Monster movies have been part of cinema history virtually since its inception. But few films have left an indelible mark quite like Ishiro Honda’s 1954 masterpiece, Godzilla. This iconic Kaiju film, known as Gojira in its native Japan, not only captivated audiences with its thrilling plot but also revolutionised the genre, opening the floodgates for a wave of creature features in the West.
Set against the backdrop of post-World War II Japan, Godzilla weaves a cautionary tale of the perils of nuclear weapons and the devastating consequences of mankind’s arrogance. Released only nine years after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the film taps into the nation’s collective fears and anxieties, personifying them in the form of a colossal prehistoric monster awakened by atomic testing. Once again, the nation of Japan is rendered helpless against the nightmare of atomic energy, and while they may have survived, the memory of this monster created by the hands of humanity lingers beyond its death.
“The Japanese had fought with all their spirit, but it was modern technology that defeated them. Godzilla is unaffected by modern technology. He is stronger than the weapons that brought Japan to its knees”
Akira Ifukube, Godzilla composer
Behind the scenes, Godzilla was the brainchild of visionary filmmaker Ishiro Honda, who collaborated with screenwriter Takeo Murata and composer Akira Ifukube to bring this tale of destruction to life. Honda’s meticulous attention to detail and his passion for creating a realistic creature led to the birth of the now-familiar giant lizard, portrayed by a towering and menacing man-in-suit model. The film’s groundbreaking special effects, including miniature cityscapes and pyrotechnics, brought Godzilla to terrifying life. Despite the genre of monster movies that inevitably spawned from it often dipping into more humorous or purely action based narratives, Honda took the initial premise of Godzilla extremely seriously, as his wife recalls him selecting only those who had confidence in it to continue work on the film.
“He told them . . . ‘Read the script. If you are not convinced, please let me know immediately and leave the project”
Kimi Honda
The storyline of Godzilla unfolds as Dr. Yamane, played by Takashi Shimura, investigates a series of mysterious shipwrecks and uncovers the existence of the monster lurking beneath the sea. As Godzilla emerges from the depths, wreaking havoc on Tokyo, Yamane’s daughter, Emiko, torn between her love for the noble scientist Dr Serizawa and the young reporter Ogata, becomes a symbol of the human struggle to survive amidst unimaginable destruction.
In order to combat the threat Godzilla poses Serizawa creates the oxygen destroyer, a weapon that horrifies the doctor due to its infinite potential for human destruction mirroring Godzilla itself. After a confrontation with Ogata, Serizawa finds the strength within himself to activate the weapon, killing him along with Godzilla and leaving Emiko and Ogata to be together without his interference.
At its core, Godzilla serves as a poignant metaphor for the nuclear devastation Japan endured during World War II. Honda uses the destructive power of the Kaiju to depict the horrors of the atomic bombings and the lingering trauma faced by the Japanese people. The film’s stark imagery and haunting scenes of Tokyo in ruins reflect a nation grappling with the aftermath of nuclear warfare, resonating deeply with audiences around the world.
Serizawa’s role in the narrative is key, representing the Japanese nationalists who ostracised themselves in refusing to surrender to the allied forces, thus triggering the bombing of Hiroshima. In the end though, Serizawa realises the horrific impact of his inaction and takes the monster down with himself, thus ending the monster of Godzilla, the monster of atomic war. Emiko and Ogata then represent the younger progressive generation, the one’s left to pick up the pieces after the resentful Serizawa is erased from the earth.
“The theme of the film, from the beginning, was the terror of the bomb. Mankind had created the bomb, and now nature was going to take revenge on mankind.”
Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka
Beyond its thematic brilliance, Godzilla also revolutionised the cinematic landscape through its innovative use of special effects. Eiji Tsuburaya, the legendary special effects director, employed a combination of stop-motion animation, puppetry, and rubber suits to create the illusion of Godzilla’s colossal presence. The film’s destruction sequences and meticulously crafted cityscapes set a new standard for the genre, inspiring generations of filmmakers to follow suit.
Following its release in Japan, Godzilla garnered international acclaim, paving the way for its Western adaptation, Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, released in 1956. The film’s success ignited a global fascination with Kaiju movies, spawning a franchise that continues to thrive to this day. Godzilla became an enduring cultural icon, synonymous with the monster movie genre, and Ishiro Honda’s directorial vision became the cornerstone of a cinematic legacy that endures more than six decades later.
The influence of Godzilla extends far beyond the confines of cinema. The film’s impact on popular culture is immeasurable, inspiring countless spin-offs, sequels, and remakes. Godzilla’s distinctive roar, created by composer Akira Ifukube, remains an instantly recognizable soundbite. Additionally, the film’s underlying message has resonated throughout the years, highlighting the importance of environmental conservation and the perils of unchecked scientific progress.
Despite the passage of time, Godzilla remains relevant today, its themes and allegories still powerful and thought-provoking. The franchise has evolved, with Godzilla becoming a global protector and even facing off against other movie monsters. While the myriad of spinoff works created by Toho Pictures and the more recent American remakes created by Legendary certainly capture the monster’s terrifying aptitude for destruction, many have abandoned Honda’s original anti-war message for a more simplistic monster movie formula, and it wouldn’t be until 2016 when we would see a return to the series routes through Hideaki Anno’s Shin Godzilla, which recaptured the monster’s palpable threat to the nation of Japan, as well as the horrific reality of chemical mutation and the consequence of delayed political action in the face of a nuclear crisis.
In conclusion, Honda’s 1954 film stands as a masterpiece that forever changed the landscape of monster movies. With its profound narrative, groundbreaking special effects, and its profound message on the perils of nuclear warfare, Godzilla captivated audiences, not only in Japan but also worldwide.
Decades later, the mighty roar of Godzilla still echoes, reminding us of the awe-inspiring impact and enduring relevance of this legendary creature, and the cautionary tale he brings to all mankind. When we delve too deep into powers we don’t fully understand, that is when we create the real monsters.
“It’s horrifying to make such terrible weapons. It was that feeling, for me as a director, that meant I didn’t hesitate one bit to make Godzilla come alive in the film.”
Ishiro Honda, Godzilla director