Talkback: King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)

[GojiDoobyDoo]

Godzilla vs. Kong might use its CGI to incredible effect, delivering some of the best giant monster action ever put to screen, but I have to say that I like King Kong vs. Godzilla far more.

The satirical comedy approach is really fun, delivering on some great characters (Mr. Tako of course a major standout) and an interesting meta narrative. I like that the movie knows how ridiculous its concept is, and it not only acknowledges that, it relishes in it. Sheer gold.

I also like how the titular monsters are portrayed and utilized in this one. Both have equal relevance to the plot, and both monsters are allowed a lot of time to shine. The narrative differences between the two was also a good choice. Godzilla’s story is mostly serious, with the monster having an aura of dread about him. He has a lot of build up to his appearance, and he causes our human cast some grief. Contrast that with Kong, who is still fearsome, but has an overall aura of fun and goofiness about him. He’s just the thunder ape god of Faro Island, who wants to chill, drink, and tell giant octopuses to screw off. I love him, and it’s clear the filmmakers (especially Tsuburaya) did too.

Final note, while their 2021 showdown is objectively (from a technical POV) superior, I actually like their 1962 bout more. While King Kong is still an underdog here, it actually feels like the two monsters are more or less on equal footing. Godzilla’s durability and heat ray give him an advantage, but Kong can mostly take the ray, and he’s G-man’s equal in physical strength. Then Kong gets a truly equal playing field when he gets the electrical charge, and oh boy. It’s such a fun fight.

(I love the shot of both monsters silhouetted by trees on fire. A great visual of the absolute chaos of the fight)

[Grand Seijin]

While I've only seen the American dub of the film, I still got a kick out of it. As a musician, more specifically a percussionist, one of my favorite aspects of King Kong vs Godzilla is the original score by Akira Ifukube. The opening is, in my opinion, one of Ifukube's greatest arrangements. I could only describe it as "hauntingly primordial" in a sense, especially when the native choir comes in. The fast-paced timpani and string ostinato combined with the brass and woodwinds is perfect in my eyes.

[Mechagigan]

Just watched the old American dub - it's kinda hilarious how totally useless the American interjections are. At least Raymond Burr's stuff (for example) added something to G'54, even if that something's generally unnecessary. Every time the American News Dudes pop up here, it's just a boring slog of babble - most of which is story details the Japanese version explained well enough, as-is. Needless to say, there's no real reason to watch the American edit, but I think it's a cute curiosity nevertheless. Sort of endearing in that retro way, but at the same time, it strips almost all the charm of the original out in the process. As I've said in other threads I'd love if a redone dub existed, without all the American junk, following the exact original script.

Still, it's a great movie however you watch it - the original's obviously better, more heart and intent behind it all, but the American's still a proper retro monster mash. Definitely a classic for a reason.

Also, is that the Creature From The Black Lagoon theme I heard a few times? Pretty sick if so. I knew it sounded familiar, but at first I thought it was the same horror music cue Spongebob etc use, lol.

[JAGzilla]

^ Yeah, the Creature From the Black Lagoon theme is heavily featured in KKvG. I know a lot of people hate that, and I get it, but since it's the version I grew up with, that theme belongs to KKvG first and foremost in my mind. I didn't see Creature until much later. And it fits KKvG well enough, honestly; it's not the Ifukube score, but it sounds kinda cool in its own right.

[Major sssspielberg!]

^It's funny because KKvsG was one of the last Godzilla movies I had to see as a kid. I was probably 12 and gifted a DVD rip of the Japanese laserdisc version, never was able to track down the American version on VHS. Of course I had no idea what the plot was since it wasn't subtitled, but by that point I'd already developed an attachment to Ifukube's scores and KKvsG had become a favorite soundtrack of mine. A few years later the Universal DVDs came out and I was so disappointed with the American version and it's soundtrack.
I still have a hard time with Americanizations that take stuff like Creature music and replace Ifukube's stuff, like War of the Gargantuas.

[edgaguirus]

The Gillman theme is perfect for the moment Kong rises from the water after the raft blows.

I love Ifukube's music scores, but I also have a soft spot for the Gillman and his theme.

[mikelcho]

While I've only seen the American dub of the film, I still got a kick out of it. As a musician, more specifically a percussionist, one of my favorite aspects of King Kong vs Godzilla is the original score by Akira Ifukube. The opening is, in my opinion, one of Ifukube's greatest arrangements. I could only describe it as "hauntingly primordial" in a sense, especially when the native choir comes in. The fast-paced timpani and string ostinato combined with the brass and woodwinds is perfect in my eyes.

Did you know that La-La Land Records released the original Japanese soundtrack for King Kong vs. Godzilla on CD in the U.S. in 2006? If you see a brand new copy somewhere, pick it up!

[Grand Seijin]

While I've only seen the American dub of the film, I still got a kick out of it. As a musician, more specifically a percussionist, one of my favorite aspects of King Kong vs Godzilla is the original score by Akira Ifukube. The opening is, in my opinion, one of Ifukube's greatest arrangements. I could only describe it as "hauntingly primordial" in a sense, especially when the native choir comes in. The fast-paced timpani and string ostinato combined with the brass and woodwinds is perfect in my eyes.

Did you know that La-La Land Records released the original Japanese soundtrack for King Kong vs. Godzilla on CD in the U.S. in 2006? If you see a brand new copy somewhere, pick it up!

Ooh. I might just have to go eBay searching for that. I’ve been meaning to get some of the Godzilla soundtracks on compact-disc (Y’know, just in case Toho takes them down online). Just out of curiosity, do you know if it’s been released on vinyl LP?

[mikelcho]

While I've only seen the American dub of the film, I still got a kick out of it. As a musician, more specifically a percussionist, one of my favorite aspects of King Kong vs Godzilla is the original score by Akira Ifukube. The opening is, in my opinion, one of Ifukube's greatest arrangements. I could only describe it as "hauntingly primordial" in a sense, especially when the native choir comes in. The fast-paced timpani and string ostinato combined with the brass and woodwinds is perfect in my eyes.

Did you know that La-La Land Records released the original Japanese soundtrack for King Kong vs. Godzilla on CD in the U.S. in 2006? If you see a brand new copy somewhere, pick it up!

Ooh. I might just have to go eBay searching for that. I’ve been meaning to get some of the Godzilla soundtracks on compact-disc (Y’know, just in case Toho takes them down online). Just out of curiosity, do you know if it’s been released on vinyl LP?

Yes, and it hasn't. Btw, off-topic for a minute, La-La Land Records also released another Godzilla film soundtrack in 2004, this one of Godzilla (1954), that they titled Godzilla: 50th Anniversary Edition. It's also only on CD.

[Legion1979]

Waxwork Records released a Showa LP box set a few years ago. All the movies were in the set.

[LegendZilla]

Someone should try doing a fan edit to re-create the mythical alternate ending where Godzilla wins.

[edgaguirus]

You mean show Godzilla rising from the water instead of Kong?

[LegendZilla]

You mean show Godzilla rising from the water instead of Kong?

With today's technology, it should be easy. Just get an articulated G62 figure and poof, you're good to go.

[Mechagigan]

I've seen some amazing CGI that replicates Showa suitmation perfectly. Could be a fun fan project idea

[edgaguirus]

Today's tech and effects could easily do it. Of course, whomever does it will have to edit out Carter wishing Kong a safe journey.