The 1954 Godzilla features a heavy rubber suit as it’s main monster. The films entirely practical effects relied on the ingenuity and work of a team of creatives dedicated to bringing Godzilla to life.
Before Godzilla, similar films commonly used stop motion to create their creatures. However, the idea came to film a performed in the costume to provide for easier filming as well as higher resolution on their available equipment.
The first prototype for the suit included layers of latext, wires, and bamboo. The suit actor, Haruo Nakajima, recalled it being impossible to move in and more similar to a statue than something wearable. The second suit however used urethane stuffed with bamboo and wiring, using liquid plastic for the exterior. The final suit weighed over 200 pounds.
The studio itself was also incredibly hot with the actor not being able to last more than a few minutes at a time within the suit. The special effects assistant Teruyoshi Nakano explained
“The person who wears the suit becomes nervous and anxious… During summertime it’s very hot, it can become hell in there. But Mr. Nakajima always persevered. He acted in the suit underwater, he was buried underground, he withstood pyrotechnic explosions…and through it all he was always Godzilla”
The special effects team also created miniatures to construct a replica Tokyo. Eiji Tsuburuya, the special effects director, noted the use of over 500 miniature buildings. They were modeled with realism in mind ensuring accurate weathering and consistent scaling. They were even told to remake their work on multiple occasions during filming.
The film also utilized unique filming techniques such as “dry for wet” filming. This technique places a tank of water or aquarium between the camera and it’s subject to give the illusion of being underwater. These shots are marked as being notably impressive for the period of it’s release.
The music in the film came from a similar creative process. Akira Ifukube, the films composer, created the iconic road using a coarse leather glove on a contrabass and adding reverb. The footsteps were a drum and knotted rope. Ifukube created each of Godzilla’s iconic sounds by himself on a sound stage.
The special effects of this film remain iconic and stand the test of time. In a modern world of computer generated special effects looking back at the genius and practical effects highlights the sense the sense of wonder film can hold. Godzilla utilizes it’s practical effects to create a haunting and eerie atmosphere that emphasizes the scale of Godzilla’s destruction.
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