DVD/Blu-ray Ideas

[The Dark Uniter]

Pretty much a ICONs set for Gorath, Human Vapor and The Last War with no dubtitles. Also, a release for Cozzilla would be nice with tons of extras. And finally, proper releases of Prophecies of Nostradamus and Half Human in a Toho lost films edition. Basically both films would include American and Japanese cuts, original trailers, a photo gallery, commentary, posters of the films, accurate subs and newly remastered prints.

[Ethan]

The various horror host introductions would make for interesting extras too.

[Tyler]

I'd like better Heisei DVDs from Sony.

[g2kmaster]

Godzilla 2000

Disc 1: Japanese Cut
-Film sourced from Toho's HD broadcast
-Japanese Audio 2.0 DOlby and 5.1 DTS
-Cantonese 5.1 Dolby Digital
-English subtitles
-Isolated Music Track (using music from the Perfect box from last year)
-Audio Commentary
-All Trailers and TV spots from R2 DVD Box Set

Disc 2: US Version
-Film sourced from 4k restoration
-English 5.1 DTS soundtrack
-Spainish 2.0 Dolby Digital
-American trailer and TV spots (2)
-Audio Commentary by Michael Schlesinger and company

Disc 3 - All Extras in HD
-NEW - "GODZILLA 2000 - A History" - goes into detail about every from the failure of GINO to production on G2K to the little things about the US release like the premire, the poster giveaway, and the US cut being shown in Japan.
-MAKING OF GODZILLA 2000 - right from the R2 box set (still keeping in chapters)
-Image Gallery
-Cast and Crew Bios

[Tamura]

Godzilla 2000

Disc 1: Japanese Cut
-Film sourced from Toho's HD broadcast

The quality isn't that great. At least I didn't think it was.

[Proofpoochie]

The ICONS Vol. 2 set idea sounds great!. If only those films were owned by Sony.

[g2kmaster]

Godzilla 2000

Disc 1: Japanese Cut
-Film sourced from Toho's HD broadcast

The quality isn't that great. At least I didn't think it was.

In that case, an American 4K restoration of the JP print.

Actualy, how is it that the American DVD was that much better than the Japanese? I remember on tokyo monsters that the pic quality was a big step up on the US disc.

[Ethan]

I guess Toho really sucks at making transfers.

[g2kmaster]

That could be true. Especialy with the Green tinted GXMG print.

[Malchik]

I guess Toho really sucks at making transfers.

No, they just don't put forth the budget or effort on anything they do. The transfers are competent, but the mastering is average. They run their films through some automatic noise reducer/color correction and be done with them.

I wish Toho had the mentality of Criterion and hand clean and stabilize their films frame by frame. Sadly that takes big bucks, and Toho has had the mentality until HD that "fans are going to buy our films regardless of quality". Luckily HD has started forcing film companies to start preserving their libraries.

[Tamura]

DUEL OF THE SOUTH SEAS (GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER)

Disk 1:
-Transfer of Sony's 35mm print of the Japanese version
-International "EBIRAH, HORROR OF THE DEEP" version and the Champion Matsuri Festival version through seamless branching
-R2 commentary
-Isolated score
-Japanese trailer(s)
-International trailer(?)
-Photo galleries of lobby cards, posters, the manga adaptation and other promotions from the original Japanese release, the Champion Matsuri reissue and its release in international, non-US territories plus Toho International's English materials for the film
-Behind the scenes pictures, storyboards and concept art
-The OPERATION ROBINSON CRUSOE: KING KONG VS. EBIRAH script, if it is any different from the script used for the film besides the replacement of King Kong with Godzilla, and any materials relating to it
-The BATMAN VS. GODZILLA script and any materials relating to it
-Audio gallery of musical outtakes, audio promos, etc.

Disk 2:
-US TV version in 2.35:1, reconstructed utilizing the textless copy used on the Sony DVD. Opening and ending titles (which will be stretched to 2.35:1) plus the sound sourced from the best quality 16mm US print
-Original pan-n-scan 1.33:1 version from said best quality 16mm print
-Audio commentary by one or two Japanese film historians and/or people who worked on the US version
-US TV spots
-Photo gallery of anything related to the US TV release


SON OF GODZILLA

Disk 1:
-Same specifications as disk 1 of SEA MONSTER, but with outtakes/deleted scenes from the Final Box and without the two scripts

Disk 2:
-Same specifications as disk 2 of SEA MONSTER

[Malchik]

I could never understand why Toho hadn't used the international versions of these films and edited in the Japanese credits. The international prints Sony used look incredible.

[Tamura]

CHARGE OF THE MONSTERS (DESTROY ALL MONSTERS)

Disk 1:
-Contrast, sharpness and color-corrected version of Toho's HD transfer
-International and Champion Matsuri Festival versions through seamless branching
-R2 commentary
-Isolated score
-Japanese trailer(s)
-International trailer(?)
-Photo galleries of lobby cards, posters, the manga adaptation and other promotions from the original Japanese release, the Champion Matsuri reissue and its release in international, non-US territories plus Toho International's English materials for the film
-Behind the scenes pictures, storyboards and concept art
-Outtakes/deleted scenes from the Toho Outtakes tape
-ALL MONSTERS ATTACK DIRECTIVE script and materials relating to it
-Audio gallery of musical outtakes, audio promos, etc.

Disk 2:
-The US version presented either as a composite consisting of the color-corrected Toho HD transfer with unique visuals (opening credits and the end title) and audio sourced from the best existing 35mm US print, or as a complete transfer of said best existing 35mm US print if it looks good enough
-Audio commentary by one or two Japanese film experts and/or anybody who worked on the US version
-US trailers, tv spots and radio ads
-Posters, lobby cards, pressbooks and other promotions from the film's US release
-8mm version

[G-Matt]

First of all, let me just say that this is a great idea for a topic, Tamura.

Anyway, here's what I think would be the "ultimate" DVD/Blu-ray release of the original Godzilla, kind of à la the 5-disc release of Blade Runner with five different versions of the movie.

DISC 1: THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE VERSION
- the remastered HD transfer from Toho in 1.33:1 full screen
- Japanese mono and newly created 5.1 surround audio options (plus possible dubs)
- English subtitles (and a set of others for the Blu-ray since the format allows it)
- audio commentary with Akira Takarada (from the R2 Toho DVD; subtitled in English)
- audio commentary with Steve Ryfle, Ed Godziszewski and Keith Aiken (from the R2 BFI DVD)
- isolated music score
- original Japanese theatrical trailer (subtitled in English)
- Designing Godzilla: Making of the Godzilla Suit
- Godzilla Story Development
- new interviews (like Akira Takarada, Kenji Sahara and Haruo Nakajima; subtitled in English)
- interview with Akira Ifukube (from the R2 Toho DVD; subtitled in English)
- The Japanese Fishermen (from the R2 BFI DVD)
- image galleries (posters, film stills, storyboards etc.)

DISC 2: THE US VERSION STARRING RAYMOND BURR
- the most complete restored version of the movie available, with the Transworld logo and the end credits, in 1.33:1 full screen
- English mono and newly created 5.1 surround audio options
- English subtitles (and a set of others for the Blu-ray)
- audio commentary with Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski (from the R1 CM DVD)
- the Japanese release version in 2.35:1 widescreen
- original trailers (both US and Japanese)
- interview with Raymond Burr (either for this DVD/Blu-ray or TROG/G85)
- image galleries

DISC 3: THE ITALIAN VERSIONS
- both the original Godzilla: Il re dei mostri version (released on DVD) and Cozzilla in 1.33:1 full screen
- Italian mono audio
- English subtitles
- audio commentary for Cozzilla with a film historian or two
- original Italian trailers (subtitled in English)
- image galleries

DISC 4: THE GERMAN AND FRENCH VERSIONS
- the original German version (released on DVD) in 1.33:1 full screen
- German mono audio
- the French version (released on VHS) in 1.33:1 full screen
- French mono audio
- English subtitles for both versions
- original German and French trailer(s) (subtitled in English)
- image galleries

DISCS 5 & 6: DOCUMENTARIES ETC.
- The Spirit of Godzilla + all the accompanying features (from the 3-disc R2 special edition Toho DVD of GFW; subtitled in English)
- Bringing Godzilla Down to Size (from the R1 CM Rodan/WOTG DVD; English subtitles for the Japanese-spoken parts)
- Godzilla Around the World (a new documentary detailing Godzilla's popularity outside Japan; subtitled in English)
- Godzilla, King of the Monsters (BBC documentary; English subtitles for the Japanese-spoken parts)
- Animal Icons: It Came from Japan (Animal Planet documentary)
- Godzilla and Me (from the R2 French GFW DVD; subtitled in English)
- The Art of Suit Acting (from the R1 CM GRA DVD)
- Akira Ifukube, Eiji Tsuburaya, Tomoyuki Tanaka and Ishiro Honda biographies (from the R1 CM DVDs)
- The Women of Godzilla (from the R1 CM TOMG DVD)
- Godzilla Receives the MTV Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996
- footage from various G-Fests
- Blue Öyster Cult's "Godzilla" music video
- Bambi vs. Godzilla animated short
- the Godzilla episode of AVGN

Honorable mention: I was thinking of adding the Godzilla & Other Movie Monsters documentary too, but since it doesn't focus entirely on Godzilla, it's probably better as a stand-alone.

[Sydney Aradi]

ATRAGON

-Use the Tokyo Shock video print but with better color heading
-Koji Kajita commentary (English subtitled)
-Original Japanese & US trailers
-Isolated music score
-UNDERSEA BATTLESHIP script
-Japanese press release & photo gallery
-American International Pictures version
-Behind the scenes: Making of Atragon
-Cast & filmmaker bios
-Concept art
-Commentary from Japanese/Kaiju film historians (Ed G/Steve Ryfle or Keith Aiken)

[Tamura]

ALL MONSTERS ON PARADE (GODZILLA'S REVENGE)

Disk 1:
-Contrast, sharpness and color-corrected version of Toho's HD transfer
-R2 commentary
-Isolated score
-Japanese trailer(s)
-Photo galleries of lobby cards, posters, the manga adaptation and other promotions from the original Japanese release plus Toho International's English materials for the film
-Behind the scenes pictures, storyboards and concept art
-Audio gallery of musical outtakes, LP rips, audio promos, etc.

Disk 2:
-US version sourced from the US 35mm print at the UPA archives
-Through seamless branching, the "MINYA: THE SON OF GODZILLA" credit sequence
-Pusateri commentary
-US trailers, tv spots and radio ads
-Posters, lobby cards, miscellaneous promos, etc. for the US release
-ZOMG EASTER EGG: The unedited library tracks used in the opening to the US version

[Goji]

*edit, please delete*

[Tamura]

GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH

Disk 1:
-Japanese version sourced mainly from the Sony copy, with all unique Japanese titles restored
-International version through seamless branching (titles sourced from Sony's 35mm print of the international version, with missing titles such as Ken's haiku restored from the best alternate 35mm sources. No ™'s and ®'s in sight)
-R2 commentary
-Isolated score
-Japanese trailer(s)
-International trailer(?)
-Photo galleries of lobby cards, posters, the manga adaptation and other promotions from the original Japanese release and its release in international, non-US territories, plus Toho International's English materials for the film
-Behind the scenes pictures, storyboards and concept art
-8mm behind the scenes footage from the R2
-Audio gallery of musical outtakes, radio dramas, audio promos, etc.

Disk 2:
-The US version presented either as a composite consisting of the Sony transfer with unique visuals (opening credits, textless shots and end title) and audio sourced from the best existing 35mm US print, or as a complete transfer of said best existing 35mm US print if it looks good enough
-Audio commentary featuring one or two Japanese film experts and/or anybody who worked on the US version
-US trailers, tv spots and radio ads
-Posters, lobby cards, pressbooks and other promotions from the film's US release

[Legion1979]

-Japanese version sourced mainly from the Sony copy, with all unique Japanese titles restored

The Toho print is better. I agree that many of Sony's DVD have great picture quality, but their Hedora DVD is just too dark and murky. The R2 print is nice and bright and all sorts of incredible details can be seen.

[Tamura]

I know, it's weird. On some monitors the Sony DVD looks fine by me, but on others it's so dark you can't make out shit. I'm sure the blacks aren't completely crushed and that the details can be restored, otherwise a color-corrected Toho HD transfer would do the job.


GODZILLA VS. GIGAN

Disk 1:
-Japanese version sourced mainly from the Sony copy, with all unique Japanese titles restored (I can't remember if Sony's copy of this is dark like HEDORAH. If so, the details could be restored by brightening up the image, or if that doesn't work, a color-corrected Toho HD transfer would be used)
-International version through seamless branching (titles sourced from Sony's 35mm print of the international version. No ™'s and ®'s in sight. I'm not sure if the international version was originally intended to have the comic bubbles or not, so they may or may not be included when the int'l version is played)
-R2 commentary
-Isolated stock music track (either that, or a feature in the audio gallery showcasing all the cues along with a track listing/guide)
-Japanese trailer(s)
-International trailer(?)
-Photo galleries of lobby cards, posters, the manga adaptation and other promotions from the original Japanese release and its release in international, non-US territories, plus Toho International's English materials for the film
-Behind the scenes pictures, storyboards and concept art
-GODZILLA VS. REDMOON script (if one was ever written) and any materials relating to it
-GODZILLA VS. THE SPACE MONSTERS script and materials relating to it
-RETURN OF KING GHIDORAH script and materials relating to it
-Audio gallery of audio promos, LP rips, stereo EXPO '70 cues (plus the entire stock score and a track listing/guide as mentioned above if an isolated score isn't used), etc.

Disk 2:
-Cinema Shares "GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND" US version, sourced from the best-looking but at the same time still grindhousy-looking US 35mm print
-Audio commentary by one or two Japanese film experts (the commentaries from GIGAN to MECHAGODZILLA most likely wouldn't have participants who worked on the US versions)
-US trailers, tv and radio spots (including the triple-bill trailer)
-Posters, lobby cards, pressbooks and other promotions from the film's US release


GODZILLA VS. MEGALON

Disk 1:
-Contrast, sharpness and color-corrected version of Toho HD transfer of the Japanese version
-International version through seamless branching, both "red" and "white" text variants
-R2 commentary
-Isolated score
-Japanese trailer(s)
-International trailer(?)
-Photo galleries of lobby cards, posters, the manga adaptation and other promotions from the original Japanese release and its release in international, non-US territories, plus Toho International's English materials for the film
-Behind the scenes pictures, storyboards and concept art
-Teruyoshi Nakano interview from the R2
-JET JAGUAR VS. MEGALON script and materials relating to it
-Materials relating to Robert Dunham from Emiko Jade Frost's collection
-Audio gallery of musical outtakes, LP rips, audio promos, etc.

Disk 2:
-Uncut first run Cinema Shares US version, sourced from the best-looking but at the same time still grindhousy-looking uncut US 35mm print
-Recut US version through seamless branching
-Audio commentary by one or two Japanese film experts
-US trailers, tv and radio spots (including the triple-bill trailer)
-Posters, pressbooks and other promotional tie-ins from the film's US release (including the comic book)
-John Belushi wrap-arounds from the NBC premiere (or the whole broadcast, minus the commercials)


GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA

Disk 1:
-Japanese version sourced mainly from the Sony copy, with all unique Japanese titles restored
-International version through seamless branching (titles sourced from Sony's 35mm print of the international version. No ™'s and ®'s in sight)
-R2 commentary
-Isolated score
-Japanese trailer(s)
-International trailer
-Photo galleries of lobby cards, posters, the manga adaptation and other promotions from the original Japanese release and its release in international, non-US territories, plus Toho International's English materials for the film
-Behind the scenes pictures, storyboards and concept art
-Outtakes/deleted scenes from the Final Box
-GIANT MONSTERS CONVERGE ON OKINAWA! SHOWDOWN IN ZANPAMISAKI script and materials relating to it
-Audio gallery of musical outtakes, LP rips, audio promotions, etc.

Disk 2:
-Through seamless branching, both the "BIONIC MONSTER" and "COSMIC MONSTER" variants of the Cinema Shares US version, sourced from the best-looking but at the same time still grindhousy-looking US 35mm prints (only one print would be used for the vast majority of the film, reverting to the other print just for the alternate title card)
-Audio commentary by one or two Japanese film experts
-US trailers, tv and radio spots (including the triple-bill trailer)
-Posters, lobby cards, pressbooks and other promotions from the film's US release


MECHAGODZILLA'S COUNTERATTACK (TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA)

Disk 1:
-Japanese version sourced from the Toho HD transfer with contrast, sharpness and color corrections and in 2.35:1 instead of 2.55:1
-International version through seamless branching
-R2 commentary
-Isolated score
-Japanese trailer(s)
-International trailer(?)
-Interview with Ishiro Honda's wife from the R2
-Interview with Teruyoshi Nakano from the R2
-Photo galleries of lobby cards, posters, the manga adaptation and other promotions from the original Japanese release and its release in international, non-US territories, plus Toho International's English materials for the film
-Behind the scenes pictures, storyboards and concept art
-TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA early draft
-Aborted late 70's scripts and materials
-Photos and video of the Showa costumes in various states of deterioration
-Audio gallery of musical outtakes, audio promos, etc.

Disk 2:
-Both uncut and cut versions of the Bob Conn US theatrical release through seamless branching, sourced from the best-looking but still slightly grindhousy-looking uncut US 35mm print available (supposedly an uncut version played alongside the cut version)
-TV version in 2.35:1 seamlessly branched with the uncut US 35mm print. All stock footage sourced from the 35mm UPA archival sources for MONSTER ZERO and GODZILLA'S REVENGE with the Toho logo, opening title, freeze frame titles, end title and sound sourced from the 16mm print Monsters HD utilized for their transfer.
-Pan-n-scan 1.33:1 TV version sourced from said 16mm print
-Aiken and Johnson commentary (only available through the two presentations of the TV version)
-US trailers, tv and radio spots for the theatrical release
-Any materials, such as tv spots, for the TV release
-Posters, pressbooks and other promotions from both the theatrical and TV releases
-Both of the video-generated credit sequences made by UPA in the 80's
-TV ads and other materials for US Godzilla toys/merchandise from the late 70's, such as the Mattel Godzilla Game, the Shogun Warrior Godzilla, etc.


That's the entire Showa Godzilla series. If any other outtakes/deleted scenes, behind the scenes footage and video/audio interviews with cast and crew of the Japanese productions and US versions still exist (and I am absolutely certain they do), those would be included as well to flesh out these disks even further.

Here's a quickie:


PROPHECIES OF NOSTRADAMUS

-A one-disk edition featuring both the uncut Japanese version and the international version (with its unique visuals, such as the Toho International logo, the English opening credits and textless sequences all intact) through seamless branching from 35mm materials. That's all I want of that one.