On June 5th, Classic Media and Genius Products will release two more classic Godzilla movies on DVD — “Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster” and “Invasion of Astro-Monster” (originally titled “Godzilla vs. Monster Zero” in the U.S.). Each DVD includes both the original Japanese and US versions of the film.
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
“Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster” mixes giant-monster action, paranormal mystery and James Bond- style intrigue for one of the most exciting and beloved entries in Toho’s long-running Godzilla series. Classic Media presents the film in both the original Japanese-language version (1964) in glorious Toho Scope, and the re-edited U.S. version (1965).
A prophetess from Venus foretells cataclysmic disasters! Godzilla, Mothra and Rodan reappear in Japan, wreaking havoc! A giant meteor crashes into the mountains and the three-headed, fire-spitting space dragon King Ghidorah emerges! As the Venusian’s prophecies come true, assassins from a tiny Asian kingdom hunt her down, while the Earth monsters must decide whether to settle their petty differences and join forces against the extraterrestrial enemy!
Invasion of Astro-Monster aka Godzilla vs. Monster Zero
Aliens from Planet X borrow our monsters for a little extermination project, but they’ve got something else up their sleeves: world domination! Using mind-control technology, these vinyl-and-sunglasses wearing spacemen turn Godzilla, Rodan and King Ghidorah loose in Japan, demanding Earth’s surrender! It’s up to American astronaut F. Glenn, Aliens from Planet X borrow our monsters for a little extermination project, but they’ve got something else up their sleeves: world domination! Using mind-control technology, these vinyl-and-sunglasses wearing spacemen turn Godzilla, Rodan and King Ghidorah loose in Japan, demanding Earth’s surrender! It’s up to American astronaut F. Glenn, his galaxy-trotting buddy Fuji, and nerdy inventor Tetsuo to break the aliens’ hold on the monsters and save our planet from certain doom.
“Invasion of Astro-Monster” represents the pinnacle of Toho’s monster cinema, with an all-star cast featuring Nick Adams (The Rebel), Akira Takarada (the original GODZILLA) and Kumi Mizuno as alien temptress Namikawa, plus a cavalcade of amazing retro-riffic special effects. The original, un-cut Japanese version was released in 1965. The English-dubbed, US version was released in 1970 as “Godzilla vs. Monster Zero”.
For more information, check out Godzilla Official Website.