Japanese version video: 
U.S. version video: 
Audio for both discs is of the same quality. Unlike some other releases, there's no attempt to update the audio into some ridiculous and blatantly obvious 5.1 mix. The film doesn't need it. While the audio portion has definitely taken a beating over the years, it's audible. There's significant popping, the volume tends to fluctuate, and the dialogue has a constant static running behind it. Still, Ifukube's soundtrack comes through beautifully and you won't miss a line of a dialogue.
Japanese version audio:
U.S. version audio:
While extras are few, they offer a lot to discuss. Notable are the gorgeous menus featuring lobby cards, posters, and promotional photos scrolling across the screen as the options come into view. Before that, you can stare in awe at the marvelous case these discs are held in. A sturdy, thick, glossy cardboard case with a classy low-on-flash picture of the creature is simply beautiful.
It's stylish without being gaudy, and to see Gojira (instead of Godzilla) in perfectly sized red letters on the top is something fans on this side of the planet have waited far too long to see. The included 16-page booklet on the movie's history is wonderfully done, too. This is how the film deserves to be presented.
The Japanese disc houses most of the extras, making the apparent compression issues on the U.S. disc even more baffling. Two featurettes are included here, running around 15 minutes each.
The first discusses the Godzilla suit itself. This includes rare photographs, some of which even die-hard fans have never seen. Concept drawings, including some that attempt to make his head resemble a mushroom cloud were tossed for the right reasons. Others show the first suit build in which Nakajima was unable to move when put inside and various storyboards. Steve Ryfle, author of the superb Japan's Favorite Mon-Star narrates this slide show effectively.
The second concerns story development. Here, the first draft of the script is discussed at length; including wildly varying characters, dropped subplots, and a slightly more generic tone overall. Again, Ryfle narrates a slide show of various photos, including one that shows the actual shooting script.
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.