Godzilla 1954: Birth of Tokusatsu

 Godzilla 1954 premiered in October, 1954. Honda Ishirou directed and co-wrote the film. Was the first movie in the acclaimed franchise. Named by Guinness World Records as the longest running film franchise in history. Godzilla established the Tokusatsu media. Tsuburaya Eiji was the director of special effects. He defined the Kaiju genre and went on to become a legend in the industry. Godzilla was acclaimed that same year. And it is today a film worth watching for Tokusatsu and Japanese Culture lovers.

Godzilla 1954

Godzilla 1954 in the Post WWII Japan

 In 1954 WWII was still fresh in the minds of the world. Japan was out of American occupation just in 1952. And the diplomatic relations with the rest of the Asian Countries were still facing challenges. In 1954 the production house Toho planned a co-production with Indonesia. A movie about a former Japanese soldier that returns to Indonesia after the war in search of his lover. The occupation of Indonesia generated anti Japanese sentiments. And the government pressure denied visas to the production team. 

 The film was planned to be produced in full color. A first for a Toho film. Co-produced by Indonesian house Perfini and planned to record in Jakarta. The original idea was to open Asian markets for the Japanese production company. But the negotiations with the Indonesian government were unsuccessful. 

 Nuclear testing was common news in 1954. After the Bikini Tests Japan was under the fear of Nuclear damage once again. The nuclear fallout from the USA Castle Bravo thermonuclear weapon contaminated the Daigo Fukuryu Maru. The crew of 23 on the tuna fishing boat were seen as the first nuclear victims after WWII. It was March 1, 1954. Toho producer Tanaka Tomoyuki on his flight back from Indonesia conceived a new idea, Development Plan G (GIANT).

Tuburaya Eiji and the born of Tokusatsu

 During 1948 Japan was still under American occupation.Tsuburaya Eiji was purged out of Toho. Thanks to the release of propaganda films during WWII. Toho disbanded the special effects unit. But Tsuburaya went to create Tsuburaya Special Technology Laboratories. The FX unit worked for major film studios. But without on screen credits after being marked as a spy by US officials. But in 1952 the US occupation came to an end. And Tsuburaya Eiji’s exile was lifted. The same year he directed the FX for Honda Ishiro’s second film, The Skin of the South. Having his first experience working together with Godzilla’s director.

Godzilla 1954
Tsuburaya Eiji in the Set of Godzilla 1954

 Tsuburaya Eiji’s FX Unit filmed Godzilla from August to October of 1954. The film premiered nationwide on November 3 and became a box office hit. But Tsuburaya Eiji’s effects were critically acclaimed, establishing Toho as the best special effects company in the world. Kayama Shigeru wrote the story. But the original draft was full of political criticism that was toned down by director Honda Ishiro. More than a half century later Neon Genesis Evangelion fame Hideaki Anno would create a version of Godzilla full of this political criticism. 

 Nakajima Haruo was chosen as the suit actor for the original Godzilla. But with a suit of almost 100 KG, Nakajima fell down inside the suit for the first time . He wore an upper half or the other one just at a time in order to stand up. For almost 20 years he portrayed Godzilla as well as other Kaiju. Tsuburaya Eiji became a legend in the FX world. And in 1966 he went on to create Ultra Q, the first entry in the Ultraman series (but you can watch it now!).