Film at Eleven

Classic Media are releasing both Godzilla Raids Again and Mothra vs. Godzilla - two films in which the gargantuan prehistoric beast battles two new monsters and, once again, threatens the future of Japan - on DVD in April.

Godzilla Raids Again was the sequel to the original and hugely successful Godzilla and was rushed into cinemas six months after the release of the first film in 1955. The heavily re-edited US version was released a few years later in 1959 and features the voice of Star Trek’s George Takei. Two new monsters emerged: the first similar to the original Godzilla that was killed by the oxygen destroyer in the first film, and also named Godzilla, the second a spiny dinosaur called Anguirus. The massive battle begins on Iwato Island, tumbles into the ocean, and resurfaces on Osaka, threatening to level the city under the monsters’ rage. Special bonus features include the “Art of Suit Acting” featurette.

Mothra vs. Godzilla was originally released in the US as Godzilla vs. The Thing and is the fourth instalment in the Godzilla series. It is considered by many fans as one of the best of the series. The movie was released in Japan and the US in 1964. When a giant egg washes up on the shores of Tokyo after a typhoon, greedy businessmen seize the opportunity to exhibit the item at an amusement park for profit. The shobijin, fairies from Infant Island, come to plea for the egg’s return to its rightful owner, Mothra, but the men refuse the request. Soon Godzilla awakens and begins a trek across Tokyo, heading straight for Mothra’s egg. Can Mothra save her offspring from the destruction of Godzilla? Can Tokyo survive this epic monster battle? Special bonus features include an Akira Ifukube biography with a tribute by Shogo Tomiyama and the original Japanese trailer. Additional bonus features available on both DVDs include audio commentaries and English subtitles for the Japanese version.

For more information head over to www.godzillaondvd.com or click here to see the trailers.

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