**Corrections** 40:24 - 1.70M tickets lol 43:43 - Banno denied the Africa storyline for a Hedorah sequel in an interview with Sci-Fi Japan, saying that it might have been for another project he had. 44:26 - Roger Holden created the idea for Godzilla 2001 and Banno had encouraged him to develop it further. 48:59 - animistic* Apologies for the long wait on this one, had a lot of Summer plans so I didn't have many opportunities to sit down and write/record/edit. Hope you enjoy!

Back in 1972, my brother took me to see this film at the cinema-I was four. I cannot explain the profound impression this film made on me at such a young age. The scenes with cat and mahjong players shocked me, and the animated sequences captivated me. I love everything about this film. For years I tried tracking down the soundtrack. And seeing Godzilla fly as a kid was a blast. Twenty years after seeing this film, I paid a person to dub it off of laserdisc onto VHS. I was intrigued by the number of scenes I had remembered from such a young age. To this day, people think I’m being facetious when I say it’s my favorite Godzilla film. I had a similar experience with Godzilla vs Gigan, but while Gigan is fun and has interesting aspects (the manga theme), no Godzilla film beats this film for me. I even made a friend who returned from NYU Film School watch this film with me after he forced me to watch Godard film. He lucked out since Godzilla vs Hedorah is better than ANY Godard film. “Cinema is Godzilla at 24 frames-per-second.” -Jean-Luc Godard

I like to think that some crazy marketing executive had the cast-iron balls to trek all the way to Monster Island to somehow get Godzilla's permission to make officially licensed toys based on him, and what's even crazier, Godzilla agreed.

Bill, the old people (After researching), Banno was asked that and the interviewer said " I finally remembered to ask Banno-san about the older people who watch the concert at the foot of Mt. Fuji just before the final battle between Hedorah and Godzilla. He explained that they were peasant farmers and that they were shown to emphasize the generational gap. The concert in the film was based on a real one (or a series of concerts) that took place at the foot of Mt. Fuji around that time. "

I owe you a big thank you Mr. Bill. I hadn’t touched Godzilla in such a long time, that when I stumbled across your Godzilla movie reviews, I started watching the movies again with a giant wave of nostalgia. I got some art I drew commissioned of Titanosaurus and SpaceGodzilla, bought a 1954 figure and started watching the movies again with my fellow soldiers. So far I’ve watched vs. Megalon, vs. SpaceGodzilla, and Final Wars with my buddies. I’m dreading having to watch the Minilla movies.

Honestly my favorite Godzilla film besides the original. So creative and experimental. There’s nothing else like it.

This movie is the reason I'm a Godzilla fan today. After seeing this weird, funny, and genuinely frightening head-trip of a film, I knew I had to watch the entire franchise!

This movie is the strangest Godzilla film ever and hedorah is the greatest antagonist in this movie even though the movie is all over the place but still it’s my favorite Godzilla film

I've always really liked this one, it's weird and uneven but it's that strangeness mixed with the sincere message that draws me to it and I think makes it stand out in such a good way compared to films preceding and the next couple following it. Hedorah is also one of my all time favorite of Godzilla's enemies, it's a really cool design & a pretty inspired concept. I remember watching Shin Godzilla in the theater and being struck by the similarities to Hedorah in terms of the constant evolution of forms and the "experts" being totally wrong in their predictions of it's abilities. I like that in recent years Hedorah and his movie of origin are becoming increasingly loved and appreciated. Can't wait for the next video, Godzilla Vs Gigan might be a pretty average movie but Gigan is another enemy monster that I absolutely love for just how insane of a design he is.

As a kid I was a slave to whatever the networks chose to play. Since the day after Thanksgiving was Godzilla day on channel 9 (I think it was 9) this one always reminds me of late 70s/early 80s holiday season Hell, the original was NEVER on tv when I was a kid. There was always the same handful shown and this is one of them

BRILLIANT! Bill, I don't know if you picked up on this, but look at, ultimately, how Hedorah is beaten: With electricity that can only be provided by Godzilla's atomic breath. If we truly want to fight against environmental damage, we have to stop belching smog into the air and use only electricity that is created from nuclear power. I mean, maybe that wasn't actually an intended message, but now that I've seen it, I have to inflict this on the rest of the world.

I’m happy you’ve remade all the Showa series with your current style and depth. I’m looking forward to seeing the rest!

Yeah, Godzilla flies, but this movie is great. The crazy psychedelic aesthetic and the music, the atmosphere. So good

Love all the history about Japan's trouble past with companies and pollution. Really does make me appreciate the film a lot more. The film is a lot more deeper than I think people give it credit for. This is probably one of your best ones so far. I can't help but see that construction worker jumping from the building and trying to end his life before Hedorah got him, is a metaphor for the poor people that decided to kill themselves when they were stricken with such painful lung disease and crippling asthma. :/ Very dark 😦

Banno's dedication in king of the monsters further proves my point of the film being a true Godzilla film by a fan for the fans.

Interesting that "return the sun" is opening song and the first scene with Godzilla has him juxtaposed with the sun. Nice touch.

Godzilla vs Hedorah feels like it's so close to being one of the greats. I really like the idea of Godzilla, the embodiment of nuclear fear, going up against a new age threat like Hedorah, the fear of pollution, and would have liked if the movie focused on that aspect a bit more. Anyway great video, I can't wait to see your take on Gigan.

WOW! "EYES?" and not eggs? I have been wrong about this since I was 11yrs old! Always thought this film was wackadoodle as a kid, but I'm in my 50s now, and can appreciate the film's eccentricities, the stone-cold brutal message, the unique visuals, and the realization of just how powerful and toxic Hedorah was. Ghidorah is often touted as Godzilla's deadliest enemy, but I would argue that Hedorah is certainly nothing to sneeze at.

Bill. If you're reading this I must say this was my most anticipated video of the Showa era part of your retrospective and you did not disapoint. Thank you.

This is one of my favorite Goji films. It's so trippy! It seemed like it was always on TV when I was a kid.

Great video! Hedorah is the strongest enemy of the Showa era. Mr. Banno was on to something when making this. If Mr. Tanaka banned list exist, I would hope that Roland Emmerich, Kōbun Shizuno and Hiroyuki Seshita are a part of it. I don’t want any more complaints about this movie or Godzilla‘s Revenge. With all that aside, thank you, Mr. Banno for giving us the MonsterVerse. As well as give us a creature who should be the rightful choice to end the MonsterVerse.

This was a joy to watch. I consider this movie one of my favorites, and just as an important social commentary as 1954 and 2016.

You're getting close to the one I've been waiting for, Jet Jaga!

I love this movie. I remember as a kid On thanksgiving watching The Godzilla movies

After waiting for days and days…this finally comes out! Yay! Thank you Big Action Bill!!

He’ll yeah! Love this movie! Always felt really bad for the kitty though

I unironically think this movie is on par with the original in terms of quality.

Favorite Showa era Godzilla movie. Awesome night for a Big Action Bill upload!

I know this movie often gets canned, but it's my favorite godzilla movie. My dad made a recording on vhs of it for me when I was 3 or 4 and I couldn't stop watching it.

I love your content man. I'm going through a major kaiju phase. Godzilla vs Hedora is one of my favorite Godzilla movies. The early 70s psychedelia, the environmental message, Hedora huffing the smoke stacks, it all comes together to make an enjoyable viewing experience. All the shots of pollution and sludge are gross. They leave an impression for sure. I always loved the lyrics in the intro song. Great video man. Have you covered Gamera yet? I would love to see an in depth dive into those too!

Now THIS one I've been waiting for. Even more than most in the series.

Ayyyyyyyyeee! Thanks for dropping the vid!!

I always found this movie to be the most disturbing godzilla movie for how much death you see in this movie, the scene of people getting drowned in sludge and scenes of dozens of people suddenly dying and shots of the skeleton corpses will forever haunt me.

Thanks man been looking forward to this one

Another great video, worth waiting for.

THIS IS THE ONE I'VE BEEN MOST EXCITED FOR!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

Another banger of a video!!! Keep 'em coming!

YAAAAS! I’ve been dying for this one! Love your channel!

This was probably the most viscerally frightening and dark Godzilla movie since the original. Yeah, not all of it worked, but what did work, REALLY worked.

I've been waiting on this one!

It will never cease to amaze me the amount of history you craft into these videos, keep up the good work!

It rocks how in these movies kaiju are not only real and cause unfathomable devastation, they are also marketed to children.

The man is BACK!

I’ve been waiting for you to cover this one. And I’m super happy you did. I love this movie for how weird it is

Another amazing retrospective, you never dissapoint Bill

Seeing a new Big Action Bill vid makes me ecstatic. My son (bigger Goji fan than me) and I love watching your videos and he's only 3.

I utterly adore Godzilla Vs. Hedorah

The history intros are what make these videos so timeless. I love you for introducing me to this amazing franchise!

Welcome back Bill and thank you for another excellent video! Very underrated showa entry filled with unique imagery and a scary enemy kaiju. Thanks for clearing up the eyeball scene at the end too, always thought they were Hedorah eggs

This was one of the few VHS tapes I had of godzilla movies growing up so I got to watch it a lot as a kid. Thank you for providing the history behind it.

Godzilla vs Hedorah is one of my favorite Godzilla movies!

It's crazy to see how your videos have improved over the years. From your research to your writing and your editing. Seriously, top notch stuff. 👌

Unironically one of my all-time favorite Godzilla films, easily in the top 10 (and outranking G2014!) I splurged for a DVD copy of a Laserdisc of the AIP edition, and haven't regretted it! (The superior dub! -- one of its lines is still a favorite saying of mine in real life. "We shall see: it will be an experiment.) Plenty of callbacks to G54/55, weird artistic tone, probably the most monster action percentage by a large margin, plot stays focused on the problem(s) (mostly). One of the best villain kaiju of all time, worthy of the recent anniversary shorts featuring him (especially Shin Hedorah). For me its features far outweigh its problems.

I just want to thank you for making the absolute best Godzilla films retrospectives on the internet. They're such a treat.

The videos flow into one another really well in the playlist too. Makes it easy to listen back to back.

Once again great video Bill! This is probably my favorite Godzilla movie. If not, definitely top 5.

I adore this insane movie. I describe it to people who have never seen it as "the only psychedelic Godzilla movie".

Welcome back! This was a very very nice surprise to see. Thanks as always

This is a great presentation. I saw this at my hometown theatre when I was a kid back in the early 70's. Thanks for posting!

Yay. Been waiting for the next video 👏👏👏

Appreciate you for all these vids man. I binged every single one and learned a lot doing so.

I always look forward to these videos Bill! And you’ve inspired me to make video essays as well! Keep up the great work!

I love these videos. They give much of my childhood experiences greater depth and perspective. Keep up the excellent work!

He’s back!! And I couldn’t be more happy!

This has always been my fave Big G movie since i was a kid. I was lucky to see a showing in a theater of this + Rodan at a rented out old cinema and even though it was the dubbed version it was still awesome seeing it so big. Keep up the awesome work!

This has always been one of my favorite of the Showa movies, for sure. It's weird, surreal, creepy, and really dark. Even though Japan's drug laws are this side of draconian compared to here in the US (based on what I know anyway), and I'm pretty sure no illegal drugs were involved in its making, I always joke about how the makers of the movie were on the good drugs when making it! I also really like the music; it's minimal and sparse, heightening the tension in the monster battle scenes, though the attempts at acid rock were charmingly awkward. Fun fact; Keiko Mari's and Adryan Russ' singing voices sound remarkably similar! True, this movie does a lot of changing tone on the fly, but for me that's another part of its charm. It's unique, and that's why I love it so. It was interesting to hear you correct some of the stories surrounding this movie, further, so I'm glad I watched it now. Good show!

The subtle love lovecraftian vibes always do it for me in this film along with just how artistically shot it is. Easily one of my favorite of the era visually

I love this movie! Thank you for your review and deep dive into this classic movie.

I thought you were done with these and I was heart broken! I’m so hype for the rest of these!!!!

This is one of my favorite Godzilla movies. It’s so wild and weird, filled with a bunch of random, odd, weird scenes, such as the cartoons, the psychedelic nightclub scene, the old people watching the youths who are never explained, and all the deaths. Hedorah is one of my favorite kaiju.

Nice! Hype to see you back, Big Action Bill

Amazing stuff!

This was my favorite Godzilla movie as a child and headorah is definitely one of my favorite monsters I still think this holds up today

Very good retrospective. You finally put into words the way I've always felt about the strange cartoon fat guy music Godzilla has in this one.

42:00 I actually discovered your channel when I was doing research for a college project. I had to make a presentation about cultural differences, and I used Gojira/Godzilla: King of the Monsters as my example. Your history video about the 1954 original helped a lot with it!

Glad to see another video! Keep up the good work boss

This movie is in my top 10.

It's definitely one of my favorite Godzilla movies. I think it was the first one I saw as a kid. I remember it being the scariest Godzilla movie, too. Thanks for the history and knowledge from this classic.

I have waited a long time for this. Now, I'm gonna enjoy it.

I love your content, thanks for the upload.

Great video Bill, love your video. Ths was one of my favorite Godzilla movies.

Hedorah was in Final Wars, but really didn't do anything other than look angry.

Really interesting video, great job

BA Bill, damn good retrospective and Analysis of the societal factors inspiring this movie. At first look seems like just a fun, crazy Kaiju movie had a lot of serious metaphors put into it. Your research is on point.

i love these videos please never stop lol

Thanks for the video seeing this brings back memories of having this with rest of my godzilla vhs collection as kid

This film scared me as a kid. Hedorah’s design gave me the spooks.

I feel really sick right now, but since Bill uploaded one of my favorite types of videos to watch, I will try to watch it now.

When Big Action Bill uploads a new Godzilla vid, it's a good day

I love this one! I used to watch it a lot as kid for some reason so it's pretty nostalgic for me. I didn't realize how bizarre it was back then tho..

Great video as always! Did not expect a Sopranos reference. Nice use of Little Carmine. The sacred and the propane.

Yes! New video! I appreciate the Home Movies reference.

I love the flying scene. It's the best showcase for the wide scope of cinema

Great job with the retrospective on these videos. Yeah, this was a favorite and brought back a lot of memories when it was on rotating showings on local tv on Saturday afternoons or post thanksgiving marathon. It was the first and ahead of it's time to address pollution/environment even in a odd, entertaining way.

Bro I really hope your channel blows up some, these are proper quality quality videos. one of my favourite KZfaqrs hands down. Take as long as you need with these uploads

Very Cool stuff!

I actually just rewatched this one the other night. As campy as it can be, it's always been a favorite of the Showa era for me. It's not nearly as good as say, DAM, but it's better than a lot of the other entries around it. I've loved Hedorah since fighting him on Jupiter in the NES Godzilla game. It was always a shame to me that he never went into his flying form in the game despite them having the artwork for it in the end credits. I love the music in this film. It's such a departure, but that's not a bad thing. It's like '74 MG. What a wild time that score is, and I can't get enough. I love your videos and can't wait for the next one!

Woooo thats what I've been waiting for

Can’t believe I missed this upload, gonna bug me all week now! Not one of my favourites but very unique. If anything Godzilla vs. Hedorah is one of the most out there Godzilla films it’s weird and psychedelic that it’s no wonder Banno went on to work on Prophecies of Nostradamus which I hope you will cover in great detail one day.

I've always loved this one. Maybe my favorite. Dark and funny, weird and profound. The cartoon segments really add a spice and oddness I find great. It was just neat to see this as a kid and have such familiar parts mixed with such gore and horror as well, all centered around Godzilla and a fearsome and different foe.