About Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster

"Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster" is a Japanese science fiction Kaiju film, directed by Ishiro Honda and produced by Tomoyuki Tanaka, with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya. The movie was produced and distributed by Toho Studios and was the fifth film in the Godzilla series. The film features the fictional monster characters Godzilla, Mothra and Rodan, and introduces Ghidorah.

Plot and Summary

The movie follows the story of a princess from Selgina, who has a narrow escape from a murder plot. Implementing her strange prophecy, Ghidorah, a gold-colored three-headed dragon, comes to Earth to destroy it. As this occurs, Godzilla, Mothra, and Rodan, all awake from their sleep to defend the earth.

Making / Production

The film is considered a high-point of the Godzilla franchise merging the successful previous installments into an ensemble-style monster movie. Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster was crafted by a team of talented movie makers led by director Ishiro Honda, and a script by Shinichi Sekizawa who was popular for bringing a lighter tone to the Godzilla series.

Actors

• Yosuke Natsuki as Detective Shindo, who is investigating the case of the missing princess.
• Yuriko Hoshi as Naoko Shindo, Shindo's sister and a reporter who becomes involved in the unfolding events.
• Hiroshi Koizumi as Professor Miura, a scientist studying the extraordinary occurrences.
• Akihiko Hirata as Malmess, the leader of the assassination group targeting the princess.
• Akiko Wakabayashi as Princess Selina Salno, the prophetess.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This was the first film in which Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah all appear together.
• It marks the transformation of Godzilla from a Villain to a Hero.
• The film was dubbed into English and released in America on 13 September 1965.

Quotes

• "Godzilla! What terrible language!" - Mothra
• "Why does Godzilla always pick on me?" - Rodan

Music, Soundtrack

• The music for Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster was composed by Akira Ifukube, who created Godzilla's signature theme.
• The film features a combination of the classic Godzilla music with new tracks produced specifically for this movie.