Topic on User talk:Space Hunter M

Hi Space Hunter, I’ve been going over the UK sections of the Godzilla films and was noticing the different runtimes on some of the VHS releases. Could it be something to do with PAL speed-up? I’m also aware of a few jumpcuts in the Monsters from an Unknown Planet VHS (not referring to the censored shots), although they seem to be intended rather than something caused by deterioration.

That is correct. The Godzilla films released on videogram in the UK were conventionally telecined at 25fps per the 576-line standard used in the region. As such, they run approximately 4% faster. (To be pedantic, Godzilla 1985's VHS was merely a shitty standards conversion from NTSC to PAL, and there is no runtime difference compared to the North American and Japanese tape releases of that particular title).

Could you be more specific in your examples pertaining to Monsters from an Unknown Planet? I am aware of a few splices (or "joins", as you folks call them) present on the print used for the Derran video version.

I’m mainly using the Harley Thomas upload from the Internet Archive as reference, as I unfortunately do not own the tape myself. The first one I noticed is at the start, where the beginning of the GvMG flashback has the first few seconds missing on both the Archive version and the version of the credits uploaded onto YouTube. I’ll have to go back and make sure if any other “joins”.

After a quick watch, I’ve noticed three others, all happen around the time that Mafune’s backstory is told. The first is with the picture flashback, you can tell with the audio: “Still in his early th- an interest.” The second is just after the flashback ends. The third is when Ichinose asks where Mafune lives.

That's all at the beginning of reel 2, so a little damage and jettisoned frames around the head of a reel makes sense.

So I take it that the missing seconds from the GvMG recap are also caused by reel damage?

On another note, I know you’ve removed the VHS runtimes from the infoboxes, fair enough given your explanation. Although I was wondering if it was worth mentioning on each films’ respective UK release section? Maybe it’s a bit unnecessary, but I figured it would be a neat bit of information for people unfamiliar with the process. Especially since it’s a bit back and forth as Hokushin’s Cosmic Monster VHS lists it with the U.S. runtime and the Manga releases for King Ghidorah and vs. Mothra lists them with the uncut runtimes, (are these other examples of that "shitty standards conversion" you mentioned?).

I don't think it's a necessary explication; this info can be inferred from the video release sections, and any relevant discrepancies in standards conversion or missing footage can be brought up there.

The Hokushin Cosmic Monster is, most likely, a regular PAL telecine, and the two Manga releases were uncut sans the Toho logos and Toho Eiga screens, and standard telecines as well.

Ok then. Thanks anyway, your information was very helpful.