King Kong (1933)

Director: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack

Starring: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot

A film crew goes to a tropical island for an exotic location shoot and discovers a colossal ape who takes a shine to their female blonde star. He is then captured and brought back to New York City for public exhibition.

So, I decided to watch and compare the three major King Kong films, namely the 1933, 1976 & 2005 versions.

The 1933 ‘King Kong’ is officially the oldest film I’ve seen, and still an absolutely amazing film! Transport yourself back in time 87 years ago – to a time when there were no computers or CGI to enhance the film industry. I can only imagine how spectacular this film must have been at the time! This is a spectacle of note – even by today’s standards (taking in account the methods they had at their disposal at the time).

In this version, Jack is a skipper. Carl Denham and his crew are on their way to an island to shoot a documentary, and Ann is along for the ride, having just being cast in the film.

The elaborate sets are impressive, and from the onset this clearly is a top notch production, with loads of extras, make-up, costumes, painted backdrops (or early CGI if you wish), and creature stop-motion photography. The scale of this film is mind boggling.

This version is a horror movie, with unexpected brutality and vicious killings. I honestly did not expect it to be so brutal. The film’s climax is an impressive display of mayhem, chaos and destruction. This was just fabulous. I absolutely loved it! ‘King Kong’ (1933) is a true classic, and a masterpiece at that!

Would I watch it again? Yes.