedorah shows up, threatening the lives of everyone there. Godzilla arrives to engage in a final battle with the smog monster, as scientists have a plan of their own.....
 Digital Disc Version  1989 Orion VHS Godzilla Vs. Hedorah is a very grim film with a strange side to it. In addition to graphic deaths (people burned by the acid mist, reduced to bones by poisonous sludge, etc.), several weird sequences conveying symbolism occasionally rear their bizarre heads. Scenes involving people sprouting fish heads and animations add to the sullen, bewildering mood of the film.
 Digital Disc Version  1989 Orion VHS Columbia/TriStar given the fans another top-notch widescreen transfer, with the option to view the film in both the original Japanese language or dubbed in English. Godzilla Vs. Hedorah is presented by Columbia/TriStar 2.35:1 with 16x9 enhancement. The image, much like their Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla, is the cleanest, brightest and most colorful version available. This is proof positive that holding license to the proper materials can make the biggest difference when it comes to quality. The few blemishes and rare instances of grain that appear onscreen are hardly noticeable.
 Digital Disc Version  1989 Orion VHS The audio options are what make this release unique. The original Japanese audio track and dubbed English track are presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 mono. The sound quality is as remarkable as the image quality. Strangely enough, though, the English track is not the American International version, but the International release version. Gone are the campy voiceovers that American audiences have become accustomed to over the years with this film. Sentences are worded much differently, and there are a few sound cues that differ from the American International Pictures version. Disappointingly, the title song "Save the Earth" is only available in its original Japanese language on both audio tracks.
 Digital Disc Version  1989 Orion VHS There are no extras to speak of on this disc, except for trailers for Godzilla Tokyo SOS, Godzilla: The Animated Series and The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra. These aren't really to be considered extras, only advertisements for similar-themed films. A theatrical trailer would have been a welcome inclusion.
 Digital Disc Version  1989 Orion VHS An excellent transfer with a minimal of disappointment. Although the image and sound are top notch, the lack of extras and absence of American International Pictures' soundtrack will be a deal-breaker for some fans. For most fans and collectors, however, this release is going to probably be the highest-quality release to appear on DVD. |
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