Two More Godzilla Classics Arrive In June

Last year Classic Media released the classic Toho film Gojira to DVD – a film most Americans are familiar with by its other name: Godzilla. Near bastardized for American audiences, the DVD was a chance to see both the US version of Godzilla and the movie as it was originally intended to be shown in its native Japanese version Gojira. It was an excellent release and a piece of motion picture history that deserved to be seen. Now Classic Media is following that spectacular release with two more Godzilla pictures in similar original Japanese versions and re-edited US formats.

My second favorite Godzilla picture, Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster unites Godzilla, Mothra, and Rodan. The three creatures are in mid-battle when Ghidorah, a three headed beast from outer space lands on Earth, forcing the three enemies to put their combat aside to fight a common foe. The Classic Media DVD features the film in the 1964 Japanese language Toho Scope and the 1965 re-edited US version.

The second movie to get the deluxe treatment is Invasion of Astro-Monster, an excellent follow up to Ghidorah. Earth is put into peril when aliens from Planet X gain mind control over Godzilla, Rodan, and Ghidorah (sorry Mothra fans – he sits this one out). It’s up to the humans to save their planet and free the beasts, led by an American astronaut F. Glenn, his sidekick Fuji, and inventor Tetsuo. The film was originally released in 1965 as Invasion of Astro-Monster and was dubbed and released in America as Godzilla vs. Monster Zero five years later in 1970. The DVD contains both versions.

Both Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster and Invasion of Astro-Monster are headed to DVD on June 5th. The DVDs contain relevant Commentary tracks, Biography featurettes on key players, trailers, and image galleries.

Check out cover art and images from both movies below: