Directed by: Various (Showa-era Godzilla filmmakers)
In 1954, an enormous beast clawed its way out of the sea, destroying everything in its path—and changing movies forever. The original Godzilla not only launched a landmark franchise but also gave birth to an entire monster-movie genre, kaiju eiga.
Over the next two decades, the King of the Monsters would return in fourteen wildly entertaining sequels, battling a host of formidable foes and evolving from a terrifying symbol of nuclear annihilation into a begrudging protector of Earth. Collected here for the first time are all fifteen Godzilla films of Japan’s Showa era, in a landmark eight-disc set that showcases the technical wizardry, fantastical storytelling, and enduring global appeal of the most iconic giant monster in cinema history.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
|
High-Definition Digital Transfers (Showa Films) |
High-definition digital transfers of all fifteen Godzilla films produced between 1954 and 1975, released together for the first time, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks. |
|
Godzilla, King of the Monsters & King Kong vs. Godzilla Versions |
High-definition digital transfers of Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1956 U.S. release of Godzilla) and the 1962 Japanese-release version of King Kong vs. Godzilla, presented with its original 4.0 surround soundtrack. |
|
Audio Commentaries (2011) |
Audio commentaries from 2011 on Godzilla and Godzilla, King of the Monsters featuring film historian David Kalat. |
|
International English-Language Dub Tracks |
English dub tracks for Invasion of Astro-Monster, Son of Godzilla, Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla vs. Megalon, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, and Terror of Mechagodzilla. |
|
Directors Guild of Japan Interview |
Interview with director Ishiro Honda conducted in 1990 by director Yoshimitsu Banno for the Directors Guild of Japan. |
|
Godzilla Photographic Effects Featurette |
A featurette detailing Godzilla’s photographic and special-effects techniques, highlighting the craft behind the kaiju spectacle. |
|
Toho Unused Special Effects Complete Collection |
1986 documentary featuring archival making-of footage; scenes deleted from films including Destroy All Monsters, King Kong vs. Godzilla, and Mothra vs. Godzilla; and interviews with Ishiro Honda, producer Tomoyuki Tanaka, special-effects director Teruyoshi Nakano, and others. |
|
Interview with Alex Cox |
New interview with filmmaker Alex Cox about his admiration for and perspective on the Showa-era Godzilla films. |
|
Cast and Crew Interviews |
New and archival interviews with actors Bin Furuya, Tsugutoshi Komada, Haruo Nakajima, and Akira Takarada; composer Akira Ifukube; and effects technicians Yoshio Irie and Eizo Kaimai. |
|
Interview with Tadao Sato (2011) |
2011 interview with critic Tadao Sato discussing Godzilla’s cultural and cinematic significance. |
|
Illustrated Audio Essay (2011) |
Illustrated audio essay from 2011 exploring the real-life tragedy that inspired the creation of Godzilla. |
|
New English Subtitle Translations |
Newly prepared English subtitle translations for the films in the set. |
|
Trailers |
Original and archival trailers for the Godzilla films included in the collection. |
|
Deluxe Hardcover Book |
Lavishly illustrated deluxe hardcover book featuring an essay by cinema historian Steve Ryfle, film notes by historian Ed Godziszewski, and new artwork by Arthur Adams, Sophie Campbell, Becky Cloonan, Jorge Coelho, Geof Darrow, Simon Gane, Robert Goodin, Benjamin Marra, Monarobot, Takashi Okazaki, Angela Rizza, Yuko Shimizu, Bill Sienkiewicz, Katsuya Terada, Ronald Wimberly, and Chris Wisnia. |