After weeks of teasing, Criterion unleashed the trailer for its 1000th title - a collection of classic Godzilla films. Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1945 - 1975 arrives this October.
The trailer offers an inside-look at the Blu-ray collection, which celebrates the King of Monster's initial popularity over three decades. It showcases Godzilla's iconic 15-film run for the first time, beginning with 1954's Godzilla (aka Gojira) and ending with 1975's Mechagodzilla. Other classics in the collection include Mothra vs. Godzilla, Son of Godzilla, and Godzilla vs. Megalon. The original and 1956 U.S.-release of Godzilla and the 1962 Japanese-release of King Kong vs. Godzilla has been digitally remastered for the first time.
Additionally, the collection features short films dedicated to the films' visual effects and interviews with cast and crew. A 1990 interview with director Ishiro Honda and a 2011 illustrated audio essay based on "the real-life tragedy that inspired Godzilla" come in the collection.
An added bonus is the new pop-art style illustration for each film. The works come from some of today's top illustrators like Arthur Adams, Jorge Coelho, Monarobot, Takashi Okazaki, Angela Rizza, Bill Sienkiewicz and Katsuya Terada. The pop-art fun continues with a hardcover book filled illustrations alongside an essay by cinema historian Steve Ryfle and notes on the films from cinema historian Ed Godziszewski.
Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1945 - 1975 is slated for release on Oct. 29. The collection retails for $176.85 and is currently available for pre-order.
(via The Playlist)