Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956) Movie Script
1
TOHO CO., LTD.
[ Thunderous Pounding ]
[ Pounding Continues ]
[ Creature Bellowing ]
[ Man Narrating ]
This is Tokyo...
once a city of six million people.
What has happened here
was caused by a force...
which, up until a few days ago,
was entirely...
beyond the scope
of man's imagination.
Tokyo - a smoldering memorial
to the unknown...
an unknown which,
at this very moment, still prevails...
and could at any time lash out
with its terrible destruction...
anywhere else in the world.
There were once many people here
who could have told of what they saw.
Now there are only a few.
My name is Steve Martin.
I'm a foreign correspondent
for United World News.
I was headed
for an assignment in Cairo...
when I stopped off in Tokyo
for a social call.
But it turned out to be a visit
to the living hell of another world.
Emergency hospitals were overflowing
with the maimed and the dead.
For the living,
the horror of last night was over.
The only thought left
was the paralyzing fear...
that it could happen again today...
or tomorrow.
[ Geiger Counter Clicking ]
Everyone who had survived
without serious injury...
was helping to repair
the human wreckage.
One of the survivors
was Emiko Yamane...
the daughter of Japan's
famous paleontologist.
For some of the victims,
there was hope.
For others,
there would be no tomorrow.
[ Child Wailing ]
I don't know
how many hours went by...
before an auxiliary
hospital unit found me.
I knew it was daylight.
I was surprised to be alive.
The odor of scorched flesh
permeated the air.
The sight of all the helpless
human wreckage...
snapped me back to stark reality.
[ Wailing Continues ]
[ Woman Sobbing ]
Emiko. Emiko!
Steve. Steve Martin.
Are you badly hurt?
After last night,
I'm lucky to be alive.
I guess we're all living
on borrowed time.
Oh, Steve,
what brought this upon us?
I don't know, Emiko.
I don't know.
Your father - is he all right?
Yes. He's meeting
with the security officials now.
[ Groans ]
Don't move, Steve.
I'll try to get a doctor for you.
[ Steve Narrating ]
It was still hard for me to believe...
that I could be lying here
in a hospital alive....
when I think of the thousands
of others dead and dying...
in the ruins around me.
When I think back,
only a few days ago...
I was en route to Cairo...
with a few days' layover in Tokyo.
I was looking forward to a visit
with an old college friend, Dr. Serizawa...
a theoretical scientist who was gaining
great recognition in the Far East...
for his unusual experiments.
While I was unaware
of it at the time...
10,000 feet below,
an incident was about to take place...
that would shake the foundations
of the civilized world.
[ Ballad ]
[ Explosions ]
[ Man Exclaims ]
- [ Men Clamoring ]
- [ Creature Bellowing ]
[ All Screaming ]
[ Beeping Morse Code ]
[ Morse Code Beeping ]
DISTRESS FREQUENCY
[ Steve Narrating ] This morning,
it would have been impossible...
for anyone to convince me that I would
ever see Tokyo like this again.
- Pardon. You are Mr. Steve Martin?
- Yes.
I'm Shigeo Ioto,
assistant to Dr. Serizawa.
Oh, how do you do?
And how is Serizawa?
His health is fine, but he regrets
not being here to meet you.
Something wrong?
Dr. Serizawa had to go inland
on some field experiments.
He wanted to delay them
until after your visit...
but they were much too important.
- He hopes that you understand.
- Of course.
- Oh, when's he planning to return?
- Perhaps before your departure to Cairo.
Meanwhile, if there's anything I can do,
please feel free to call me.
I certainly will.
[ Japanese ]
[ Japanese ]
I'm sorry, Mr. Martin,
but we must ask you...
to come to the security office
for questioning.
Is this a polite way
of telling me I'm under arrest?
No, no arrest.
Just questioning.
- But it is imperative that you come.
- Of course.
I'll take your bag.
Hotel Mikasu?
No. Still the Imperial.
[ Man Over P.A. ]
Flight 104 is arriving at ramp seven.
[ Japanese ]
- How do you do, Mr. Martin?
- Mr. Iwanaga.
During your flight last night,
did anything unusual occur?
Well, I didn't notice anything.
I was busy writing and reading,
and the rest of the time I was sleeping.
Oh, I see.
I understand you've questioned
everyone on my flight.
What is it you're trying to find out?
I represent United World News.
I don't know, Mr. Martin.
I don't know whether
it should be printed or not.
I don't follow you.
You see, we don't know
what it is we're dealing with.
At 3:30 this morning,
a ship from Tokyo was literally wiped...
from the surface of the ocean
in a matter of seconds.
Anything from the ship's radio?
It said there was
a blinding flash of light...
and the ocean burst into flame.
Could have been
a mine or a collision.
Why would the radio men
not report a mine or a collision?
That's a good point.
Well, whatever's being done
I'd like to find out about.
All right.
Come with me.
[ Man Speaking Japanese Over Radio ]
[ Man Speaking Japanese Over Radio ]
[ People Clamoring ]
[ Radio Continues ]
This is the chart room
of the Nankai Steamship Company.
It was their ship which was sunk.
[ Japanese ]
You mind telling me
what they're discussing?
They're at a loss to explain how their ship
could disappear so suddenly.
[ Japanese ]
- Any survivors?
- No, not yet.
They're in direct contact
with the rescue ship now.
It should arrive at the scene
of the sinking in a few hours.
[ Horn Blows ]
[ Excited Chattering in Japanese ]
Operator,
give me Paul, please. Rush.
Paul?
[ Portuguese ]
That's it, operator.
Mr. George Lawrence,
United World News Chicago, U.S.A.
Japanese ship disasters
puzzle world.
Eight ships obliterated...
by mysterious blinding flash of fire.
No survivors found.
Radio reports from stricken ships
gave same message."
That's right.
Terrible sea of fire engulfs all.
Staggering death toll forces
all shipping schedules be canceled.
Will remain Tokyo
unless word from you."
Sign it Steve Martin."
You've got it. Thanks.
[ Steve Narrating ] Like a creeping illness,
panic began to spread...
all over Japan.
The Nankai Shipping Company
swarmed with distraught families...
pleading for news of lost crews.
[ Japanese ]
[ All Shouting ]
[ Speaking Japanese ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
The few survivors who had been found...
died in a matter of minutes
from shock and strange burns.
[ Morse Code Beeping ]
[ Crowd Clamoring ]
[ Japanese ]
With disaster following disaster,
the terror-stricken people...
demanded action be taken.
Security officials and scientists
were called together.
Dr. Yamane,
Japan's leading paleontologist...
was among the top scientists
invited to the meeting.
I had met Dr. Yamane through my friend
Serizawa several years ago.
If there was to be an answer
to these mysterious ship disasters...
it would come from these men.
[ Japanese ]
[ Man Speaking Japanese ]
[ Japanese ]
I'm afraid my Japanese
is a little rusty.
[ Japanese ]
Dr. Yamane is suggesting
to the officials...
that they question
the natives of a small island.
He says that Odo Island
is close to the area...
where the disasters
have taken place.
[ Steve Narrating ]
Odo Island...
a bleak spot of land in the Pacific...
populated
with several hundred natives...
who were now
half paralyzed with fear.
[ Japanese ]
[ Murmuring Excitedly ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
These people were the only ones...
who had seen
some of the fires at sea.
[ People Shouting ]
[ Chattering Excitedly ]
[ Shouting In Japanese ]
[ Chattering Excitedly ]
They were also the only ones
who saw a survivor of the sinkings...
and his visit was a short one.
[ Shouting In Japanese ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Shouting ]
[ Aircraft Flying Overhead ]
[ Steve Narrating ] The next morning,
a helicopter was dispatched from Tokyo.
The security officer, Mr. Iwanaga,
had arranged for me to join...
the group of officials who were
to question the natives of Odo Island.
While various natives
of the island...
were being interrogated
by the officials...
Tomo and I went out
among the natives.
[ Japanese ]
Hey, Tomo, we make him mad?
He's frightened.
He's terribly frightened.
He must've seen something.
He claimed he saw a monster,
a horrible monster.
If he saw a monster,
he's had too much sake.
No, no, Mr. Martin.
These island people are very superstitious.
Well, let's see what else
we can find out.
[ Steve Narrating ]
It was decided that we'd spend the night...
and it gave me an opportunity
to witness a rare ceremony...
one that was all but forgotten.
[ Native ]
The island people are beset
by many dangers, Steve -
some real, some imagined.
This ceremony is dedicated
to one such danger.
There's a legend
among the island people...
that somewhere off their shores
there exists a monster...
too terrible
for a mortal to conceive.
Many centuries ago, they used
to send a young girl out on a raft...
each year as a sacrifice.
[ Continues ]
What's the name of this monster?
[ Man ]
Godzilla. Godzilla!
[ Japanese ]
Did you hear that? Godzilla.
They believe their, uh, Godzilla...
is responsible
for all these ship disasters?
They're certain of it.
[ Wind Gusting ]
[ Gusting Grows Louder ]
[ Thunderous Pounding In Distance ]
[ Pounding Grows Louder ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Boy Shouting In Japanese ]
[ Shouts ]
[ Creature Bellowing ]
[ Thunderous Pounding ]
[ Creature Bellowing ]
[ Boy Shouting ]
[ All Shouting ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
It was more than wind, rain, and lightning.
Much more.
I wasn't just sure what it was.
No one was sure.
No one except the natives,
and they were positive.
They said it was Godzilla.
The next morning, the officials brought
some of the islanders back to Tokyo...
to make a direct report.
[ Chattering In Japanese ]
[ Japanese ]
Each of the natives of Odo Island...
told his own story
of the sudden turbulence...
and had his own ideas
of its cause.
They were all of the opinion
that the destruction was brought about...
by a living creature.
[ Japanese Continues ]
[ Japanese ]
I have not been
to the island myself...
but the world today is filled
with many mysteries.
In the Himalayas, footprints
of snowmen have been found.
No one knows
anything about them...
so there's no one
who can explain
a phenomenon
at the top of the world.
Is it not possible that some other
unexplainable phenomenon....
might exist at the bottom
of the ocean?
A research party should be
organized to make...
a scientific survey of Odo Island.
[ People Applauding ]
I'm going to catch Dr. Yamane.
I'll see you later.
It seems to me there are still
forces left in this world...
that none of us can understand.
[ Japanese ]
Oh, excuse me.
[ People Chattering ]
- Dr. Yamane.
- Steve Martin. It is good to see you.
You take this monster talk seriously?
Who can tell?
I understand you're heading
the research group to Odo Island.
Yes. We leave this afternoon.
With your permission, I'd like to come.
I've been cleared by the security office.
Of course. Pier J at 2:00.
Good. I'll see you then.
- [ People Shouting ]
- [ Brass Band ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
Pier J swarmed with well-wishers...
for Dr. Yamane and his party.
[ Shouting Continues ]
[ Horn Blowing ]
[ Japanese ]
But there was still
a feeling of anxiety among us all...
for every ship
that had taken this course...
had vanished
from the face of the earth.
Yes, there was a feeling of anxiety.
But perhaps the two exceptions...
were Emiko and a young
marine officer named Ogata.
At the moment, they seemed
more interested in each other.
When I'd last seen Emiko...
she had just become engaged
to Dr. Serizawa.
It was the usual triangle...
only this time it was
to play an important part...
in the lives of millions of people.
[ Japanese ]
[ Geiger Counter Clicking ]
This well is contaminated.
Please stay back.
- This ground is dangerous!
- [ People Exclaiming ]
Mr. Ojihara...
these are footsteps
of a living creature.
[ Flashbulb Pops ]
[ Rapid Clicking ]
They're also radioactive.
This ground is dangerous!
Everybody, please stay back!
[ Crowd Chattering ]
Emiko...
a trilobite, a three-ringed worm...
which was thought to be extinct.
Don't hold it in your bare hands!
What does that mean?
It's a fabulous discovery.
Trilobite?
- Isn't that a -
- [ Bell Clanging ]
Godzilla!
[ Shouting, Indistinct ]
What's that, Tomo?
It's safer up on the hills.
[ Panicked Shouting ]
[ Thunderous Pounding ]
[ Clanging Continues ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Pounding Grows Louder ]
[ All Screaming ]
[ Roaring ]
- [ Screams ]
- [ Roaring ]
[ Roaring ]
[ Pounding Fades ]
[ Dr. Yamane ]
Emiko! Emiko!
- Emiko!
- [ Crowd Shouting ]
- Emiko! Ogata!
- [ Panicked Chattering ]
[ Man Shouts in Japanese ]
[ Japanese ]
Look at the size of those footprints!
It can safely be assumed
that two million years ago...
It can safely be assumed
that two million years ago...
this brontosaurus and other
ancient reptiles roamed the earth.
It was known as the Jurassic age.
During this period,
there was another species which
we may call the intermediary animal...
a cross between the land-living
and the sea-living animals.
Let us call this creature Godzilla...
according to the legend
of Odo Island.
And judging from this photograph...
this creature is over 400 feet tall.
[ All Murmuring ]
[ Man Exclaiming In Japanese ]
Of course,
the question we are...
asking ourselves is how this animal...
happened to reappear
after all these centuries...
and so near to the coast of Japan.
One answer could be that some
rare phenomenon of nature...
allowed this breed
of the Jurassic age to reproduce itself...
and for a long span of time, it had
no reason to reappear to the world.
But now that analysis
of radioactivity...
of the creature's footprint...
shows the existence of strontium 90...
a product of the H-bomb...
it is my belief that Godzilla
was resurrected...
due to the repeated
experiments of H-bombs.
[ People Murmuring ]
[ Speaking Japanese ]
[ People Shouting ]
- [ Man ] Hello?
- Can you hear me okay, George?
[ George ]
You're comin' in clear.
Now, let's have it, Steve.
What about this monster story of yours?
Well, it's big and terrible...
more frightening
than I ever thought possible.
You realize your story's front-page
all over the country?
We want to know
what's being done about this monster.
Well, here's your headline:
Security Decides to Use
Depth Bomb on Godzilla."
Oh, that's fine.
But how can they use depth bombs
against something they can't even see?
Same way they look
for a submarine: sonar.
Oh, they'll find him, all right.
The big question is,
will they kill him?
Well, stay on it, Steve,
and keep us posted.
I will. So long, George.
[ Phone Ringing ]
- Hello?
- [ Speaking Japanese ]
Steve, you are a better
newspaperman than a linguist.
It is good to hear from you.
I just got the message that you called.
Did you finish with your experiments?
Yes, I finished.
- Good. Let's have dinner tonight.
- Steve, make it tomorrow.
Emiko is coming over this evening,
and she said it was important.
- All right. I'll check with you tomorrow.
- That will be fine, Steve.
Sayonara.
[ Steve Narrating ] The marriage
between Emiko and Dr. Serizawa...
had been arranged
when they were both children.
And while Emiko wasn't in love
with the great scientist...
she had great respect
and admiration for him.
It proved difficult for her to tell him
she was going to marry Ogata.
- [ Radio ]
- It...
It's good to have you home,
Dr. Serizawa.
It is good to be back, Emiko.
I'm glad we have this time together.
There is something important
I must tell you.
[ Radio Switches Off ]
But there is something far more
important which I must show you.
Eh?
- Come with me.
- [ Murmurs Agreement ]
[ Machinery Humming, Clicking ]
[ Exclaims ]
[ Machine Whirring ]
Stand back!
[ Screams ]
Emiko-san!
The world must not know of this.
Promise to keep my secret.
[ Murmurs Agreement ]
I won't even tell my father.
What happened?
Nothing.
Nothing.
[ Explosion ]
[ Explosion ]
[ Explosions Continue ]
Father, what is it?
They are so wrong.
Godzilla should not be destroyed.
He should be studied.
Emiko...
please, leave me alone.
Hai.
[ Steve Narrating ] By the end
of the day, it was generally assumed...
that the underwater demolition
had ended...
the short but terrible reign
of Godzilla.
There was a feeling of relief
throughout Tokyo...
even celebration.
But both the hope
and celebration were short-lived.
[ Tropical ]
[ Thunderous Pounding ]
- [ Woman Gasps ]
- [ Roaring ]
[ People Screaming ]
Godzilla!
[ Screaming Continues ]
[ Panicked Shouting ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
Within minutes, the city was aware...
that Godzilla was inside Tokyo Harbor.
Among the people,
there was a state of panic.
[ Japanese ]
The military used every man
and machine available...
in an effort to stem
the oncoming terror.
- Has Emiko returned?
- [ Emiko] Hai.
- [ Klaxon Siren Sounds ]
- [ Thunderous Pounding ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Emiko ]
Ogata-san!
I couldn't tell Dr. Serizawa about us.
I understand, Emiko.
[ Siren Winds Down ]
[ Pounding Continues ]
[ Roaring ]
[ Sirens Wailing ]
Let's go up on the hill.
[ Shouting In Japanese ]
[ People Screaming ]
[ People Laughing ]
[ People Screaming ]
[ Screaming, Shouting ]
- [ Man ] He's leaving!
- [ Roaring ]
[ Man #2 ]
But he will be back.
[ Steve Narrating ]
The damage had been severe...
but fortunately confined
to the dock section of the city.
Godzilla was still in Tokyo Bay...
and there was every reason
to believe he would return...
unless some means
was found to stop him.
[ Japanese ]
Steve.
- Hey, Steve.
- Hi, Tomo.
- What did you run out of the meeting for?
- Got to get this story off to the paper.
- Anything happen after I left?
- Yes.
They're making one last
big effort to stop him.
- And what's that?
- Come here. I'll show you.
Tokyo is surrounded
by high-tension electrical towers.
To get to the heart of the city...
Godzilla would have to break through
300,000 volts of electricity.
The officials are trying to have
everything ready by nightfall.
Now I must report back
to my station.
All right.
And thanks, Tomo.
- So long, Steve.
- Sayonara.
[ Steve Narrating ] The security officials
ordered a general evacuation...
of all nonessential personnel.
It was a monumental job,
but a job which had to be done.
[ Panicked Shouting ]
[ Man Over P.A. In Japanese ]
[ Steve Narrating ] By nightfall,
everyone was off the streets.
The news office commanded
a good view of Tokyo...
and was receiving all reports
directly from security headquarters.
This tape recording
is for George Lawrence...
United World News,
Chicago, U.S.A.
[ Steve Narrating ] Everyone remaining
in the city was on a watch-and-wait basis.
[ Steve Narrating ] Everyone remaining
in the city was on a watch-and-wait basis.
The wait was not a long one.
George, here in Tokyo, time has been
turned back two million years.
This is my report as it happens.
A prehistoric monster
the Japanese call Godzilla...
has just walked out of Tokyo Bay.
He's as tall as a 30-story building.
And now he's making his way
toward the city's main line of defense:
300,000 volts of electricity
strung around the city as a barrier...
a barrier against Godzilla.
[ Buzzer Sounds ]
[ Roaring ]
[ Roaring ]
I can hardly believe
what has just happened.
Now it seems Tokyo has no defense.
[ Roaring ]
[ Panicked Shouting ]
[ Screaming ]
[ Sirens Wailing ]
They're moving an entire tank corps
to point-blank firing range.
I'm saying a prayer, George -
a prayer for the whole world.
George, the tanks have been
wiped out by a wall of flames.
Neither man nor his machines
are able to stop this creature.
[ Screaming ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Japanese Continues Over Radio ]
[ Roaring ]
[ Shouts In Japanese ]
[ Man Screams ]
[ Panicked Shouting ]
[ Shouting Continues ]
[ Roaring ]
Godzilla has turned
the heart of Tokyo into a sea of fire.
Beneath the flames,
thousands lie dead or dying.
[ Tolling ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Roaring ]
[ Screaming ]
Nothing can save the city now.
[ Roaring ]
[ Man Over P.A. In Japanese ]
[ Rumbling, Crashing ]
[ Man On P.A. Continues ]
- This is it, George.
- [ Roaring ]
Steve Martin
signing off from Tokyo, Japan.
[ Roaring ]
[ Japanese ]
- [ Announcer Speaking Japanese ]
- [ Godzilla Roaring ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Shouting, Cheering ]
[ Woman Screaming ]
[ Screaming Continues ]
[ Woman Sobbing ]
Watch it!
Hi, Emiko.
You've been sleeping very nervously.
- Hello, Ogata.
- Hello, Steve.
Anything new develop?
[ Emiko ]
Nothing new will develop unless -
- [ Ogata ] Unless what?
- I was shown a terrible secret...
which is probably the only weapon
which could destroy Godzilla.
- What is it?
- I promised Dr. Serizawa...
never to reveal his secret to anyone.
Emiko...
Emiko, last night
Tokyo was destroyed.
Tomorrow it might be
Osaka or Yokohama.
If you can help, you must.
[ Emiko ]
When I went to see Dr. Serizawa...
I had intended to tell him
about Ogata and me...
but there was something
he wanted to show me first.
[ Japanese ]
[ Screams ]
[ Emiko ] Dr. Serizawa had been
experimenting with oxygen...
when he came upon
a terrible chemical discovery -
a way to destroy
all oxygen in water...
thereby disintegrating
all living matter.
An amount no larger
than a baseball...
could turn Tokyo Bay
into a graveyard.
Serizawa had found
a terrible destructive power...
and until he could find
a counteracting good...
that would come
from this discovery...
he didn't want the world
to know his secret.
[ Japanese ]
[ Liquid Bubbling ]
He made me promise
never to tell what I had seen.
[ Ogata ]
Emiko, we need Serizawa's help.
There's no other way.
If I could only see him...
just talk to him.
Perhaps I can change his mind.
Ogata will go with me.
Whatever you do, Emiko,
you mustn't fail.
[ Ogata ]
Serizawa-san.
Sit down.
Doctor, I know of
your Oxygen Destroyer.
- We must have it.
- I don't know what you are talking about!
I broke my promise, Serizawa.
I told Steve Martin and Ogata.
They both agree.
You must use your Oxygen Destroyer
against Godzilla. [ Sobbing ]
- No.
- [ Ogata ] Serizawa-san!
Serizawa-san!
- Ah, Serizawa-san!
- Let go!
- We must have the formula! We must!
- Let go!
Please stop!
- [ Men Shouting ]
- [ Glass Clattering ]
[ Emiko Screams ]
[ Ogata ]
Serizawa-san!
Ogata-san!
[ Serizawa ]
Ogata-san!
Sorry, Ogata.
The Oxygen Destroyer
cannot be used.
If we don't defend ourselves
from Godzilla now...
what will become of us?
And what will become of us
if a weapon such as I now have...
falls into the wrong hands?
Then you have a responsibility
no man has ever faced.
You have your fear,
which might become reality...
and you have Godzilla,
which is reality.
[ Gasps ]
[ Man On TV ] Attention.
Attention, people of Japan.
At this moment,
a nationwide prayer...
is being observed for the survivors
of devastated Tokyo.
The voices of our children
are raised in a prayer...
for the courage to surmount
the destruction of today...
and look forward with hope...
for peace and light.
[ Girls' Choir: Japanese ]
[ Continues ]
[ Continues ]
[ Continues ]
[ Continues ]
[ Continues ]
[ TV Switches Off ]
Have you decided?
Yes. But this must be
the only time...
the Oxygen Destroyer
will be used.
[ Sobbing ]
- [ Geiger Counter Clicking ]
- [ Steve Narrating ] The boat...
finding the location of Godzilla...
the Oxygen Destroyer -
all these have been accomplished.
Serizawa insisted upon helping
Ogata place the weapon.
[ Man ]
And now the divers are descending.
We ask the whole world
to stand by.
They have reached the bottom.
[ Shouting In Japanese ]
Serizawa!
Serizawa! Serizawa!
[ Man ]
One diver is up. It is Ogata.
Dr. Serizawa has not yet
started his ascent.
[ Excited Chattering ]
[ Water Churning Loudly ]
Serizawa! Serizawa-san!
[ Japanese ]
Serizawa-san!
Ogata, it is working!
Live happily with Emiko.
Good-bye.
Serizawa!
Pull the line up!
Answer me! Serizawa!
Serizawa!
[ Bellowing ]
[ People Murmuring ]
People of the world,
Godzilla is dead.
Give us strength to rebuild
our beloved land.
[ Weeping ]
He said, Be happy together."
[ Sobbing ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
The menace was gone.
So was a great man.
But the whole world
could wake up and live again.
[ Thunderous Pounding ]
[ Pounding Continues ]
TOHO CO., LTD.
[ Thunderous Pounding ]
[ Pounding Continues ]
[ Creature Bellowing ]
[ Man Narrating ]
This is Tokyo...
once a city of six million people.
What has happened here
was caused by a force...
which, up until a few days ago,
was entirely...
beyond the scope
of man's imagination.
Tokyo - a smoldering memorial
to the unknown...
an unknown which,
at this very moment, still prevails...
and could at any time lash out
with its terrible destruction...
anywhere else in the world.
There were once many people here
who could have told of what they saw.
Now there are only a few.
My name is Steve Martin.
I'm a foreign correspondent
for United World News.
I was headed
for an assignment in Cairo...
when I stopped off in Tokyo
for a social call.
But it turned out to be a visit
to the living hell of another world.
Emergency hospitals were overflowing
with the maimed and the dead.
For the living,
the horror of last night was over.
The only thought left
was the paralyzing fear...
that it could happen again today...
or tomorrow.
[ Geiger Counter Clicking ]
Everyone who had survived
without serious injury...
was helping to repair
the human wreckage.
One of the survivors
was Emiko Yamane...
the daughter of Japan's
famous paleontologist.
For some of the victims,
there was hope.
For others,
there would be no tomorrow.
[ Child Wailing ]
I don't know
how many hours went by...
before an auxiliary
hospital unit found me.
I knew it was daylight.
I was surprised to be alive.
The odor of scorched flesh
permeated the air.
The sight of all the helpless
human wreckage...
snapped me back to stark reality.
[ Wailing Continues ]
[ Woman Sobbing ]
Emiko. Emiko!
Steve. Steve Martin.
Are you badly hurt?
After last night,
I'm lucky to be alive.
I guess we're all living
on borrowed time.
Oh, Steve,
what brought this upon us?
I don't know, Emiko.
I don't know.
Your father - is he all right?
Yes. He's meeting
with the security officials now.
[ Groans ]
Don't move, Steve.
I'll try to get a doctor for you.
[ Steve Narrating ]
It was still hard for me to believe...
that I could be lying here
in a hospital alive....
when I think of the thousands
of others dead and dying...
in the ruins around me.
When I think back,
only a few days ago...
I was en route to Cairo...
with a few days' layover in Tokyo.
I was looking forward to a visit
with an old college friend, Dr. Serizawa...
a theoretical scientist who was gaining
great recognition in the Far East...
for his unusual experiments.
While I was unaware
of it at the time...
10,000 feet below,
an incident was about to take place...
that would shake the foundations
of the civilized world.
[ Ballad ]
[ Explosions ]
[ Man Exclaims ]
- [ Men Clamoring ]
- [ Creature Bellowing ]
[ All Screaming ]
[ Beeping Morse Code ]
[ Morse Code Beeping ]
DISTRESS FREQUENCY
[ Steve Narrating ] This morning,
it would have been impossible...
for anyone to convince me that I would
ever see Tokyo like this again.
- Pardon. You are Mr. Steve Martin?
- Yes.
I'm Shigeo Ioto,
assistant to Dr. Serizawa.
Oh, how do you do?
And how is Serizawa?
His health is fine, but he regrets
not being here to meet you.
Something wrong?
Dr. Serizawa had to go inland
on some field experiments.
He wanted to delay them
until after your visit...
but they were much too important.
- He hopes that you understand.
- Of course.
- Oh, when's he planning to return?
- Perhaps before your departure to Cairo.
Meanwhile, if there's anything I can do,
please feel free to call me.
I certainly will.
[ Japanese ]
[ Japanese ]
I'm sorry, Mr. Martin,
but we must ask you...
to come to the security office
for questioning.
Is this a polite way
of telling me I'm under arrest?
No, no arrest.
Just questioning.
- But it is imperative that you come.
- Of course.
I'll take your bag.
Hotel Mikasu?
No. Still the Imperial.
[ Man Over P.A. ]
Flight 104 is arriving at ramp seven.
[ Japanese ]
- How do you do, Mr. Martin?
- Mr. Iwanaga.
During your flight last night,
did anything unusual occur?
Well, I didn't notice anything.
I was busy writing and reading,
and the rest of the time I was sleeping.
Oh, I see.
I understand you've questioned
everyone on my flight.
What is it you're trying to find out?
I represent United World News.
I don't know, Mr. Martin.
I don't know whether
it should be printed or not.
I don't follow you.
You see, we don't know
what it is we're dealing with.
At 3:30 this morning,
a ship from Tokyo was literally wiped...
from the surface of the ocean
in a matter of seconds.
Anything from the ship's radio?
It said there was
a blinding flash of light...
and the ocean burst into flame.
Could have been
a mine or a collision.
Why would the radio men
not report a mine or a collision?
That's a good point.
Well, whatever's being done
I'd like to find out about.
All right.
Come with me.
[ Man Speaking Japanese Over Radio ]
[ Man Speaking Japanese Over Radio ]
[ People Clamoring ]
[ Radio Continues ]
This is the chart room
of the Nankai Steamship Company.
It was their ship which was sunk.
[ Japanese ]
You mind telling me
what they're discussing?
They're at a loss to explain how their ship
could disappear so suddenly.
[ Japanese ]
- Any survivors?
- No, not yet.
They're in direct contact
with the rescue ship now.
It should arrive at the scene
of the sinking in a few hours.
[ Horn Blows ]
[ Excited Chattering in Japanese ]
Operator,
give me Paul, please. Rush.
Paul?
[ Portuguese ]
That's it, operator.
Mr. George Lawrence,
United World News Chicago, U.S.A.
Japanese ship disasters
puzzle world.
Eight ships obliterated...
by mysterious blinding flash of fire.
No survivors found.
Radio reports from stricken ships
gave same message."
That's right.
Terrible sea of fire engulfs all.
Staggering death toll forces
all shipping schedules be canceled.
Will remain Tokyo
unless word from you."
Sign it Steve Martin."
You've got it. Thanks.
[ Steve Narrating ] Like a creeping illness,
panic began to spread...
all over Japan.
The Nankai Shipping Company
swarmed with distraught families...
pleading for news of lost crews.
[ Japanese ]
[ All Shouting ]
[ Speaking Japanese ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
The few survivors who had been found...
died in a matter of minutes
from shock and strange burns.
[ Morse Code Beeping ]
[ Crowd Clamoring ]
[ Japanese ]
With disaster following disaster,
the terror-stricken people...
demanded action be taken.
Security officials and scientists
were called together.
Dr. Yamane,
Japan's leading paleontologist...
was among the top scientists
invited to the meeting.
I had met Dr. Yamane through my friend
Serizawa several years ago.
If there was to be an answer
to these mysterious ship disasters...
it would come from these men.
[ Japanese ]
[ Man Speaking Japanese ]
[ Japanese ]
I'm afraid my Japanese
is a little rusty.
[ Japanese ]
Dr. Yamane is suggesting
to the officials...
that they question
the natives of a small island.
He says that Odo Island
is close to the area...
where the disasters
have taken place.
[ Steve Narrating ]
Odo Island...
a bleak spot of land in the Pacific...
populated
with several hundred natives...
who were now
half paralyzed with fear.
[ Japanese ]
[ Murmuring Excitedly ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
These people were the only ones...
who had seen
some of the fires at sea.
[ People Shouting ]
[ Chattering Excitedly ]
[ Shouting In Japanese ]
[ Chattering Excitedly ]
They were also the only ones
who saw a survivor of the sinkings...
and his visit was a short one.
[ Shouting In Japanese ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Shouting ]
[ Aircraft Flying Overhead ]
[ Steve Narrating ] The next morning,
a helicopter was dispatched from Tokyo.
The security officer, Mr. Iwanaga,
had arranged for me to join...
the group of officials who were
to question the natives of Odo Island.
While various natives
of the island...
were being interrogated
by the officials...
Tomo and I went out
among the natives.
[ Japanese ]
Hey, Tomo, we make him mad?
He's frightened.
He's terribly frightened.
He must've seen something.
He claimed he saw a monster,
a horrible monster.
If he saw a monster,
he's had too much sake.
No, no, Mr. Martin.
These island people are very superstitious.
Well, let's see what else
we can find out.
[ Steve Narrating ]
It was decided that we'd spend the night...
and it gave me an opportunity
to witness a rare ceremony...
one that was all but forgotten.
[ Native ]
The island people are beset
by many dangers, Steve -
some real, some imagined.
This ceremony is dedicated
to one such danger.
There's a legend
among the island people...
that somewhere off their shores
there exists a monster...
too terrible
for a mortal to conceive.
Many centuries ago, they used
to send a young girl out on a raft...
each year as a sacrifice.
[ Continues ]
What's the name of this monster?
[ Man ]
Godzilla. Godzilla!
[ Japanese ]
Did you hear that? Godzilla.
They believe their, uh, Godzilla...
is responsible
for all these ship disasters?
They're certain of it.
[ Wind Gusting ]
[ Gusting Grows Louder ]
[ Thunderous Pounding In Distance ]
[ Pounding Grows Louder ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Boy Shouting In Japanese ]
[ Shouts ]
[ Creature Bellowing ]
[ Thunderous Pounding ]
[ Creature Bellowing ]
[ Boy Shouting ]
[ All Shouting ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
It was more than wind, rain, and lightning.
Much more.
I wasn't just sure what it was.
No one was sure.
No one except the natives,
and they were positive.
They said it was Godzilla.
The next morning, the officials brought
some of the islanders back to Tokyo...
to make a direct report.
[ Chattering In Japanese ]
[ Japanese ]
Each of the natives of Odo Island...
told his own story
of the sudden turbulence...
and had his own ideas
of its cause.
They were all of the opinion
that the destruction was brought about...
by a living creature.
[ Japanese Continues ]
[ Japanese ]
I have not been
to the island myself...
but the world today is filled
with many mysteries.
In the Himalayas, footprints
of snowmen have been found.
No one knows
anything about them...
so there's no one
who can explain
a phenomenon
at the top of the world.
Is it not possible that some other
unexplainable phenomenon....
might exist at the bottom
of the ocean?
A research party should be
organized to make...
a scientific survey of Odo Island.
[ People Applauding ]
I'm going to catch Dr. Yamane.
I'll see you later.
It seems to me there are still
forces left in this world...
that none of us can understand.
[ Japanese ]
Oh, excuse me.
[ People Chattering ]
- Dr. Yamane.
- Steve Martin. It is good to see you.
You take this monster talk seriously?
Who can tell?
I understand you're heading
the research group to Odo Island.
Yes. We leave this afternoon.
With your permission, I'd like to come.
I've been cleared by the security office.
Of course. Pier J at 2:00.
Good. I'll see you then.
- [ People Shouting ]
- [ Brass Band ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
Pier J swarmed with well-wishers...
for Dr. Yamane and his party.
[ Shouting Continues ]
[ Horn Blowing ]
[ Japanese ]
But there was still
a feeling of anxiety among us all...
for every ship
that had taken this course...
had vanished
from the face of the earth.
Yes, there was a feeling of anxiety.
But perhaps the two exceptions...
were Emiko and a young
marine officer named Ogata.
At the moment, they seemed
more interested in each other.
When I'd last seen Emiko...
she had just become engaged
to Dr. Serizawa.
It was the usual triangle...
only this time it was
to play an important part...
in the lives of millions of people.
[ Japanese ]
[ Geiger Counter Clicking ]
This well is contaminated.
Please stay back.
- This ground is dangerous!
- [ People Exclaiming ]
Mr. Ojihara...
these are footsteps
of a living creature.
[ Flashbulb Pops ]
[ Rapid Clicking ]
They're also radioactive.
This ground is dangerous!
Everybody, please stay back!
[ Crowd Chattering ]
Emiko...
a trilobite, a three-ringed worm...
which was thought to be extinct.
Don't hold it in your bare hands!
What does that mean?
It's a fabulous discovery.
Trilobite?
- Isn't that a -
- [ Bell Clanging ]
Godzilla!
[ Shouting, Indistinct ]
What's that, Tomo?
It's safer up on the hills.
[ Panicked Shouting ]
[ Thunderous Pounding ]
[ Clanging Continues ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Pounding Grows Louder ]
[ All Screaming ]
[ Roaring ]
- [ Screams ]
- [ Roaring ]
[ Roaring ]
[ Pounding Fades ]
[ Dr. Yamane ]
Emiko! Emiko!
- Emiko!
- [ Crowd Shouting ]
- Emiko! Ogata!
- [ Panicked Chattering ]
[ Man Shouts in Japanese ]
[ Japanese ]
Look at the size of those footprints!
It can safely be assumed
that two million years ago...
It can safely be assumed
that two million years ago...
this brontosaurus and other
ancient reptiles roamed the earth.
It was known as the Jurassic age.
During this period,
there was another species which
we may call the intermediary animal...
a cross between the land-living
and the sea-living animals.
Let us call this creature Godzilla...
according to the legend
of Odo Island.
And judging from this photograph...
this creature is over 400 feet tall.
[ All Murmuring ]
[ Man Exclaiming In Japanese ]
Of course,
the question we are...
asking ourselves is how this animal...
happened to reappear
after all these centuries...
and so near to the coast of Japan.
One answer could be that some
rare phenomenon of nature...
allowed this breed
of the Jurassic age to reproduce itself...
and for a long span of time, it had
no reason to reappear to the world.
But now that analysis
of radioactivity...
of the creature's footprint...
shows the existence of strontium 90...
a product of the H-bomb...
it is my belief that Godzilla
was resurrected...
due to the repeated
experiments of H-bombs.
[ People Murmuring ]
[ Speaking Japanese ]
[ People Shouting ]
- [ Man ] Hello?
- Can you hear me okay, George?
[ George ]
You're comin' in clear.
Now, let's have it, Steve.
What about this monster story of yours?
Well, it's big and terrible...
more frightening
than I ever thought possible.
You realize your story's front-page
all over the country?
We want to know
what's being done about this monster.
Well, here's your headline:
Security Decides to Use
Depth Bomb on Godzilla."
Oh, that's fine.
But how can they use depth bombs
against something they can't even see?
Same way they look
for a submarine: sonar.
Oh, they'll find him, all right.
The big question is,
will they kill him?
Well, stay on it, Steve,
and keep us posted.
I will. So long, George.
[ Phone Ringing ]
- Hello?
- [ Speaking Japanese ]
Steve, you are a better
newspaperman than a linguist.
It is good to hear from you.
I just got the message that you called.
Did you finish with your experiments?
Yes, I finished.
- Good. Let's have dinner tonight.
- Steve, make it tomorrow.
Emiko is coming over this evening,
and she said it was important.
- All right. I'll check with you tomorrow.
- That will be fine, Steve.
Sayonara.
[ Steve Narrating ] The marriage
between Emiko and Dr. Serizawa...
had been arranged
when they were both children.
And while Emiko wasn't in love
with the great scientist...
she had great respect
and admiration for him.
It proved difficult for her to tell him
she was going to marry Ogata.
- [ Radio ]
- It...
It's good to have you home,
Dr. Serizawa.
It is good to be back, Emiko.
I'm glad we have this time together.
There is something important
I must tell you.
[ Radio Switches Off ]
But there is something far more
important which I must show you.
Eh?
- Come with me.
- [ Murmurs Agreement ]
[ Machinery Humming, Clicking ]
[ Exclaims ]
[ Machine Whirring ]
Stand back!
[ Screams ]
Emiko-san!
The world must not know of this.
Promise to keep my secret.
[ Murmurs Agreement ]
I won't even tell my father.
What happened?
Nothing.
Nothing.
[ Explosion ]
[ Explosion ]
[ Explosions Continue ]
Father, what is it?
They are so wrong.
Godzilla should not be destroyed.
He should be studied.
Emiko...
please, leave me alone.
Hai.
[ Steve Narrating ] By the end
of the day, it was generally assumed...
that the underwater demolition
had ended...
the short but terrible reign
of Godzilla.
There was a feeling of relief
throughout Tokyo...
even celebration.
But both the hope
and celebration were short-lived.
[ Tropical ]
[ Thunderous Pounding ]
- [ Woman Gasps ]
- [ Roaring ]
[ People Screaming ]
Godzilla!
[ Screaming Continues ]
[ Panicked Shouting ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
Within minutes, the city was aware...
that Godzilla was inside Tokyo Harbor.
Among the people,
there was a state of panic.
[ Japanese ]
The military used every man
and machine available...
in an effort to stem
the oncoming terror.
- Has Emiko returned?
- [ Emiko] Hai.
- [ Klaxon Siren Sounds ]
- [ Thunderous Pounding ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Emiko ]
Ogata-san!
I couldn't tell Dr. Serizawa about us.
I understand, Emiko.
[ Siren Winds Down ]
[ Pounding Continues ]
[ Roaring ]
[ Sirens Wailing ]
Let's go up on the hill.
[ Shouting In Japanese ]
[ People Screaming ]
[ People Laughing ]
[ People Screaming ]
[ Screaming, Shouting ]
- [ Man ] He's leaving!
- [ Roaring ]
[ Man #2 ]
But he will be back.
[ Steve Narrating ]
The damage had been severe...
but fortunately confined
to the dock section of the city.
Godzilla was still in Tokyo Bay...
and there was every reason
to believe he would return...
unless some means
was found to stop him.
[ Japanese ]
Steve.
- Hey, Steve.
- Hi, Tomo.
- What did you run out of the meeting for?
- Got to get this story off to the paper.
- Anything happen after I left?
- Yes.
They're making one last
big effort to stop him.
- And what's that?
- Come here. I'll show you.
Tokyo is surrounded
by high-tension electrical towers.
To get to the heart of the city...
Godzilla would have to break through
300,000 volts of electricity.
The officials are trying to have
everything ready by nightfall.
Now I must report back
to my station.
All right.
And thanks, Tomo.
- So long, Steve.
- Sayonara.
[ Steve Narrating ] The security officials
ordered a general evacuation...
of all nonessential personnel.
It was a monumental job,
but a job which had to be done.
[ Panicked Shouting ]
[ Man Over P.A. In Japanese ]
[ Steve Narrating ] By nightfall,
everyone was off the streets.
The news office commanded
a good view of Tokyo...
and was receiving all reports
directly from security headquarters.
This tape recording
is for George Lawrence...
United World News,
Chicago, U.S.A.
[ Steve Narrating ] Everyone remaining
in the city was on a watch-and-wait basis.
[ Steve Narrating ] Everyone remaining
in the city was on a watch-and-wait basis.
The wait was not a long one.
George, here in Tokyo, time has been
turned back two million years.
This is my report as it happens.
A prehistoric monster
the Japanese call Godzilla...
has just walked out of Tokyo Bay.
He's as tall as a 30-story building.
And now he's making his way
toward the city's main line of defense:
300,000 volts of electricity
strung around the city as a barrier...
a barrier against Godzilla.
[ Buzzer Sounds ]
[ Roaring ]
[ Roaring ]
I can hardly believe
what has just happened.
Now it seems Tokyo has no defense.
[ Roaring ]
[ Panicked Shouting ]
[ Screaming ]
[ Sirens Wailing ]
They're moving an entire tank corps
to point-blank firing range.
I'm saying a prayer, George -
a prayer for the whole world.
George, the tanks have been
wiped out by a wall of flames.
Neither man nor his machines
are able to stop this creature.
[ Screaming ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Japanese Continues Over Radio ]
[ Roaring ]
[ Shouts In Japanese ]
[ Man Screams ]
[ Panicked Shouting ]
[ Shouting Continues ]
[ Roaring ]
Godzilla has turned
the heart of Tokyo into a sea of fire.
Beneath the flames,
thousands lie dead or dying.
[ Tolling ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Roaring ]
[ Screaming ]
Nothing can save the city now.
[ Roaring ]
[ Man Over P.A. In Japanese ]
[ Rumbling, Crashing ]
[ Man On P.A. Continues ]
- This is it, George.
- [ Roaring ]
Steve Martin
signing off from Tokyo, Japan.
[ Roaring ]
[ Japanese ]
- [ Announcer Speaking Japanese ]
- [ Godzilla Roaring ]
[ Japanese ]
[ Shouting, Cheering ]
[ Woman Screaming ]
[ Screaming Continues ]
[ Woman Sobbing ]
Watch it!
Hi, Emiko.
You've been sleeping very nervously.
- Hello, Ogata.
- Hello, Steve.
Anything new develop?
[ Emiko ]
Nothing new will develop unless -
- [ Ogata ] Unless what?
- I was shown a terrible secret...
which is probably the only weapon
which could destroy Godzilla.
- What is it?
- I promised Dr. Serizawa...
never to reveal his secret to anyone.
Emiko...
Emiko, last night
Tokyo was destroyed.
Tomorrow it might be
Osaka or Yokohama.
If you can help, you must.
[ Emiko ]
When I went to see Dr. Serizawa...
I had intended to tell him
about Ogata and me...
but there was something
he wanted to show me first.
[ Japanese ]
[ Screams ]
[ Emiko ] Dr. Serizawa had been
experimenting with oxygen...
when he came upon
a terrible chemical discovery -
a way to destroy
all oxygen in water...
thereby disintegrating
all living matter.
An amount no larger
than a baseball...
could turn Tokyo Bay
into a graveyard.
Serizawa had found
a terrible destructive power...
and until he could find
a counteracting good...
that would come
from this discovery...
he didn't want the world
to know his secret.
[ Japanese ]
[ Liquid Bubbling ]
He made me promise
never to tell what I had seen.
[ Ogata ]
Emiko, we need Serizawa's help.
There's no other way.
If I could only see him...
just talk to him.
Perhaps I can change his mind.
Ogata will go with me.
Whatever you do, Emiko,
you mustn't fail.
[ Ogata ]
Serizawa-san.
Sit down.
Doctor, I know of
your Oxygen Destroyer.
- We must have it.
- I don't know what you are talking about!
I broke my promise, Serizawa.
I told Steve Martin and Ogata.
They both agree.
You must use your Oxygen Destroyer
against Godzilla. [ Sobbing ]
- No.
- [ Ogata ] Serizawa-san!
Serizawa-san!
- Ah, Serizawa-san!
- Let go!
- We must have the formula! We must!
- Let go!
Please stop!
- [ Men Shouting ]
- [ Glass Clattering ]
[ Emiko Screams ]
[ Ogata ]
Serizawa-san!
Ogata-san!
[ Serizawa ]
Ogata-san!
Sorry, Ogata.
The Oxygen Destroyer
cannot be used.
If we don't defend ourselves
from Godzilla now...
what will become of us?
And what will become of us
if a weapon such as I now have...
falls into the wrong hands?
Then you have a responsibility
no man has ever faced.
You have your fear,
which might become reality...
and you have Godzilla,
which is reality.
[ Gasps ]
[ Man On TV ] Attention.
Attention, people of Japan.
At this moment,
a nationwide prayer...
is being observed for the survivors
of devastated Tokyo.
The voices of our children
are raised in a prayer...
for the courage to surmount
the destruction of today...
and look forward with hope...
for peace and light.
[ Girls' Choir: Japanese ]
[ Continues ]
[ Continues ]
[ Continues ]
[ Continues ]
[ Continues ]
[ TV Switches Off ]
Have you decided?
Yes. But this must be
the only time...
the Oxygen Destroyer
will be used.
[ Sobbing ]
- [ Geiger Counter Clicking ]
- [ Steve Narrating ] The boat...
finding the location of Godzilla...
the Oxygen Destroyer -
all these have been accomplished.
Serizawa insisted upon helping
Ogata place the weapon.
[ Man ]
And now the divers are descending.
We ask the whole world
to stand by.
They have reached the bottom.
[ Shouting In Japanese ]
Serizawa!
Serizawa! Serizawa!
[ Man ]
One diver is up. It is Ogata.
Dr. Serizawa has not yet
started his ascent.
[ Excited Chattering ]
[ Water Churning Loudly ]
Serizawa! Serizawa-san!
[ Japanese ]
Serizawa-san!
Ogata, it is working!
Live happily with Emiko.
Good-bye.
Serizawa!
Pull the line up!
Answer me! Serizawa!
Serizawa!
[ Bellowing ]
[ People Murmuring ]
People of the world,
Godzilla is dead.
Give us strength to rebuild
our beloved land.
[ Weeping ]
He said, Be happy together."
[ Sobbing ]
[ Steve Narrating ]
The menace was gone.
So was a great man.
But the whole world
could wake up and live again.
[ Thunderous Pounding ]
[ Pounding Continues ]