Gorgo (1961)

Greedy sailors capture a giant lizard off the coast of Ireland and sell it to a London circus. Then its mother shows up.

Director:

Eugène Lourié (as Eugene Lourie)

Writers:

Robert L. Richards (screen story), Daniel James (screen story)

Stars:

Bill Travers, William Sylvester, Vincent Winter

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bill Travers	...	Joe
William Sylvester	...	Sam
Vincent Winter	...	Sean
Christopher Rhodes	...	McCartin
Joseph O'Conor	...	Prof. Hendricks
Bruce Seton	...	Prof. Flaherty
Martin Benson	...	Dorkin
Maurice Kaufmann	...	Radio Reporter (as Maurice Kauffman)
Basil Dignam	...	Admiral
Barry Keegan	...	Mate
Tommy Duggan	...	1st Naval Officer (as Thomas Duggan)
Howard Lang	...	1st Colonel
Dervis Ward	...	Bosun

Storyline

A salvage vessle is nearly sunk off the Irish coast by an undersea earthquake. A few nights later, a walking sea monster tangles with the fishing boats and enters the town. The salvage vessel captures Gorgo and takes it to London for display. Gorgo's mother, who is upset and significantly larger follows his trail to London leaving a wake of destruction in her path.

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Plot Keywords:

sailor | boat | giant lizard | lizard | ireland | 

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Taglines:

Like nothing you've ever seen before!

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Irish

Release Date:

29 March 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fornaldar-skrímslið

Filming Locations:

Coliemore Harbour, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

King Brothers Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the film was being viewed by the British Board of Film Classification the occupants of the adjoining offices came in to complain about the noise.

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Goofs

When using the "flame throwers" on the baby monster, you can see the gas line running down the inside guy's pants legs and trailing behind them.

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Quotes

Radio Reporter: Bridge is gone! One of London's oldest landmarks smashed like matchwood! Nothing has stopped this beast so far, nothing!

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Connections

References Gojira (1954)

User Reviews

Underrated Monster Classic

For some reason, most non-Godzilla giant monster films are looked down upon by IMDB reviewers. Gorgo, the "English Godzilla", tears apart London in this film that is just as entertaining, and perhaps even more so, than the original Godzilla. Both the infant and adult Gorgo's look fantastic, and the human actors, while somewhat bland, aren't terrible and don't detract much from the movie. Also factor in that it's infinitely more interesting when the monuments destroyed are all recognizable, and it's strange to see why this film, especially among sci-fi/monster film fans, isn't more appreciated. Plus, you gotta dig those crazy prehistoric fish (the only part of the film that doesn't really make sense)!