English Versions in Most Need of a Restoration/DVD Release

[Tamura]

GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS! is long overdue for a nice, uncut HD restoration.

[Sydney Aradi]

The US version of Rodan needs a huuuuuuggggggge restoration as the print is terrible

[Goji]

GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS! is long overdue for a nice, uncut HD restoration.

Let's see..there are quite a few English versions that have never had a "proper" DVD-quality release.
-VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE
-RODAN (U.S. Kings Brother's version)
-THE HUMAN VAPOR (U.S. Brenco version)
-SECRET OF THE TELEGIAN (U.S. version)
-THE LAST WAR (U.S. version)
-GORATH (U.S. Brenco release)
-ATRAGON (AIP-TV version & international version/credits)
-MATANGO (AIP-TV version & international version/credits)
-GODZILLA VS. THE THING (AIP version)
-FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD (AIP version)
-GHIDRAH (Walter Reade Organization logo and original 60's "The End" card)
-INVASION OF THE ASTRO MONSTERS (international version)
-GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER (original U.S. TV/home video version)
-SON OF GODZILLA (original U.S. TV/home video version)
-DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (AIP version) * Hopefully MB's release fixes this, but I'm not getting my hopes up about them including the credits*
-GODZILLA'S REVENGE (original MINYA:SON OF GODZILLA release. I have no idea if prints of this version are in still in existence*
-GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER (AIP version)
-SPACE AMOEBA (international credits/version)/YOG MONSTER FROM SPACE (AIP version)
-VAMPIRE DOLL (international version)
-LAKE OF DRACULA (international version)
-EVIL OF DRACULA (international version)
-RETURN OF GODZILLA (international version)
-BYE-BYE JUPITER (international credits/version)
-YAMATO TAKERU (international credits/ version)
-GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE (international version)
-GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH (international version)
-GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA (international version
-GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (international version)
-GODZILLA VS. SPACEGODZILLA (international version)
-GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH (international version)

Then there are also the Cinema Shares versions of GIGAN, MEGALON and COSMIC MONSTER, but seeing as they're edited for content, I'm not sure if they're really at the top of anyone's list of versions they'd like to see restored.

There are also the international versions of KING KONG VS. GODZILLA, KING KONG ESCAPES, and WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS, but seeing as only WOTG has ever gotten a PAL VHS release (an extremely rare one at that), I don't see it ever happening for the King Kong films.

[The Dark Uniter]

I would like to see some of the AIP dubs restored: Mothra vs Godzilla, Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla vs Hedorah, Space Amoeba, stuff like that. And probably a restored International version of Invasion of Astro Monster.

[Goji]

Titra/Titan Studios dubbed those 4 films you mentioned films. They were distributed in the U.S. by AIP.

I'll go ahead and add the AIP version of YOG to that list, and the international version of INVASION OF THE ASTRO MONSTERS. I almost forgot about those.

[The Dark Uniter]

Yeah, I'm aware. Titra made the best dubs ever for Godzilla and many other Japanese sci-fi flicks/ TV shows.

[Tamura]

Then there are also the Cinema Shares versions of GIGAN, MEGALON and COSMIC MONSTER, but seeing as they're edited for content, I'm not sure if they're really at the top of anyone's list of versions they'd like to see restored.

I think the unique visuals should all be preserved for these films and THE TERROR OF GODZILLA. Not necessarily the entire versions, just stuff like credits, Cinema Shares logos in 2.35:1, etc. I've seen COSMIC MONSTER's credits in 2.35:1, and they're actually pretty interesting. On the left is the painting from the US poster of Godzilla and Mechagodzilla fighting and on the right is the title card over a red square covering up half the frame. The pan-n-scan TV prints show only the red square. The UK tape has the uncropped title card, IIRC.

I have noticed anomalies on every US version's presentation on a CM DVD except for WOTG, so those UPA films not already mentioned should be included alongside the rest.

[Goji]

I think the unique visuals should all be preserved for these films and THE TERROR OF GODZILLA. Not necessarily the entire versions, just stuff like credits, Cinema Shares logos in 2.35:1, etc. I've seen COSMIC MONSTER's credits in 2.35:1, and they're actually pretty interesting. On the left is the painting from the US poster of Godzilla and Mechagodzilla fighting and on the right is the title card over a red square covering up half the frame. The pan-n-scan TV prints show only the red square. The UK tape has the uncropped title card, IIRC.

I have noticed anomalies on every US version's presentation on a CM DVD except for WOTG, so those UPA films not already mentioned should be included alongside the rest.

I agree totally that the credits of the Cinema Shares versions (and the Bob Cohn version of TERROR OF GODZILLA)should be preserved, though not necessarily the entire film. I have seen footage of the from the widescreen version of COSMIC MONSTER (with the painting visible), on Baradagi's old youtube page. I didn't realize it had a PAL VHS release though. I'm assuming it's one of the 80's tapes?

I wish that CM had used the old MONSTER ZERO transfer from the Simitar release. I wasn't too pleased with the presentation on the '07 disk. I don't own the Simitar disk, but what was the quality of the transfer like?

[Tamura]

The MZ Simitar DVD looks as if they used a relatively nice-looking LD-esque transfer, but compressed the hell out of it. The opening credits look very clean though, but I'm not sure if that has to do with the overt compression masking the print damage or not. I think CM should have used their 35mm UPA archival print (apparently used for both the Simitar and MHD transfers).

Anyway, here are all the Toho sci-fi/kaiju films that I think deserve better presentations. Basically, if it hasn't been released complete (or released at all) and in Sony/Universal/MB Latitude Zero international version/Classic Media WOTG US version quality, then it will be on one of these lists.


Complete US Versions:

GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS!
GIGANTIS THE FIRE MONSTER
RODAN
THE MYSTERIANS
THE HUMAN VAPOR
THE LAST WAR (1.33:1 and 2.35:1)
GORATH
ATRAGON
GODZILLA VS. THE THING
GHIDRAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER
MONSTER ZERO
FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD
GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER (1.33:1 and 2.35:1)
SON OF GODZILLA (1.33:1 and 2.35:1)
DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
GODZILLA'S REVENGE
YOG, MONSTER FROM SPACE
GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER
TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (TV) (1.33:1 and 2.35:1)

International Versions:

VARAN
THE SECRET OF THE TELEGIAN
THE LAST WAR
KING KONG VS. GODZILLA
ATRAGON
DOGORA
INVASION OF THE ASTRO MONSTERS
WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS
KING KONG ESCAPES
DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
SPACE AMOEBA
GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (the Sony DVD is not only missing the original international titles, but is also out of sync during some points. Plus, the first shot is green tinted for some reason)
GODZILLA VS. MEGALON
TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA
THE WAR IN SPACE(?)
BYE-BYE JUPITER
GUNHED
Entire Heisei Godzila series
REBIRTH OF MOTHRA trilogy
GODZILLA 2000

Partial Restorations:

INVASION OF THE ASTROS (alternate MONSTER ZERO opening titles)
EBIRAH, HORROR OF THE DEEP (original international titles)
SON OF GODZILLA (original international titles)
MINYA, THE SON OF GODZILLA (alternate GODZILLA'S REVENGE opening titles)
GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (™ and ®-less international titles, some missing text sequences and sound effects)
GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND (Cinema Shares titles)
GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (Cinema Shares titles)
GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (™ and ®-less international titles, some missing sound effects)
GODZILLA VS. THE BIONIC MONSTER (Cinema Shares titles)
GODZILLA VS. THE COSMIC MONSTER (Cinema Shares titles)
THE TERROR OF GODZILLA (Bob Conn theatrical titles)
GODZILLA 1985 (some missing subtitles and sound effects)

[Rockzilla]

I would really like to see that International version of King Kong vs. Godzilla if it exists.

[Proofpoochie]

I don't see the point in re-doing Ghidorah and All Monsters Attack since their current DVDs are pretty much the same as the original US versions just missing a few title cards. Unless you REALLY want to see those title cards. The mediocre dubbing and numerous edits are still there.

[Tamura]

^Reconstructing the US versions utilizing dated R2 transfers counts as an anomaly, IMO, especially since CM had a print of GODZILLA'S REVENGE the whole time (MONSTER ZERO, too). That isn't to say CM's approximation of GHIDRAH isn't accurate, save for the opening and ending.

[gvamp]

If you have Hulu Plus Criterion released Godzilla King of the Monsters for streaming recently. I haven't checked out the quality but it's there

http://www.hulu.com/watch/254170/godzil ... e-monsters

[Goji]

I would really like to see that International version of King Kong vs. Godzilla if it exists.

I'm not sure if it's still around. I think it's safe to say that some of Toho's earlier "international" versions may not have existing prints anymore..but you never know. It seems that VARAN's international version no longer exists, since the dub wasn't able to be used/located for the Media Blasters DVD.

As for KING KONG ESCAPES, it very well could be out there. Nobody ever would have guessed that the export version of WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS would ever pop up on home video anywhere.

[Proofpoochie]

Madman's R4 Megalon disc has Cinema Shares Megalon cut. The only differences is it has Japanese title cards instead of the original US title cards.

[Tamura]

It seems that VARAN's international version no longer exists, since the dub wasn't able to be used/located for the Media Blasters DVD.

You also have to consider that MB took the effort to commission a new dub of THE MYSTERIANS while 35mm prints of the original dub were still sitting around. I don't care what anyone says and refuse to make up nor listen to excuses to make myself content, most of the people who dubbed MYSTERIANS in 1958-'59 had to be either dead or not in the mood to sue for royalties by 2005.

[The Dark Uniter]

I actually have a copy of the RKO version on VHS. I haven't seen the new dub from the recent release but the original one is pretty good.

[Tamura]

Yes, it is a well-made dub, and trust me, you don't want to listen to the new one. It makes all the newest Omni dubs sound like Titra.

[Tohosaurus]

English Versions in Most Need of a Restoration/DVD Release" means movies that are already available (or were available) in some form, so we can't propose anything new like Human Vapour, so my votes:

Rodan- A widescreen HD/BD version seems highly appropriate.

RoG/Godzilla 1985- Duh

Godzilla vs Biollante- Duh

Gunhed- An HD DVD/BD release again would be nice, plus the BD

Yamato Takeru- Same as Gunhed and Rodan

Rebirth of Mothra III

[The Dark Uniter]

Rodan- A widescreen HD/BD version seems highly appropriate.

Rodan wasn't shot in widescreen, only fullscreen. Starting with the Mysterians and such, Toho films are only begin to shoot in widescreen.