Godzilla and Rodan
Old Movie Watch....Godzilla and Rodan
I did it. I watched the two original post-war Japanese monster flicks that were metaphors and catharsis for what Japan suffered from the Atomic monster that hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “Godzilla” (1954) and “Rodan.” (1957) It turns out Godzilla is the name of an ancient mythological Japanese monster. Who is brought back to life because of testing the hydrogen bomb. His demise was a mad scientist with a conscience who sacrificed himself to kill the monster. But the film gave birth to generations of monster flicks. Simplistic by today’s digital effects, they are both worth watching. (Their special effects were probably done with model toys on table top sets.) I found myself feeling compassion for Rodan when he came to his mate trapped in the volcano and they both died. These films fascinated both Japanese and American audiences. They are worth watching if for nothing else than their historical context. And the slew of monster films that were their spin off. I am waiting for Godzilla meets Trump.
