Criterion's Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975 Blu-ray set is FULLY REVIEWED HERE. 

Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video (both):

Audio:

LPCM Audio Japanese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit

• Japanese Trailer (2:16)

• Shares disc #4 with Son of Godzilla and Destroy All Monsters

Bitrates:

 

Description: 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 EbirahT, 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 MothraT 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!

 

1) Section 23 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

The Film:

The sea monster in the title of Godzilla vs the Sea Monster brings new meaning to the words "jumbo shrimp." Ebirah, whose name is derived from the Japanese word for shrimp, is just that -- a monstrous, towering, man-eating shrimp. As you might imagine, he (she?) isn't a very compelling monster, especially when pitted against the Big G, whose nuclear breath and preference for underwater environments make him more than a match for the Bubba-Gump Company's fantasy spokesman. Believe us, the "throw another shrimp on the barbie" joke did not go unused during our screening of this film.

Godzilla vs the Sea Monster was the first Godzilla film directed by Jun Fukuda, a man who would direct five Godzilla films in all. Fukuda was responsible (some would say to blame, as Roger Corman put it) for a new direction in the series -- less epic, more adventure-driven films emerged. In Sea Monster, this is especially true: there is no city-smashing, nor are there dire threats to the planet. Instead, Godzilla hangs out on a small island in the South Pacific (natch) while a more human-scaled drama plays out.

Excerpt fromSTOMPTokyolocated HERE

Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep exemplifies the peak of the Godzilla franchise’s tonal shift into campy, fun territory, a phenomenon that reflected the series’ absorption of 1960s Western pop-culture influences. To understand the origins of Ebirah’s light-hearted tone, the film’s production context is key: the script originally called for King Kong but was later changed to Toho’s trademark kaiju. Series creator Tomoyuki Tanaka replaced director Ishiro Honda with Jun Fukuda, and Masaru Sato took over composing duties from Akira Ifukube. It’s uncertain if Tanaka asked Honda to sit out for Ebirah to prevent the director from settling into a creative rut or if Honda himself chose not to participate because of the series’ recent light-hearted turn, but Fukuda – selected for his experience directing sci-fi, though it was never his preferred genre – took the job with reluctance.

Excerpt from NotComingToATheatre located HERE

Image :    NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster looks rich and sweet on Blu-ray.  It's single-layered with a supportive bitrate, vibrant colors, extensive depth and an extremely pleasing image. Gorgeous! It makes me desire Ebirah in a large bisque appetizer with his broiled tail in some melted butter. This Blu-ray has pleasingly sharp visuals in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio.  It  came out a few years ago but by modern standards this looks far better than I was anticipating.

The Criterion is, obviously, from a different print source. It shows the Section 23 to be very cropped on all four edges (NOTE: Mothra's head is chopped - see below). The Criterion shares the dual-layered Blu-ray with 2 other films (Son of Godzilla and Destroy All Monsters). It's bitrate is lower and colors don't have the vibrancy of the Section 23 1080P (flesh tones cool) - nor its sharpness. You have to think the Criterion is more correct in terms of theatrical-showing accuracy and I like the thicker film-look which seems more realistic. It gave me a very pleasing viewing.     

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

1) Section 23 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Section 23 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Section 23 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Section 23 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Section 23 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Section 23 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Section 23 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Section 23 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Section 23 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Section 23 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

The audio is rendered in dual DTS-HD Master tracks in both English or Japanese.  There are optional English subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

Criterion only offer the original Japanese (no DUB) in a linear PCM mono track (24-bit). Effects abound but you have to love the Masaru Satô (Throne of Blood, The Lower Depths, Hidden Fortress, I Live in Fear etc.) score which sounds flat but  excellent. Criterion include optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' (in North America) and Region 'B' (in Europe) Blu-ray.

Extras :

 

 

Criterion (Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
What? Are you kidding me? Look at the kitsch value here! Mid 60's Godzilla?, dancing Japanese teens? An evil, eye-patch wearing, baddie, and, eventually-revealing, friendly monsters? Masaru Satô score? SOLD! I loved every second of this. Ebirah is a supersilly foe - what is it? a lobster? or a Shrimp? The Blu-ray is so desirable at around $10. Your digital collection is inferior without this gem.

Well, I think Criterion have done Ebirah, Horror Of The Deep some justice with the additional frame information and it's another neat part of the Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975 Blu-ray Boxset.  

Gary Tooze

October 25th, 2017

October 1st, 2019

Criterion's Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975 Blu-ray set is FULLY REVIEWED HERE.

 

This edition is only available in Criterion's Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975 Blu-ray Boxset