Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966)

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (ゴジラ・エビラ・モスラ　南海の大決闘, Gojira, Ebira, Mosura Nankai no Daikettō, lit. Godzilla, Ebirah, Mothra: Big Duel in the South Seas) is a 1966 Japanese kaiju film directed by Jun Fukuda and produced and distributed by Toho Co., Ltd. The film stars Akira Takarada, Kumi Mizuno, Akihiko Hirata and Eisei Amamoto, and features the fictional monster characters Godzilla, Mothra, and Ebirah. It is the seventh film in the Godzilla franchise, and features special effects by Sadamasa Arikawa, under the supervision of Eiji Tsuburaya. In the film, Godzilla and Ebirah are portrayed by Haruo Nakajima and Hiroshi Sekita, respectively.

During its development, Ebirah, Horror of the Deep was intended to feature King Kong, but the character was replaced by Godzilla. The film was released to theaters in Japan on December 17, 1966, and was released directly to television in the United States in 1968 under the title Godzilla versus the Sea Monster.

via Wikipedia

With the seventh film, we’re finally back on Earth again, deep in the ocean again, and back to the old formula of Godzilla versus a new monster (without aliens).

Ebirah’s origins aren’t exactly explained very well, or at all, but apparently it’s a giant lobster that circles an isolated island where a terrorist organization has its base. Another lost boat passenger prompts “discovery” of this island, where Mothra’s subjects are held captive, where the lost passenger is also held captive, and where Godzilla is also sleeping,

Well, I’m sure you can see where this is going.

Fighting between the humans to rescue the captives from the terrorists.

Fighting between the monsters when Godzilla is woken up.

Mothra arrives to rescue her people.

Honestly, I like the introduction of new giant sea monsters. I mean, that’s how we found Godzilla, right? This movie is so much better than the previous one, as it’s not completely rehashed but with aliens. I promise I’m not bitter!

Watch this movie!

My Ranking: ★ ★ ★