Son of Godzilla (1967) Review | Maser Squad & Godzilla Island Archive

Note: The written portion of this article is the 2013 Godzilla Island Archive review, at the bottom you can find our recent Maser Squad video review where both Dan & Frank (Godzilla Island) discussed this film with new views and opinions.

The Plot

The movie opens with a research crew flying over the ocean when their flight instruments start picking up strange interference something resembling brain waves. As they try to trace the source, they spot Godzilla in the water and quickly change course. The interference isn’t coming from Godzilla, but from a mysterious place known as Sollgel Island.

On Sollgel Island, a team of scientists is conducting a weather control experiment designed to manipulate climates turning harsh environments into fertile farmland to prevent future food shortages. Their goal is to combat overpopulation by making once-uninhabitable areas livable.

A reporter soon arrives, eager to document their groundbreaking experiment. The scientists are reluctant to let him stay but eventually agree on the condition that he helps with the daily work around the camp.

Days later, strange man-sized insects begin appearing on the island. The reporter dubs them Gimantis (the English dub name), though they are more accurately known as Kamacuras. While exploring, the reporter spots a mysterious woman swimming off the coast but loses sight of her when he trips and looks back she’s vanished.

The scientists proceed with their weather experiment, launching a weather balloon but their instruments are disrupted by the same signal detected earlier by the airplane. The balloon detonates prematurely, causing a massive radiation storm that engulfs the island for days.

When the storm clears, the team discovers that the Kamacuras have grown to kaiju-sized proportions, towering over the base. Investigating further, they find the creatures attacking a mountain that emits the strange jamming signal. Inside the mountain lies a giant egg. The Kamacuras shatter it open, revealing Minilla, a baby Godzilla. The insects begin to attack the hatchling until Godzilla himself arrives on the island to rescue his son.

In his rage, Godzilla accidentally destroys the scientists’ base while battling the Kamacuras. He kills two of them, while one manages to escape. The reporter then finds the island girl again her name is Reiko. She’s seen playing with Minilla, feeding him fruit, and seems to share a gentle bond with the creature. Reiko reveals she was born on the island; her parents were researchers who died of illness, leaving her to survive alone. She warns the group about Spiga (Kumonga in the Japanese version), a giant spider that sleeps beneath the island’s sands.

Later, while exploring, Reiko and the reporter are attacked by the surviving Kamacuras. Minilla tries to defend them but is no match. The commotion awakens Kumonga, who traps both Minilla and Kamacuras in webs. As Kumonga begins feeding, Godzilla arrives and engages the spider in an intense battle. Minilla breaks free and joins the fight, blasting atomic breath alongside his father. Together, they defeat Kumonga and save the island.

Meanwhile, the scientists finally succeed in activating the weather device, causing snow to fall across the tropical island. As temperatures drop, Godzilla and Minilla huddle together and hibernate in the snow, waiting for the island’s warmth to return.

My Thoughts

Son of Godzilla marks the first appearance of Minilla, Godzilla’s son, in the Showa era. He would later appear in Destroy All Monsters, All Monsters Attack (Godzilla’s Revenge), and Godzilla vs. Gigan.

I’ve always loved this movie especially for its island setting. It’s one of those rare glimpses into Godzilla’s natural environment, showing us how he interacts with other kaiju outside of urban destruction. There’s something charming about the father-son dynamic, even if Minilla’s design has always looked a bit off to me (especially the face).

As a kid, Minilla was one of my favorite characters, and this movie still captures that sense of wonder. It also reinforces why Godzilla is called the King of the Monsters he dominates every creature on the island and protects his offspring like a force of nature.

It’s a straightforward, fun entry that introduces three memorable kaiju Minilla, Kamacuras, & Kumonga and delivers a mix of action, heart, and a touch of post-war science fiction optimism.

If you can find a copy for a reasonable price, this one is well worth adding to your collection.