Son of Godzilla (1967)

Scientists experimenting with changes in weather on a tropical island get more than they bargained for when Godzilla shows up to battle humongous insects and protect his newborn child.

Director:

Jun Fukuda

Writers:

Shin'ichi Sekizawa, Kazue Shiba

Stars:

Tadao Takashima, Akira Kubo, Beverly Maeda

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tadao Takashima	...	Dr. Kusumi
Akira Kubo	...	Goro Maki
Beverly Maeda	...	Riko (Saeko) Matsumiya (as Bibari Maeda)
Akihiko Hirata	...	Fujisaki
Yoshio Tsuchiya	...	Furukawa
Kenji Sahara	...	Morio
Ken'ichirô Maruyama	...	Ozawa
Seishirô Kuno	...	Tashiro
Yasuhiko Saijô	...	Suzuki
Susumu Kurobe	...	Navigator
Kazuo Suzuki	...	Pilot
Wataru Ômae	...	Radio Operator
Chôtarô Tôgin	...	Surveyor
Osman Yusuf	...	Submarine Captain
Haruo Nakajima	...	Gojira

Storyline

A group of scientists are on tropical Solgel Island in the Pacific to conduct weather control experiments. Just before they begin, they find giant preying mantises measuring 25 feet tall called Kamakaras. They decide to go ahead with the experiments, but a malfunction in one of the devices and as a result a radioactive storm that pushes the temperature up to two hundred degrees. The storm also causes the mantises to grow even bigger to 100 feet tall. The mantises then make their way to a huge mound where they uncover a giant egg which contains a young Godzilla, later named Minilla. Eventually, Godzilla shows up and saves his offspring. The rest of the movie features Godzilla taking care of and teaching his young son the skills that will eventually help him to become the new "King of Monsters" as well as fighting the Kamakaras and a giant spider named Kumoga.

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Plot Keywords:

godzilla | kaiju | weather | island | scientist | 

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Taglines:

Japan's Greatest Foe Delivers an Heir!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some sci-fi monster violence

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

16 December 1967 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Son of Godzilla

Box Office

Budget:

$900,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,625,778

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toho Company

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Godzilla's look transformed from a part menacing-like look into a loving father after Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster. By this time, it became obvious that Godzilla movies were now being made to suit children. In Godzilla's new look in Son of Godzilla, his eyes were made larger and his snout shorter. The shape of his head resembles that of a human head, probably, to make Godzilla less scary. The tone for Son of Godzilla was a playful and goofy tone. This suit was later used in Godzilla vs. Gigan in the swimming scenes.

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Goofs

When Riko throws the fruit into Minilla's mouth, the fruit is obviously transparent hand-drawn animation.

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Quotes

Goro Maki: [Godzilla and Minya are close by] Riko, I think they spotted us.
Riko Matsumiya: No, it appears to be teaching its son.
Goro Maki: Teaching its son?
[Riko nods]
Goro Maki: It's teaching its son all right. And, he's teaching its son just like people teaching its children, just like a papa.
Riko Matsumiya: Well, it is a papa, isn't it?
Goro Maki: Well sure, but I wouldn't want one like that.
Riko Matsumiya: Nor I, everything's relative I guess.
Goro Maki: You're right.

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Connections

Follows King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)

User Reviews

Son of Godzilla (1967) ***

Yes, this is a juvenile Godzilla film in many ways. Yes, the baby Godzilla is goofy. But you know what? I like this monster movie! It's entertaining, fun, and also very heartwarming whenever we get to see Godzilla taking the little guy Minya under his wing (Godzilla's always been more of a "surrogate" dad rather than an organic one in my view).

A group of scientists are conducting intense weather experiments on a remote island that just so happens to be inhabited by giant praying mantises, a giant spider that spins deadly webs, and a large egg that hatches to produce a "little Godzilla". The Big G gets to teach Minya all about breathing fire, stomping enemies, and also some quality father and son bonding (awww).

Those who don't like Godzilla movies very much are advised to stay away; even some die-hard fans don't care for the sentiment expressed in this entry. There is still a lot of steady monster action on hand, a good pairing between a young visiting reporter and a pretty island girl, and a truly touching ending that nearly brings a tear to my eye every time I see it. *** out of ****