Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Gorgo 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 6, 2023

1961’s “Gorgo” is largely remembered as the giant monster movie with a heart. There’s plenty of destruction in the feature, and even human death, but the production attempts to soften kaiju motivation, making the film more about an angry mother than a more traditional raging beast. Directed by Eugene Lourie, “Gorgo” has a unique personality and interesting locations, taking the action to an Irish island before unleashing mayhem in London, and, as giant monster entertainment goes, there’s some inviting man-in-suit work and miniature construction, acting to balance out some of the cruder special effects of the day. The endeavor certainly loses any sense of timing in the final act, but Lourie has command over the tone of the effort, creating genuinely compelling chaos in a subgenre that’s often loaded with more generic pandemonium.

Captain Joe (Bill Travers) and first officer Sam (William Sylvester) are men of the sea, touring the world on a salvage ship, hunting for hidden treasures. They encounter volcanic activity, soon requiring repairs on their vessel, leading them to seek help on the nearby Nara Island, encountering an Irish community that wants nothing to do with them. Sean (Vincent Winter) is a friendly boy who shows the visitors the riches pulled from the ocean, with village leader, McCartin (Christopher Rhodes), an archaeologist who’s been hoarding the goods. While dealing with diving and rescue missions, Joe and Sam encounter the presence of a giant monster, realizing that trapping such a beast might be more lucrative than collecting gold. Managing to capture the creature, Joe and Sam bring it to London for display in Dorkins Circus, creating community excitement. However, the find, eventually named Gorgo, isn’t going quietly, triggering the arrival of a much-larger mother, who isn’t willing to take it easy on the city, destroying everything in its path.

“Gorgo” takes its time before unleashing any of the creatures, emerging as something of an aquatic adventure film with a hint of intrigue, with Sam and Joe encountering strangeness with McCartin and his access to ancient treasure. The picture takes its time, but the journey to a kaiju appearance is involving, meeting the strangers of the village and dealing with search and rescue operations, which eventually puts Joe in a diving bell, making contact with Gorgo. The feature changes to “King Kong” mode in its second act, which sets up the grand finale of impossible destruction, as London, once delighted to marvel over the captured creature, is suddenly forced to deal with the wrath of mom, as a larger, angrier monster emerges from the deep. It’s here were “Gorgo” finally becomes the movie viewers have been waiting for.

For additional information and analysis, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2013 Blu-ray review.

Gorgo 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Gorgo" was originally released on Blu-ray by VCI in 2013, and Vinegar Syndrome returns to the title a decade later, offering a 4K presentation of the beloved giant monster movie, sourced from its 35mm original negative. Some wear and tear is present during the viewing experience, with light scratches common and some color fluctuation here and there. Detail is inviting, and while there's inherent softness due to technical achievements, the rest of the feature retains interesting textures on human characters and their aged faces, and monster particulars are appealingly rough and rubbery. Exteriors secure excellent dimension, and miniature work is open for inspection. Colors are alert, especially during the final act, which explore circus grounds and city streets, offering rich reds. Skin tones are natural on man and monster, with Gorgo's dark green appearance preserved. Highlights are tasteful. Blacks are deep, doing well with evening activity. Grain is nicely resolved.

Gorgo 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a clear understanding of dialogue exchange, with voices and accents sounding fresh. Scoring supports with compelling instrumentation, retaining an orchestral sound while supporting scenes of discovery and destruction. Monster mayhem eventually breaks out in the feature, and sound effects are reasonably defined, never slipping into distortive extremes.

Gorgo 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Stephen R. Bissette.

• "Gorgo Lives" (36:46, HD) is an interview with "Gorgo" fan Stephen R. Bissette, who details his Vermont upbringing, first catching the film when he was six years old. Bissette fell in love with the picture, spending his formative years collecting merchandise and novelizations (which contained sex scenes not in the feature), and he recalls the history of giant monster movies at the time, with the sensitivity of this title especially enchanting to the boy. The interviewee does a deep dive into the world of comic books and publishing, exploring the history of giant monster books and artists that brought them to life, including Steve Ditko. Bissette offers more evidence of pre-release information, showing off magazines and press books from his collection. He also provides an overview of home media releases, with the original VHS release of "Gorgo" inspiring him to buy a VCR.

• "The 9th Wonder of the World" (31:17, HD) is the making-of for "Gorgo," featuring interviews with film historians C. Courtney Joyner, Ted Newsom, Bob Burns, and Douglas Adamson. The documentary tracks the career of director Eugene Lourie, and the rise of giant monster movies, with the smashing success of "King Kong" inspiring producers to cash-in on a craze. Enter the King Brothers, who wanted in on the fad, taking a chance with "Gorgo" and its unusual English locations. Casting is analyzed, and technical achievements are celebrated, including the creation of Gorgo and cinematographic processes. The feature's legacy is also examined, including a successful theatrical release, a comic book series, and even some knockoffs from around the world.

• Behind-the-Scenes (9:52, SD) is a 2000 look at the making of "Gorgo," tracking the career of director Eugene Lourie, who was inspired to make a more benevolent study of monster destruction to appease his daughter. The featurette also studies the screenwriting journey of "Gorgo," casting highlights, and various technical achievements, including the creation of the eponymous monster.

• "Gorgo: The Monster from the Sea" (34:09, HD) is a video comic book.

• "Waiting for Gorgo" (19:13, HD) is a 2010 short film from director Benjamin Craig.

• Making Of (36:28, SD) examines the creation of "Waiting for Gorgo," with the production making use of spaces at Elstree Studios.

• Image Gallery #1 (5:48) collects lobby cards, poster art, and advertisements.

• Image Gallery #2 (2:19) collects BTS snaps and publicity stills.

• Image Gallery #3 (2:12) examines production notes.

• Image Gallery #4 (2:51) collects poster art, lobby cards, and advertisements (offering fresh scans of all the materials).

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:36, HD) is included.

Gorgo 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Momma monster events claim a huge portion of "Gorgo," which drags out every inch of her arrival. She battles through waves of military defenses on land, sea, and air, and she powers through London, taking down landmarks with ear-wiggling fury. The craftsmanship of it all is fascinating, with some striking imagery blended into clumsy monster movement, and there's an unexpected body count to butch up the picture, watching as Londoners are burned alive and crushed by crumbling buildings. Gorgo's mom isn't playing around. However, as fun as it is to study such carnage and the ruination of London, this aspect of "Gorgo" goes on for what feels like an eternity, with stock footage helping to pad the endeavor. Even at 77 minutes, the feature is too long, going excessive in the end to make sure the target demographic is satisfied. They will be, and those who can handle some editorial indifference should have a decent time too.