"[11] In a contemporary review from the Monthly Film Bulletin, the review noted that "In spite of some clumsy model shots, Godzilla's fight with the giant moth and its caterpillar progeny is one of Toho's better efforts". "[40], Variety commented that the film was a "Japanese sci-fi long on special effects but lacks appeal for general trade", and that "inspite of the slick production, the story and acting don't offer enough to attract large general audiences. [23], Mechanical props and puppets were built for both monsters. At a high pressure level, the liquid polystyrene was forced through a tube that ran through the back of the larva and into the nozzle installed on the mouth. [19], The film's special effects were directed by Eiji Tsuburaya, while Teruyoshi Nakano served as the assistant special effects director. It features Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, King Ghidorah, and many others. They uncover a strange, bluish-gray object in the debris, not knowing its significance. Sakai, Junko, and Miura travel to Infant Island to request the Shobijin to send Mothra to defeat Godzilla. For the Nagoya Castle scene, Nakajima was unable to completely destroy the model. [46], This article is about the 1964 film. In 2005, Toho included the film on the Godzilla Final Box DVD Set. Attack Potency: At least City level (A weakened, near dead Imago Mothra was able to knock Showa Godzilla down with her wind gusts and a prime Imago Mothra knocked Godzilla down with a tackle, a pair of Larvae incapacitated Godzilla with their webbing) | Large Island level+ (Second and Third Generation Mothras were capable to fight King Ghidorah, with the help from Godzilla and Rodan) [44], In 1989, the American version was released on VHS in North America by Paramount Home Video under the title Godzilla vs. Mothra. In the film, humans beseech the aide of the insect-god Mothra to stop Godzilla from destroying Japan. In 1986, Toho released the film on LaserDisc. In 1986, Toho released the film on LaserDisc. "[10] Honda purposely chose to portray the film's version of Infant Island as a partial wasteland, stating, "I wanted to visualize the terror and the power of the atomic bomb. [35] For the opening typhoon scene, Iijima built a shallow water tank to create the illusion of violent waves. [40] The review praised the monsters design in the film and opined that the "ineffectual attempts to bring him to a halt are cleverly and spectacularly staged. If the egg hatches, the larva will cause great damage looking for food. [45] In 2019, the Japanese version was included in a Blu-ray box set released by the Criterion Collection, which included all 15 films from the franchise's Shōwa era. "[11], Tsuburaya had Toho purchase an Oxberry 1900 optical printer which helped remove damages for composite photography shots. It received an X rating from the British Board of Film Censors, preventing children under 16 from seeing it. Produced and distributed by Toho Studios, it is the fourth film in the Godzilla franchise. However, Godzilla's theme was added instead, a decision which upset Ifukube. The local villagers salvage it and Kumayama, entrepreneur of Happy Enterprises buys the egg from the local villagers. Mothra made her first appearance alongside Godzilla in the 1964 Godzilla film, Mothra vs. Godzilla. Ryfle refers to Godzilla as a "specter of nuclear annihilation", metaphorically casting its shadow over Japan. Kumayama meets with Jiro Torahata, the head of Happy Enterprises. Mothra (モスラ Mosura?) [10] Tanaka hired The Peanuts for publicity, due to their popularity at the time. Mothra initially gains the upper-hand but is defeated by Godzilla's atomic breath, and dies of exhaustion. In 2010, Toho released the film on Blu-ray. Honda would later regret this decision, feeling he should have been more "stubborn. [17] The track "The Sacred Springs" was the only track Ifukube wrote for The Peanuts[18] and was intended to be lament for Infant Island's destruction. For the Nagoya Castle scene, Nakajima was unable to completely destroy the model. [9] There were several key differences from Sekizawa's earlier drafts: the villain Torahata did not exist; Sakai was accompanied by two scientists, a colleague and a friend's mentor; Godzilla's body washes ashore rather than Mothra's egg; the leads offer themselves as hostages to the Infant Island natives in exchange for Mothra's help; Rolisica was to be attacked by Godzilla; the Frontier Missiles were to be used by the Rolisican military; Himeji Castle was to be destroyed; Godzilla was to move East until reaching close to Tokyo; The artificial lightning tactic is conceived when Godzilla is repelled by electrical towers in Tokyo; Mothra attacks Godzilla when he becomes immune to electricity; Mothra engages Godzilla in a final battle when it stalks the lead characters on a beach. [1] AIP hired Titra Studios to dub the film into English.