This is a British rip job version of Godzilla which was filmed off the coasts of Ireland, in London and in the MGM studios in Hertfordshire, England with British, Irish, and American actors. Yet, even with the rip-off factor firmly in my mind, this was still an enjoyable venture into the realm of really big monsters and their movies.
SPOILERS
The story line involves a sea monster, Gorgo, who is caught and brought to London for exhibit. But hot on the trail, is the mother of Gorgo (who is also much, MUCH larger), and she is anything but happy.
The film is shot decently except for the underwater scenes which appear to have been shot through a blue lens which made some scenes nearly indiscernible. The acting quality is on par for that era and actually, a bit above par all things considered. And the effects and miniature work is somewhat decent, except for Gorgo/Gorgo's mum, who looked a bit like a hand puppet in some shots and like a plastic child's toy, in others.
In some ways, this film is superior to those produced by Toho, and in others, it is vastly inferior. The acting quality is light years better, but the monster itself was not nearly as well done as the Big G. The gratuitous British Royal Air Force cameos were priceless and as ineffective as one might suspect, as she makes her way towards the infant.
The trappings on the island are a well assembled hodgepodge of "Viking" relics which were not entirely accurate in their labeling, but we'll forgive them considering the budget and the production dates.
All in all, once the decidedly Pekingese-pug-looking Mama Gorgo arrives on the scene, this is a pretty good action/monster flick. Just remember, it's NOT a Toho production, and there is no Godzilla in this film.
It rates a 7.2/10 on the "B" scale.
That's about a 5.3/10 on the "A" scale from...
the Fiend :.
SPOILERS
The story line involves a sea monster, Gorgo, who is caught and brought to London for exhibit. But hot on the trail, is the mother of Gorgo (who is also much, MUCH larger), and she is anything but happy.
The film is shot decently except for the underwater scenes which appear to have been shot through a blue lens which made some scenes nearly indiscernible. The acting quality is on par for that era and actually, a bit above par all things considered. And the effects and miniature work is somewhat decent, except for Gorgo/Gorgo's mum, who looked a bit like a hand puppet in some shots and like a plastic child's toy, in others.
In some ways, this film is superior to those produced by Toho, and in others, it is vastly inferior. The acting quality is light years better, but the monster itself was not nearly as well done as the Big G. The gratuitous British Royal Air Force cameos were priceless and as ineffective as one might suspect, as she makes her way towards the infant.
The trappings on the island are a well assembled hodgepodge of "Viking" relics which were not entirely accurate in their labeling, but we'll forgive them considering the budget and the production dates.
All in all, once the decidedly Pekingese-pug-looking Mama Gorgo arrives on the scene, this is a pretty good action/monster flick. Just remember, it's NOT a Toho production, and there is no Godzilla in this film.
It rates a 7.2/10 on the "B" scale.
That's about a 5.3/10 on the "A" scale from...
the Fiend :.