King Kong (1933)

4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (379 customer reviews)
On a mysterious and dangerous island, a film producer captures a giant ape and brings him back to New York in the hopes of capitalizing on his prize.
  • Starring: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong
  • Directed by: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
  • Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Release year: 1933
  • Studio: Warner Bros.
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Product Details
Synopsis: On a mysterious and dangerous island, a film producer captures a giant ape and brings him back to New York in the hopes of capitalizing on his prize.
Starring: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong
Supporting actors: Bruce Cabot
Directed by: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Horror
Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: English Details
Release year: 1933
Studio: Warner Bros.
ASIN: B001R6AW18 (Rental) and B001R6G34I (Purchase)
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 48 hour viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: April 07, 1933
  • Production Company: RKO Radio Pictures
  • Also Known As King Ape / Kong / The Ape / The Beast
  • Filming Locations: Backlot, Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA | Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA | Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA | Hoboken, New Jersey, USA | Los Angeles Harbor, San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA | New York City, New York, USA | San Pedro Harbor, Long Beach, California, USA | San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA | Shrine Auditorium - 665 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
(379)
4.7 out of 5 stars
See all 379 customer reviews
“ No matter how many times I watch this movie, it never gets old. ” GameraRocks  |  101 reviewers made a similar statement
“ King Kong is one of the most influential films ever made. ” Phxsns1  |  98 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
184 of 200 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally on DVD 11/22/2005 August 5, 2005
By new yorker VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
From the Warner's press release
Three editions:
The King Kong: Two-Disc Special Edition (SRP $26.99) will include the 104-minute restored and remastered B&W film on video in its original full frame, with Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Extras will include audio commentary (by Ray Harryhausen and Ken Ralston, with Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack, Ruth Rose, Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong), the 2005 I'm Kong: The Exploits of Merian C. Cooper documentary, a gallery of trailers for other films by director Merian C. Cooper, the new RKO Production 601: The Making of Kong, Eighth Wonder of the World documentary by Peter Jackson (featuring the following featurettes: The Origins of King Kong, Willis O'Brien and Creation, Cameras Roll on Kong, The Eighth Wonder, A Milestone in Visual Effects, Passion, Sound and Fury, The Mystery of the Lost Spider Pit Sequence and King Kong's Legacy) and Creation test footage (with commentary by Ray Harryhausen).

The King Kong: Two-Disc Collector's Edition (SRP $39.98) will include all of the above in limited tin packaging that also features a 20-page reproduction of the original 1933 souvenir program, King Kong original one-sheet reproduction postcards and a mail-in offer for a reproduction of a vintage theatrical poster.

The King Kong Four-Disc Collector's Set (SRP $39.92) will include the King Kong: Two-Disc Special Edition along with The Son of Kong and Mighty Joe Young. It will NOT include the extras in the Collector's Edition tin.

Fortunately, The Son of Kong and Mighty Joe Young will also be available separately (as will The Last Days of Pompeii, also by Kong directors Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack) for an SRP of $19.97 each.

The Son of Kong will include the 70-minute restored B&W film on video in the original full frame, with Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Extras will include the theatrical trailer.

Mighty Joe Young will include the 94-minute restored B&W film on video in its original full frame, with Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Extras will include audio commentary (by Ray Harryhausen, Ken Ralston and Terry Moore), 2 new featurettes (Ray Harryhausen and The Chioda Brothers and Ray Harryhausen and Mighty Joe Young) and the film's theatrical trailer.
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55 of 59 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTY AND THE BEAST... June 5, 2002
By Lawyeraau HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE
Format:VHS Tape
As a young child in the nineteen fifties, I used to watch this film whenever it appeared on TV on "Million Dollar Movie". I loved it then. I love it now. Time has not diminished the capacity of this film to mesmerize and hold the viewer in its thrall.

The story line is basic. Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong), a filmmaker and entrepreneur, leads an expedition to Skull Island where he discovers its deep, dark secret. It is a land where time has stood still, and prehistoric monsters still hold sway over the island and its inhabitants. There, the natives pay homage to the one whom they revere as "Kong", and who is, indeed, king of the island.

Denham, together with his beautiful, budding starlet, Ann Darrow (Fay Wray), as well as with the crew of the ship that brought him to Skull Island, investigates the strange ritual being performed on the island by its native population. Before she knows it, Ann finds herself captured by the natives. She is to become the bride of the mysterious "Kong".

When Ann discovers who the mysterious "Kong" is, she starts screaming and doesn't stop. The ship's first mate, Jack Driscoll (Bruce Cabot), who happens to be in love with Ann, manages to rescue her from the clutches of "Kong". Notwithstanding the fact that "Kong" has taken a shine to her, Ann is relieved to have been rescued by the man whom she loves.

Denham then arranges to capture the creature, whom he calls "King Kong" and takes him back to New York with them on the ship that brought them to Skull Island. There, King Kong makes his debut, one that movie lovers will long remember.

The special effects of this film were superlative for its time and still pass muster today. The relationship between the beauty and the beast still makes the viewer sit up and take notice. This is an attention grabbing film that is as exciting today, as when it was first released over seventy years ago. It is a truly timeless, cinema classic. Bravo!

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33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Peter Jackson will never top the Original King Kong April 21, 2005
By MGA
Format:DVD
I have always loved the 1933 King Kong for its life-like special effects created by Willis O'Brien. It would be very difficult to reproduce a period piece such as this, yet that's exactly what Peter Jackson is attempting to do. I hope he succeeds, I really do, but...

You just can't beat the original. And it's not just the FX (spectacular for its day), but the slow build up to Kong and Kong's appearance in NYC...all just fantasic.

Here is some important news below! Warner and HP are digitally restoring King Kong for a new theatrical release followed by a multiple DVD release. This couldn't be better news for Kong fans! Since I'm sure Warner wishes to cash in on Peter Jackson's new magnum opus, we'll probably be seeing the DVDs at Amazon within the near future.

Warner Bros. Studios and HP breathe new life into classic motion pictures

Warner Bros. Studios and HP also announced that they have teamed to restore the 1933 classic motion picture "King Kong." One of the American Film Institute's 100 most beloved films and named to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress, the original camera negative of "King Kong" has long been destroyed, leaving only elements and prints that have been deteriorating over the years.

Warner Bros. Studios has brought the best elements and prints from all over the world and has scanned them into a 4K digital file. Using HP's "dirt and scratch" technology, which was developed by HP Labs, the 72-year-old classic will be digitally restored to its 1933 brilliance. A new camera negative as well as new archival elements will be created so that the film will be saved for generations to come. This new, restored version of "King Kong," as it was originally released, will be screened theatrically and broadcast on television, as well as released on Warner Home Video.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars My apologies to Jack Black...
You know, I didn't really like Peter Jackson's King Kong when I saw it in theaters, though I thought it had potential to be quite good. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Alex Nennig
5.0 out of 5 stars The Classic!
One of the best movies ever made, 80 years later! A must see even for kids, you can't beat the original King Kong.
Published 1 day ago by shoejunkie
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing movie, especially for its era
I've always marveled that a movie like "King Kong" could've been made in 1933. The special effects do not seem even slightly lame, even by today's CG standards. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Gary B. Katz
5.0 out of 5 stars Say, I think I love you!
If you are looking for the definitive version of the Original 1933 Classic, King Kong then look no further. Read more
Published 17 days ago by D. L. Haynes
5.0 out of 5 stars Better Than The New One
I like the earlier version of King Kong because it is so obvious that the gorilla is not real; it isn't bloody or gory yet you still get the scary feeling and more importantly,... Read more
Published 21 days ago by Joan M. Berry
3.0 out of 5 stars decent film
Rather antique for the time. 80 years old, quite an accomplishment that it manages to remain alive even today. In that respect, King Kong is a respectable film.
Published 1 month ago by Dave C
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Classic!
Okay, here we have the most well known, grandfather of all monster/special effects movies! Filmed waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1932 and released in 1933 (for you kiddies -it was a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Metalhead74
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this colorized version
If you are a serious fan of the 1933 King Kong movie (who isn't), than this is a must have. Just for the sake of having it, I've added to my overall collection of King Kong items. Read more
Published 1 month ago by jerry weaver
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Favorite
No matter how many versions of King Kong are made, this one with Fay Wray will always be my favorite. It just cannot be beaten.
Published 1 month ago by WJF
5.0 out of 5 stars 1933 version Rules!
Film compares more than favourably with later version. Does not have the techno stuff eg of modern films and does not need it.
Published 1 month ago by A. Jurga
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Did they do a new restoration for the Blu Ray?
The blu-ray of THE GENERAL is off the camera negative. KING KONG's camera negative is gone. That said, KONG on blu-ray still looks darn good; better than ever, and as good as it is ever likely to get.
Dec 14, 2010 by Anthony Crnkovich |  See all 17 posts
King Kong 1933, Color and/or B&W?
the bluray is b/w but save your money it is terrible the original one is better i am re selling my bluray version i could not watch it till the end it was that bad picture very grainy and yes a while back they did indeed dod a colorized version
Mar 31, 2011 by John Hogg |  See all 9 posts
Ten Movies That Changed The World.
Toy Story sold computer animation. And maybe the wizard of oz and or gone with the wind.
Jan 26, 2013 by FlannMann |  See all 2 posts
King Kong fought an Allosaurus and NOT a T-rex.
Ah yes - Allosaurus, who, according to Paleontologists, was larger, meaner, and had bigger teeth than T-Rex....

<YOWWCH> ^o^
Jun 15, 2012 by Anubis |  See all 2 posts
Region-code-free Be the first to reply
Nearly faultless classic sci-fi film!
Every thing about the original King Kong is as close to flawless as the 30s could get. The fact that it's "weaknesses" are mostly subjective and related to it's age are proof that the story and the amazing way it was told survive into the 21st as a Classic. This movie struck the same... Read more
Aug 24, 2009 by John Patrick Fischner |  See all 4 posts
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