King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
Kong and Godzilla clash on Mount Fuji.
King Kong vs. Godzilla is a 1962 Japanese kaiju film directed by Ishiro Honda, with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya, produced and distributed by Toho. It is the third film in both the Godzilla and King Kong franchises, the first Toho film featuring King Kong, and the first time either character appeared on film in color and widescreen.
Quick Facts
- Released
- August 11, 1962 (Japan)
- Director
- Ishiro Honda
- Special effects
- Eiji Tsuburaya
- Studio
- Toho
Plot
Godzilla is reawakened by an American submarine, while Mr. Tako, head of Pacific Pharmaceutical, has King Kong captured on Faro Island to promote his company's television shows. Kong is flown by helicopter to the summit of Mount Fuji, where the two monsters fight. After a brief underwater battle only Kong resurfaces, and he swims back toward his home island.
Origins and release
The project began around 1960 with a story outline by King Kong stop-motion animator Willis O'Brien in which Kong fought a giant Frankenstein's monster; producer John Beck gave the project to Toho without O'Brien's knowledge, and Toho replaced the monster with Godzilla. The film opened in Japan on August 11, 1962, and remains the most attended Godzilla film in Japan. A heavily re-edited version was released in the United States by Universal on June 26, 1963.
Elsewhere in King Kong
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