Gorgo 4K UHD - William Sylvester / Bill Travers

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Eugène Lourié
UK 1961

When an underwater volcanic eruption tears up the sea bed off the coast of Ireland, two treasure hunters make the discovery of a lifetime when they encounter a gigantic prehistoric monster that’s been unleashed from the earth’s crust. After capturing the beast, the pair transport the creature down to London where it’s given the name of “Gorgo” and put on display to an avid public. Little do they realize that Gorgo is just an infant, and that his exponentially larger mother is about to emerge from the depths to avenge the capture of her offspring. As Gorgo’s mother begins her advance on the British capital, not even the considerable might of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces can stop her colossal devastation!

An international co-production between the United Kingdom, United States, and Ireland, visual effects pioneer Eugène Lourié’s (The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, The Giant Behemoth) GORGO - often referred to as the “British Godzilla” - was one of the first, and arguably one of the best, giant monster films to follow in the wake of Japan’s sci-fi landmark. Between its astonishing, special effects-laden climax, which sees Gorgo’s mother wreak fiery destruction on the streets of Central London, and its unique and unusual ending, GORGO quickly solidified its place in the sci-fi canon, spawning numerous comic book adaptations and spin-offs which further expanded the “Gorgoverse”. Now, newly restored in 4K from its untouched-for-decades original camera negative by the monster maniacs at Vinegar Syndrome, GORGO bursts up from the depths in its worldwide UHD debut, loaded with a fittingly gargantuan array of extras, both old and new.

***

A volcanic eruption in the North Atlantic brings to the surface a 65-foot prehistoric monster. Two treasure divers capture the creature and take him to London where he made the star attraction at a circus. A scientist is thoughtful enough to point out that the sailors’ bonanza is only an infant, and that a full-grown specimen would be over 200 feet in height. Sure enough, Gorgo’s mama comes thundering ashore, reclaims her offspring and heads back to sea — but not before, she trashes a generous portion of London.

Posters

Theatrical Release: January 10th, 1961

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Review: Vinegar Syndrome - Region FREE - 4K UHD

Box Cover		CLICK to order from: Bonus Captures:
Distribution	Vinegar Syndrome - Region FREE - 4K UHD
Runtime	1:17:07.706
Video	1.85:1 2160P 4K Ultra HD Disc Size: 58,002,289,154 bytes Feature: 57,735,935,616 bytes Video Bitrate: 89.61 Mbps Codec: HEVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate 4K Ultra HD:
Audio	DTS-HD Master Audio English 2118 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2118 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Effects / Score track: DTS-HD Master Audio English 890 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 890 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) DUBs: DTS-HD Master Audio German 1086 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1086 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio French 927 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 927 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -27dB
Subtitles	English (SDH), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Vinegar Syndrome 1.85:1 2160P 4K Ultra HD Disc Size: 58,002,289,154 bytes Feature: 57,735,935,616 bytes Video Bitrate: 89.61 Mbps Codec: HEVC Video Edition Details: 4K Ultra HD disc • Brand new commentary track with film historian and cartoonist Stephen R. Bissette and an isolated music & effects track Vinegar Syndrome - Region FREE - Blu-ray • Brand new commentary track with film historian and cartoonist Stephen R. Bissette and an isolated music & effects track • "Gorgo Lives!" - film historian and cartoonist Stephen R. Bissette on the legacy of Gorgo (36:46) • "The 9th Wonder of the World: The Making of Gorgo" - an archival making-of documentary (extended version) (31:17) • "Gorgo: Behind the Scenes" - archival making-of featurette (9:53) • "Waiting for Gorgo" - a short film from 2009, directed by Benjamin Craig (19:14) • Behind-the-scenes featurette from “Waiting for Gorgo” (36:28) • Original theatrical trailer (2:36) • Promotional image gallery (2:51) • Original production notes - video gallery (1:58) • Lobby cards & posters - video gallery (5:48) • Pressbook - video gallery (2:12) • Photos - video gallery (2:19) • Gorgo: The Monster from the Sea - video comic book (34:10) Special folded "anatomy" poster designed by Matt Frank Reversible cover artwork 4K Ultra HD Release Date: August 29th, 2023 Black 4K Ultra HD Case Chapters 4

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray and 4K UHD captures were taken directly from the respective discs.

ADDITION: Vinegar Syndrome 4K UHD (August 2023): Vinegar Syndrome have transferred Eugène Lourié's "Gorgo" to 4K UHD. It is cited as being "Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative". HDR has been applied. We reviewed the VCI MPEG-2 (boo!) Blu-ray back in 2013 HERE. A second disc BD is included with the film in 1080P and a plethora of extras. Gorgo looks quite impressive in 2160P. Colors gain huge vibrancy over the 10-year old VCI Blu-ray. The creature is more authentic green (mucho green hue is welcome), whites are brighter (see shirts in final matched captures below) and black levels more pitch. Lines tighten and contrast is pleasingly layered. Grain is consistent and visible and overall Gorgo has never looked even close to this on digital before. Bravo Vinegar Syndrome!

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider and notably granular range of color and light. Our capture software if simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more 4K UHD titles in the future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So our captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the 4K system at your home. But the framing, detail, grain texture support etc. are, generally, not effected by this simulation representation.

NOTE: 50 more more full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K UHD captures, in lossless PNG format, for Patrons are available HERE

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages to date: Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Man From Hong Kong (software uniformly simulated HDR), One False Move, The Tall T (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cold Eyes of Fear (software uniformly simulated HDR), Rules of the Game (no HDR), The Manchurian Candidate (software uniformly simulated HDR), After Hours, Rain Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Changeling (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Night of the Hunter (software uniformly simulated HDR), 12 Angry Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Branded to Kill (no HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (software uniformly simulated HDR), Two Orphan Vampires, The Shiver of the Vampires, Drowning By Number (software uniformly simulated HDR), Serpico (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cool Hand Luke (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Seventh Seal (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Maltese Falcon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mildred Pierce (software uniformly simulated HDR), Tár (software uniformly simulated HDR), Marathon Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dazed and Confused (software uniformly simulated HDR), Three Colors: Blue (software uniformly simulated HDR), Invaders From Mars (software uniformly simulated HDR), Death Wish (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (no HDR), High Plains Drifter (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mystery Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Silent Running (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dressed to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Power of the Dog (software uniformly simulated HDR), Escape From Alcatraz (software uniformly simulated HDR), I, the Jury (no HDR), Casablanca (software uniformly simulated HDR), In the Mood For Love (NO HDR applied to disc), The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Woman (software uniformly simulated HDR), Blow Out (software uniformly simulated HDR), Night of the Living Dead (NO HDR applied to disc), Lost Highway (software uniformly simulated HDR), Videodrome (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Picture Show (software uniformly simulated HDR), It Happened One Night (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Mummy (1932)(software uniformly simulated HDR), Creature From the Black Lagoon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Bride of Frankenstein (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Amityville Horror (software uniformly simulated HDR), The War of the Worlds (1953) (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Incredible Melting Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), Event Horizon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Branded to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Killing (software uniformly simulated HDR), Killer's Kiss (software uniformly simulated HDR.)

On their 4K UHD, Vinegar Syndrome use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. There are French and German DUB options as well as an isolated 'effects and score' track option. "Gorgo" is filled with the two creatures growls of anger, intimidation, pain, alarm and menace. There is underwater scenes, a raging sea storm, as well as military combative and of course the destruction wrought by younger Gorgo's mom. I noted some imposing depth. There is a dramatic, and occasionally serene, score by Angelo Francesco Lavagnino (Messalina, The Colossus of Rhodes, Revolt of the Slaves, The Specialists, The Savage Innocents, Chimes at Midnight, Othello, Legend of the Lost) that helps punctuate conflict with the beasts. Vinegar Syndrome's isolated score track addition is a nice touch. The disc offers optional English (SDH) subtitles - and is, like all 4K UHD, region FREE, playable worldwide.

The 4K UHD disc has only a new commentary by cartoonist Stephen R. Bissette (co-author of Studio of Screams.) He discusses the X-rating in England, specifics on the effects and artwork, anecdotes of watching Gorgo from Tim Lucas and Tom Weaver. He talks about the cast, crew etc. It's great - from a passionate and knowledgeable fan of the film.

The included second disc Blu-ray has the feature in 1080P and many of the supplements found on the old VCI BD. Beyond the Galleries (Lobby Card & Poster, Photo, Toys & Collectibles, Comic Book Cover and Pressbook) there is an extended version of 1/2 hour documentary by Daniel Griffith entitled "Ninth Wonder Of The World: The Making Of Gorgo". It has Bob Burns, C. Courtney Joyner and Ted Newsom discussing the film's production and effects. "Gorgo Lives!" - has Bissette hailing on the legacy of Gorgo for over 35-minutes. "Gorgo: Behind the Scenes" is a 10-minute archival making-of featurette. I loved Benjamin Craig's 20-minute "Waiting for Gorgo" short comedy film from 2009 with Kelly Eastwood. There is also almost 40-minutes of a 'Behind-the-scenes' featurette from “Waiting for Gorgo”!?! Gorgo: The Monster from the Sea is a video comic book with impressive art. The package has reversible cover artwork and special folded "anatomy" poster designed by Matt Frank.

Eugène Lourié's "Gorgo" to 4K UHD is quite a reason for the film's fans to celebrate. Gorgo was originally intended to be set in Japan recognizing the appeal of the original Godzilla but the creature's destruction of easily recognizable landmarks (Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus etc.) for Gorgo to mangle may have tipped the scales to have it set in the British Isles. Gorgo's name is derived from the Gorgons of Greek mythology... with the advertisement that their sight might turn you to stone! Themes of motherly love and our place in the animal kingdom, including cruelty, can give pause for reflection. It's really a wonderful juvenile creature-feature and Gorgo has had plenty of novel and comic book adaptations. Vinegar Syndrome's 4K UHD is a very easy recommendation to nostalgic viewers!

Gary Tooze

Menus / Extras

4K UHD disc

Included Blu-ray disc