The critical issue here is the deletion of any and all references to the bomb. The phrase “Atom bomb” is only spoken once throughout the entire film. Serizawa's eventual sacrifice fails to elicit the same response as the love triangle was drastically trimmed, and, of course, the nuclear drama isn't serving as an extra subplot.
Un-translated scenes cause confusion, like a scene in which Japanese politicians begin a shouting match on whether or not the public should hear the truth. Without knowing what they're saying, it's impossible to know why the scene breaks down into an ugly debate.
Other poor edits include characters magically coming back to life because of careless narration by the script and a happier ending that's inappropriate (though no different than any other standard U.S. creature feature at the time). Burr's role does add an interesting angle to the story as he comments on the creature's epic rampage from a window above Tokyo for the paper he writes for back home. It creates a fair sense of drama and his performance, one of the earliest of his career, is fantastic.
No matter how well handled the changes, it's hard to go back after seeing the movie in its uncut form. So much is lost that the cutting of any piece of the film becomes unforgivable. On its own, it's a fine addition to the long line of '50s giant monster efforts. Without the message, it falls into the crowd.
Japanese version: 
U.S. version: 
Besides the drastic change in tone between the two separate takes on the story, the first thing to jump out at you is the new Japanese print struck from a 35mm negative. Damage to the print is expected. Stock footage sequences and matte shots still show some excessive wear (and always will). However, the clarity, black levels, contrast, and sharpness eclipse Toho's own DVD effort.
Where the region-2 disc was slightly fuzzy and worn, this transfer is close to being an entirely new film on its own. Godzilla's rampage is stunning, the detailing of the miniatures and suit coming off the screen like they never have previously.
The same cannot be said for the American disc in this set. Using the same print from Classic Media's previous Godzilla DVD release, the transfer is actually worse. Compression is the culprit, muddying out the picture. It lacks a defined crispness. Other aspects, including the black levels, are fine. They're no better or worse than the preceding disc.
Article comments
1 - duane
What misnomers?
2 - Matt Paprocki
Those that place the film in the same category as the campy child-friendly 70s disasters. I've met many a person who have no idea what the original film was/is.
3 - duane
Oh, you mean misconceptions. OK, thanks.