MovieChat Forums > Gorgo (1961) Discussion > 'Destruction Edition' DVD excellent!

'Destruction Edition' DVD excellent!

posted 17 years ago by hobnob53
33 replies | jump to latest

I just recently came across the 2005 "Widescreen Destruction Edition" DVD re-release of "Gorgo" and finally we have a top-quality release of this film. VCI's first DVD version (still available -- beware) had poor sound, dark picture quality, incorrect aspect ratio, unnecessary freeze-framing at beginning and end and at least one piece of dropped dialogue. (The old VHS versions weren't much better.) This "WDE" is stunning -- clean, sharp picture, crystal-clear stereo sound, full 1.85:1 letterboxing, no dropped or re-cut scenes or other tampering. The best it's looked since its '61 premiere. For under $6 it's an unbelievable buy considering how this movie's been mutilated in every version put out for decades. About time!

[–] PostmortemG 17 years ago

Sweet, thanks for the additional information. I've been researching both DVDs available, and this edition seems to be worth the ca$h.

"Cain and Abel will go to Heaven... if they can make it through Hell!" -Los Hijos Del Topo

[–] hobnob53 17 years ago

Good Gorgo imitation.

[–] horseshoecrab 17 years ago

The DVD menu is great as well.

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Thanks for that, hobnob. One of my favorite films.

After seeing "GORGO" in the theater I bought the movie tie-in paperback. It was faithful to the screenplay except it was sexed up with the addition of a red-headed female.

Hmmm -- I wonder if I could find another copy and see what kind of value it has today on e-bay...

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

The paperback or the redhead?

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Greetings, old friend. Funny finding you among the pages of Gorgo.

I looked up the paperback in question on e-Bay and found two copies up for bid. One had the asking price of 49 bones! The other copy went for about 20 bucks.

I haven't seen this picture in many moons. Certainly it -- and the sexed up tie-in -- hold fond memories for me. The most striking line in all these years is "We'll give them money." or something to that effect. One of the men who brought Gorgo to England says it after one of the handlers gets killed by the dinosaur and the other guy says that the victim had a wife and family.
"We'll give them money."

Such a sad thing to say.

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

Hi escalera -- not so funny to find me here -- Gorgo is one of my favorite such films, and very well done. I saw it as a little kid when it came out and have loved it ever since. That's why, after decades of poor prints, I was relieved and happy to see the quality of this DVD edition.

Funny about the redhead business in the paperback. One of the things this movie got praise for was totally eschewing any romantic sideshow and keeping straight on its story line, which made for a far more realistic plot. A brisk 78 minutes -- amazing they could tell a story of this size in so short a time!

Yes, I agree with you about that "money" line. The exchange is even more dragged out than you remember, and even sadder for it:

William Sylvester (slightly drunk): "Mike's already been killed."
Bill Travers (flicking a cigarette away): "I'm as sorry about Mike as you are. It was a tough break, that's all."
WS: "But he has a wife and a couple of kids."
BT (obviously uncomfortable and wanting to end the discussion): "Okay, so we'll send her some money."
WS: "But he's dead."

Travers's character isn't a heartless bad guy, just too consumed with and blinded by ambition and money to do what's right. His final redemption is one of the great moments of the movie.

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Thanks for recounting the exchange. For all the wonderful dinosaurs and fireworks, that scene is one of the more memorable for me, as I noted earlier.

The diving bell sequence is also nifty.

About the paperback tie-in, it is very faithful to the screenplay except for the redheaded girl, who would be Sean's older sister. For whatever reason the writer decided the story needed some nudge-nudge/wink-wink. A very unusual decision.

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

Yes, I think Sean being an orphan worked much better, even if he was being exploited by McCartin on the island.

I remember seeing Vincent Winter, who played Sean, at the 1997 Oscar ceremonies, held in March 1998. That year they decided to bunch together every Oscar-winning actor they could get on the show's stage, in honor of the Academy's 70th anniversary. They had them all sitting on these bleachers (for lack of a better word) and spent a long chunk of the show panning across each row, giving each star his or her few moments for recognition and applause. (I remember that Gregory Peck got the loudest, most sustained crowd reaction.) But I was surprised to see Vincent Winter up there on the stands. He had won a special juvenile AA for his performance in The Little Kidnappers (original Birtish title The Kidnappers) in 1953, when he was barely 6. He was just 50, had a full salt-and-pepper beard, and looked very happy to be there, though I'm sure most of the audience couldn't quite place him. Just a few months later he was dead -- felled by a heart attack at 50 (he would have turned 51 in late December that year). Very shocking and sad, but I'm glad he had that bit of recognition in his last months.

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Terrific recollection. I don't guess I'd seen him in the picture you mention or anything else other than "Gorgo", but he seemed in that to be "a real human being". Kind of reminded me of a more serious Kevin Corcoran.

Vincent Winter does not have any entries in his Boards and his biography is not as detailed as yours. Perhaps you would considered updating his page or duplicating this entry on his page's Message Board.

He had quite a busy life working behind the scenes.

Now, because he worked with Steven Spielberg, I have to wonder, as I already mentioned on another thread, if "Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World" was meant as a re-make or tribute to "Gorgo".

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

Thank you very much, escalera. I've never looked at Vincent's IMDb board, and will do so. I don't know how good I'd be at a biography (some I've seen around here have surprising errors), I wouldn't want to be too incomplete or, certainly, faulty. But anyway, I'll look it over.

Since you've seen his site, you'll have seen from his filmography that he worked in British films through the 50s and toward the end of his acting career did a couple of Disneys before retiring, if I recall, in 1964. Something tells me he may have spent some time abroad later on, in Australia, before returning to the UK and going into behind-the-scenes work, and I think he also worked in stage productions, also behind the scenes. But I'd have to re-check my facts; it's been so long since I read these things that I may be confusing elements of his biography with someone else's!

I'd like to think JP2 may have been at least a little bit a tribute to Gorgo, but I doubt it -- anyway, it's based on Crichton's book. What I could never figure (or really forgive) is stealing the title of one of the great classic works of science fiction, Conan Doyle's The Lost World. Unoriginal and confusing, to say the least. Misleading, too.

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

I did not read either of the dinosaur books though I do like Crichton's works (I do not read much fiction). Still, when I saw "JP2:The Lost World" I was reminded of "Gorgo" immediately. That means nothing in itself, I suppose, since all thunder lizard movies are the same. Still, since Spielberg lifts stuff from books and movies (who doesn't?)I thought that "Gorgo" was surely an influence.

With respect to Vincent Winter, he deserves more than the little he has on his page. Your recounting of the Academy tribute to past winners and your speculation about the great number of people who were left scratching their heads when he came on the screen, is pretty sad if true. And it probably is true.

It seems I'm getting into the habit of asking you to do something with your knowlege of such things, and I apologize if it is grating.

Anyway, thanks, again, for the insight.

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

I wish all my friends were so "grating"!

Grating? Good God, no! You're very encouraging. I guess I'm still a bit gun shy about posting some things. But I'll see what I can do.

Meanwhile, I've been over on the Witness for the Prosecution board adding three goofs to the three I'd already put up. So that brazen I definitely am!

Thank you again for the kind words, escalera. Reading your posts around IMDb, I've often wished I possessed some of your insights and ideas.

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

There's a lot of nonsense on some of these threads and coming across some real content is a treat. Even if it means pointing out "Goofs". It takes an alert mind to spot such stuff and not merely lambaste a title.

It certainly is right to encourage anyone doing a good job anywhere be it a store clerk, a waitress, or person willing to share knowledge.

I saw "The Giant Behemoth" on TV in the early sixties and "Gorgo" in the theater both long before I knew what a Director did. That I enjoyed both titles, that they were Directed by the same fellow and they were both very different says something about the man's talent.

I haven't seen either one in many moons (maybe 40 years!) and maybe I'd be disappointed now in seeing them again. But they did the trick then.

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

Ah, two of my faves! I have both amongst the archives and I think you'd enjoy them still. I saw Gorgo in theaters but not Behemoth, but then both were shown on the same channel in NYC when I was a kid in the 60s, so there were many opportunites to compare them. But only later did I see that they were directed by Eugene Lourie, who directed only two other films besides those, both sci-fi -- The Colossus of New York, a mad scientist and robot-on-the-loose oddity, and his first, The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms. Many have called Behemoth merely a reworking of Beast, which I suppose it really is, but Lourie said one reason he wrote the story for Gorgo was that his daughter didn't like the fact that the Beast died at the end -- "You killed off the nice monster!" she cried. Hence, the un-destructed Gorgos, mother and baby.

You really should splurge, escalera, and buy both; Beast, too, for that matter. Hey, consider them treats for the soul. And at the prices at which they can be had, "splurge" is a term that hardly applies!

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Well, you have my thanks, again, for pointing out that such a things as "GORGO: Destruction Edition DVD" even exists. Often I'll poke around for a VHS copy of such films since everybody is getting rid of them fer cheap and I might have done the same for "GORGO" (if I could even find it!).

"The Giant Behemoth" had a claustrophobic feel to it, I'm not sure why, when "The Beast from 20,ooo Fathoms" has a breezy, Saturday afternoon sense about it. Maybe it is because of the former's British setting. Both are terrific films, as is "GORGO".

And, thanks, for the encouragement to "splurge" on such treats. I'll let you know when I do.

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

Glad to have been of any assistance (or encouragement??). But beware any VHS of either Behemoth or Gorgo...if indeed either can still be found. The VHS of the former was missing one complete reel (! -- amazing how that could've happened). The two tapes issued of Gorgo, including the later widescreen release, had either juxtaposed scenes (a scene cut from its original point in the film, and cut back in someplace else) or were of poor visual quality. In short: skip 'em, though they're probably all gone by now...and no loss.

See you around soon, my good friend!

(Oh, I also read the thread here containing the 1959 article about Gorgo's special effects, and saw your reply. Good article, but I'm afraid I just had to add a frustrated reply, concerning grammar, to the OP!)

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Apparenlty "GORGO" is on a par with "Reptilicus!" in some viewer's books. Maybe the VHS shortcomings are to blame. Of course, some may disagree and say something like "Even if was in i-Max 3-D, its still a stink bomb!"

Thanks for the cautions.

Always my pleasure to run into a friend.

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

You left me with a big chuckle -- Reptilicus!! Cherished for its ineptitudicus. Now that's one we'll have to rake over one day, over on "Tillie's" ("Repty's"?) own site.

See you latericus....

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Arf-arf!

In a No Holds Barred/Loser Leaves Town Match -- Who would be the Victor?
Reptilicus vs The Giant Claw!

Go, GORGO!

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

You are great, esc!

Okay, one more post -- you think you're kidding about Reptilicus fighting The Giant Claw, but somewhere on the Repty site someone provided a link to I think a You Tube exerpt from the original Danish version of the film. It's a scene deleted from the American edition -- of Reptilicus flying!

Apparently the folks at American International decided that the shots of the monster flying looked too fake and detracted from the eerie reality of the rest of the film. Apparently also they never looked at the rest of the film. Anyway, the Danes say excitedly to one another (in Danish, but you can figure it out), "Reptilicus is flying!" and the other guy says, "Reptilicus is flying?!" and then they cut to the scene of, well, Reptilicus flying. Actually, I thought it looked pretty cool, and in fact was more "real" than most of the other effects shots, perhaps because it was set at night and the dark disguised the Danish fakery. I'm sorry it wasn't in the American cut.

I looked at it over a year ago but the link should still be good. Sorry I don't remember exactly where on the message boards it is, but I'm sure you can excavate it. It's worth a peek.

But given his hitherto unrealized skyborne facilities, I think old Repty would take TGC in an aerial battle. I believe his strings and pulleys are superior to Claw's (made in Denmark vs. made in Mexico). Either way, I say with you, go-go-go-Gor-go!

Gor-go, Gor-go!

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Well, it would appear that we've exhausted the intent of this thread!

Finding the "lost" flying sequence you mention and then making an entry with that way to get there on the "Reptilicus!" page would certainly serve many.

You know, I'd very much like to see that myself, since -- here I go again with my well-worn phrase -- I haven't seen that title in a long, long time! Shucks -- I'd like to see any part of that movie!

"...the eerie reality of the rest of the film..." That's a riot!

Maybe instead of a brawl with The Giant Claw, maybe a Super-Group ala' Godzilla's "Destroy All Monsters" that features Reptilicus!, Cecil the Sea-sick Sea Serpent, and Kukla, Fran and Ollie! Yow!

To prove that this thread has run its course and to make a it a legit entry to the titular prehistoric hero, I end with this sorry tribute:

Gor-GO, as go as the wind blows
As go as the grass grows
Gor-Go to follow your heart

Tan-GO and beauty surrounds you
The world still astounds you
Each time you look at a star

Bon-GO, where no walls divide you
You go as the roaring tide
So there's no need to hide

Gor-GO, and life is worth living
But only worth living
'cause you're Gorgo!

Bon-GO, where no walls divide you
You go as the roaring tide
So there's no need to hide

Gor-GO, and life is worth living
But only worth living
'cause you're GOR-GO!

(My apologies to the writers of "Born Free", Andy Williams, intelligence and to anyone who finds him or herself unable to stop singing it!)

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

You do realize that the star of Born Free, whence your bowdlerized ballad, was...Gorgo's nemesis, Bill Travers himself.

Kinda subliminal, ain't it?

I guess the memory of London getting torn asunder was enough to push him in the direction of wildlife preservation five years later. Although a gigantic prehistoric lion might have been worth something to some zoo....

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Never saw "Born Free" but it is interesting that you saw a connection and very large one at that.

You know, I was thiking about some other folks comments and how some say that "GORGO" is not much more than a riff on "Godzilla -- King of the Monsters". Maybe. But I think the creation of Baby Godzilla has a direct line leading to "GORGO" and his Mom.

All those "Daktari!", "Hatari!' and "Born Free" wild life movies are OK, I suppose. They just never called to me the way those Dinosaur pictures did.

By the way, I saw the deleted flying Reptilicus! sequence you mentioned in a previous posting. I sure never had heard of that and it wa a hoot to watch them on YouTube.

The flying Reptilicus! looks a bit like "The Flying Serpent". Who was in that one? George Zucco?

Just to squeeze that last message into this thread:

GeORGe zuccO.

Holy cow. That was a stretch!

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

My God! The Flying Serpent!? I'd almost bet there isn't even an IMDb page for that one! (Okay, I'm sure there is.) Yes, George Zucco. And I hand it to you, esc, deducing GORGO out of "George Zucco". (The letters even show up in the correct order in his name!) I'd have come up with "EEZUCC" or something.

But yes, TFS does remind me a bit of the flying Reptilicus. Good observation, even cooler for its obscurity. Congratulations on that coup!

Oh, as to Gorgo vs. Godzilla/Gojira...on their merits, I refuse to choose between them. Each is worthy in his own way. There. Now, hopefully, I won't get stomped on by either.

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

I agree with your position on the two films. They are both great. I have not seen the original "Gojira" but I gather that it is an even more powerful picture than "Godzilla -- King of the Monster". But, _boy Howdy! -- "Godzilla" gave me nightmares!

I suspect "Gorgo" did more for animal rights than any other entry in the field.

OK, maybe "Mighty Joe Young" did it first and as good a job.

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

Actually, as usual you hit the nail on the head...Mighty Joe really was something of a plea for animal rights, although I suspect a lot of people in 1949 didn't fully grasp that notion (at least not as it applied beyond Joe himself). It's rather sad and touching on that level, isn't it?

But you must -- must! -- get the original Gojira. It's much better than the Americanized Godzilla, King of the Monsters, which isn't bad...but the 1954 Japanese original is much more complex, more concerned with the human element and the issue of nuclear testing -- plus there's lots of footage cut from the US version, necessary to fully understand this as considerably more than a mere "monster movie". I also love the Gojira DVD cover -- a simple, stark and scary black-and-gray shot of the threatening Gojira rising from the sea, with blood-red lettering for the title. No kidding, this is one absolute necessity for any self-respecting sci-fi fan. And I much prefer the Japanese name "Gojira" to his international name "Godzilla" -- even though the latter was formulated by Toho itself for the convenience of foreigners. Gojira is a combination of the Japanese words for "gorilla" (gorira) and "whale" (kujira). I really find that a great monster name.

Definitely add it to your planned acquisitions of the trio Gorgo, The Giant Behemoth, and The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms; now a quartet. Right?

Or do I have to add Reptilicus??!

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Your suspicions are correct, Herr Doktor.

I did issue a post on the "Reptilicus!" page indicating that I saw the 10 minute version of that title on YouTube. This edited version was an unexpected find when I was taking the time to search out the deleted flying sequence that you had brought to my attention. Both were worth the time!

There are a few other titles that I've added to my list since we started our exchanges, since you brought them to my attention, hobnob. If we keep this up, to secure the means to make all these purchases, I'll have to start looking for a second job or maybe start buying those sure-fire Lotto tickets everybody at the Country Club is talking about.

Regular reptile house going up.

"King Kong" was better off left on the island. "Gorgo" with his Mom (I have to be faithful to the theme of this thread somehow).

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

By the way, on the "Reptilicus!" page there is a post telling of a tie-in paperback version of the screenplay. Notice --othing up my sleeve: watch how I tie in "Reptilicus!" with "Gorgo". It seems that the author of the "Reptilicus!" adaptation decided that it need to be sexed up....just like the novelization of "Gorgo"!

The starting point of the decline of civilization has been found!

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

I'll have to journey over to the Reptilicus site soon to have a peek, as this thread is going off every which way. But as to the sexy tie-in novella, I suppose someone, somewhere, will invariably say something about the book containing a Danish pastry.

There. I just saved somebody the time. But I can't think of a good equivalent for the sexed-up lassie in the novelization of Gorgo. Irish Mist? My Little Potato Famine? Gaelic Gal Pal? Ah, well....

One last thought...budget for the previously mentioned DVD acquisitions. The nice thing is, they'll be there when you get around to them.

Say, by the way, escalera...I forget if I've ever asked, but where are you located? I'm just outside of NY City myself. (I take it you're not in Denmark.)

'Night, ol' pal.

[–] escalera-2 16 years ago

Goodnight, yourself.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is where I call Home. Not far from you. So, if Gorgo and Gojira decide to come stomp on you, they can enjoy a Two-fer!

Stay well.

[–] MrPie7 16 years ago

Thanks for the heads-up on Gorgo, which I saw on the screen in '61. Reptilicus is pretty cooltoo. Some of the special effects are still good in a surreastic kinda way. Love those poor misunderstood 200 ft tall reptiles.

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

Well, I wouldn't worry about them. Palin will make sure they're removed from the endangered species list.