Destruction Through The Decades Part III: Godzilla In The 1970's
(Check out Part One HERE and Part Two HERE)
With some absolute classic Godzilla movies now behind us, we move into the 1970’s. Godzilla as a franchise had now hit a stride, but also was having to deal with having to create new characters and new movie without feeling stale and overplayed. What comes from Toho in this decade is a new mix of kaiju antagonists, and some truly unique films. Worth noting that some of the most internet worthy Godzilla gifs also come from this decade, so whenever you see some odd Godzilla post in your feed, it has a good chance of originating here.
The 1970’s:
Only five films for this decade, as after 1975 there is actually a long gap until the next Godzilla film. What this signifies is the end of the Showa era of Godzilla films. This last decade of the Showa era films has a different feel than the prior one, with new kaiju and films that took some chances on being unique. Many other classic kaiju make their first appearances, such as Gigan, Hedorah, and the fan favorite Mechagodzilla. Let's take at look at the lasting images the Showa era had for us.
GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH
1971
DIRECTED BY YOSHIMITSU BANNO
In what is often considered the most eccentric film in the entire franchise, we find a tiny alien life-form, Hedorah, can feed on Earth's pollution, growing immensely in size. It becomes a giant pollutant muck kaiju and begins terrorizing Japan. Godzilla emerges to fight the brute, but even the king of the monsters finds himself outmatched initially. While Godzilla continues to follow and fight Hedorah, Japan's military and scientists come up with a theory on drying out the monster to defeat him. As an end of the world party rages on Mt. Fuji, the kaiju battle finds its way to Mt. Fuji as well. Godzilla and the military forces combine in defeating the monstrous muck monster, with the world saved and Godzilla heading back to his deep sea home.
This film is so crazy. Everything about it feels so different from a regular Godzilla film. A heavy ecological theme is also weaved between a psychedelic soundtrack and visuals to match. One part of the film is even animated, feeling like a random Japanese version of Schoolhouse Rock. It also is home to the much seen Godzilla clip of the kaiju flying using his atomic breath as a sort of rocket booster. The kaiju battles are especially great, and play well off of the 1970's hippie/discotheque imagery. Definitely worth a viewing if you've never seen it.
GODZILLA VS. GIGAN
1972
DIRECTED BY JUN FUKUDA
Another classic kaiju makes its first appearance in the Godzilla franchise as Gigan enters the fray, but not without backup. As insect-like aliens arrive on Earth from their own dying planet, they use special tapes to control the monsters Gigan and King Ghidorah and use them to destroy all life on Earth. After gaining control of human bodies, their base of operations becomes a peace theme park called World Children's Land, complete with a near life-size Godzilla Tower. After a manga artist and his cohorts become aware of the alien’s plans, they set out to stop them. Godzilla and Anguirus, on nearby Monster Island, feel something amiss. Anguirus is sent to investigate, and finds military resistance and kaiju afoot. After relaying this to Godzilla, the two head out to stop Gigan and King Ghidorah. As an epic battle ensues at the theme park, the human heroes manage to thwart the aliens as well, saving the Earth in tandem with Godzilla and Anguirus.
Another Godzilla film packed with zany moments and just unique things that only this film really had. There was a touch more humor in this film, with the best use of corn as a decoy possibly ever. We also had the strangeness of Godzilla and Anguirus having a conversation with speech bubbles, and even weirder is in the dubbed version, they simply speak to each other. Despite the billing being Godzilla versus Gigan, it really plays out much more like a tag team match, something that was basically a calling card for the rest of the films in the 1970’s.
GODZILLA VS. MEGALON
1973
DIRECTED BY JUN FUKUDA
This one is a bit odd, in almost every way, so follow along and we will dive deeper into it shortly. After more nuclear tests awaken most of the worlds kaiju, it also distresses an undersea civilization known as the Seatopians. Angered, they decide to send their beetle kaiju god, Megalon, to the surface, but he needs a controller. Seatopia agents go above ground where inventors are working with a new humanoid robot called Jet Jaguar. The Seatopians eventually gain control of Jet Jaguar, and use him to bring Megalon to the surface. The inventors manage to get help from the military, and using a secondary control unit they regain control of Jet Jaguar, and send him to go get Godzilla. The Seatopians then call on the aliens from Godzilla Vs. Gigan to send Gigan to help, and they oblige. Jet Jaguar heads back to Megalon and becomes giant-sized. He then begins to fight Megalon as he awaits Godzilla's arrival. Gigan arrives and the evil kaiju gain an advantage, until Godzilla also gets into the brawl. Eventually, Godzilla and Jet Jaguar prevail, and send the other kaiju packing.
So this movie had a lot of issues that came with it. It has fallen out of favor with many Godzilla die-hards, due to its somewhat poor quality and heavy reliance on older stock Godzilla footage. The theme also felt more like a tokusatsu kids show, rather than a true Godzilla film. The creature designs for Megalon and Jet Jaguar do add some originality to the characters. It seems like a missed opportunity to not use them more as the franchise continued, but hopefully they can find a way back someday. Despite the overall negative views of this film, it was one I’ve seen countless times as a kid, and holds a dear place in my heart.
GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA
1974
DIRECTED BY JUN FUKUDA
The first installment with Mechagodzilla has finally arrived! A sci-fi heavy classic, we begin with a prophecy foretelling great monster battles soon to come. We then find Godzilla emerging from Mt. Fuji, and going on a rampage, despite being a friend of mankind now. Anguirus tries to intercept Godzilla, and is almost killed. Things take a turn as another Godzilla enters the fray, and we find that the rampaging Godzilla is a fraud, and is in fact, a robot version of Godzilla. As this goes on, an ancient relic being the resemblance of a kaiju called King Ceaser becomes sought after by thieves and reporters alike, and something more devious as well. Eventually it is revealed that ape-like men from a distant planet have built Mechagodzilla to take over the world. As agents of good seek to save their friends and restore the relic to its proper place, Godzilla is found reeling from his latest encounter with Mechagodzilla. After some lightning strikes revitalize him, he returns to fight the metal monster as the relic is restored and King Ceaser rises to fight as well. The two defeat Mechagodzilla, who has a quite memorable (albeit short lived) death.
This film is just great. Huge action, a great reveal for Mechagodzilla, and a epic final battle. However, the movie did not quite help the slightly deteriorating success of Godzilla films. While still profitable, they weren't making as much as the films in the 1960s. Despite some now classic characters, the studio had begun trying to make most of these films on shoestring budgets, and despite recouping that, it wasn't doing much for the enthusiasm of the crowds.
TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA
1975
DIRECTED BY ISHIRO HONDA
The final Showa era film adds one last kaiju to the mix as it serves as a direct sequel to Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla. Interpol agents are looking for the pieces of Mechagodzilla, but find a new sea monster called Titanosaurus that destroys their submarine. With the help of a marine biologist, they find links to a mad scientist who may have created Titanosaurus, and they speak with his daughter. She claims her father had died, but he is really alive and working with aliens who are building Mechagodzilla 2. After it is revealed that the mad scientist's daughter is a cyborg, he sends out Titanosaurus solo to destroy Japan, but Godzilla intervenes and easily defeats the sea monster. The aliens help capture the biologist and others while both Titanosaurus and Mechagodzilla attack Godzilla. After a long battle among the kaiju, the biologist and others are able to escape as Interpol enters the secret hideout. The cyborg daughter, having the Mechagodzilla 2 controller implanted in her, sacrifices herself for the love of the biologist. Godzilla then takes advantage, destroying the mech and driving Titanosaurus back to the sea.
Ishiro Honda's return to the series, and his final Godzilla film, is much better as even the critics raved about it. Written by Yukiko Takayama, it’s the first Godzilla film written by a woman, and offered a new perspective on the kaiju genre. Despite the good reviews, the film was the least attended Godzilla film in theaters. This was due more to the waning interest in monster films, and with that, it lead to the hiatus that the franchise entered. This leads to it seeming like the movie was not able to continue the series, but it is a very good addition to the franchise.
And then that was that for the 1970’s. Toho decided to shelve most kaiju related projects, and Godzilla himself would not make an appearance again until 1984. The Showa era had come and passed, and with it the first solid run of Godzilla films. Each one had its own distinct personality, and so many classic characters were introduced. The void left by Godzilla's absence would soon be felt, and he would come roaring back some in the 1980’s, leading to a prolific run into the 1990’s. We will explore all of that and more as we move along Godzilla's devastating timeline.
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