BT1886

Gorgo

Despite theatrical posters boasting that it was “Like Nothing You’ve Ever Seen Before!”, Eugène Lourié’s Gorgo is less groundbreaking than it is a fusion of pre-existing works—part Toho’s Godzilla, part 1933’s King Kong. The key difference: here the monster survives, an idea reportedly suggested by Lourié’s daughter. No, Gorgo isn’t a masterpiece, but it’s better than I expected. Bill Travers and William Sylvester give pretty flat, forgettable performances, yet the effects work managed to keep me engaged. The miniatures are wonderful, the compositing often impressive, and the destruction sequences carry a surprising amount of weight to them. During the rampage scene, the camerawork turns frantic, evoking real panic and chaos in a way that worked extremely well. It doesn’t feel particularly unique, but the craft truly carries it. Paired with Angelo Lavagnino’s lush orchestral score, Gorgo earns its place—small but distinct—in the history of kaiju cinema. • Watched in 2025 — Ranked (https://boxd.it/C7Jq6)