So Mothra is very much a family film, introducing a lighter vibe that would eventually settle on Toho Studio's monster universe.

More like a paper dragon in a parade, Mothra is simply lovely. In none of its forms does it even try to look 'real', which sets it against a whole tradition of Western special effects.

One of the maddest monster movies ever committed to the big screen, helped by some wacky special effects and the sheer ambition of Honda's vision.

Honda found his vision largely constrained by a meagre budget but still managed to produce a colourful and inventive monster movie.