Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)

Ape-like aliens build a robotic Godzilla to destroy Japan, and the true Godzilla may not be powerful enough to destroy it.

Director:

Jun Fukuda

Writers:

Jun Fukuda, Masami Fukushima (story)

Stars:

Masaaki Daimon, Kazuya Aoyama, Reiko Tajima

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Masaaki Daimon	...	Keisuke Shimizu
Kazuya Aoyama	...	Masahiko Shimizu
Reiko Tajima	...	Saeko Kanagusuku
Akihiko Hirata	...	Professor Hideto Miyajima
Hiromi Matsushita	...	Ikuko Miyajima
Hiroshi Koizumi	...	Professor Wagura
Masao Imafuku	...	Tengan Kunigami, the Azumi Royal Family High Priest
Bellbella Lin	...	Nami Kunigami, the Azumi Royal Family Princess (as Barbara Lynn)
Shin Kishida	...	Interpol Agent Nanbara
Gorô Mutsumi	...	Alien Supreme Leader Kuronuma
Daigo Kusano	...	Yanagawa, Alien Agent #1
Takayasu Torii	...	Interpol Agent Tamura
Kenji Sahara	...	Ship's Captain
Yasuzô Ogawa	...	Construction Foreman
Takamitsu Watanabe	...	Alien Henchman # 1

Storyline

Aliens intend to take over the planet and, just in case Godzilla tries to interfere, have built a mechanical version of him to put an end to his interference. The Earth humans summon the legendary King Seesar to assist Godzilla in the battle.

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Plot Keywords:

godzilla | alien | giant robot | robot | robot monster battle | 

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Taglines:

All New! Never Seen Before!

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Genres:

Action | Fantasy | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

March 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

Filming Locations:

Okinawa, Japan

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,873,268

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toho Company, Toho Eizo Co.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the final Godzilla film to feature a score from Masaru Sato. It was an all new score, which fitted exceptionally well with the film, and only has one stock music track that Sato re-uses from Son of Godzilla (1967) for the King Seesar vs Mechagodzilla fight.

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Goofs

When Mechagodzilla is fighting Anguirus, the strings to pick Anguirus can be seen clearly.

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Quotes

[after Nanbara saves Shimizu's life]
Keisuke Shimizu: Just who are you?
Interpol Agent Nanbara: I'm an Interpol agent. Nanbara.
Keisuke Shimizu: You've been following me?
Interpol Agent Nanbara: Yes. Six months ago, they came to our attention. We threw out a net to find the truth... and you got caught in that net. I've been following you ever since. And that's all there is to the story!
[chuckles]

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Alternate Versions

The older US television and video version (and no longer used) released by Cinema Shares had the "Godzilla vs the Cosmic Monster" title (red background with title written in white letters in an almost circular pattern). Also, in the beginning of the film when they show Anguirus in Siberia, the Cinema Shares version is slightly bright, enabling you to see Anguirus and to see the snow on the mountain. The Japanese version is the same. In addition, the Cinema Shares version cuts the ending out and ends a few seconds after the huge explosion and when King Seesar re-seals himself back in the mountain. The end title shows a statue of King Seesar on the left and shows a red background with the words "The End" on the right. Later video re-releases use the newer "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla" title in the US and has the Siberia scene exceptionally dark, making it hard to see Anguirus. But, this newer video version restores the full ending of the film, where you see the characters putting the King Seesar statue back in place (without this full ending, it would appear the heroes also die in the explosion).

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Connections

Referenced in James & Mike Mondays: Bio Force Ape (2014)

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Soundtracks

A Young Girl's Prayer
("Miyarabi No Inori")
Performed by Bellbella Lin
Music by Masaru Satô
Lyrics by Jun Fukuda

User Reviews

Gojira tai Mekagojira (1974)

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla brings back a more serious tone. Well, as serious as you can be with the Godzilla movies (not including the original). Here we have an alien race of ape-men, creating their own Godzilla. Meanwhile a prophecy speaks of the resurrection of King Caesar. It's a big old monster mash-up with everything I love about these films. It was also well-shot, and stands apart in the sometimes boring human sections. Here, the intrigue is just as exciting as monsters fighting. We also see a rather horrific jaw breaking scene, and the wonders of wakening a monster with a four minute song. Mechagodzilla is a joy, as he doesn't look as ridiculous as some of the monster creations from the past.