*Updated with release dates and new details* A brand new Godzilla movie is on the way and that means that we'll also see a resurgence of the classic movies. It has been announced that Kraken Releasing is getting involved by releasing Godzilla vs. Hedorah, Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster and Godzilla vs. Gigan to Blu-ray this year:
"1967 may have been the Summer of Love, but 2014 will be the Summer of Godzilla®, and Kraken Releasing is spreading the kaiju (giant monster) goodness with the first U.S. Blu-ray release of three classic films featuring the world's most famous giant reptile. Also available on DVD, and including both the English dubbed and original Japanese versions with English subtitles, these are three of the big G's wildest adventures ever and showcase why, sixty years after his atomic birth at Japan's TOHO Studios, Godzilla® is still one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry!
The fun begins as 1971's Godzilla® vs.Hedorah™, released theatrically in the U.S in 1972 as Godzilla® vs. the Smog Monster, pits Godzilla® against the forces of pollution in the form of a constantly mutating, acid-spewing behemoth from outer space. With eye-popping 1970's “mod” costumes, hairstyles and psychedelic visuals that include conventional cel animation alongside the special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano, Godzilla® vs. Hedoarh™ director Yoshimitsu Banno's ecologically focused take on the world's greatest monster is easily one of the most unique films in the series and required viewing for any giant monster fan or cult film enthusiast.
What happens when three major movie monsters slam dance in the South Seas? The answer is 1966's Ebirah™, Horror of the Deep, originally released in the U.S. in 1968 under the title Godzilla® Vs. The Sea Monster. Pairing Godzilla® and another of TOHO's most popular kaiju, the giant moth Mothra™, against a wide variety of adversaries, including the titular sea monster, giant birds and a mysterious terrorist organization, the wet and wild widescreen spectacular was directed by Jun Fukuda.
Finally, 1972's Godzilla® vs. Gigan™ ups the giant monster ante once again with a series of tag team battles featuring four classic kaiju. Released theatrically in the United States in 1977 as Godzilla® on Monster Island and again directed by Jun Fukuda with special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano, the film unites Godzilla® and spiny ally Anguirus™ against two of the series' most popular opponents: the three headed monster King Ghidorah™ and the new alien cyborg Gigan™.
About Kraken Releasing: KRAKEN RELEASING is a new international video distribution label specializing in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror genre entertainment for mainstream audiences. Together with sister labels MAIDEN JAPAN (TOKYO MAGNITUDE 8.0, PAT LABOR, ROYAL SPACE FORCE) and SWITCHBLADE PICTURES (BIG BAD MAMA-SAN, ATTACK GIRLS SWIM TEAM VS. THE UNDEAD) Kraken's goal is to bring the best filmed entertainment from around the world to our customers."
*Updated Release Details Below:
Title: EBIRAH™, HORROR OF THE DEEP BLU-RAY
Published by: Kraken Releasing
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 88 min.
Street Date: 5/6/2014
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $14.98
SYNOPSIS: When Ryota's brother Yata disappears at sea, the intrepid youth and his friends join forces with a slightly trustworthy bank robber, steal a boat and go after him! Of course, there's the little problem that Yata may be lost on a mysterious island where the evil terrorist organization Red Bamboo has enslaved natives to make heavy water for nefarious purposes. And that means dealing with the island's monstrous, 164 feet tall guardian Ebirah™, as well as Red Bamboo's arsenal of super advanced weaponry. On the plus side, help may be at hand in the form of a nubile island girl, two tiny fairies, their giant protector Mothra™ and the big G himself, the mighty Godzilla®. Surviving the results of all that "assistance" may not be guaranteed, but Red Bamboo will never want to tangle with teenagers AND Godzilla® at the same time again! Take a South Seas cruise to non-stop mayhem and giant monster destruction with EBIRAH™- HORROR OF THE DEEP!
Title: GODZILLA® VS.GIGAN™ BLU-RAY
Published by: Kraken Releasing
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 90 min.
Street Date: 5/6/2014
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $14.98
SYNOPSIS: When alien invaders, plans for a children's theme park and four giant monsters with six heads between them all collide, the result is the inevitable battle for the fate of the Earth. At least, that's how it is for Godzilla®, who teams up with his former spiky foe Anguirus™ for a tag team match against two of his greatest adversaries: the legendary three headed King Ghidorah™ and Gigan™, the cyborg hench-monster for insidious insect aliens whose plot to wipe out all human life is cleverly disguised as plans for the construction of a new children's theme park. Unfortunately for the bug's diabolical designs, their secret monster control codes are accidentally discovered by comic book artist Gengo Kotaka, who broadcasts the master tape and brings Team Godzilla® into play. It's not going to be an easy fight, though, as the odds are four heads to two, and King Ghidorah™'s one of Godzilla®'s toughest opponents. With his cybernetic weaponry Gigan™ is equally ruthless, and his alien masters are as hard to kill as the cockroaches they resemble. Will Earth's biggest defenders finally fall? Or will Godzilla®, and insecticide, triumph over all? Find out in GODZILLA® VS. GIGAN™!
Title: GODZILLA® VS. HEDORAH™
Published by: Kraken Releasing
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 86 min.
Street Date: 5/6/2014
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $14.98
SYNOPSIS: Forget about acid rain and global warming! The worst ecological nightmare is actually Hedorah™, which starts off small but quickly mutates into a giant flying monster capable of wiping out all life on whatever unfortunate planet it lands on! And since Hedorah™ grows by consuming the toxic gases and chemicals mankind has spilled into the air and water, in the early 1970s that means that its potential growth is unlimited! Fortunately for the human race, the Earth has an ultimate green defender who doesn't need to sing protest songs or try to enact new laws to get things done. Because nobody, and nothing, can stop Godzilla® when he decides to push an environmental issue, and while Hedorah™ may be the dirtiest opponent Godzilla® has ever faced, his name is going to be mud by the time he's been stomped into the whole Earth a few dozen times. Get ready for the wildest Godzilla® film ever as the social concerns and way out fashions of the seventies collide head on with the ultimate in big monster brawls in GODZILLA® VS. HEDORAH™!"
**Note: All three films will also be released to DVD on the same date.
After spending more than 10 years as a consultant in the tech and entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his interest in horror and sci-fi. Since then, it has grown into an online magazine with a staff of writers that provide daily news, reviews, interviews, and special features.
As the Editor-in-Chief of Daily Dead, Jonathan is responsible for bringing the latest horror news to millions of readers from around the world. He is also consulted with as an expert on zombies in entertainment and pop culture, providing analyses of the zombie sub-genre to newspapers, radio stations, and convention attendees.
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