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King Kong - The Eighth Wonder Of The World [DVD] [1933] starring: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher, Sam Hardy

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Rating: - all time great ape.

Just to let you know about the extras on this 2 disc region 1 edition.Disc one has a commentary by Ray Harryhausen(with interview excerpts of producer Merion C. cooper and star Fay Wray) and a Cooper trailer gallery(16:47).Disc two has a 7-part making of.1.origins(14:16)2.creation(23:04)3.eighth wonder(12:56)4.visual effects(41:26)5.passion,sound and fury(17:25)6.lost spider pit sequence(41:31) and 7.legacy(14:07).Also original test footage(4:56)with commentary by Ray Harryhausen and a Merion C.Cooper documentary(56:57).A fantastic set.

Rating: - Incredibility

I have been writing reviews for "Amazon" for nearly 2 years - and my first was about "Kong type monkey films"! This a.m. I suddenly realised that I hadn't made known my thoughts on "Kong, The Eighth Wonder Of The World". I have mentioned him in previous reviews. I have mentioned his creator, Willis O'Brien but never HIM.
How to do justice to him - I can't say anything that hasn't already been said - except that when I first met HIM , round about 1956, I had to be taken out of the Cinema screaming my head off, in tears 'cos "the big monkey's been killed" - that quote is accurate. I kept asking "Why".
So there you are, an 18 inch model had come to life for a child. I had seen other "violence/monster" films and remained unmoved - jumped ,screamed etc, - yes - but nothing to affect me. This did.
Round about 1970 I went into a Pub. in Glasgow and everyone, customers and staff, were watching the telly, up in a corner. Not a sound to be heard. KONG WAS ON.
Nothing, no C.G.I., or future, effects will ever equal this. Peter Jackson's film is good, very good, and Andy Serkis is believable in both parts - I love his comment of "only one thing....The Abominable Snowman" .
But, I would think, the limitations of the time only add to the charm of this film.
It is wonderful.

Rating: - Kong the King

A genuine classic which wears its 70 odd years well. Given the technology of the time the special effects are truely brilliant. Kong's battles with the pre-historic creatures of Skull Island are breath- taking. The Skull Island set is wonderfully atmospheric, you can almost smell the decaying vegetation.

Cooper build's suspense wonderfully, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the fearsome island inhabitants are the most terrifying thing there. The wall dividing the island is the last boundary between civilisation and fantasy world where Kong is King.

Denham as portrayed by Armstong is the very personification of capitalism and greed and Cooper's message is that excess greed leads to tragedy. Kong is a monarch in his own realm, when he is transported to democracey as represented by contemporary America, the clash of ideologies produces mayhem.

The film gives us some of the most iconic images of cinema history, the bound Wray helpless in her initial confrontation with Kong mirrored by the bound Kong on the New York stage. The Ape's eyes peering menacingly through the train wreck and of the course probably the most famous cinema image of all, Kong roars defiance from the Empire State summit.

Forget Jackson's version which would be nothing without the many benefits of computer generated special effects and depends on shock and graphic images for effect. This is the definitive Kong, one of the greatest movies ever made and I heartily recommend it.

Rating: - "No chains will ever hold that"

One of the greatest movies ever made and certainly one of the most influential.With many memorable images and scenes,'King Kong' has stood the test of time no matter what the modern audience might think.This fantastic movie was made in 1933 and when you take this into account the effects are nothing short of amazing.Is it perfect?Well,the dialogue can be cheesy,the acting can be hammy and the close up of Kong's face never really convinces.But so what?This truly deserves to be the legend it is simply because it is the greatest fantasy film ever.Yes,'Lord Of The Rings' or 'Wizard Of Oz' are also marvels of cinema but for me it is Kong that stands above them all,the king of the movie world.

If you have a multi region DVD player then you really should buy this region 1 release as the extras are excellent and it is fabulous to hear on the commentary just how wonderful the great Ray Harryhausen thinks that this movie is.It is a two disc set and well worth paying that bit extra for.If you are going to own this masterpiece then you may as well go for the best version there is and this is it.

'King Kong' will stand proud as a movie icon for all time and although Peter Jackson did a reasonable job with his remake,he never really stood a chance against this superb original.Take a bow Kong,you have truly earned it.

Rating: - Quick Reviews!

Probably still the most famous monster movie of all time, a genuine classic of effects and technical skill, and one which can still entertain newcomers today.

King Kong tells the story of a group of explorers, journalists, and scientists who embark on a voyage to a mysterious island. There they find amongst dinosaurs and other giant beasts, but ruling over all, including the natives is a giant ape. Carl Denham decides to capture the ape and bring it back to New York as his new spectacle, reviving his fortunes. When the beautiful actress Ann is kidnapped by the natives who plan to sacrifice her to Kong, the group of explorers must rescue her, and steal Kong. Jack Driscoll leads the way, and most of his group are killed before he saves Ann. Kong is taken back to America, but it seems his strength has been underestimated and he has fallen in love with the actress. Soon he is free and wreaking havoc throughout the city.

The effects for the time were stunning, and are still impressive today, with a flawless attention to detail being shown. The fights between Kong, dinosaurs, men, and airplanes are all awesome and provide some of the most iconic images in movie history. The Empire State Building finale is one of the most famous moments ever, and the log scene is still shocking today. Some of the acting is poor and the story, though simple has become a classic which many have copied since. Of course when you realise this was made over 70 years ago, naturally some things will have dated, such as the acting and some cheesy dialogue, but for audiences at the time it must have been a very tense and exciting time. Kids should be allowed to watch this at an early age as they will appreciate the story and remember the visuals before they see all the effects extravagances of the modern age, which could spoil their opinions of past greats such as this. For an early special effects film the story is rich, the characters have depth, and there is a wealth of underlying themes. Something today's film-makers would do well to remember when deciding to unleash the next blockbuster on us. Undoubtedly a classic.

For a film approaching its 80th birthday, it is not surprising that the features are a little slim. Still there is a dcoumentary and contributions from famous fans and movie historians which is pretty useful. This edition thankfully restores many censored scenes deemed too violent or unsuitable at the time of making, such as Kong chomping on natives. Cheap, and a piece of movie history which everyone should see.

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