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

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Rating: - Don't monkey around with Kong

The basic story is of Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong), who makes those cute little animal pictures that are going out of style. If he wants to stay in business he must add a female interest and some excitement. Circumstances forcing him to leave port quickly, he meets a girl Ann Darrow (Fay Wray), that is down on her luck and convinces her that he will make her a star (on the up and up).
Things get complicated, as you know it is bad luck to bring a woman onboard a freighter. And Ann really stirs them up including the first mate, Jack Driscoll (Bruce Cabot). On top of this she has a large date awaiting her at Skull Island.
I will not tell the rest of the story just incase you are one of the few that has missed the movie. But as you have guessed it includes a big ape named KONG. Not that cheesy thing that is always tussling around in Japanese movies, but a much more convincing Kong that can show great emotion.
You are about to watch the eight wonder of the world.

Rating: - The Original and Best

This was the first film I saw - I was about seven years old! What I felt then, as now, was the atmosphere of forboding and terror: 'Tell her (Fay Wray ) to scream her heart out' to which the answer: 'What does he ( the expedition leader) expect her to see?' Considering the year this film was made, the special effects were remarkable, especially Kong's final demise on the top of the Empire State Building. I was very upset at such human cruelty. Every 'plane he swatted, I cheered to stop myself from crying. The film's creepy sense of compulsive viewing is something no later version has eclipsed. Like Kong, I fell in love with Fay Wray. I also wanted to adopt King Kong as my bodyguard buddy. What more could any seven year old boy's heart desire?

Rating: - the grandfather of all monster movies.

this film may have been made over 70 years ago, but the pioneering special effects are just as effective now as they were then.
the scene of kong on top of the empire state building with his loved one in tow, fighting off the aeroplanes, has become one of the most popular images in the history of cinema.the film also has one of the most famous lines in hollywood thus: "It was beauty that killed the beast."
special effects master willis o'brien had already experimented with his now famous filming technique, in the 1925 film "the lost world." this has been put to better use in "king kong."
the cast are pretty good; fay wray screams a lot more than any other actress i've ever seen but does it convincingly. bruce cabot is passable, if slightly wooden as her love interest but it is robert armstrong as the adventurous, daring filmmaker carl denham who comes off the best. i'm glad he was cast as denham once again in "son of kong" and in "mighty joe young" as a similar character.
kong is essentially an innocent animal who is used to ruling in his own habitat. it is rather sad when he comes up against man and his machines and loses.it makes for a touching ending.
king kong is the biggest and the strongest of the screen monsters- note how he defeated godzilla in "king kong vs. godzilla." (1963)
forget the inferior 1976 version and other sequels, stick to the original.

Rating: - A lasting charm

With the new King Kong just realeased how does the original compare. Quite well actually in terms of entertainment. Although the special effects are obviously not that good it is still really entertaining . It must be said however that it is more of a comedy now than a serious film (it's the huge teeth that do it).

Unlike the new King Kong it dosn't feel as dragged out. Their is plenty of action in it. The only problem is that their isn't really any realationship between Kong and the woman.

Let's be honest, the first bit may drag a little but after that it is a good film, honestly. Still probably the best version yet!

I recommend it to everyone, even if it just for a good old laugh.

Rating: - Essential viewing.

Now King Kong has come to modern audiences, there is an even greater reason to get hold of the original. Sure, the new one is great and I would recommend anyone watch it, but this version, now re - released on DVD is essential viewing as the atmosphere is completely different to that portrayed by Jackson and to see how movie making as come on in the intervening years is a joy to behold. Both are fantastic in some amazingly similar ways. Watch the new and the old on the same day and enjoy the cinematic feast.

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