Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) is the 11th film in the Godzilla franchise. It was released in the USA under the title Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster due to its environmentalist message. Human pollution leads to the creation of a malevolent kaiju called Hedorah.
Hedorah orginated from a microscopic form of alien life that consumed pollution for its survival. It grows into a sea-monster that can secrete acid as a weapon. Hedorah goes through a metamorphosis into a form that allows it to travel on land. This opens up new sources of pollution for the monster to eat.
Fortunately for mankind, Godzilla arrives to take on the ever-expanding smog-beast. But the fight results in pieces of Hedorah crawling back into the ocean – growing and ultimately increasing Hedorah’s power. After returning to land, Hedorah transforms into its strongest form with new powers. The rampages of this violent kaiju take the lives of thousands of humans.
Not even Godzilla can withstand the toxic power of the monster. In the ensuring battles, Hedorah’s acidic flesh burns one of Godzilla’s hands to the bone and the monster destroys one of Godzilla’s eyes. Godzilla is thrown into a pit where Hedorah attempts to drown Godzilla in a toxic chemical sludge.
Can mankind be saved? Will Godzilla survive the unstoppable onslaught of Hedorah?
