King Kong. Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, 1933.
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Edition screened: Warner 2-Disc Special Edition DVD, released 2005. English language. Runtime approximately 104 minutes.
Summary: Fantasy animal battles.
It seems trivial to enumerate instances of violence in King Kong, perhaps even disrespectful to the film. Much of the action takes place on a fantastic primitive island where ferocious dinosaurs battle to the death and the mighty Kong suffers no trespass. This differs from nature documentary of actual animal fights in that King Kong was conceived in the minds of men purely for entertainment purposes. Fantasy animals die in these violent conflicts, but the implication is more like forces of nature crashing against one another, showing displays of awesome power rather than gore. King Kong’s famous conclusion shows the distraught giant ape brought down from the Empire State Building by military airstrike. Sadness and loss are the only victors.
As Rush Limbaugh has said, “Oh!, Oh! … So it’s fine for animals to rip each each other to shreds, but disgraceful for humans to hunt them as we’ve done for thousands of years.” Yes, that is correct. I’m glad he gets it.
Despite a rather plodding beginning, I am amazed by the thematic quality and entertainment value of this film. It is exciting and spectacular, with mesmerizing special effects that expose current computerized efforts as childish bores.
This Warner Special Edition includes a good biographical feature I’m King Kong! The Exploits of Merian C. Cooper.