Giants among us, behind the scenes of classic tokusatsu films

Since the dawn of cinema, crews have built realistic sets for their films. The classic tokusatsu films like Godzilla, produced by Toho Studios, required life-size sets as well of scale miniature cities to tell the story. While the monsters may have been the big guys on camera, the human production crews were the giants behind the scenes.

I found an out-of-print book, Japanese Special Effects Films Illustrated, at a local library. The pictorial guide features information and tons of behind-the-scenes shots from dozens classic Toho SFX films. Here’s a few:

Godzilla himself, Nakajima Haruo (中島春雄) blocking moves on the set of the original 1954 film.

Workers perch Rodan atop a building in the titular 1956 film.

Legendary special effects director Tsuburaya Eiji (円谷英二) and an assistant place a giant cocoon next to a nearly snapped in half Tokyo Tower on the set of Mothra (1961).

The “undersea warship” Gotengo from Atragon is placed into the water.

Workers choreograph moves on the set of a more recent movie.

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12 Comments so far

  1. By Johnny, on September 24, 2010 at 07:31

    More please…

  2. By Shay, on September 24, 2010 at 15:28

    Hi! I’d like to do a Part 2 soon. As soon as a get more scans, I’ll put ‘em up! =) Thanks

  3. By James Vaughan, on September 26, 2010 at 15:25

    … wonderful!

  4. By Tony Trov, on September 28, 2010 at 02:08

    Epic!

  5. By Shay, on September 28, 2010 at 20:29

    @ James Vaughan & Tony Trov, indeed =)

  6. By Brian, on September 29, 2010 at 04:51

    Incredible! Thanks.

  7. By Shay, on September 29, 2010 at 18:54

    Glad you like ‘em Brian. Thanks too!

  8. By Eric Fell, on October 1, 2010 at 14:34

    OH MY GOD!!! Those people are enormous!

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  11. By Larry Brooks, on November 6, 2010 at 18:37

    Just AMAZING! LOVE THESE!! I’ve always wanted to see photos of behind the scenes on some of Toho’s classics. You’ve GOT to put many more of these on the web – Please!

    Thanks for posting the shots – they’re simply incredible!

  12. By Shay, on November 7, 2010 at 14:16

    Hi Larry! Thanks and I appreciate it =) I’ll definitely upload more soon. I wish there were a lot more behind the scenes photos from Toho movies out there because I’d love to see them but I’ll do my part to share what I’ve come across.