Gorgo (film)
Gorgo is a 1961 British science fiction variation on Godzilla (with hints of King Kong). Directed by Eugène Lourié, it tells the story of an underwater monster's capture off the coast of Ireland. The monster is taken to London to be featured as a circus attraction.
Tagline:
Neither Bombs, Bullets, Jets or Rockets Can Stop Gorgo-But This Little Boy Knew His Secret!
Directed by Eugène Lourié
Produced by
Wilfred Eades
Herman King
The film was originally set to take place in Japan; this was then changed to France, and then finally changed to the UK. According to Bill Warren's film book Keep Watching the Skies, Australia was also considered for a locale, but the producers supposedly decided that audiences "wouldn't care" if a monster attacked Australia;
The
film was originally set in Japan. Later, the King Brothers and Eugène Lourié
thought of setting it in Paris, but that would have meant the monster would have
had to wade about 100 miles up the Seine to get to the city. Finally, the location
was changed to Ireland and England.
It is believed that Gorgo was the direct
inspiration for the Toho Kaiju known as Titanosaurus. This beast appeared in Terror
of Mechagodzilla as an ally to the titular monster, going up against legendary
King of the Monsters, Godzilla and ultimately losing. Similarities in design between
Titanosaurus and Gorgo are apparent, including the identical roar and somewhat
similar body design (although Titanosaurus had a fish-like tail fin, and a "mohawk"
fin on his head.
Cast
Bill
Travers - Joe Ryan
William Sylvester - Sam Slade
Vincent Winter - Sean
Christopher Rhodes - McCartin
Joseph O'Conor - Professor Hendricks
Bruce Seton - Professor Flaherty
Martin Benson - Dorkin
Maurice Kaufmann
- Radio Reporter
Basil Dignam - Admiral Brooks
Barry Keegan - Mate
Tommy Duggan - First Naval Officer
Howard Lang - First Colonel
Dervis
Ward - Bosun
John Breslin - Soldier
Nigel Green -
Bulletin Announcer
Plot
Synopsis
As
the film commences, Captain Joe Ryan is salvaging for treasure off the coast of
Ireland, when a volcano erupts, nearly sinking his ship. Ryan and his first officer,
Sam Slade, take the ship to Nara Island for repairs. As they enter harbour, they
discover the floating carcasses of marine animals, the first hint that something
dangerous was awoken by the volcano eruption.
Ryan and Slade consult the harbour master, who also has archeological pretensions: he has been salvaging a Viking longship in the harbour. Some of his men have disappeared mysteriously; it turns out that one has died of fear. After dark, a monstrous creature surfaces, attacks a group of fishermen, then comes ashore to wreak havoc on the island. This reptilian creature, which somewhat resembles Godzilla or a giant carnosaur from the Mesozoic era, is supposedly 65 feet tall. The people of the island finally drive it off.
Ryan and his crew manage to capture the monster and haul it aboard their ship, tying it to the deck. Soon, university scientists arrive on Nara, hoping to collect the monster for study, but Ryan has been offered a better deal by the owner of a circus in London. When the ship arrives in London, the circus owner names it "Gorgo", after the Gorgons of Classical mythology (though it actually bears no resemblance to them). It is exhibited to the public in Battersea Park (in a scene reminiscent of Carl Denham's exhibition of the giant ape King Kong).
The scientists examine Gorgo, and conclude that he is not yet an adult, and that his mother must be nearly 200 feet tall. On that note of foreboding, we cut to Nara Island as Gorgo's mother attacks. She trashes the island, sinks a Royal Navy destroyer, and resists attack from other warships. Later, she comes ashore in London, still looking for her offspring, and destroys Tower Bridge and Big Ben, despite being bombarded by tanks and infantry. Royal Air Force jets attack her, but with no effect. Having demolished much of London, she rescues Gorgo, and both monsters return to the sea.
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