To me, this movie is rather heartbreaking. Who would have suffered more from the effects of nuclear power (in all its manifestations) than the Japanese at that time? Who would have seen more radiation burns and sickness than they? Who had seen two of their major cities disappear in the space of seconds? Is it just possible the Americanization was designed, not only to make the film more marketable, but to obscure the metaphor? It's hard not to think of this, especially with the current Japanese nuclear troubles.
The film itself, whether in the Americanized or original version, is better than any of its descendants, and far less campy. Though I do enjoy the later ones because of their campy outlandishness, this one stands somberly alone.
The film itself, whether in the Americanized or original version, is better than any of its descendants, and far less campy. Though I do enjoy the later ones because of their campy outlandishness, this one stands somberly alone.