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- This is Tokyo: A Godzilla Fan-Edit
This is Tokyo: A Godzilla Fan-Edit
Updated
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie/Show Title:
Genre:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1954
Original Running Time:
98 minutes
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
102 minutes
Subtitles Available:
Available in HD:
Available In:
HD
Additional Links:
Synopsis:
This is a re-edit of Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956), the American version of the Japanese Godzilla (1954), which combines it with the original version.
KOTM56's own protagonist, Raymond Burr’s character Steve Martin, is added alongside most scenes of the original cast, whilst adhering to KOTM56’s narrative framing: a documentary-esque noir told from Steve’s perspective.
Due to the nature of the edit requiring subjective artistic choice in combining the two different films, this is an entirely different cut of the film.
This edit gets you the best of both worlds, with the brilliance of the original Japanese masterpiece and the great acting and iconic lines of Raymond Burr that I (and I’m sure many others) have lots of nostalgia for.
This is a great edit for people who like both versions for their own merits and don’t want to have to pick between the two when revisiting the original Godzilla. It’s also a potential way to introduce someone to the franchise if you’re not sure which version to show them.
KOTM56's own protagonist, Raymond Burr’s character Steve Martin, is added alongside most scenes of the original cast, whilst adhering to KOTM56’s narrative framing: a documentary-esque noir told from Steve’s perspective.
Due to the nature of the edit requiring subjective artistic choice in combining the two different films, this is an entirely different cut of the film.
This edit gets you the best of both worlds, with the brilliance of the original Japanese masterpiece and the great acting and iconic lines of Raymond Burr that I (and I’m sure many others) have lots of nostalgia for.
This is a great edit for people who like both versions for their own merits and don’t want to have to pick between the two when revisiting the original Godzilla. It’s also a potential way to introduce someone to the franchise if you’re not sure which version to show them.
Intention:
I wanted to create a singular, definitive version of the original Godzilla that contained both of the things I love from the Japanese and American cuts of the film whenever I want to revisit the film.
I have a lot of nostalgia for Raymond Burr's character Steve Martin from the American version, and I think his performance was genuinely fantastic and added gravitas to the film. There were other things, too, like the new opening, closing narration, and some of it's editing choices.
However, there's no denying that the original Japanese version is the better version. So I decided to add the best things from the American version to the original.
I have a lot of nostalgia for Raymond Burr's character Steve Martin from the American version, and I think his performance was genuinely fantastic and added gravitas to the film. There were other things, too, like the new opening, closing narration, and some of it's editing choices.
However, there's no denying that the original Japanese version is the better version. So I decided to add the best things from the American version to the original.
Other Sources:
Akira Ifukube's Godzilla 1954 Soundtrack
Godzilla 1954 Roar Sound Effects
Godzilla 1954 Roar Sound Effects
Release Information:
Digital
Editing Details:
Both versions sourced from the Criterion Blu-Ray. Modifications to dimensions, brightness and contrast are made to both versions for coherency.
Editing Software: Premiere Pro
Video: 1080p
Audio: Stereo AAC 2 channel
Editing Software: Premiere Pro
Video: 1080p
Audio: Stereo AAC 2 channel
Cuts and Additions:
Steve Martin’s fundamental narrative function is our POV character; everything is in the US version either something he witnesses or knows of. This edit follows this framing for narrative coherence.
As such, characters are introduced when Steve meets/interacts with them, only after which they can have independent scenes in JP. Steve’s narration delivering exposition is also mostly used in place of equivalent JP scenes.
However, I also include as much JP content as possible within this framework; subtitled JP dialogue is spliced in when Steve is watching conversations, and emphasis was placed on keeping important scenes with JP characters, as long as it doesn’t interfere with Steve’s role as the protagonist.
JP/54 - Original Japanese Version
US/KOTM56 - Godzilla: King of the Monsters!
-(US) Title and introduction to Steve Martin in the aftermath of Godzilla’s rampage. The film remains mostly an extended flashback told from Steve’s perspective.
-(JP) Godzilla destroys the Eiko-Maru. Used JP version to maintain mystery, as KOTM56 added Godzilla’s roar to the scene.
-Cut scene of Ogata and Emiko. Unfortunate, but Steve is our POV character and we haven’t been introduced to them yet.
-(US) Steve is stopped by security at the airport, meets Iwanaga, and learns of the destruction of the Eiko-Maru.
-(JP & US) Iwanaga takes Steve to the SDF Naval Office. Intercut with JP as Ogata and the coast guard talk about the disappearance of the Eiko-Maru.
-(JP) Godzilla sinks the Bingo-Maru.
-(JP) Military officials talk with families of people on the sunken ships.
-(JP) Survivors of Bingo-Maru are found by a third ship.
-(JP) Military reports that survivors were found.
-(JP) Military learns that the third ship was also sunk.
–Cut Hagiwara calling Dr. Yamane and telling him, “That’s three now!” to allow consistency with the next scene.
-(US) Steve leaves a message for his editor: now eight ships have been sunk, and shipping is shut down. It can be inferred that more ships have been destroyed since the previous scene. We were only viewing the perspective of a single shipping company, anyway.
-(JP & US) Masaji, a native of Odo Island and fisherman, washes ashore. Added narration by Steve introducing the island (to mitigate it kinda coming out of nowhere within this narrative framing), but omitted his implication that Masaji dies, as he’s seen later.
-(JP) Odo Island fishermen get no catch, an elder admonishes the youth for ridiculing belief in Godzilla.
-(JP & US) Steve, military officials, and reporter Hagiwara land on Odo Island to interview locals.
-Omitted US scene of Iwanaga and Steve interviewing a local. It’s just too cheesy (especially with how stereotypically the native is portrayed) and it conveys the same information as Hagiwara’s interview with Masaji.
-(US) Steve and Iwanaga watch islander ceremony and learn the legend of Godzilla.
-(JP & US) Steve and Iwanaga witness Godzilla attack and destroy the village amidst a storm. Intercut with Shinkichi losing his family.
–Truncated unnecessarily long shot of Shinkichi screaming for his mom and brother after Godzilla destroys their house.
-(JP & US) Odo Islanders testify before the Diet. Steve’s narration added to the opening to the scene, but not over the testimonies. Added shots of Steve listening and taking notes.
-(JP & US) Professor Yamane proposes a scientific expedition. Added shots of Steve listening.
–Steve introduces Dr. Yamane through narration when he appears before the Diet. Audio is taken from Yamane’s US introduction, which recontextualized footage from a scene taking place later in the JP version. This is done to retain said JP scene later on, whilst maintaining Steve as the POV character.
-(US) Steve leaves the press box, is granted permission to join the expedition by Yamane.
-(US) Expedition leaves for Odo Island, with Steve’s narration. In accordance with the KOTM56’s explanation that Serizawa is away conducting field tests, he is not present.
-(US) Steve narrates as he silently watches Ogata and Emiko, telling us of the love triangle between them and Serizawa through narration. I couldn't add Ogata and Emiko’s JP dialogue as their conversation is about Serizawa seeing them off.
-(JP & US) Expedition surveying Odo Island. Added Steve and Iwanaga in the crowd.
–Truncated overly long shot of Islander hitting the bell.
–Omitted Iwanaga telling Steve the islanders are heading up the hills for safety, which contradicts footage and dialogue showing they’re actually going up to fight the creature.
-(JP & US) Godzilla rises from behind the mountain. Added shots of Steve and Iwanaga.
–Re-edited US audio to remove weird audio echo effects.
-(JP & US) Yamane’s report to the Diet. Added Steve watching.
–Purposefully used contemplative shots of Steve when Yamane states that H-bombs are responsible for Godzilla, as well as in the middle of the heated argument. Shot choice implies he agrees with the woman who declares Godzilla should be made public.
-(JP) Train scene with citizens' reaction to newspaper report of Godzilla.
-(US) Steve calls his editor Lawrence and Serizawa.
-(JP) Ogata and Emiko’s conversation about Serizawa.
–Hagiwara’s talk with Emiko and Ogata and interview with Serizawa had to go. Serizawa told Steve that Emiko initiated the meeting and indicated it’s personal. Steve and Serizawa's phone call is important; their friendship is the reason Steve stops in Japan.
-Cut shots of Ogata and Emiko driving to their respective destinations.
-(JP & US) Added Steve’s narration to the beginning of Emiko at Serizawa’s house. The rest, Serizawa showing her the Oxygen Destroyer, is purely JP.
-(JP) Emiko returns home but doesn’t tell Ogata what happened.
-(JP) The Navy tries to kill Godzilla with depth charges. Yamane sits alone in his office, upset. In 54, this happens before Emiko visits Serizawa. KOTM56’s restructure is used to maintain consistency with Steve’s phone conversations with Lawrence and Serizawa.
-(US) A party boat spots Godzilla in Tokyo Bay, with Steve’s narration at the beginning.
-(US) Steve narrates over a montage as Japan is now put into a state of panic.
-(JP) Military officials call Yamane to a meeting, but he has no idea how to kill Godzilla. This scene, important to Yamane’s characterization, is able to be kept because I moved Steve’s narration introducing Yamane to his introduction scene in 54.
-(JP & US) Godzilla’s first rampage. Steve added. Used some shots of Godzilla from KOTM56, as its Criterion transfer actually preserves more detail then Criterion’s transfer for 54, which is sometimes too dark and hard to see Godzilla.
-Added Godzilla roars in shots where his mouth is open, but there’s no roar.
-(US) Iwanaga tells Steve about the military’s plan, thereby utilizing KOTM56’s more logical explanation for the electric towers. They’re already present but charged with extra voltage, rather than the military building an entire row of electric towers in less than 24 hours. It’s still odd, but at least less so.
-(JP & US) Montage of residents being evacuated with Steve’s narration.
-(US) Montage of military mobilization narrated by Steve. In KOTM56 this is placed before Godzilla’s first rampage, but is moved to the JP cut’s placement, as the military doesn’t intervene until the second rampage.
-(JP) Ogata, intending to ask Yamane for permission to marry Emiko, gets himself thrown out of the house.
-(JP & US) Godzilla makes landfall and destroys the electric towers. Added Steve shots and narration as he reports live. Used the US cut’s more suspenseful edit of Godzilla’s approach, as well as a chunk of its footage, as it preserves more detail.
–Omitted Steve stating that everyone is off the streets by nightfall. As we see during the rampage, this isn’t true.
–Cut misaligned artillery shot as Godzilla destroys the electric towers.
-(JP & US) Godzilla’s second rampage. Mostly JP. Added Steve shots and narration recording his report during the attack, and Godzilla destroying the building Steve is in, re-edited to maintain continuity with the JP rampage sequence. Used a lot of shots of Godzilla from the transfer for KOTM56 for the same reason as the first rampage.
–Added Godzilla roars in shots where his mouth is open, but there’s no roar.
–Truncated Godzilla vs. Jet fighters scene, more like the US cut.
-(JP) Aftermath of Godzilla’s attack.
-(JP & US) Emiko tells Ogata and Steve about the Oxygen Destroyer, Steve urges them to convince Serizawa to use the weapon. Purely JP flashback of Serizawa’s demonstration to Emiko and their subsequent conversation.
–Removed mention of Hagiwara as Serizawa talks to Emiko about the Oxygen Destroyer for continuity.
-(JP) Ogata and Emiko convince Serizawa to use the Oxygen Destroyer against Godzilla.
–Added my own subtitles so Serizawa asks about Steve, and Ogata tells him he’s recovering in the hospital.
–Also added subtitles so Emiko mentions that she told both Ogata and Steve of the Oxygen Destroyer.
-(US) Steve’s narration as the ship makes its way to Tokyo Bay.
-(JP) Serizawa insists that he help Ogata use the Oxygen Destroyer.
–Serizawa asks Steve to get him a diving suit rather than Ogata. Small change, but it allows Steve to feel more present with the JP characters.
–Added original exchanges between Steve and Serizawa before the latter goes underwater, using other dialogue from the US cut. With the presence of the JP scene of Serizawa asking for a diving suit, it feels odd that he never bothers to talk to his old college friend, and Steve is otherwise oddly absent from the scene.
—Serizawa says, “Steve, promise to keep my secret.” Steve responds “Of course.” In this cut, it’s more ambiguous how much the public knows about the Oxygen Destroyer. This could also be interpreted as Serizawa having told Steve what he plans to do, and he’s asking him again not to tell Ogata and Emiko.
—As Serizawa holds the OD with a contemplative face, Steve asks him, “Serizawa, is something wrong?”. I arranged footage so Steve and Serizawa appear to look at each other after Serizawa responds.
-(JP & US) The Death of Godzilla. Added Steve on the boat. Swapped a couple of Steve’s shots from their placement in the US cut, as I felt one matched Steve’s reaction to Serizawa choosing to die more.
–Serizawa says “Goodbye Steve”, as he cuts his wire.
-(JP & US) Mixed JP and US ending, keeping both Yamane’s iconic final line and Steve’s speech in honor of his friend’s sacrifice.
As such, characters are introduced when Steve meets/interacts with them, only after which they can have independent scenes in JP. Steve’s narration delivering exposition is also mostly used in place of equivalent JP scenes.
However, I also include as much JP content as possible within this framework; subtitled JP dialogue is spliced in when Steve is watching conversations, and emphasis was placed on keeping important scenes with JP characters, as long as it doesn’t interfere with Steve’s role as the protagonist.
JP/54 - Original Japanese Version
US/KOTM56 - Godzilla: King of the Monsters!
-(US) Title and introduction to Steve Martin in the aftermath of Godzilla’s rampage. The film remains mostly an extended flashback told from Steve’s perspective.
-(JP) Godzilla destroys the Eiko-Maru. Used JP version to maintain mystery, as KOTM56 added Godzilla’s roar to the scene.
-Cut scene of Ogata and Emiko. Unfortunate, but Steve is our POV character and we haven’t been introduced to them yet.
-(US) Steve is stopped by security at the airport, meets Iwanaga, and learns of the destruction of the Eiko-Maru.
-(JP & US) Iwanaga takes Steve to the SDF Naval Office. Intercut with JP as Ogata and the coast guard talk about the disappearance of the Eiko-Maru.
-(JP) Godzilla sinks the Bingo-Maru.
-(JP) Military officials talk with families of people on the sunken ships.
-(JP) Survivors of Bingo-Maru are found by a third ship.
-(JP) Military reports that survivors were found.
-(JP) Military learns that the third ship was also sunk.
–Cut Hagiwara calling Dr. Yamane and telling him, “That’s three now!” to allow consistency with the next scene.
-(US) Steve leaves a message for his editor: now eight ships have been sunk, and shipping is shut down. It can be inferred that more ships have been destroyed since the previous scene. We were only viewing the perspective of a single shipping company, anyway.
-(JP & US) Masaji, a native of Odo Island and fisherman, washes ashore. Added narration by Steve introducing the island (to mitigate it kinda coming out of nowhere within this narrative framing), but omitted his implication that Masaji dies, as he’s seen later.
-(JP) Odo Island fishermen get no catch, an elder admonishes the youth for ridiculing belief in Godzilla.
-(JP & US) Steve, military officials, and reporter Hagiwara land on Odo Island to interview locals.
-Omitted US scene of Iwanaga and Steve interviewing a local. It’s just too cheesy (especially with how stereotypically the native is portrayed) and it conveys the same information as Hagiwara’s interview with Masaji.
-(US) Steve and Iwanaga watch islander ceremony and learn the legend of Godzilla.
-(JP & US) Steve and Iwanaga witness Godzilla attack and destroy the village amidst a storm. Intercut with Shinkichi losing his family.
–Truncated unnecessarily long shot of Shinkichi screaming for his mom and brother after Godzilla destroys their house.
-(JP & US) Odo Islanders testify before the Diet. Steve’s narration added to the opening to the scene, but not over the testimonies. Added shots of Steve listening and taking notes.
-(JP & US) Professor Yamane proposes a scientific expedition. Added shots of Steve listening.
–Steve introduces Dr. Yamane through narration when he appears before the Diet. Audio is taken from Yamane’s US introduction, which recontextualized footage from a scene taking place later in the JP version. This is done to retain said JP scene later on, whilst maintaining Steve as the POV character.
-(US) Steve leaves the press box, is granted permission to join the expedition by Yamane.
-(US) Expedition leaves for Odo Island, with Steve’s narration. In accordance with the KOTM56’s explanation that Serizawa is away conducting field tests, he is not present.
-(US) Steve narrates as he silently watches Ogata and Emiko, telling us of the love triangle between them and Serizawa through narration. I couldn't add Ogata and Emiko’s JP dialogue as their conversation is about Serizawa seeing them off.
-(JP & US) Expedition surveying Odo Island. Added Steve and Iwanaga in the crowd.
–Truncated overly long shot of Islander hitting the bell.
–Omitted Iwanaga telling Steve the islanders are heading up the hills for safety, which contradicts footage and dialogue showing they’re actually going up to fight the creature.
-(JP & US) Godzilla rises from behind the mountain. Added shots of Steve and Iwanaga.
–Re-edited US audio to remove weird audio echo effects.
-(JP & US) Yamane’s report to the Diet. Added Steve watching.
–Purposefully used contemplative shots of Steve when Yamane states that H-bombs are responsible for Godzilla, as well as in the middle of the heated argument. Shot choice implies he agrees with the woman who declares Godzilla should be made public.
-(JP) Train scene with citizens' reaction to newspaper report of Godzilla.
-(US) Steve calls his editor Lawrence and Serizawa.
-(JP) Ogata and Emiko’s conversation about Serizawa.
–Hagiwara’s talk with Emiko and Ogata and interview with Serizawa had to go. Serizawa told Steve that Emiko initiated the meeting and indicated it’s personal. Steve and Serizawa's phone call is important; their friendship is the reason Steve stops in Japan.
-Cut shots of Ogata and Emiko driving to their respective destinations.
-(JP & US) Added Steve’s narration to the beginning of Emiko at Serizawa’s house. The rest, Serizawa showing her the Oxygen Destroyer, is purely JP.
-(JP) Emiko returns home but doesn’t tell Ogata what happened.
-(JP) The Navy tries to kill Godzilla with depth charges. Yamane sits alone in his office, upset. In 54, this happens before Emiko visits Serizawa. KOTM56’s restructure is used to maintain consistency with Steve’s phone conversations with Lawrence and Serizawa.
-(US) A party boat spots Godzilla in Tokyo Bay, with Steve’s narration at the beginning.
-(US) Steve narrates over a montage as Japan is now put into a state of panic.
-(JP) Military officials call Yamane to a meeting, but he has no idea how to kill Godzilla. This scene, important to Yamane’s characterization, is able to be kept because I moved Steve’s narration introducing Yamane to his introduction scene in 54.
-(JP & US) Godzilla’s first rampage. Steve added. Used some shots of Godzilla from KOTM56, as its Criterion transfer actually preserves more detail then Criterion’s transfer for 54, which is sometimes too dark and hard to see Godzilla.
-Added Godzilla roars in shots where his mouth is open, but there’s no roar.
-(US) Iwanaga tells Steve about the military’s plan, thereby utilizing KOTM56’s more logical explanation for the electric towers. They’re already present but charged with extra voltage, rather than the military building an entire row of electric towers in less than 24 hours. It’s still odd, but at least less so.
-(JP & US) Montage of residents being evacuated with Steve’s narration.
-(US) Montage of military mobilization narrated by Steve. In KOTM56 this is placed before Godzilla’s first rampage, but is moved to the JP cut’s placement, as the military doesn’t intervene until the second rampage.
-(JP) Ogata, intending to ask Yamane for permission to marry Emiko, gets himself thrown out of the house.
-(JP & US) Godzilla makes landfall and destroys the electric towers. Added Steve shots and narration as he reports live. Used the US cut’s more suspenseful edit of Godzilla’s approach, as well as a chunk of its footage, as it preserves more detail.
–Omitted Steve stating that everyone is off the streets by nightfall. As we see during the rampage, this isn’t true.
–Cut misaligned artillery shot as Godzilla destroys the electric towers.
-(JP & US) Godzilla’s second rampage. Mostly JP. Added Steve shots and narration recording his report during the attack, and Godzilla destroying the building Steve is in, re-edited to maintain continuity with the JP rampage sequence. Used a lot of shots of Godzilla from the transfer for KOTM56 for the same reason as the first rampage.
–Added Godzilla roars in shots where his mouth is open, but there’s no roar.
–Truncated Godzilla vs. Jet fighters scene, more like the US cut.
-(JP) Aftermath of Godzilla’s attack.
-(JP & US) Emiko tells Ogata and Steve about the Oxygen Destroyer, Steve urges them to convince Serizawa to use the weapon. Purely JP flashback of Serizawa’s demonstration to Emiko and their subsequent conversation.
–Removed mention of Hagiwara as Serizawa talks to Emiko about the Oxygen Destroyer for continuity.
-(JP) Ogata and Emiko convince Serizawa to use the Oxygen Destroyer against Godzilla.
–Added my own subtitles so Serizawa asks about Steve, and Ogata tells him he’s recovering in the hospital.
–Also added subtitles so Emiko mentions that she told both Ogata and Steve of the Oxygen Destroyer.
-(US) Steve’s narration as the ship makes its way to Tokyo Bay.
-(JP) Serizawa insists that he help Ogata use the Oxygen Destroyer.
–Serizawa asks Steve to get him a diving suit rather than Ogata. Small change, but it allows Steve to feel more present with the JP characters.
–Added original exchanges between Steve and Serizawa before the latter goes underwater, using other dialogue from the US cut. With the presence of the JP scene of Serizawa asking for a diving suit, it feels odd that he never bothers to talk to his old college friend, and Steve is otherwise oddly absent from the scene.
—Serizawa says, “Steve, promise to keep my secret.” Steve responds “Of course.” In this cut, it’s more ambiguous how much the public knows about the Oxygen Destroyer. This could also be interpreted as Serizawa having told Steve what he plans to do, and he’s asking him again not to tell Ogata and Emiko.
—As Serizawa holds the OD with a contemplative face, Steve asks him, “Serizawa, is something wrong?”. I arranged footage so Steve and Serizawa appear to look at each other after Serizawa responds.
-(JP & US) The Death of Godzilla. Added Steve on the boat. Swapped a couple of Steve’s shots from their placement in the US cut, as I felt one matched Steve’s reaction to Serizawa choosing to die more.
–Serizawa says “Goodbye Steve”, as he cuts his wire.
-(JP & US) Mixed JP and US ending, keeping both Yamane’s iconic final line and Steve’s speech in honor of his friend’s sacrifice.
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie/Show Title:
Genre:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1954
Original Running Time:
98 minutes
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
102 minutes
Subtitles Available:
Available in HD:
Available In:
HD
Additional Links:
Synopsis:
This is a re-edit of Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956), the American version of the Japanese Godzilla (1954), which combines it with the original version.
KOTM56's own protagonist, Raymond Burr’s character Steve Martin, is added alongside most scenes of the original cast, whilst adhering to KOTM56’s narrative framing: a documentary-esque noir told from Steve’s perspective.
Due to the nature of the edit requiring subjective artistic choice in combining the two different films, this is an entirely different cut of the film.
This edit gets you the best of both worlds, with the brilliance of the original Japanese masterpiece and the great acting and iconic lines of Raymond Burr that I (and I’m sure many others) have lots of nostalgia for.
This is a great edit for people who like both versions for their own merits and don’t want to have to pick between the two when revisiting the original Godzilla. It’s also a potential way to introduce someone to the franchise if you’re not sure which version to show them.
KOTM56's own protagonist, Raymond Burr’s character Steve Martin, is added alongside most scenes of the original cast, whilst adhering to KOTM56’s narrative framing: a documentary-esque noir told from Steve’s perspective.
Due to the nature of the edit requiring subjective artistic choice in combining the two different films, this is an entirely different cut of the film.
This edit gets you the best of both worlds, with the brilliance of the original Japanese masterpiece and the great acting and iconic lines of Raymond Burr that I (and I’m sure many others) have lots of nostalgia for.
This is a great edit for people who like both versions for their own merits and don’t want to have to pick between the two when revisiting the original Godzilla. It’s also a potential way to introduce someone to the franchise if you’re not sure which version to show them.
Intention:
I wanted to create a singular, definitive version of the original Godzilla that contained both of the things I love from the Japanese and American cuts of the film whenever I want to revisit the film.
I have a lot of nostalgia for Raymond Burr's character Steve Martin from the American version, and I think his performance was genuinely fantastic and added gravitas to the film. There were other things, too, like the new opening, closing narration, and some of it's editing choices.
However, there's no denying that the original Japanese version is the better version. So I decided to add the best things from the American version to the original.
I have a lot of nostalgia for Raymond Burr's character Steve Martin from the American version, and I think his performance was genuinely fantastic and added gravitas to the film. There were other things, too, like the new opening, closing narration, and some of it's editing choices.
However, there's no denying that the original Japanese version is the better version. So I decided to add the best things from the American version to the original.
Other Sources:
Akira Ifukube's Godzilla 1954 Soundtrack
Godzilla 1954 Roar Sound Effects
Godzilla 1954 Roar Sound Effects
Release Information:
Digital
Editing Details:
Both versions sourced from the Criterion Blu-Ray. Modifications to dimensions, brightness and contrast are made to both versions for coherency.
Editing Software: Premiere Pro
Video: 1080p
Audio: Stereo AAC 2 channel
Editing Software: Premiere Pro
Video: 1080p
Audio: Stereo AAC 2 channel
Cuts and Additions:
Steve Martin’s fundamental narrative function is our POV character; everything is in the US version either something he witnesses or knows of. This edit follows this framing for narrative coherence.
As such, characters are introduced when Steve meets/interacts with them, only after which they can have independent scenes in JP. Steve’s narration delivering exposition is also mostly used in place of equivalent JP scenes.
However, I also include as much JP content as possible within this framework; subtitled JP dialogue is spliced in when Steve is watching conversations, and emphasis was placed on keeping important scenes with JP characters, as long as it doesn’t interfere with Steve’s role as the protagonist.
JP/54 - Original Japanese Version
US/KOTM56 - Godzilla: King of the Monsters!
-(US) Title and introduction to Steve Martin in the aftermath of Godzilla’s rampage. The film remains mostly an extended flashback told from Steve’s perspective.
-(JP) Godzilla destroys the Eiko-Maru. Used JP version to maintain mystery, as KOTM56 added Godzilla’s roar to the scene.
-Cut scene of Ogata and Emiko. Unfortunate, but Steve is our POV character and we haven’t been introduced to them yet.
-(US) Steve is stopped by security at the airport, meets Iwanaga, and learns of the destruction of the Eiko-Maru.
-(JP & US) Iwanaga takes Steve to the SDF Naval Office. Intercut with JP as Ogata and the coast guard talk about the disappearance of the Eiko-Maru.
-(JP) Godzilla sinks the Bingo-Maru.
-(JP) Military officials talk with families of people on the sunken ships.
-(JP) Survivors of Bingo-Maru are found by a third ship.
-(JP) Military reports that survivors were found.
-(JP) Military learns that the third ship was also sunk.
–Cut Hagiwara calling Dr. Yamane and telling him, “That’s three now!” to allow consistency with the next scene.
-(US) Steve leaves a message for his editor: now eight ships have been sunk, and shipping is shut down. It can be inferred that more ships have been destroyed since the previous scene. We were only viewing the perspective of a single shipping company, anyway.
-(JP & US) Masaji, a native of Odo Island and fisherman, washes ashore. Added narration by Steve introducing the island (to mitigate it kinda coming out of nowhere within this narrative framing), but omitted his implication that Masaji dies, as he’s seen later.
-(JP) Odo Island fishermen get no catch, an elder admonishes the youth for ridiculing belief in Godzilla.
-(JP & US) Steve, military officials, and reporter Hagiwara land on Odo Island to interview locals.
-Omitted US scene of Iwanaga and Steve interviewing a local. It’s just too cheesy (especially with how stereotypically the native is portrayed) and it conveys the same information as Hagiwara’s interview with Masaji.
-(US) Steve and Iwanaga watch islander ceremony and learn the legend of Godzilla.
-(JP & US) Steve and Iwanaga witness Godzilla attack and destroy the village amidst a storm. Intercut with Shinkichi losing his family.
–Truncated unnecessarily long shot of Shinkichi screaming for his mom and brother after Godzilla destroys their house.
-(JP & US) Odo Islanders testify before the Diet. Steve’s narration added to the opening to the scene, but not over the testimonies. Added shots of Steve listening and taking notes.
-(JP & US) Professor Yamane proposes a scientific expedition. Added shots of Steve listening.
–Steve introduces Dr. Yamane through narration when he appears before the Diet. Audio is taken from Yamane’s US introduction, which recontextualized footage from a scene taking place later in the JP version. This is done to retain said JP scene later on, whilst maintaining Steve as the POV character.
-(US) Steve leaves the press box, is granted permission to join the expedition by Yamane.
-(US) Expedition leaves for Odo Island, with Steve’s narration. In accordance with the KOTM56’s explanation that Serizawa is away conducting field tests, he is not present.
-(US) Steve narrates as he silently watches Ogata and Emiko, telling us of the love triangle between them and Serizawa through narration. I couldn't add Ogata and Emiko’s JP dialogue as their conversation is about Serizawa seeing them off.
-(JP & US) Expedition surveying Odo Island. Added Steve and Iwanaga in the crowd.
–Truncated overly long shot of Islander hitting the bell.
–Omitted Iwanaga telling Steve the islanders are heading up the hills for safety, which contradicts footage and dialogue showing they’re actually going up to fight the creature.
-(JP & US) Godzilla rises from behind the mountain. Added shots of Steve and Iwanaga.
–Re-edited US audio to remove weird audio echo effects.
-(JP & US) Yamane’s report to the Diet. Added Steve watching.
–Purposefully used contemplative shots of Steve when Yamane states that H-bombs are responsible for Godzilla, as well as in the middle of the heated argument. Shot choice implies he agrees with the woman who declares Godzilla should be made public.
-(JP) Train scene with citizens' reaction to newspaper report of Godzilla.
-(US) Steve calls his editor Lawrence and Serizawa.
-(JP) Ogata and Emiko’s conversation about Serizawa.
–Hagiwara’s talk with Emiko and Ogata and interview with Serizawa had to go. Serizawa told Steve that Emiko initiated the meeting and indicated it’s personal. Steve and Serizawa's phone call is important; their friendship is the reason Steve stops in Japan.
-Cut shots of Ogata and Emiko driving to their respective destinations.
-(JP & US) Added Steve’s narration to the beginning of Emiko at Serizawa’s house. The rest, Serizawa showing her the Oxygen Destroyer, is purely JP.
-(JP) Emiko returns home but doesn’t tell Ogata what happened.
-(JP) The Navy tries to kill Godzilla with depth charges. Yamane sits alone in his office, upset. In 54, this happens before Emiko visits Serizawa. KOTM56’s restructure is used to maintain consistency with Steve’s phone conversations with Lawrence and Serizawa.
-(US) A party boat spots Godzilla in Tokyo Bay, with Steve’s narration at the beginning.
-(US) Steve narrates over a montage as Japan is now put into a state of panic.
-(JP) Military officials call Yamane to a meeting, but he has no idea how to kill Godzilla. This scene, important to Yamane’s characterization, is able to be kept because I moved Steve’s narration introducing Yamane to his introduction scene in 54.
-(JP & US) Godzilla’s first rampage. Steve added. Used some shots of Godzilla from KOTM56, as its Criterion transfer actually preserves more detail then Criterion’s transfer for 54, which is sometimes too dark and hard to see Godzilla.
-Added Godzilla roars in shots where his mouth is open, but there’s no roar.
-(US) Iwanaga tells Steve about the military’s plan, thereby utilizing KOTM56’s more logical explanation for the electric towers. They’re already present but charged with extra voltage, rather than the military building an entire row of electric towers in less than 24 hours. It’s still odd, but at least less so.
-(JP & US) Montage of residents being evacuated with Steve’s narration.
-(US) Montage of military mobilization narrated by Steve. In KOTM56 this is placed before Godzilla’s first rampage, but is moved to the JP cut’s placement, as the military doesn’t intervene until the second rampage.
-(JP) Ogata, intending to ask Yamane for permission to marry Emiko, gets himself thrown out of the house.
-(JP & US) Godzilla makes landfall and destroys the electric towers. Added Steve shots and narration as he reports live. Used the US cut’s more suspenseful edit of Godzilla’s approach, as well as a chunk of its footage, as it preserves more detail.
–Omitted Steve stating that everyone is off the streets by nightfall. As we see during the rampage, this isn’t true.
–Cut misaligned artillery shot as Godzilla destroys the electric towers.
-(JP & US) Godzilla’s second rampage. Mostly JP. Added Steve shots and narration recording his report during the attack, and Godzilla destroying the building Steve is in, re-edited to maintain continuity with the JP rampage sequence. Used a lot of shots of Godzilla from the transfer for KOTM56 for the same reason as the first rampage.
–Added Godzilla roars in shots where his mouth is open, but there’s no roar.
–Truncated Godzilla vs. Jet fighters scene, more like the US cut.
-(JP) Aftermath of Godzilla’s attack.
-(JP & US) Emiko tells Ogata and Steve about the Oxygen Destroyer, Steve urges them to convince Serizawa to use the weapon. Purely JP flashback of Serizawa’s demonstration to Emiko and their subsequent conversation.
–Removed mention of Hagiwara as Serizawa talks to Emiko about the Oxygen Destroyer for continuity.
-(JP) Ogata and Emiko convince Serizawa to use the Oxygen Destroyer against Godzilla.
–Added my own subtitles so Serizawa asks about Steve, and Ogata tells him he’s recovering in the hospital.
–Also added subtitles so Emiko mentions that she told both Ogata and Steve of the Oxygen Destroyer.
-(US) Steve’s narration as the ship makes its way to Tokyo Bay.
-(JP) Serizawa insists that he help Ogata use the Oxygen Destroyer.
–Serizawa asks Steve to get him a diving suit rather than Ogata. Small change, but it allows Steve to feel more present with the JP characters.
–Added original exchanges between Steve and Serizawa before the latter goes underwater, using other dialogue from the US cut. With the presence of the JP scene of Serizawa asking for a diving suit, it feels odd that he never bothers to talk to his old college friend, and Steve is otherwise oddly absent from the scene.
—Serizawa says, “Steve, promise to keep my secret.” Steve responds “Of course.” In this cut, it’s more ambiguous how much the public knows about the Oxygen Destroyer. This could also be interpreted as Serizawa having told Steve what he plans to do, and he’s asking him again not to tell Ogata and Emiko.
—As Serizawa holds the OD with a contemplative face, Steve asks him, “Serizawa, is something wrong?”. I arranged footage so Steve and Serizawa appear to look at each other after Serizawa responds.
-(JP & US) The Death of Godzilla. Added Steve on the boat. Swapped a couple of Steve’s shots from their placement in the US cut, as I felt one matched Steve’s reaction to Serizawa choosing to die more.
–Serizawa says “Goodbye Steve”, as he cuts his wire.
-(JP & US) Mixed JP and US ending, keeping both Yamane’s iconic final line and Steve’s speech in honor of his friend’s sacrifice.
As such, characters are introduced when Steve meets/interacts with them, only after which they can have independent scenes in JP. Steve’s narration delivering exposition is also mostly used in place of equivalent JP scenes.
However, I also include as much JP content as possible within this framework; subtitled JP dialogue is spliced in when Steve is watching conversations, and emphasis was placed on keeping important scenes with JP characters, as long as it doesn’t interfere with Steve’s role as the protagonist.
JP/54 - Original Japanese Version
US/KOTM56 - Godzilla: King of the Monsters!
-(US) Title and introduction to Steve Martin in the aftermath of Godzilla’s rampage. The film remains mostly an extended flashback told from Steve’s perspective.
-(JP) Godzilla destroys the Eiko-Maru. Used JP version to maintain mystery, as KOTM56 added Godzilla’s roar to the scene.
-Cut scene of Ogata and Emiko. Unfortunate, but Steve is our POV character and we haven’t been introduced to them yet.
-(US) Steve is stopped by security at the airport, meets Iwanaga, and learns of the destruction of the Eiko-Maru.
-(JP & US) Iwanaga takes Steve to the SDF Naval Office. Intercut with JP as Ogata and the coast guard talk about the disappearance of the Eiko-Maru.
-(JP) Godzilla sinks the Bingo-Maru.
-(JP) Military officials talk with families of people on the sunken ships.
-(JP) Survivors of Bingo-Maru are found by a third ship.
-(JP) Military reports that survivors were found.
-(JP) Military learns that the third ship was also sunk.
–Cut Hagiwara calling Dr. Yamane and telling him, “That’s three now!” to allow consistency with the next scene.
-(US) Steve leaves a message for his editor: now eight ships have been sunk, and shipping is shut down. It can be inferred that more ships have been destroyed since the previous scene. We were only viewing the perspective of a single shipping company, anyway.
-(JP & US) Masaji, a native of Odo Island and fisherman, washes ashore. Added narration by Steve introducing the island (to mitigate it kinda coming out of nowhere within this narrative framing), but omitted his implication that Masaji dies, as he’s seen later.
-(JP) Odo Island fishermen get no catch, an elder admonishes the youth for ridiculing belief in Godzilla.
-(JP & US) Steve, military officials, and reporter Hagiwara land on Odo Island to interview locals.
-Omitted US scene of Iwanaga and Steve interviewing a local. It’s just too cheesy (especially with how stereotypically the native is portrayed) and it conveys the same information as Hagiwara’s interview with Masaji.
-(US) Steve and Iwanaga watch islander ceremony and learn the legend of Godzilla.
-(JP & US) Steve and Iwanaga witness Godzilla attack and destroy the village amidst a storm. Intercut with Shinkichi losing his family.
–Truncated unnecessarily long shot of Shinkichi screaming for his mom and brother after Godzilla destroys their house.
-(JP & US) Odo Islanders testify before the Diet. Steve’s narration added to the opening to the scene, but not over the testimonies. Added shots of Steve listening and taking notes.
-(JP & US) Professor Yamane proposes a scientific expedition. Added shots of Steve listening.
–Steve introduces Dr. Yamane through narration when he appears before the Diet. Audio is taken from Yamane’s US introduction, which recontextualized footage from a scene taking place later in the JP version. This is done to retain said JP scene later on, whilst maintaining Steve as the POV character.
-(US) Steve leaves the press box, is granted permission to join the expedition by Yamane.
-(US) Expedition leaves for Odo Island, with Steve’s narration. In accordance with the KOTM56’s explanation that Serizawa is away conducting field tests, he is not present.
-(US) Steve narrates as he silently watches Ogata and Emiko, telling us of the love triangle between them and Serizawa through narration. I couldn't add Ogata and Emiko’s JP dialogue as their conversation is about Serizawa seeing them off.
-(JP & US) Expedition surveying Odo Island. Added Steve and Iwanaga in the crowd.
–Truncated overly long shot of Islander hitting the bell.
–Omitted Iwanaga telling Steve the islanders are heading up the hills for safety, which contradicts footage and dialogue showing they’re actually going up to fight the creature.
-(JP & US) Godzilla rises from behind the mountain. Added shots of Steve and Iwanaga.
–Re-edited US audio to remove weird audio echo effects.
-(JP & US) Yamane’s report to the Diet. Added Steve watching.
–Purposefully used contemplative shots of Steve when Yamane states that H-bombs are responsible for Godzilla, as well as in the middle of the heated argument. Shot choice implies he agrees with the woman who declares Godzilla should be made public.
-(JP) Train scene with citizens' reaction to newspaper report of Godzilla.
-(US) Steve calls his editor Lawrence and Serizawa.
-(JP) Ogata and Emiko’s conversation about Serizawa.
–Hagiwara’s talk with Emiko and Ogata and interview with Serizawa had to go. Serizawa told Steve that Emiko initiated the meeting and indicated it’s personal. Steve and Serizawa's phone call is important; their friendship is the reason Steve stops in Japan.
-Cut shots of Ogata and Emiko driving to their respective destinations.
-(JP & US) Added Steve’s narration to the beginning of Emiko at Serizawa’s house. The rest, Serizawa showing her the Oxygen Destroyer, is purely JP.
-(JP) Emiko returns home but doesn’t tell Ogata what happened.
-(JP) The Navy tries to kill Godzilla with depth charges. Yamane sits alone in his office, upset. In 54, this happens before Emiko visits Serizawa. KOTM56’s restructure is used to maintain consistency with Steve’s phone conversations with Lawrence and Serizawa.
-(US) A party boat spots Godzilla in Tokyo Bay, with Steve’s narration at the beginning.
-(US) Steve narrates over a montage as Japan is now put into a state of panic.
-(JP) Military officials call Yamane to a meeting, but he has no idea how to kill Godzilla. This scene, important to Yamane’s characterization, is able to be kept because I moved Steve’s narration introducing Yamane to his introduction scene in 54.
-(JP & US) Godzilla’s first rampage. Steve added. Used some shots of Godzilla from KOTM56, as its Criterion transfer actually preserves more detail then Criterion’s transfer for 54, which is sometimes too dark and hard to see Godzilla.
-Added Godzilla roars in shots where his mouth is open, but there’s no roar.
-(US) Iwanaga tells Steve about the military’s plan, thereby utilizing KOTM56’s more logical explanation for the electric towers. They’re already present but charged with extra voltage, rather than the military building an entire row of electric towers in less than 24 hours. It’s still odd, but at least less so.
-(JP & US) Montage of residents being evacuated with Steve’s narration.
-(US) Montage of military mobilization narrated by Steve. In KOTM56 this is placed before Godzilla’s first rampage, but is moved to the JP cut’s placement, as the military doesn’t intervene until the second rampage.
-(JP) Ogata, intending to ask Yamane for permission to marry Emiko, gets himself thrown out of the house.
-(JP & US) Godzilla makes landfall and destroys the electric towers. Added Steve shots and narration as he reports live. Used the US cut’s more suspenseful edit of Godzilla’s approach, as well as a chunk of its footage, as it preserves more detail.
–Omitted Steve stating that everyone is off the streets by nightfall. As we see during the rampage, this isn’t true.
–Cut misaligned artillery shot as Godzilla destroys the electric towers.
-(JP & US) Godzilla’s second rampage. Mostly JP. Added Steve shots and narration recording his report during the attack, and Godzilla destroying the building Steve is in, re-edited to maintain continuity with the JP rampage sequence. Used a lot of shots of Godzilla from the transfer for KOTM56 for the same reason as the first rampage.
–Added Godzilla roars in shots where his mouth is open, but there’s no roar.
–Truncated Godzilla vs. Jet fighters scene, more like the US cut.
-(JP) Aftermath of Godzilla’s attack.
-(JP & US) Emiko tells Ogata and Steve about the Oxygen Destroyer, Steve urges them to convince Serizawa to use the weapon. Purely JP flashback of Serizawa’s demonstration to Emiko and their subsequent conversation.
–Removed mention of Hagiwara as Serizawa talks to Emiko about the Oxygen Destroyer for continuity.
-(JP) Ogata and Emiko convince Serizawa to use the Oxygen Destroyer against Godzilla.
–Added my own subtitles so Serizawa asks about Steve, and Ogata tells him he’s recovering in the hospital.
–Also added subtitles so Emiko mentions that she told both Ogata and Steve of the Oxygen Destroyer.
-(US) Steve’s narration as the ship makes its way to Tokyo Bay.
-(JP) Serizawa insists that he help Ogata use the Oxygen Destroyer.
–Serizawa asks Steve to get him a diving suit rather than Ogata. Small change, but it allows Steve to feel more present with the JP characters.
–Added original exchanges between Steve and Serizawa before the latter goes underwater, using other dialogue from the US cut. With the presence of the JP scene of Serizawa asking for a diving suit, it feels odd that he never bothers to talk to his old college friend, and Steve is otherwise oddly absent from the scene.
—Serizawa says, “Steve, promise to keep my secret.” Steve responds “Of course.” In this cut, it’s more ambiguous how much the public knows about the Oxygen Destroyer. This could also be interpreted as Serizawa having told Steve what he plans to do, and he’s asking him again not to tell Ogata and Emiko.
—As Serizawa holds the OD with a contemplative face, Steve asks him, “Serizawa, is something wrong?”. I arranged footage so Steve and Serizawa appear to look at each other after Serizawa responds.
-(JP & US) The Death of Godzilla. Added Steve on the boat. Swapped a couple of Steve’s shots from their placement in the US cut, as I felt one matched Steve’s reaction to Serizawa choosing to die more.
–Serizawa says “Goodbye Steve”, as he cuts his wire.
-(JP & US) Mixed JP and US ending, keeping both Yamane’s iconic final line and Steve’s speech in honor of his friend’s sacrifice.
User reviews
3 reviews
Overall rating
9.3
Audio/Video Quality
9.7(3)
Audio Editing
9.0(3)
Visual Editing
9.0(3)
Narrative
9.3(3)
Enjoyment
9.3(3)
Overall rating
8.8
Audio/Video Quality
9.0
Audio Editing
8.0
Visual Editing
9.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
10.0
1) I’ve been looking for exactly this for such a long time.
The original Gojira is one of the best films ever made, and while the American cut is inferior, it is still solid on its own, but to see the Japanese and American cuts of the Gojira combined to tell one whole narrative was something I always wanted; I adore the Japanese story but I also loved Steve Martin’s involvement, and here it is, and I wasn’t disappointed.
2) It’s a fantastic edit of both versions, w/ the full Japanese story intact and the American version combined almost flawlessly to tell one cohesive narrative.
3) This may just be the best version of Gojira ever! The narrative, pacing, sound and audio editing is all almost flawless! The way you’ve kept the Japanese story and integrated Steve Martin’s story into it is nothing short of fantastic. The cuts being combined really gives the story a grander feel which a story like this, about mankind’s hubris w/ their greatest and worst creations, ought to have. The story is very well paced still and there’s never a scene where it gets boring, a surprise since the film is so dark :)
4) As for issues, there are only 3:
- I thought Hagiwara’s (the reporter) scene where he’s asked to interview Serizawa, goes to Emiko and then interview’s him shouldn’t have been removed, it gave his character relevance, he’s actually my favourite character in the film; seeing a genuine reporter for once is refreshing. Taking the scene out makes him feel a bit tacked on and could be removed with no issue, which he isn’t at all.
- I didn’t like how the jets driving Godzilla away after the Tokyo attack was removed.
- Most of all, I didn’t like Dr Yamane’s end speech about future nuclear testing being removed, it’s the most important part of the whole film and solidifies its message. I think it should have replaced Steve’s final monologue.
If these issues were fixed, this would be the perfect version of Gojira. Maybe something to do one day eh? :)
4) Overall, HeiseiGodzillaFan, this is some fantastic work, you’ve crafted a near perfect version of one of the greatest films ever made. I give it a Grade A or a 9/10. :)
The original Gojira is one of the best films ever made, and while the American cut is inferior, it is still solid on its own, but to see the Japanese and American cuts of the Gojira combined to tell one whole narrative was something I always wanted; I adore the Japanese story but I also loved Steve Martin’s involvement, and here it is, and I wasn’t disappointed.
2) It’s a fantastic edit of both versions, w/ the full Japanese story intact and the American version combined almost flawlessly to tell one cohesive narrative.
3) This may just be the best version of Gojira ever! The narrative, pacing, sound and audio editing is all almost flawless! The way you’ve kept the Japanese story and integrated Steve Martin’s story into it is nothing short of fantastic. The cuts being combined really gives the story a grander feel which a story like this, about mankind’s hubris w/ their greatest and worst creations, ought to have. The story is very well paced still and there’s never a scene where it gets boring, a surprise since the film is so dark :)
4) As for issues, there are only 3:
- I thought Hagiwara’s (the reporter) scene where he’s asked to interview Serizawa, goes to Emiko and then interview’s him shouldn’t have been removed, it gave his character relevance, he’s actually my favourite character in the film; seeing a genuine reporter for once is refreshing. Taking the scene out makes him feel a bit tacked on and could be removed with no issue, which he isn’t at all.
- I didn’t like how the jets driving Godzilla away after the Tokyo attack was removed.
- Most of all, I didn’t like Dr Yamane’s end speech about future nuclear testing being removed, it’s the most important part of the whole film and solidifies its message. I think it should have replaced Steve’s final monologue.
If these issues were fixed, this would be the perfect version of Gojira. Maybe something to do one day eh? :)
4) Overall, HeiseiGodzillaFan, this is some fantastic work, you’ve crafted a near perfect version of one of the greatest films ever made. I give it a Grade A or a 9/10. :)
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
Overall rating
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
9.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
9.0
Great edit! The intent to take the best of both works really well. Sometimes its noticeable that there American scenes were shot separately, and added in, but in general it works really well! I think this is the best way to watch! I do wish the subtitles were used more universally across all Japanese dialogue to blend the two movies better, but its a minor thing,
Overall, this is a great way to revisit one of my favorite Godzilla movies! Great work heiseigodzillafan!
Overall, this is a great way to revisit one of my favorite Godzilla movies! Great work heiseigodzillafan!
(Updated: April 29, 2021)
Overall rating
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
9.0
Visual Editing
9.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
9.0
“History shows again and again, how Nature points out the folly of men.”
What a shrewd idea. Combining the 1954 Japanese version with the 1956 American version.
Meaning all the scenes with Raymond Burr’s character are in English, the rest in Japanese.
Filesize = 5GB. Video = 1920 X 1080p AVC. Audio = 84 kbps, 2 Channels, AAC. Subs, yes.
The narrative bounces back and forth between the Japanese version and the US.
The styles are different. The Japanese mixes action, a weak love story, and ethical concerns.
The US version is akin to a dry documentary, explaining action, strategies and backstories.
While they fit together and complement each other, it is a slightly uneasy marriage.
There were one or two audio bites that could have been excised, though nothing untoward.
All in all, this is an excellent edit, especially for a first one! I hope G&G-Fan does more.
Note: Although the mp4 played in my unit, I eventually converted to mkv for easier control.
What a shrewd idea. Combining the 1954 Japanese version with the 1956 American version.
Meaning all the scenes with Raymond Burr’s character are in English, the rest in Japanese.
Filesize = 5GB. Video = 1920 X 1080p AVC. Audio = 84 kbps, 2 Channels, AAC. Subs, yes.
The narrative bounces back and forth between the Japanese version and the US.
The styles are different. The Japanese mixes action, a weak love story, and ethical concerns.
The US version is akin to a dry documentary, explaining action, strategies and backstories.
While they fit together and complement each other, it is a slightly uneasy marriage.
There were one or two audio bites that could have been excised, though nothing untoward.
All in all, this is an excellent edit, especially for a first one! I hope G&G-Fan does more.
Note: Although the mp4 played in my unit, I eventually converted to mkv for easier control.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
