In recent years, fans of the Criterion Collection probably noticed the numbers on the spine of each release were nearing quadruple digits. Some likely wondered, “What does Criterion have in mind for disc number 1000?” The answer is here and it’s fit for a king.
Number 1000 in the Criterion Collection is Godzilla: The Shōwa Era-Films, 1954-1975. It’s a 15-film box set that, for the first time ever, collects “all the Godzilla films from Japan’s Showa era: 15 kaiju rampages, presented in high-definition digital transfers and accompanied by a slew of supplemental material, including a giant deluxe hardcover book with notes on each film and new illustrations from 16 artists, new and archival interviews with cast and crew members, and much, much more.” It’s out October 30.
The movies are as follows:
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Godzilla 1954 • 96 minutes • Black & White • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 1.37:1 aspect ratio
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Godzilla Raids Again 1955 • 81 minutes • Black & White • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 1.37:1 aspect ratio
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King Kong vs. Godzilla U.S.-RELEASE VERSION 1963 • 91 minutes • Colour • Monaural • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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Mothra vs. Godzilla 1964 • 89 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster 1964 • 93 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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Invasion of Astro-Monster 1965 • 94 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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Ebirah, Horror of the Deep 1966 • 86 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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Son of Godzilla 1967 • 85 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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Destroy All Monsters 1968 • 89 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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All Monsters Attack 1969 • 69 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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Godzilla vs. Hedorah 1971 • 85 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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Godzilla vs. Gigan 1972 • 89 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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Godzilla vs. Megalon 1973 • 81 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 1974 • 84 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
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Terror of Mechagodzilla 1975 • 83 minutes • Colour • Monaural • In Japanese with English subtitles • 2.35:1 aspect ratio
Plus, there are tons of special features. Here’s a teaser trailer:
And here are the images of the box art for each movie, which are all truly gorgeous.
The set has a suggested retail price of $US225 ($324) and is out October 30 via The Criterion Collection. Important to note is that international shipping from the website is difficult, and to play this release, you’ll need a region-free DVD player. Amazon has also been known to stock Criterion Collection DVDs, so keep an eye out there.
I can’t imagine being a Godzilla fan and not drooling over this.