CLASSIC MEDIA BRINGS THE JAPANESE MONSTER OF MASS DESTRUCTION TO DVDWITH THE RELEASE OF THE ORIGINAL

GOJIRA (aka GODZILLA)
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The Complete, Uncut, Japanese Original Available on DVD For the First Time Ever On September 5, 2006

The Release is Part of a Monster DVD 2-Pack, Which Includes Both Gojira And the US Version, Godzilla: King of the Monsters

NEW YORK, NY (March 10, 2006) – Move over King Kong! Godzilla is back! On September 5, Classic Media will release the complete, uncut, Japanese original, Gojira (Godzilla), on DVD for the first time ever in the US. From legendary Japanese filmmaker Ishiro Honda, Gojira quickly became a monster classic. Gojira will only be available as part of a special DVD 2-pack that also includes the re-edited US version, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, starring Raymond Burr. Both versions have been digitally remastered in HD widescreen. The Gojira/Godzilla: King of the Monsters DVD 2-pack stomps onto retail shelves late summer for $21.98 SRP.

Robert Mayo, SVP of Home Video at Classic Media, said, “It’s really exciting to be able to finally bring this classic film to DVD for the American audience. Fans have been looking forward to the release of Gojira for several years.”

For more information and updates closer to release date, fans can log onto www.godzillaondvd.com.

A Monster Metaphor
Ishiro Honda’s 1954 black-and-white classic spawned a new genre called the “kaiju eiga” or, Japanese monster movie, giving way to countless sequels. With its 50th anniversary theatrical re-release in 2004, audiences rediscovered the strong anti-nuclear message of the original Gojira film.

Gojira contains 40 minutes of footage that was not seen as part of the re-edited, re-dubbed Americanized Godzilla: King of Monsters. In the US version 40 minutes were cut and 20 minutes of new scenes were added, starring Raymond Burr as an American reporter. As a result, the original tone of the movie was changed and the anti-H-Bomb message dropped.

Gojira (1954)
Run Time: 98 minutes
When several ships mysteriously explode and sink off the coast of Japan, the country begins to panic. Authorities are convinced that the unexplained activity was caused by underwater mines or volcanoes and sends officials to Odo Island to investigate. Days later, something comes ashore and destroys several neighboring houses, killing many locals. Renowned paleontologist, Dr. Kyohei Yemane (Takashi Shimura), is called to lead a new expedition and uncovers the source of the problem – a 400-foot tall mutant dinosaur the natives call Gojira. The Doctor insists that the monster, which was awakened from a million-year sleep by nuclear bomb tests in the South Pacific, be studied not destroyed. Gojira soon begins a rampage that threatens to destroy Japan. Can the powerful monster be eliminated before it is too late?

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (1956)
Run Time: 78 minutes
When American reporter Steve Martin, played by Raymond Burr, investigates a series of mysterious disasters off the coast of Japan, he comes face to face with an ancient creature so powerful and terrifying, it can reduce Tokyo to a smoldering graveyard. Nuclear weapon testing resurrected this relic from the Jurassic age, and now this behemoth is stomping and smashing his way through the city. Conventional weapons are useless against him; but scientist Dr. Serizawa has discovered a weapon that could destroy all life in the bay – including Godzilla! But, which disaster is worse, Godzilla’s fury, or the death of Tokyo Bay?

About Classic Media
Classic Media owns and manages some of the world’s most recognizable family properties across all media including feature film, television, home video and consumer products. The company’s extensive library features a diverse collection of popular animated and live-action characters such as: Casper the Friendly Ghost, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Lone Ranger, Lassie, Underdog and Rocky & Bullwinkle.