King Kong vs. Godzilla – 1963 US Version [DUBBED] + Introduction

King Kong vs. Godzilla is showing at the Barbican Cinema 1 on Saturday 17 October, as part of the All Kaiju Attack: All Stars! programme. It's the 1963 US version, dubbed, and it comes with an introduction before the film starts. The screening is down on Level -2 of the Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS.

For a bit of context, this was Ishirō Honda's 1962 film, the third Godzilla movie, and it remains the most successful Godzilla film of all time. It was also the first great kaiju crossover, pitting Godzilla against King Kong. The Americanised version you'll see here adds new scenes with US actors and leans more heavily into the monster battles, while the original's final showdown set against Mount Fuji became one of the franchise's most beloved moments. That playful tone carried through the Godzilla films of the 1960s and 70s. It was directed by Ishirō Honda and Thomas Montgomery, runs about an hour and a half, and contains scenes with racist imagery.

Tickets are £15.50 standard, which is £14 plus a £1.50 transaction fee. Members get it for £11.20, Young Barbican is £6, and students, the unwaged, over 65s and under 18s pay £12.50. Access tickets are £15.50 and come with a free essential companion ticket.