Gorgo
1961 · United Kingdom · 78 min
- Director
- Eugène Lourié
- Screenplay
- Daniel James
- Music
- Angelo Francesco Lavagnino
- Cinematography
- Freddie Young
- Production company
- King Brothers Productions
Cast
What it is about
After an undersea volcano sends tremors across the Atlantic, salvage partners Joe Ryan and Sam Slade bring their ship, the Triton, to the Irish island of Nara for repairs. There they meet Sean, a young orphan, and the surly harbormaster McCartin, whose hoard hides a secret. Soon a gigantic sea creature changes the course of events for everyone on the island.
How it was made
The project began as a co-production with an unnamed Japanese company and a Japanese setting, then moved to France before settling on the British Isles when the producers signed with British Lion Films. Filming took place at MGM-British Studios in Borehamwood and on location in London and near Dublin. Camera operator Douglas Adamson described a blend of suitmation and large-scale miniature sets, a method linked to the Godzilla films. The budget was about $1.5 million, according to producer Herman King.
Reception and legacy
Critics were lukewarm. A London reviewer lamented a sad waste of opportunity, while Charles Stinson of the Los Angeles Times called the screenplay not unintelligent but entirely routine, praising the rich color and fairly skillful effects. Arthur Steele of the Birmingham Evening Mail judged it designed for juvenile adults.
Stills
Trailer
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Trivia
An island with a hidden name
Nara Island is an anagram of the Aran Islands off Ireland's west coast, and it is where the creature first appears.
Oversized sets
Camera operator Douglas Adamson explained that the smaller juvenile Gorgo required sets built at a larger scale, and high-speed photography was used to convey mass.
A quiet Sunday in London
The scenes showing Gorgo driven through London's streets were shot on a Sunday afternoon, when traffic was light.
More films by Eugène Lourié
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
The Giant BehemothOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (es) and Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.