Updated packaging art for GHIDORAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER and INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER. The DVDs will be available online and from stores on June 5th. Photo courtesy of Classic Media. © 1964, 1965 Toho Co., Ltd.

Latest Info and Images for Upcoming Godzilla DVDs Author: Keith Aiken Source: Classic Media Official site: Godzilla on DVD

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Region 1 DVDs of the fifth and sixth Godzilla films, GHIDORAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER and INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER (aka MONSTER ZERO), will be available from online retailers and in stores on June 5th. The good folks at Classic Media have provided some information detailing what fans can expect from the upcoming releases.

Sample menu screens for the upcoming DVDs. Photos courtesy of Classic Media. © 1964, 1965 Toho Co., Ltd./2007 Classic Media

* GHIDORAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER and INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER are Toho’s official English titles for these films and are used for these DVDs at Toho’s request. * The GHIDORAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER DVD includes the 1964 Japanese version SAN DAIKAIJU CHIKYU SAIDAI NO KESSEN (Three Giant Monsters: The Greatest Battle on Earth) and the 1965 American edit, GHIDRAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER. Contrary to rumors and online speculation, both versions of the film will be presented in their original anamorphic widescreen theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The Japanese version of GHIDORAH was sourced from a 35mm low-contrast positive print from Toho Studios and is newly remastered for these DVD. Audio tracks are a 2 track mono mix, with removable English subtitles that were newly translated by JAMPS, Inc. The American version was also provided by Toho and bears the original US title GHIDRAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER. This is the first time the film will be available on DVD in North America.

Frame grabs from the Classic Media GHIDORAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER DVD. Rows 1-2: Japanese version, Rows 3-5: US version. Photos courtesy of Classic Media. © 1964 Toho Co., Ltd.

* Classic Media’s INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER DVD features the Japanese version KAIJU DAISENSO (The Great Monster War, 1965) and the US release MONSTER ZERO (1970), both in the original anamorphic widescreen theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. KAIJU DAISENSO comes to DVD for the first time in North America. The Japanese version was remastered from a 35mm low-contrast positive print from Toho Studios and comes with a 2 track mono mix plus newly translated removable English subtitles. The American version comes from UPA’s archives and has a MONSTER ZERO title card (rather than the later retitling GODZILLA VS MONSTER ZERO).

INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER frame grabs. Rows 1-3: Japanese version, Rows 4-5: US version. Photos courtesy of Classic Media. © 1964 Toho Co., Ltd.

* Packaging will be identical to Classic Media`s recent DVDs of GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN and MOTHRA VS GODZILLA. * Previous Classic Media DVD releases were distributed by Sony BMG, a division of Sony Entertainment that is separate from Sony Pictures. Sony BMG has shut down the DVD division to focus on its core music business, so the upcoming Godzilla DVDs will be distributed by Genius Products. * In addition to the two Godzilla films, Classic Media will release GODZILLA:THE ORIGINAL ANIMATED SERIES VOLUME 3 this summer. The DVD will include Episodes 9-12 of the 1978 Hanna-Barbera Saturday morning cartoon show. For more on GHIDORAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER and INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER please see Classic Media`s press release. Official Press Release: