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King Kong vs Godzilla 1962 DVD, 2005 Movie Disc + Cover ART Michael Keith (Actor), Harry Holcombe (Actor), Ishiro Honda (Director) Rated: NR Format : DVD ***For more SCI-FI/Fantasy at out-of-this world prices... See Link Below*** Disc offered for sale is the one in the picture. This is an Authentic USA Release. We don't sell copies of any kind. A great, inexpensive way to watch the movie or replace your lost or damaged disc. Not currently available for streaming on any major, legal platform. Free shipping is included with every order! 1-2 Discs: Shipped in an envelope via First-Class Mail with no tracking. We use Intelligent Mail to keep an eye on its progress through USPS. 3+ Discs: Your package will be sent with Ground Advantage, complete with tracking and insurance. This applies even if you combine items from our different listings. Got questions? We're here to help! BONUS! Order now and will include the original paper artwork that came with this release. We specialize in RETRO MEDIA, "Because that's where the fun is..." Love Monster vs Monster battles, Dinosaurs and Giant Apes Climbing Tall Buildings? So do we! Check out: More than Meets the Eye ! King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962): A Landmark Monster Mash ** King Kong vs. Godzilla ** (Japanese: キングコング対ゴジラ, *Kingu Kongu tai Gojira*) stands as a monumental entry in cinematic history, not only as the third film in both the *Godzilla* and *King Kong* franchises, but also as the first time these two legendary monsters appeared together-and in color and widescreen. Released by Toho Studios in 1962 and directed by Ishirō Honda, the film is a unique blend of science fiction, satire, and monster spectacle that left a lasting impact on the kaiju genre. Brief Summary The film’s story begins with Godzilla being accidentally released from an iceberg by an American submarine, resuming his destructive path toward Japan. Meanwhile, the head of Pacific Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Tako, seeks a publicity stunt and sends two employees to Faro Island to capture the giant ape King Kong. After Kong’s dramatic battle with a colossal octopus and subsequent capture, he is transported to Japan-where he escapes and inevitably crosses paths with Godzilla. The two monsters engage in a series of confrontations, culminating in a climactic battle atop Mount Fuji. Godzilla initially dominates, but a bolt of lightning revives and empowers Kong, tipping the scales. The titans tumble into Sagami Bay, and only Kong resurfaces, swimming home as the fate of Godzilla remains ambiguous. Production and Development Stories The film’s origins are as fascinating as its premise. The initial concept came from Willis O’Brien, the pioneering stop-motion animator behind the original 1933 *King Kong*. O’Brien envisioned a film called *King Kong vs. Frankenstein*, in which Kong would battle a Frankenstein-like monster assembled from various animal parts. Producer John Beck shopped the idea around and ultimately sold it to Toho Studios-without O’Brien’s knowledge. Toho replaced Frankenstein’s monster with Godzilla, merging their own kaiju creation with the American icon. The film was produced as part of Toho’s 30th anniversary celebration, with special effects by the legendary Eiji Tsuburaya. It marked a significant technical leap, showcasing both monsters in color and widescreen for the first time. The movie’s commercial success-grossing ¥352 million and becoming the most-attended Godzilla film in Japan-revitalized the Godzilla franchise after a seven-year hiatus. Little-Known Trivia and Weird Facts - **The Octopus Sequence:** The famous scene where King Kong battles a giant octopus used a real octopus crawling across miniature sets, a technique so effective that it later inspired animators for *Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest* when designing their own cinematic kraken. - **The “Two Endings” Myth:** For decades, a persistent rumor claimed that the Japanese version showed Godzilla winning, while the American cut crowned Kong the victor. In reality, both versions end with Kong swimming away and Godzilla’s fate left ambiguous. The myth originated from a 1963 fanzine article but has been debunked by historians and official sources. - **Electric Kong:** The film introduced a bizarre new power for King Kong-he is strengthened by electricity, a trait invented for the movie and never seen in his previous or subsequent appearances. - **Bond Girl Connection:** Mie Hama, who played a supporting role, would later star as a Bond girl in *You Only Live Twice* (1967). - **Cultural Satire:** Director Ishirō Honda infused the film with satire, poking fun at the rise of television and commercialism in early 1960s Japan, particularly through the character of Mr. Tako and the pharmaceutical company’s publicity stunts. Legacy * King Kong vs. Godzilla * remains a landmark in monster cinema, notable for its ambitious crossover, its blend of spectacle and social satire, and the enduring debate over its ambiguous ending. Its success ensured that both King Kong and Godzilla would remain cultural icons for generations, and it paved the way for future kaiju crossovers and cinematic “versus” events.