King Kong (1976): Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Review

THE MOVIE — 3/5

Plot Synopsis: When a research ship, led by Petrox Oil Company executive Fred Wilson (CHARLES GRODIN), is sent to explore an island thought to be rich in oil, paleontologist Jack Prescott (JEFF BRIDGES) sneaks aboard, having heard strange rumors about the island. En route, the crew rescues Dwan (JESSICA LANGE), the sole survivor of a shipwreck. When they arrive, they find native people living in fear of a monster called Kong. The natives kidnap Dwan and sacrifice her to what turns out to be an enormous ape. Dwan is eventually rescued, and the ape captured for a gala exhibit.

Quick Hit Review: Never been a huge fan of the King Kong movies though vastly appreciated the work that was done on the 1933 original and aspects of the effects work in subsequent movies, including Kong: Skull Island, but I don’t go, forgive me, ape over a new Kong movie, just generally go in just wanting to be entertained, which generally they have been, the few I’ve seen.

This version of King Kong, released in 1976 from executive producer Dino De Laurentiis, certainly has some spectacle for sure and for the old guy in an ape costume, it’s not all bad, albeit Kong’s facial expressions ranged from unintentionally goofy to downright creepy, especially every time he’s looking at, ogling perhaps a better word, at Jessica Lange’s Dwan, although to be fair, I think many guys, ape or human, would be too. In any case, there is an adorable element to this movie, specifically when Kong is transported to New York and, in an attempt to grab Dwan, rips open a model train or in another scene, ducks behind a building to avoid being spotted by a helicopter. Those made me smile; doubtful it was the filmmakers’ intent, however.

King Kong was directed by John Guillermin who has helmed a couple epic movies in the past including The Towering Inferno and Death on the Nile (as well as Shaft in Africa) whose attitude behind the camera was something else and probably combined with a couple box office flops, last directed in 1988 (and passed away in 2015). In terms of his direction here, it’s not bad and I actually liked some of the tricks he undertook and the combination of stages and miniature work; sometimes it looks cheesy but it often put a smile on my face.

In the end, King Kong is not a terrible movie by any stretch but is very flawed and didn’t exactly have the same emotional impact compared with its counterparts, both the 1933 and 2005 versions.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 4/5

DISC 1 (THEATRICAL CUT):

Audio Commentaries:

• Author Ray Morton (“King Kong : The History of a Movie Icon from Fay Wray to Peter Jackson”)
• Make-Up Effects Rick Baker (played King Kong)

The tracks, Morton especially, can be dry but still educational. Baker’s track is more of a conversation rather than a scene-specific commentary as it was originally intended as a video interview.

Interviews (TRT 49:17):

• On Top of the World (11:54) — Production Manager Brian Frankish and Assistant Director David McGiffert
• When the Monkey Dies, Everybody Cries (13:48) — Messengers Jeffrey Chernov and Scott Thaler
• Maybe in Their Wildest Dreams (5:36) — Sculptor Steve Varner
• Something’s Haywire (5:52) — Actor Jack O’Halloran
• From Space to Apes (5:36) — Photographic Effects Assistant Barry Nolan
• There’s a Fog Bank Out There (6:31) — Second Unit Director Bill Kronick

There’s a good selection of interviewees here and even done mostly over Zoom, are pretty informative, each giving their behind-the-scenes stories, and some of it pretty frank about the production.

Also included is the Theatrical Trailers (5:02), Television Spots (3:36), Radio Spots (1:35) and Image Galleries (Movie Stills, Posters and Lobby Cards, Behind the Scenes and Newspaper Ads).

DISC 2 (TELEVISION CUT):
King Kong Panel Discussion from the Aero Theater (1:08:45) — This is a special from 2016, celebrating the film’s 30th anniversary and features Jack O’Halloran, Richard H. Kline, Rick Baker, Martha De Laurentiis and Richard Kraft.

VIDEO – 4½/5

AUDIO – 4¼/5

OVERALL – 3½/5

King Kong (1976) is certainly a flawed movie, entertaining for the most part though, but the biggest drawback is with the Kong suit which sometimes looks fine but his facial expressions were at best goofy, at worst downright creepy. This Collector’s Edition release from Shout Factory offers up good video and audio transfers and a good selection of bonus material.