Godzilla (1954) Classic Movie Review 315

Godzilla (1954)

Giant grasshoppers, giant Tarantulas, giant ants, a beast, a giant woman, and a shrunk man: In movies, these are some of the things that have grown on our planet as the result of atomic energy and testing. We have been threatened by aliens for the same reason. Compared to the above, none of the other animals, including humans, stands with the creature that rose from the depths of the sea to terrorize humanity.

This attack came from a terror so fierce its roar could not be created by any known sound. The roar was created using a rosin-covered glove and a double or standup base. Part of the terror of this monster is that nothing predicts its arrival or where and for how long it will attack.

This is why Gojira has been and will remain the king of the monsters. Of course, you probably know the monster as Godzilla.

Hello to all of the classic people that are returning. I am glad you are back. I want to welcome any new visitors. Today on Classic Movie Review, we are taking on Godzilla (1954), the one that started it all.

Actors – Godzilla (1954)

Right off the bat, I will apologize for my poor Southern pronunciation of the names. I will do the best I can.

Takashi Shimura played the role of Dr. Kyohei Yamane. Shimura was born in Japan in 1905. Shimura began studying at university in 1923, where he became interested in theater. He formed his own theater company before joining a professional company in 1930. After working at another film studio, Shimura signed a contract in 1943 with Toho Studio.

Shimura became part of director Akira Kurosawa’s stock company and appeared in over 20 of the director’s films. However, the roles became smaller as he aged. Following his role in Godzilla (1954), Shimura was an internationally recognized actor. Several other roles contributed to the character actor’s fame.

Shimura’s roles included Ikiru (1952), a detective in the Film Noir Stray Dog (1949), Rashomon (1950), Seven Samurai (1954), a reprisal of his Godzilla (1954) role in Godzilla Raids Again (1955), and Frankenstein vs. Baragon (1965). In the previously mentioned film, the nazzies transport Frankenstein’s monster heart to Japan at the end of World War II. The heart is lost after the atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima. A wild boy, formed from the monster’s heart, is found years later. I have not seen this film, but I can hardly wait to see it.

Shimura made his last film in 1980 and died shortly afterward in 1982.

Momoko Kochi played the role of Emiko Yamane. Momoko was born in Japan in 1932. Momoko began acting after appearing in a Toho Studio contest. Her first film was A Woman’s Heart (1953). She made two films the following year, and because of the strength of her performances, director Ishirô Honda selected her as the female lead in Godzilla (1954). Following this fantastic role, Momoko faced challenges getting better/non-monster roles. She tried performing on stage with Shakespeare roles. She worked in television commercials and had 54 acting credits. Other movies in Godzilla: King of the Monsters! (1956) and The Mysterians (1957). Clips from the original Godzilla (1954) Godzilla: King of the Monsters! (1956), the one with Raymond Burr. However, she reprised the role of Emiko Yamane in Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995). Momoko died in 1998.

Story – Godzilla (1954)

Some sailors are hanging out on the deck of their ship, minding their own business. Suddenly, in the distance, a bright explosion like an atomic bomb detonated underwater flashes. The sailors are hit by the shockwave from the explosion. Their ship bursts into flames. The ship telegraph operators get a message off the mainland.

Later, salvage expert Hideto Ogata (Akira Takarada) receives a phone call. The Coast Guard asks him to work with them concerning the sunken ship. Emiko Yamane (Momoko Kochi) is in the office waiting to go on a date to a concert.

I love you, cutie, but the seas my duty.

The Coast Guard is on full alert when Hideto arrives. The naval men tell that the Eiko Maru has been lost, possibly to a volcano, and they are sending the Bingo Maru to investigate. When the Bingo Maru arrives at the location, the sea is still glowing and bubbling. The Bingo Maru bursts into flames and sinks as well.

Families of the fishermen are pressuring the company and Coast Guard to find out what is happening. They commit men, ships, and helicopters to the investigation.

A fishing boat picks up three survivors from one of the sinkings. One of the survivors says the ship exploded. The fishing boat with the survivors goes down near the exact location. The families are rioting.

Villagers from the fishing community line the coast of Odo Island, wondering what has happened if there are any survivors, and how it will affect them. A young boy spots a raft. On the raft is Masaji Sieji (Ren Yamamoto), an island resident. Masaji is near death but says that “IT” got his boat. 

The people from Odo Island continue to fish to survive. However, they are coming back with empty nets. An old man says it is Godzilla. However, the younger folks say that there is no such thing. He rages at the young girl for not believing their traditions and says he will feed her to Godzilla.

The spat is stopped when a cargo helicopter arrives and lands on the island. On the helicopter are military men and members of the press. One of the reporters interviews Masaji, who has recovered. Masaji says it is something living that sank the boats, but everyone remains skeptical.

At a Shinto ceremony that night, the old man tells a reporter of Godzilla. He says Godzilla eats all the fish and then comes ashore to eat people. He also says that they ended the attacks in the past by sending a girl out on a raft as a sacrifice. No word on whether she had to be a virgin or if any old hussy will do. The old man says the ceremony is all that is left of the exorcism ritual tradition.

That night, a typhoon hits the island. Masaji is extra nervous. As the sounds increase, his little brother, Shinkichi, runs outside and screams for his brother. Masaji stays with his mother as the house comes down around them. Shinkichi, still alive, screams for his family. Booms and stomps are heard in the storm noise.

A committee meeting is called to discuss the storm’s damage. Seventeen houses were destroyed, and nine people were killed. Cows and pigs were also killed or missing. Shinkichi testifies that although it was dark, something was definitely alive in the storm. Another witness says the houses and helicopter were crushed from above and not blown down.

After all the locals had testified, the committee called eminent paleontologist Professor Kyohei Yamane Takashi Shimura. The Professor explained that there are mysteries like the Yeti, and more mystery is the deep sea. He asks for approval to take a research team to investigate the island.

The researcher has a big send-off. Hideto is on board, and Emiko is traveling with her father, the Professor. On the dock is a man that scores of movie watching has taught me is a bad guy. He is well-dressed and has a patch over one eye. He is also wearing stylish wayfarers.

As they sail, Hideto mentions that it is strange to see the one-eyed man, who is actually Dr Serizawa (Akihiko Hirata). This reclusive scientist rarely leaves his laboratory. Hideto reminds Emiko how dangerous their work could be.

On the island, the team finds radiation around the houses that have been destroyed and in one of the wells. The Professor begins mapping out gigantic footprints that he has located. The footprints also have radioactivity. The Professor finds an extinct trilobite in the mud of the footprint.

A man begins hitting a large iron bell, just like the one rung in The Karate Kid Part II (1986). Everyone on the island begins running to the center of the landmass. A loud booming can be heard in the distance.

The Professor says it is a creature from the Jurassic Era. As far as I know, none of the dinosaurs could shoot flames.

Suddenly, the head of Godzilla rises above the crest of the island. The villagers start heading back to where they came from. The monster does some roaring and a little stomping. Emiko trips while running, but Hideto helps her hide. High heels. No tennis shoes.

When the monster leaves, its footprints and tail drag marks are clearly visible in the sand.

Back at the committee, the Professor thinks that Godzilla is an intermediate form of sea creature from the Jurassic Period that evolved into a land creature in the Cretaceous Period. Still doesn’t explain the radioactive breath. Of course, they haven’t seen the fire breath yet. He does say that Godzilla was about 165 feet tall. The Professor believes that atomic testing in the Pacific following World War II forced the creature from an isolated habitat. The Professor says the radioactivity and the trilobite proved his theory.

They have a debate over whether to keep the news blacked out. Women, who were only allowed to vote following the war, insisted the news must be given to the public. Newspapers show that 17 ships have been lost as military forces move into action.

The first plan the military comes up with is to attack Godzilla using depth charges. The destroyer begins working in lines, and some great archival footage is shown.

The Professor, Emiko, Hideto, and Shinkichi watch the attack on television. The Professor becomes upset watching the attack. Emiko talks to her father. He loves animals and would like to see Godzilla live and be studied.

Toyko has been rebuilt and is thriving. A party boat of young people is sailing in Tokyo Bay when they see Godzilla rise from the water. The creature ignores the boat and swims away.

The Professor is called to a private meeting with some government officials. They ask the Professor how to kill Godzilla, and he tells them it is impossible to kill a creature born in atomic fire. He says they should focus on how Godzilla survived. 

Newspaper Reporter Hagiwara (Sachio Sakai) is assigned to interview Dr Serizawa, the eye-patch guy. The editor also says Dr Serizawa is the Professor’s future son-in-law. But Emiko has been running around with that Hideto guy. What gives?

Emiko and Hideto talk about their love. Hideto says he feels terrible for Serizawa, especially since he lost an eye in the war. Emiko says she felt like Serizawa was an older brother since childhood.

Reporter Hagiwa arrives and says he needs Emiko to introduce him to Dr. Serizawa. Hideto wants to go too and break the news to Dr. Serizawa that he is out of the love triangle. Emiko says it will be easier on Dr. Serizawa if she tells him alone.

With the help of Emiko, Reporter Hagiwa is admitted to Dr. Serizawa’s laboratory. The reporter has heard that Serizawa is working on a project that could kill Godzilla. Serizawa is adamant that he is not working on any weapon. The reporter leaves, but Emiko remains.

Emiko asks Serizawa what he has been working on. She has to agree to not reveal his experiment to anyone. Remember what Ben Franklin said about keeping secrets.

In Serizawa laboratory, there is a large fish tank and a lot of Frankenstein equipment making noise. Serizawa places a small pellet in the water and turns on a light machine. Emiko is fascinated and horrified. She screams and turns away. She swears she will keep his secret but leaves very upset.

Hideto sees that Emiko is upset when she returns to the house, but he doesn’t know why. They hear the warning sirens and booming of Godzilla. As Hideto leaves, Emiko says she never got to talk to Serizawa about the breakup.

Godzilla rises above the surface of Tokyo Bay. Soldiers fire machine guns as more military arrive and civilians flee to safety. The Professor, Hideto, and Shinkichi arrive at the police lines. The Professor warns the military not to aim spotlights at Godzilla because it will make him angrier. Wow, don’t do that!

Godzilla wades ashore and pulls the city’s high-tension wires down. He then derails a train. He picks up a train car and throws it back down. Helpless people scream.

The Professor, Hideto, and Shinkichi watch but can do nothing to stop the attack. Eventually, Godzilla returns to the sea.

An international committee is formed to deal with the problem. The committee builds electrified barbed wire and evacuated coastal residents. The army with tanks and artillery is deployed.

With this fool-proof Godzilla barricade in place, Hideto figures it is an excellent time to ask for Emiko’s hand in marriage. The Professor is worn out from all the Godzilla work. Everyone else speaks of how to kill Godzilla and not what can be learned from the monster’s ability to resist radiation.

So, Hideto decides this would be a great time to tell the Professor he is wrong about Godzilla. The Professor orders him out of the house. However, the Professor leaves, and Hideto stays.

Hideto and Emiko that Godzilla is approaching the electrical barrier. The army waits behind the barricade, and they search for Godzilla with the spotlight. The creature rises from the water and waded ashore. The electrical barricade just pisses him off. They open up with machine guns, artillery, and tanks. Godzilla slowly moves forward.

He unleashes his radioactive breath and melts the electrical towers. He then turns his attack on the city, setting fires as he goes. The fins on his back glow as he sprays the beam from his mouth. The remaining townfolks flee ahead of the monsters stomping. A group of tanks attack Godzilla at close range. The shells do not slow the monster.

The civil defense folks are getting reports of the carnage, including that the entire 49^th armor brigade has been destroyed. They give up on attacking the monster and switch to plan 129, trying to save the city and civilians. I think that should be Plan 2. Plan 1 – Attack the monster. Plan 2 – Run away!

A woman holding a small child and saying we are going to see Daddy as Godzilla gets closer. A group of reporters are giving live reports from the top of a television tower. Godzilla knocks down a building with a large clock. He then destroys the Civil Defense building and kills the reports.

Dr. Serizawa watches the reports of destruction on television. The Professor, Emiko, Hideto, and Shinkichi watch the destruction live. They hear the cries of the suffering people.

Some jets streak in and fire rockets at Godzilla. The rockets mostly miss, but Godzilla calls it a night and dives back into the sea.

Toyko looks worse than if an atomic bomb had been dropped, which, of course, is the underlying theme of this film. Many of the people have severe radiation burns. Emiko works at the hospital trying to soothe orphan children.

The death and destruction she sees causes Emiko to tell Dr. Serizawa’s secret. In flashback, it shows that after the pellet was dropped in the water, all the fish died and turned to bones because his formula removed all the oxygen. Serizawa says he was just studying oxygen when he discovered how to turn it into energy. He says he has enough to destroy all of the life in Tokyo Bay. He has not revealed his findings because it would be used as another weapon like the H-bomb.

Emiko and Hideto go to see Serizawa about the weapon. Serizawa refuses and orders the couple out. They follow him downstairs, where he begins destroying his experiment. Hideto is injured in the fight with Serizawa. When he sees Emiko caring for Hideto, Serizawa reluctantly agrees to use his weapon that could destroy all humanity. Serizawa knows he must die to keep the weapon specifics a secret.

Serizawa is moved by the destruction he sees on television. He burns the rest of his paperwork. Emiko cries because of his great sacrifice.

Serizawa, the Professor, Emiko, Hideto, and Shinkichi take a ship to Tokyo Bay. The ship is loaded with reporters and military staff. They use a Geiger counter to find Godzilla’s location.

Hideto wants to take the oxygen destroyer down because he has diving experience. Serizawa insists that he be allowed to deploy the weapon. They decide that both men will go down. Emiko is rocking a stylish cap.

They find Godzilla chilling on the sand at the bottom of the ocean. Serizawa deploys the oxygen destroyer and signals Hideto to swim to the surface. He does as signaled but finds the Serizawa did not come up with him. Serizawa has stayed to destroy the knowledge of the weapon, just like The Terminator did.

Godzilla is overcome by the weapon and begins dying.

Serizawa’s last message reports that it worked, and he wishes Emiko and Hideto happiness. He then cuts his surface supply.

Godzilla rises to the surface and gives a final roar. Soon, it falls still and turns to bone.

The Professor comments that if humans keep fooling with atomic weapons, there will be more monsters to threaten humanity.

Conclusion Godzilla (1954)

This was the last movie to feature Godzilla. I’m just kidding. To date, there have been 37 other movies featuring Godzilla, not counting television shows. The best of these are Godzilla: King of the Monsters! (1956), King Kong vs. Godzilla (1963), Son of Godzilla (1967), Godzilla 1985 (1985), and Godzilla Minus One (2023). The last of these, Godzilla Minus One (2023), is a great movie. The movie has an actual story and doesn’t depend on just CGI and explosions. I mean, really, where does the light come from in the center of the earth?

The others are:

1. Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
2. Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
3. Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)
4. Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)
5. Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966)
6. Destroy All Monsters (1968)
7. All Monsters Attack (1969)
8. Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)
9. Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)
10. Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
11. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
12. Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975)
13. Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)
14. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
15. Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth (1992)
16. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993)
17. Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994)
18. Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995)
19. Godzilla (I) (1998)
20. Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999)
21. Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000)
22. Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001)
23. Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla (2002)
25. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)
26. Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)
27. Godzilla (2014)
28. Shin Godzilla (2016)
29. Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017)
30. Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle (2018)
31. Godzilla: The Planet Eater (2018)
32. Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
33. Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
34. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)[1]

There is some debate about how the monster was named. Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka said it was named for a large guy at Toho Studios who was called “Gujira” or “Gojira,” a portmanteau of the words gorira (“gorilla”) and kujira (“whale”).[2]

As I said earlier, Godzilla’s roar was created by rubbing a rough glove coated with resin over the string of a contrabass, also known as a double base. The footsteps were created by hitting a kettledrum with a knotted road.

The master stroke of film this movie was Special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya, who invented the concept of suitmation. A man in a Godzilla costume was filmed walking and destroying miniature city sets. This reduced costs and sped up the production. If you look to the bottom of the credits on iMDB.com, two tail supervisors are listed.

World-Famous Short Summary – A country boy comes to the big city and has some problems.

Beware the moors.

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[1] charliesonnyray over on iMDB.com com 38 movies

[2] Godzilla – Wikipedia