Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)

Film and Plot Synopsis

Godzilla’s evil twin Mechagodzilla first reared its head in this Jun Fukuda–directed film. A robot designed by aliens to conquer Earth, the enduringly popular villain has since been resurrected by Toho Studios several times. With the help of earnest direction, spectacular pyrotechnics, and guest appearances by veteran genre actors, this film recaptures the feel of the sixties Godzilla movies.

‘Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla’ Movie Summary

In the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, Nami Kunigami, an Azumi Royal Family Princess, has a vision of a giant monster destroying a large Japanese city. In a nearby cave, Masahiko Shimizu uncovers a shiny metal object that was made of a material not found on this Earth. Masahiko takes the object to Professor Miyajima of Shuhi University for examination. Meanwhile, Masahiko’s brother, Keisuke, leads an excavation that uncovers a cave filled with ancient artifacts. On the cave wall, a mural stating an ominous prophecy: “When a black mountain appears above the clouds, a huge monster will arise and try to destroy the world; but when the red moon sets and the sun rises in the west, two monsters shall appear to save the people.” Keisuke joins another archaeologist, Saeko Kaneshiro, who translates the prophecy and removes a statue of Okinawa’s guardian monster, King Caesar. Two bad guys, with mysterious black rings, follow them and unsuccessfully attempt to steal the statue from the artifact diggers.

Right on cue, a black cloud, resembling a mountain, appears in the sky. Shortly thereafter, Mount Fuji explodes and Godzilla emerges to begin destroying everything in sight. Godzilla’s former rival and tag team partner, Anguirus, arrives to fight the King of All Monsters, but is no match for the King. Anguirus has his jaw split open by Godzilla during the battle, so Anguirus retreats.

Keisuke checks in with Masahiko and Miyajima as Godzilla continues its rampage through Japan. Out of nowhere, another Godzilla emerges and begins battling the Mount Fuji Godzilla. During their battle, Mount Fuji Godzilla is exposed as a cyborg imposter called Mechagodzilla. The gigantic robot, armed with rockets and ray beams, is made of the same strange metal discovered by the archeologists. Godzilla is wounded by the rockets, but it uses its own gamma rays to damage Mechagodzilla, who is ordered to retreat by its alien masters.

Keisuke and Saeko return the King Caesar statue to the temple, but are met by the black ring thieves. During a brutal fight, a black ring thief’s face dissolves, revealing their true ape-like persona. The thief attempts to assassinate Keisuke, but a mysterious gunman kills him before Keisuke and Saeko catch a glimpse of the other black ring thief. Meanwhile, Godzilla returns to Monster Island, allowing lightning from a major thunderstorm to heal its wounds and replenish its powers.

During an exploration of the cave holding the space titanium, Masahiko, Miyajima and his daughter, Ikuko are captured by the aliens from the Third Planet of the Black Hole. The apes, who created Mechagodzilla, are using the cyborg in an attempt to conquer Earth. The apeman leader, Kuronuma, forces Professor Miyajima to complete repairs on Mechagodzilla. Saeko moves into a hotel to guard the King Caesar statue, while Keisuke leaves to meet Masahiko at the caves. However, Keisuke is met by a mysterious reporter, who reveals himself as Nanbara, a friendly Interpol agent who has been tracking the aliens from the planet of the apes. After Nanbara and Keisuke infiltrate the apes’ base, they free the trio of prisoners. From there, Keisuke and Ikuko retrieve Saeko and the King Caesar statue, while Miyajima, Nanbara, and Masahiko are recaptured by the ape leader, Kuronuma.

The next morning, the red sun begins to rise in the west, causing the King Caesar statue to shoot beams towards a mountain side. The beams cause the mountain to explode and release the King Caesar monster from its hibernation. A short time later, ape man Kuronuma releases Mechagodzilla, again, forcing the Okinawan priestess to begin singing, waking King Caesar from its deep sleep. Godzilla returns a short time later and joins King Caesar in battling Mechagodzilla. Mechagodzilla gets an advantage on Godzilla, bloodying the monster. However, Godzilla is able to use his electromagnetic personality to get close to Mechagodzilla and tear his head off. Mecha explodes, bringing an abrupt end to this alien war. As the cyborg monster melts away, Nanbara and his allies free themselves, kill the alien ape commander, and destroy the alien’s base. A victorious Godzilla swims off to Monster Island, while its tag team partner, King Caesar, returns to his hibernation in the mountain side. The statue of King Caesar is returned to its home, allowing the House of Azumi to celebrate.

The End.