Finally watched the Japanese cut of King Kong vs. Godzilla

[daveblackeye15]

I always come back. I'm like Solomon Kane returning to England, he always goes back for a month or so. Not that anyone will remember me.

After so long I saw the Japanese cut of this film. I'm kind of torn on it. On the one hand a lot of Godzilla's most memorable music first appeared in this one and we don't hear it in the U.S. cut. On the other hand, I think Ifukube's score gets a little too quiet in parts where something bombastic would have helped. Bits like when Kong sits and waits to grab Godzilla's tail or that claymation bit with Godzilla doing his drop kick.

I don't mind those added in scenes with Americans. But yikes the actors they had for the American sub were terrible! I think they were trying to make it as undramatic as possible.

Biggest change is that there are more human scenes and the film is more like a Japanese Salary Man comedy with giant monsters. Poor Honda, I'm sure he hated directing the comedy bits. I sure see a whole lot more skill, directionm and life in the monster scenes.

[RCMerchant]

I remember you! Welcome back! 

I always found the Kong Island scenes with the "natives" very painful to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4aYZTe-SDw&feature=related
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[akiratubo]

The American cut is actually much better, because it really is a monster movie.  The Japanese cut is a painfully bad comedy that has a couple of monster scenes in it.  It's almost as hard to get through as the '98 Emmerich/Devlin movie.

[Flangepart]

I have to say, the U.S. dub is funnier than the original. But I did like having a chance to see the original to compare notes. Too bad the Sony run couldn't get the rights to it, but my boot is still running, so far.

In the book about Tsubarya, they reveal that the octopi actors were four in number (I KNEW they were real).
Three got released into the sea, the other was eaten. He must have been the best actor in the bunch...well, that's showbiz for ya...

[venomx]

I remember you, daveblackeye15. How could we forget King Ghidorah?

I still need to watch the Japanese cut, as I lost my US vhs cut years ago.

@ RC, LOL! Yeah that's funny as HELL.

"it's okay... they're ALL smoking!" "Inhale, inhale! They satisfy!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOJ40a2P9t0&feature=related
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"The Sleeping Devil" Song.

[Umaril The Unfeathered]

I always come back. I'm like Solomon Kane returning to England, he always goes back for a month or so. Not that anyone will remember me.

After so long I saw the Japanese cut of this film. I'm kind of torn on it. On the one hand a lot of Godzilla's most memorable music first appeared in this one and we don't hear it in the U.S. cut. On the other hand, I think Ifukube's score gets a little too quiet in parts where something bombastic would have helped. Bits like when Kong sits and waits to grab Godzilla's tail or that claymation bit with Godzilla doing his drop kick.

I remember you brutha'!  Wecome back 

I agree with you on the musical issues in the Toho films and the vast differences in the American and Japanese versions.

For example, I have the Japanese version of War Of The Gargantuas and the same thing abounds..many scenes where there were music in the American version have none or very little in the Japanese version and together wityh dubbing it sets a whole different mood.

However, they had the common sense to keep Ifukube's music in the scene where Sanda comes to rescue Gaira in what is my fave scene in the whole movie.

[akiratubo]

The American cut also has much more dynamic music (even if it is stock music) and much better application of SFX, especially the monster roars.

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

Hi Dave, still in Oregon? I have only seen the US cut of this.  This movie stands out because it was THE monster movie of part of my childhood. Its a part of my psyche. 
-Ed

[Flangepart]

Watched it with dad at the old Eastside drive in when it came out. Mom worked nights, and dad had the same film tastes as me, so I remember peering over the back seat as Godzilla came up from the sea to attack the army base. I was 6 or 7 that year.

[daveblackeye15]

Yes still in Oregon.

I meant to say 'I didn't mind that the American add-ins were gone.' I think this is the ONE exception to preferring the U.S. cut. The sole exception. But I do wish some of Ifukube's music stayed in the U.S. cut.

[daveblackeye15]

BTW. What's the best DVD presenation of King Kong vs. Godzilla? I notice several different cases over the years. I know none have the Japanese version. But since I'm now going a little easier on the U.S. cut are there any recommendations.